Information processing apparatus, position information providing method, and program

Abstract

In the present invention, highly accurate position information is provided in real time. This information processing device includes an acquisition unit and an output unit. The acquisition unit acquires data containing: product information indicating a product acquired by operations performed by a customer; and position information related to the position at which the product information was acquired. The operations performed by the customer include an operation for registering product information and an operation for searching product information. Further, the output unit outputs position information and product information which contains the data acquired by the acquisition unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an information processing apparatus and the like.

Background Art

[0002] There is a technology for providing position information of products in a store. For example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 disclose a technology for displaying a map showing the positions of products in a store. Specifically, in Patent Document 2, when a product code is read by an operation of a store clerk, the store clerk terminal acquires identification information of a product shelf close to the store clerk terminal using a beacon device. Then, in Patent Document 2, the identification information of the product shelf is associated with the product code. In Patent Document 2, a product display management server causes the position of the product shelf corresponding to a designated product to be displayed on a map.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the technology described in Patent Document 2 mentioned above, the position information of products is specified by the operation of a store clerk. Therefore, when the operation of the store clerk is performed once a day or once every few days, there is a problem that the position information cannot be changed in real time when the position of the product is changed.

[0005] An example of the object of the present disclosure is to provide an information processing apparatus and the like that can provide highly accurate position information in real time.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In one form, an information processing apparatus includes an acquisition unit that acquires data including product information indicating a product acquired by a customer's operation and position information regarding a position where the product information was acquired, and an output unit that outputs the position information and the product information included in the data acquired by the acquisition unit.

[0007] In one form, a position information providing method acquires data including product information indicating a product acquired by a customer's operation and position information regarding a position where the product information was acquired, and outputs the position information and the product information included in the data.

[0008] In one form, a recording medium non-temporarily records a program that causes a computer to execute a process of acquiring data including product information indicating a product acquired by a customer's operation and position information regarding a position where the product information was acquired, and outputting the position information and the product information included in the data.

Advantages of the Invention

[0009] According to the present disclosure, highly accurate position information can be provided in real time.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

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Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of the information processing apparatus, position information providing method, and program according to the present disclosure will be described in detail. This embodiment does not limit the disclosed technology.

[0012] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an information processing apparatus according to Embodiment 1. The information processing apparatus 10 provides position information of each product in a store. For example, the store may be a supermarket. However, the store is not particularly limited. Also, the product is not particularly limited. The product is, for example, displayed in the store. Referring to FIG. 1, the information processing apparatus 10 includes an acquisition unit 101 and an output unit 102.

[0013] The acquisition unit 101 acquires data including, for example, product information indicating a product acquired by a customer's operation and position information regarding the position where the product information was acquired. For example, this data is referred to as "acquired data". Examples of the customer's operation include an operation in which the customer registers a product in a registration device (referred to as a "product registration operation"), an operation in which the customer searches for a product using a search device (referred to as a "product search operation"), and the like. First, the product registration operation will be described. The registration device is, for example, a device that allows a customer to register a product during shopping. Registering a product in the registration device means, for example, registering information (e.g., product information) regarding the product as a product to be settled in the registration device. At this time, the product or the series of registered products is associated with the customer. Being associated with the customer means, for example, that the customer's identification information is associated with the product information or the series of product information. As the customer's identification information, for example, the customer's ID information obtained from information such as a point card information may be used, or the identification information assigned to a single accounting may be used. Thereby, for example, it becomes possible to determine that it is an operation by the same customer. Examples of the registration device include a customer's terminal device, a register installed in the store, a shopping cart having a register function, and the like. Thus, the registration device is not particularly limited. Next, the product search operation will be described. The search device is, for example, a device that allows a customer to search for product information regarding a product during shopping. For example, the product search operation is an operation in which the customer searches for a product, features of the product, price of the product, and the like. Examples of the search device include a customer's terminal device, a device having a search function installed in the store, a register, a shopping cart having a search function, and the like. Thus, the search device is not particularly limited.

[0014] The registration device and the search device may be the same device or different devices. For example, the acquisition unit 101 acquires acquisition data including the product information acquired by the device (search device, registration device) through the customer's operation and the position information regarding the position at which the product information was acquired by the device. More specifically, the acquisition unit 101 acquires, for example, acquisition data including the product information registered by the registration device during the customer's product registration and the position information regarding the registration device at the time of product registration. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 101 acquires, for example, acquisition data including the product information searched by the search device during the customer's product search and the position information regarding the search device at the time of product search. In the first embodiment, for the sake of easier explanation, the registration device is taken as an example of the device operable by the customer for explanation. Specifically, the acquisition unit 101 receives, for example, the product information and the position information transmitted from the registration device via the communication network.

[0015] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the acquisition data. As shown in FIG. 2, the acquisition data acquired by the acquisition unit 101 includes, for example, product information and position information. In FIG. 2, examples of the product information include product identification information indicating an identifier of the product (product ID (Identify)). The identifier of the product is hereinafter referred to as the product ID (Identify). The product can be identified by the product ID. The position information is position information regarding the position at which the product information was acquired by the registration device. Specifically, for example, the position information indicates the position regarding the registration device. The position regarding the registration device is the position of the registration device or a position in the vicinity of the registration device. Examples of the position information include various types such as coordinate information indicating coordinate values within the store, shelf number information indicating the shelf number, and aisle information indicating the aisle number.

[0016] Also, as shown in FIG. 2, time information indicating the time at the time of registration by the registration device may be acquired by the acquisition unit 101. The information processing device 10 can manage the latest position information, old position information, etc. based on the time information. Also, instead of the time information, date information indicating the date or date-time information indicating the date and time may be acquired by the acquisition unit 101. Note that the acquisition unit 101 may use information indicating the time when the product information and the position information are acquired, without acquiring the time information from the registration device, as information indicating the time at the time of registration of the product.

[0017] Returning to the description of FIG. 1, the output unit 102 outputs the position information and the product information included in the acquired data. Various output methods can be cited. For example, as the output method, a method of registering in the storage unit or a method of outputting to an output device can be cited. When there are multiple types of output methods, either one or both of the output methods may be implemented.

[0018] The method of registering in the storage unit will be described. For example, the output unit 102 registers the product information and the position information included in the acquired data in the storage unit. Specifically, the output unit 102 may register the product information and the position information in a database that manages position information by product. Alternatively, the output unit 102 may register the product information and the position information in, for example, a database that manages existing products.

[0019] A method of causing an output device to output will be described. For example, the output unit 102 causes an output device or the like to output the position information and product information included in the acquired data. Examples of the output device include a display, lighting devices such as a lamp, a printer, a plotter, a speaker, and earphones. Specifically, the output unit 102 generates, for example, map information regarding a map indicating that there is a target product at the registered position. Then, the output unit 102 causes the display to display the map indicated by the map information. Here, the information processing device 10 may have an output device. Alternatively, a device connectable to the information processing device 10 via a communication network or the like may have an output device. For example, the output unit 102 transmits the map information to the customer's terminal device. As a result, the customer's terminal device receives the map information. Then, the customer's terminal device can display the map indicated by the map information.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the information processing device 10 according to Embodiment 1. Here, the processing results of each step by the information processing device 10 in FIG. 3 are stored in a storage unit accessible by the information processing device 10 such as a memory. As shown in FIG. 3, first, the information processing device 10 acquires product information registered by a registration device in customer product registration and position information regarding the registration device at the time of registration of the product (step S101). The information processing device 10 outputs the position information and the product information in association with each other (step S102). The information processing device 10 ends the operation of the flow.

[0021] As described above, the customer's operation is not limited to the product registration operation and may be a product search operation. Also, in the first embodiment, the operation by the customer may be either one of the product registration operation and the product search operation, or both. Therefore, in the product search operation, the product information is, for example, product information regarding the product searched by the search device. The position information is, for example, position information regarding the search device at the time of product search. The time information is, for example, time information indicating the time at the time of search by the search device.

[0022] Next, the effects of Embodiment 1 will be described. The information processing apparatus 10 in Embodiment 1 uses the position information at the time of acquiring product information by a customer's operation as the product display position. For example, in a product registration operation, the information processing apparatus 10 uses the position of the registration apparatus when a product is registered as the product display position. For example, in a product search operation, the information processing apparatus 10 uses the position of the search apparatus when a product is searched as the product display position. For example, in a supermarket or a supercenter, dozens to hundreds of customers visit the store. When the number of customers is large, the information processing apparatus 10 can collect a large amount of position information of each product in real time. Also, for example, even when a plurality of different products are suddenly collected as in a wagon sale, the information processing apparatus 10 can obtain the position information of the products in real time when a customer registers the products in the registration apparatus. In this way, the information processing apparatus 10 can provide highly accurate position information in real time. Also, when attaching an RFID (Radio Frequency Identifier) or the like to each product to identify the position information of each product, since the price of the RFID is high, it is expensive to attach an RFID to each product. The information processing apparatus 10 can provide highly accurate position information as compared with the case of using an expensive apparatus such as an RFID. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 10 can achieve cost reduction in providing position information. Also, the information processing apparatus 10 uses the product registration used by a customer to purchase a product. For this reason, the information processing apparatus 10 can provide position information without newly imposing a burden on the customer. Also, the information processing apparatus 10 does not need to use operations such as reading a product code by a store clerk. For this reason, the information processing apparatus 10 can save the labor of the store clerk.

[0023] (Embodiment 2) Next, Embodiment 2 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Hereinafter, the description of the content overlapping with the above description will be omitted as long as the description of the present Embodiment 2 is not made unclear. Further, in Embodiment 2, as in Embodiment 1, a product registration operation will be described as an example of an operation by a customer, but a product search operation may also be used. For this reason, a registration device will be described as an example of a device that can be operated by a customer, but the device that can be operated by a customer may be a search device.

[0024] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the system according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 4, the system 2 includes an information processing device 20, a plurality of registration devices 21, and a display device 22.

[0025] The plurality of registration devices 21-1 to 21-n are devices for registering identification information of a product in order for a customer to settle the product to be purchased at the time of shopping. n is an integer of 1 or more. For example, the registration device 21-1 is a customer's terminal device. Further, the registration device 21-2 is a register that can be operated by a customer. The registration device 21-2 is, for example, installed in a store. The registration device 21-3 is, for example, a shopping cart to which a device having a registration function is attached. Alternatively, the registration device 21-3 is a shopping cart in which a device having a registration function and a cart are integrated. Thus, the type of the registration device 21 is not particularly limited.

[0026] The registration device 21 registers a product, for example, by a product registration operation. The registration device 21 reads, for example, an image of the product to be purchased or a product code such as a barcode attached to the product to be purchased. A case where the product code is read will be described. The registration device 21 acquires product information corresponding to the product code read by the operation of the customer. The product information includes product identification information capable of identifying the product. Further, the product information may include information regarding the price of the product. A case where an image of the product is read will be described. The registration device 21 reads an image of the product when part or all of the product is photographed by the operation of the customer. Then, the registration device 21 acquires product information regarding the product based on the image of the product. Specifically, the registration device 21 acquires product information, for example, by discriminating which product it is from the image of the product. Further, for example, when an image corresponding to the product to be purchased is selected by the customer from an image of the product displayed on the registration device 21, the registration device 21 acquires product information corresponding to the selected image. Further, the registration device 21 may acquire product information corresponding to a product name, a product number, etc. input by the customer, for example. In this way, the product is registered in the registration device 21.

[0027] For example, the registration device 21-1 has a reader capable of reading a product code. Examples of the reader include a camera. Then, the registration device 21-1 reads the product code with the reader. And the registration device 21-1 acquires, for example, product information corresponding to the read product code. Or, the registration device 21-1 obtains an image of the product by photographing the product with the camera. Then, the registration device 21-1 acquires product information by discriminating the product from the image. In this way, the registration device 21-1 can, for example, register the product. Also, for the registration device 21-2, for example, when a customer holds a scanner capable of reading a product code over the product code, the registration device 21-2 reads the product code. And the registration device 21-2 acquires product information corresponding to the read product code. In the case of the registration device 21-3, when a customer puts a product into a basket of a shopping cart, the registration device 21-3 reads the product code of the product when the customer holds the product over a reader or the like. And the registration device 21-3 acquires product information corresponding to the read product code.

[0028] Next, when a product is registered, the registration device 21 acquires position information indicating the position of the registration device 21. When the registration device 21 is a fixed device like the registration device 21-2, the position information of the fixed device is managed in advance. The registration device 21 may obtain the position information from the identification information of the fixed device or the like.

[0029] In addition, the registration device 21 may acquire the position information of the registration device 21 by using a beacon device, a camera provided in the store, or the like. For example, the case where a beacon device is used will be described. A plurality of beacon devices are provided in advance on each shelf, aisle, etc. in the store. The registration device 21 reads the product code. Then, when the product code is read, the registration device 21 receives a beacon signal from the beacon device. For example, the beacon signal includes identification information indicating a shelf, an aisle, a beacon device, etc. Then, the registration device 21 uses the identification information as the position information. For example, when the intensities of the beacon signals transmitted from a plurality of beacon devices are the same, the registration device 21 can estimate the position of the registration device 21 on the assumption that it is near the beacon device with the strongest beacon signal. Here, the same intensity includes approximately the same error or the like.

[0030] In addition, the registration device 21 may use, as the position information of the registration device 21, the position information used, for example, to obtain the customer's movement route or the like. Thus, the position information of the registration device 21 may be obtained by existing technology. Then, when registering a product, for example, the registration device 21 transmits the registered product information and the position information to the information processing device 20.

[0031] As described above, the registration devices 21-1 to 21-n may be devices capable of registering products by a customer's operation. Also, n is an integer of 1 or more. Also, since existing technology may be used for the detailed product registration method, the method of managing registered products, etc., the description thereof is omitted.

[0032] Based on the product identification information and the position information of the registration device 21 obtained from the registration device 21, the information processing device 20 provides the product position information to customers and store employees. Specifically, the information processing device 20 causes, for example, the display device 22 to display a map including the product position information. The detailed functions of the information processing device 20 will be described later with reference to FIG. 6. Also, the display device 22 is a device for customers, store employees, etc. The display device 22 displays a map including the product position information.

[0033] Further, the information processing device 20 and the display device 22 may be the same device. Also, the display device 22 and the registration device 21 may be the same device.

[0034] FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a store interior. FIG. 5 shows an example of a store interior used for the description of the second embodiment. The store interior is divided, for example, into a plurality of areas A1 to A5. The plurality of areas A1 to A5 are divided by, for example, by sales floor or by aisles, such as a meat section, a vegetable section, a confectionery section, a daily necessities section, etc. For the sake of facilitating the description of the second embodiment, for example, the area corresponding to the sales floor is determined by the category of the product, etc. Each area is made identifiable by the information processing device 20 based on the area information described later. Also, in the example of FIG. 5, each sales floor is provided with, for example, shelves capable of displaying products. FIG. 5 shows shelves S1 to S13. For example, in area A1 which is the meat section, shelves S6 to S8 are provided. As an example of an article capable of displaying products, in addition to shelves, products may be displayed on articles such as carts or baskets that can be easily moved by store clerks. Also, there may be cases where registration devices 21 provided in the store, such as registration devices 21-4 to 21-7, are installed beside the shelves.

[0035] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the information processing device 20 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 6, the information processing device 20 includes, for example, an acquisition unit 201, a determination unit 203, an output unit 202, and a storage unit 204. First, the storage unit 204 stores the processing results of each function of the information processing device 20. Also, the storage unit 204 stores the data used for the processing of each unit. The stored content of the storage unit 204 in FIG. 6 is an example and is not particularly limited.

[0036] Also, the information processing apparatus 20 only needs to be able to access various data. For this reason, the various data may be stored in a storage device or the like that can be accessed by the information processing apparatus 20 via a communication network. However, as will be described in detail with reference to the hardware configuration example shown in FIG. 18, the information processing apparatus 20 loads and executes a program including various instructions for realizing each functional unit in the storage unit 204. Examples of the storage unit 204 include a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a semiconductor memory, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and an SSD (Solid State Drive). Also, the storage unit 204 may be a combination of these.

[0037] Specifically, the storage unit 204 stores a display position DB 221, area information 222, and category information 223.

[0038] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the stored content of the display position DB 221. The display position DB 221 is a database for managing the display positions of each product. The display position DB 221 has fields such as, for example, a product ID, a product name, a position, a latest registration time, a cumulative purchase number, and a purchase number. When information is set in each field, one record 2210 (such as 2210-1, 2210-2) is registered in the display position DB 221.

[0039] The product ID is an identifier of the product. Product information is set in the product ID field. The product name is the name of the product. The position is the display position of the product in the store. The position is represented in various ways such as coordinate positions, shelf numbers, and aisle numbers in the store. Position information is set in the position field. The latest registration time is the latest registration time by the registration device 21 for the display position of the product. For example, "x:x:xx" indicates "x hours xx minutes xx seconds". Time information is set in the latest registration time field.

[0040] The purchase quantity is the quantity of the product purchased at the display position of the product at the latest registration time. Here, the purchase quantity refers to the number of purchases or the amount of purchases, etc. For example, for a product managed by grams, etc., the purchase quantity is the amount of purchase. For example, for a product managed by the number of pieces, etc., the purchase quantity is the number of purchases. For the sake of easy understanding, hereinafter, the purchase quantity will be described as the purchase number. In the field of the purchase number, purchase number information, etc. is set. The cumulative purchase quantity is the cumulative purchase quantity of the product at the display position. The cumulative purchase quantity may be counted per customer. Or, the cumulative purchase quantity may be counted per position information unit. The cumulative purchase quantity may be, for example, the cumulative purchase quantity when the same customer performs a product registration operation at the same position. Also, the cumulative purchase quantity may be, for example, the cumulative purchase quantity when a product registration operation is performed at the same position regardless of the customer. Although not shown in the figure, two types of cumulative purchase quantity fields may be provided in the display position DB221 so that both of these cumulative purchase quantities can be managed. In record 2210-1, "M1" is set for the product ID, "pork loin" for the product name, "P1" for the position, "0:00:00" for the latest registration time, "3" for the cumulative purchase quantity, and "2" for the purchase number.

[0041] For example, for each record 2210, information is preset in the fields of the product ID and the product name, and information is registered and updated in real time by the information processing device 20 in the fields of the position, the latest registration time, the cumulative purchase quantity, and the purchase number. Regarding the registration and update examples of each information in the fields of the position, the latest registration time, the cumulative purchase quantity, and the purchase number, they will be described later in the description of each functional unit shown in FIG. 6. Also, the display position DB221 may have, for example, other fields. For example, as other fields, a field in which the identifiers of all customers who registered the product at the display position can be set can be cited. Or, as other fields, for example, a field in which the identifier of the customer who registered the product at the latest registration time can be set can be cited. Thereby, the information processing device 20 can determine which customer's product registration position of the registration device 21 is adopted as the display position of the product.

[0042] Here, the position indicated by the information set in the field at the position of record 2210 is called the position for record 2210. The latest registration time indicated by the information set in the field of the latest registration time of record 2210 is called the latest registration time for record 2210. The cumulative purchase quantity indicated by the information set in the field of the cumulative purchase quantity of record 2210 is called the cumulative purchase quantity for record 2210. The purchase quantity indicated by the information set in the field of the purchase quantity of record 2210 is called the purchase quantity for record 2210.

[0043] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the stored content of area information 222. The area information 222 indicates the association between the areas in the store and the categories of products displayed in those areas. For example, the area "A1" is, for example, a sales floor for products belonging to the category "Meat M", that is, a meat sales floor. Although not shown in FIG. 8, for example, the area information 222 may have area information indicating the range of the area for each area. The area information may be represented by various methods such as, for example, the number of shelves, the number of aisles, the coordinate position in the store, etc.

[0044] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the stored content of category information 223. The category information 223 indicates, for example, the association between categories and product IDs. Thereby, the category information 223 represents, for example, the products belonging to each category. For example, the product IDs of the products belonging to the category "Meat" are from "M1" to "Mm". Thereby, the information processing apparatus 20 can identify the category to which the product belongs based on the product ID data.

[0045] The various types of information shown in FIGS. 7 to 9 are not limited to the illustrated examples. For example, various types of information may be realized by adding fields to an existing database or the like. Also, for example, when the product information includes information that can identify the category, such as the first two digits of the product ID indicating the category of the product, the category information 223 may not be used.

[0046] Above, the description of the example of the stored content of each piece of information stored in the storage unit 204 shown in FIG. 6 is completed. Next, the operations of each functional unit shown in FIG. 6 will be described. The information processing apparatus 20 includes an acquisition unit 201, a determination unit 203, and an output unit 202 as each functional unit. These functional units may share functions and processes with each other. For example, the output unit 202 may have some or all of the functions of the determination unit 203.

[0047] The acquisition unit 201 has the functions of the acquisition unit 101 described in the first embodiment. Specifically, the acquisition unit 201 acquires data (acquired data) including product information, location information, and time information. The product information is information about the product registered by the registration device 21 in the customer's product registration. As described above, the product information indicates the product by, for example, a product ID. Here, the product indicated by the acquired product information is called the target product. The location information indicates, for example, the location of the registration device 21 at the time of product registration. As described above, various examples of the location information include coordinate position information in the store, shelf identification information such as shelf numbers, and passage identification information such as passage numbers. Here, the location corresponding to the location information is called the registration location. The time information indicates the time at the time of product registration. The time indicated by the time information is called the registration time.

[0048] Also, the acquired data may include purchase quantity information. The purchase quantity information indicates the purchase quantity of the registered product. The acquisition unit 201 may acquire the customer's identification information, the identification information of the registration device 21, etc. Examples of the customer's identification information include, for example, the customer ID information of the customer who performed the product registration. Also, the purchase quantity information may be acquired as part of the product information.

[0049] The various pieces of information acquired by the acquisition unit 201 can be variously changed according to the determination method by the determination unit 203 and the processing of each determination method. Specifically, the acquisition unit 201 receives various data from the registration device 21 via, for example, a communication network.

[0050] The output unit 202 has the functions of the output unit 102 described in the first embodiment. The output unit 202 outputs the position information and the product information included in the acquired data. The output unit 202 may output the selected position information and product information. The acquired data may be selected by the determination unit 203. For example, the determination unit 203 determines whether to set the registered position as the display position of the target product in the store. When it is determined that the registered position is the display position of the target product in the store, the output unit 202 outputs the position information and the product information. On the other hand, when it is determined that the registered position is not the display position of the target product in the store, the output unit 202 does not output the position information and the product information.

[0051] The output unit 202 includes, for example, a registration unit 211 and a display control unit 212. Alternatively, the output unit 202 may be configured to include either the registration unit 211 or the display control unit 212.

[0052] The registration unit 211 registers, for example, the position information and the product information included in the acquired data in the storage unit 204. Specifically, the registration unit 211 registers the position information in the record 2210 corresponding to the target product in the display position DB 221. When purchase quantity information indicating the purchase quantity and time information are acquired, the registration unit 211 registers the position information, the purchase quantity information, and the time information in this record 2210. When the position of the record 2210 corresponding to the target product and the registered position are the same, the registration unit 211 adds the purchase quantity indicated by the purchase quantity information to the cumulative purchase quantity of the record 2210. Here, the two positions being the same includes being approximately the same. For example, within a predetermined range, the two positions may be determined to be the same. Thereby, the purchase quantities of the target product purchased at the same position are accumulated. On the other hand, when the position of the record 2210 corresponding to the target product and the registered position are different, the registration unit 211 sets the purchase quantity indicated by the purchase quantity information as the cumulative purchase quantity of the record 2210. Also, for the registration unit 211, whether to perform registration depends on the determination result of the determination unit 203.

[0053] The display control unit 212 causes, for example, the position information and the product information included in the acquired data to be output to an output device. Examples of the output device include a display, a lighting device such as a lamp, a printer, a plotter, a speaker, and earphones. In the system 2 of FIG. 4, the display control unit 212 causes the display device 22 to display the position information and the product information in association with each other. An example of the map display will be described later with reference to FIG. 13.

[0054] Here, the determination unit 203 and the output unit 202 will be described in detail using Determination Example 1 to Determination Example 3. Determination Example 1 is a determination based on the position corresponding to the category of the product. Determination Example 2 is a determination based on the number of purchases. Determination Example 3 is a determination based on the registration order of the products.

[0055] <Determination Example 1> First, Determination Example 1 will be described. In Determination Example 1, when the position information of the registration device at the time of product registration corresponds to the area corresponding to the category of the product, this position information is adopted as the position information of the product. On the other hand, in Determination Example 1, when this position does not correspond to the area corresponding to the product, this position information is not adopted as the position information of the product.

[0056] The output unit 202 outputs the position information and the product information when the position information included in the acquired data is within the area corresponding to the category of the product indicated by the product information. For example, the determination unit 203 may be caused to determine whether the position information included in the acquired data is within the area corresponding to the category of the product indicated by the product information. Specifically, the determination unit 203 determines, for example, whether the registration position is within the area corresponding to the category of the product in the store. Specifically, the determination unit 203 determines whether the registration position is within the area corresponding to the category of the target product based on the area information 222 and the category information 223.

[0057] More specifically, for example, based on the category information 223, the determination unit 203 identifies the category of the target product using the product ID (product ID of the target product) indicated by the product information from the category information 223 as a search key. Then, based on the area information 222, the determination unit 203 identifies the area information 222 of the category from the category of the target product. Then, the determination unit 203 determines whether the registration position is included in the area indicated by the area information 222. Thereby, the determination unit 203 can determine whether the registration position is within the area corresponding to the category of the target product.

[0058] Alternatively, more specifically, for example, based on the area information 222, the determination unit 203 identifies in which area the registration position is included. Then, based on the area information 222, the determination unit 203 identifies the category corresponding to the identified area. The determination unit 203 determines whether the product ID indicated by the product information is associated with the identified category based on the category information 223. The determination unit 203 can determine whether the registration position is at a position corresponding to the category of the target product. There is no particular limitation on what the search key is.

[0059] When the registration position is within the area corresponding to the category of the target product in the store, the output unit 202 outputs by associating the position information and the product information. On the other hand, when the registration position is not within the area corresponding to the category of the target product in the store, the output unit 202 does not output by associating the position information and the product information.

[0060] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram regarding Judgment Example 1. FIG. 10 shows Acquisition Data Example 1 and Acquisition Data Example 2. Judgment examples by the judgment unit 203 will be described for each acquisition data example. First, Acquisition Data Example 1 will be described. In Acquisition Data Example 1, Acquisition Data 230-1 will be used for the description. Acquisition Data 230-1 includes product information, location information, registration time information, and purchase quantity information. In Acquisition Data 230-1, the product ID is "M1", the location is "P1", the registration time is "0:00:00", and the purchase quantity is "1". Note that the location "P1" is a location near the shelf S6 shown in FIG. 5 as shown in FIG. 10. The judgment unit 203 identifies, for example, that the category to which the product ID "M1" belongs is "Meat M" based on the category information 223. Then, the judgment unit 203 identifies the area "A1" corresponding to the category "Meat M" in the store based on the area information 222. The judgment unit 203 judges whether the location "P1" is included in the area "A1". As shown in FIG. 5, the area "A1" is near the shelf S6 to the shelf S8. The judgment unit 203 judges that the location "P1" is included in the area "A1". Therefore, for Acquisition Data 230-1, the judgment unit 203 judges that the registration location is within the area corresponding to the category of the target product.

[0061] Then, the registration unit 211 updates the location, the latest registration time, the cumulative purchase quantity, and the purchase quantity for the record 2210-1 with the product ID "M1" from the display location DB221 based on Acquisition Data Example 1. When the location of the registered record 2210-1 is the same as the location "P1" of Acquisition Data Example 1, the output unit 202 updates the latest reception time and the purchase quantity based on Acquisition Data Example 1. Then, the registration unit 211 adds the purchase quantity for Acquisition Data Example 1 to the cumulative purchase quantity.

[0062] Next, Acquisition Data Example 2 will be described. In Acquisition Data Example 2, Acquisition Data 230-2 will be used for the description. Acquisition Data 230-2 includes product information, location information, registration time information, and purchase quantity information. In Acquisition Data 230-2, the product ID is "V1", the location is "P1", the registration time is "0:00:05", and the purchase quantity is "2". As shown in FIG. 10, the location "P1" is a location near shelf S6. The determination unit 203 identifies, for example, that the category to which the product ID "V1" belongs is "Vegetable V" based on the category information 223. Then, the determination unit 203 identifies area "A2" corresponding to the category "Vegetable V" in the store based on the area information 222. The determination unit 203 determines whether the location "P1" is included in area "A2". As shown in FIG. 5, area "A2" is near shelves S4 to S5. The determination unit 203 determines that the registration location "P1" is not included in area "A2". Therefore, for Acquisition Data 230-2, the determination unit 203 determines that the registration location "P1" is not within area "A2" corresponding to the category of the target product. Thus, the registration unit 211 does not perform the registration process for Acquisition Data 230-2.

[0063] For example, it is less likely that refrigerated or frozen products will be individually moved from their original shelves, such as during a wagon sale. Therefore, for Determination Example 1, the information processing apparatus 20 may determine whether the registration location of some products is at a position corresponding to the category. This concludes the description of Determination Example 1.

[0064] <Determination Example 2> Next, Determination Example 2 will be described. For example, in Determination Example 2, when the location information of product X obtained from customer A is different from the location information of product X obtained from customer B, the location information obtained from the customer with a larger purchase quantity of the product is adopted as the location information of the display location of product X.

[0065] Here, the acquired data further includes purchase quantity information indicating the quantity of the customer's purchased products. When there are two or more acquired data within a predetermined period and the location information included in the two or more acquired data is different, the output unit 202 outputs the location information and product information included in the acquired data obtained by the operation of the customer with a large purchase quantity. Here, the determination unit 203 is used to discriminate the acquired data.

[0066] Specifically, the acquisition unit 201 acquires acquired data including product information, location information, and purchase quantity information indicating the purchase quantity of the target product. The determination unit 203 determines whether to set the registered location as the display location of the target product based on a comparison between the purchase quantity of the target product in the product registration of a customer different from the customer and the purchase quantity indicated by the acquired purchase quantity information. The purchase quantity of the target product in the product registration of a customer different from the customer is, for example, registered in the display location DB 221 in advance.

[0067] An example of using the purchase quantity of the target product registered in the display location DB 221 will be described. More specifically, for example, when the location registered in the display location DB 221 is different from the registered location, the determination unit 203 compares the purchase quantity of the product registered in the display location DB 221 with the purchase quantity indicated by the purchase quantity information. Here, the determination unit 203 does not necessarily make a determination of exact match as to whether the location registered in the display location DB 221 is different from the registered location. For example, if the location registered in the display location DB 221 and the registered location are within a predetermined range, the determination unit 203 may determine them to be the same location.

[0068] Also, the position registered in the display position DB 221 is the position of the record 2210 corresponding to the target product among each record 2210 of the display position DB 221. Specifically, the determination unit 203 determines, for example, whether the number of purchases indicated by the purchase number information is greater than the number of purchases of the target product registered in the display position DB 221. That is, when the number of purchases of the product registered in the display position DB 221 is exceeded, the registration position is set as the display position of the product. On the other hand, when the number of purchases is less than or equal to the number of purchases of the product registered in the display position DB 221, the registration position is not set as the display position of the product. Note that when the number of purchases is the same, there is no particular limitation on whether to set the registration position as the display position of the product. The output unit 202 registers, for example, the acquired position information, purchase number information, and time information in the record 2210 corresponding to the target product in the display position DB 221 when the number of purchases indicated by the purchase number information is greater than the number of purchases of the product registered in the display position DB 221. Also, the output unit 202 sets the number of purchases indicated by the purchase number information for the cumulative number of purchases for this record. The output unit 202 does not update the display position DB 221, for example, when the number of purchases indicated by the purchase number information is less than or equal to the number of purchases of the target product registered in the display position DB 221.

[0069] Also, the output unit 202 updates the display position DB 221, for example, when the position registered in the display position DB 221 for the target product is the same as the registration position. Specifically, the output unit 202 registers the number of purchases indicated by the purchase number information and the time indicated by the time information with respect to the number of purchases and the latest registration time for the record 2210 corresponding to the target product in the display position DB 221. Then, the output unit 202 adds the number of purchases indicated by the purchase number information to the cumulative number of purchases for the record 2210. Thereby, the display position DB 221 is updated.

[0070] An example of using the cumulative purchase quantity of the products registered in the display position DB221 will be described. When the position registered in the display position DB221 for the target product is different from the registered position, the determination unit 203 determines whether the purchase quantity indicated by the purchase quantity information is greater than the cumulative purchase quantity. For example, when the purchase quantity indicated by the purchase quantity information is greater than the cumulative purchase quantity, the output unit 202 updates the display position DB221. The update method is the same as that when using the purchase quantity. When the purchase quantity indicated by the purchase quantity information is less than the cumulative purchase quantity, the output unit 202 does not update the display position DB221. When the position registered in the display position DB221 is the same as the registered position, the output unit 202 updates the display position DB221 in the same manner as when using the purchase quantity.

[0071] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram regarding the determination example 2. The acquired data 230-3 has, for example, a product ID of "M1", a position of "P2", a registration time of "0:00:50", and a purchase quantity of "4". In the record 2210-1 before update corresponding to the product ID "M1", the position "P1" is set, which is different from the position "P2" of the acquired data. Therefore, when the purchase quantity is used, the determination unit 203 determines that the purchase quantity "4" for the acquired data is greater than the purchase quantity "2" of the record 2210-1 corresponding to the product ID "M1". When the cumulative purchase quantity is used, the determination unit 203 determines that the purchase quantity "4" for the acquired data is greater than the cumulative purchase quantity "3" of the record 2210-1 corresponding to the product ID "M1". Then, the output unit 202 sets the position "P2", the latest registration time "0:00:50", the cumulative purchase quantity "4", and the purchase quantity "4" for the record 2210-1.

[0072] In the above determination example 2, an example in which the display position DB221 is updated by comparing the purchase quantity or the cumulative purchase quantity registered in the display position DB221 with the purchase quantity indicated by the purchase quantity information included in the acquired data is shown. The selection example using the purchase quantity is not limited to this. For example, the acquired data may be stored in the storage unit 204 without registering it in the display position DB221 during a predetermined period, and the acquired data to be registered may be selected from the stored acquired data. Specifically, the following method is used.

[0073] When there are two or more pieces of acquisition data including the same product information among the acquisition data acquired during a predetermined period, the determination unit 203 outputs the position information and the product information included in the acquisition data with the largest purchase quantity from among the acquisition data. Here, the acquisition data is selected by the determination unit 203. When there are two or more pieces of acquisition data including the same product information among the acquisition data acquired during a predetermined period, the determination unit 203 discriminates the acquisition data with the largest purchase quantity from among the acquisition data. The output unit 202 outputs the position information and the product information included in the discriminated acquisition data. Specifically, the registration unit 211 registers the selected position information and product information in the display position DB 221.

[0074] Alternatively, the acquisition data may be selected based on the total for each position information. When there are two or more pieces of acquisition data with the same product information and the position information included in the two or more pieces of data is different among the acquisition data acquired during a predetermined period, the output unit 202 outputs the position information and the product information for which the total purchase quantity for each position information is the largest. Here, the acquisition data is selected by the determination unit 203. For example, the determination unit 203 determines whether there are two or more pieces of acquisition data with the same product information among the acquisition data acquired during a predetermined period. For example, when there are two or more, the determination unit 203 determines whether the position information included in the two or more pieces of data is different. When the position information is different, the determination unit 203 calculates the total purchase quantity for each position information based on the purchase quantity information included in the two or more pieces of acquisition data. The determination unit 203 selects the position information with the largest total among the position information. Then, the output unit 202 outputs the selected position information and product information. Specifically, the registration unit 211 registers the selected position information and product information in the display position DB 221.

[0075] <Determination Example 3> Next, Determination Example 3 will be described. For example, in Determination Example 3, when a product of another category such as vegetables is read immediately after products of the meat category are continuously read, the position information regarding the position where the product (vegetables) was registered is not adopted as the display position of the vegetables.

[0076] First, an example of determination by a product registration operation for the same customer will be described. The determination unit 203 determines whether the categories of a plurality of products registered immediately before the target product in the customer's product registration are the same as the category of the target product. Here, the acquisition data for the plurality of products may be acquired from the registration device 21 by the acquisition unit 201. Or, for example, when there is a server that manages the registration contents of product registration by each customer, the acquisition unit 201 may acquire the acquisition data from that server. Or, the information processing device 20 may manage each acquisition data in time series for each customer.

[0077] Specifically, the determination unit 203 specifies the category of each of the plurality of products and the category of the target product based on the category information 223. The plurality of products are, for example, a plurality of products registered immediately before the target product in the product registration by the same customer. The plurality of products are, for example, the product registered one before the target product and the product registered two before by the same customer. The plurality of products here may be defined as from the product registered one before the target product to the product registered a predetermined number before. Or, the plurality of products here may be defined as the products registered up to a predetermined period before the time when the target product was registered.

[0078] The determination unit 203 determines, for example, whether the categories of a plurality of products registered immediately before the target product are the same. That is, it is determined whether products of the same category have been continuously registered before the target product. The output unit 202 updates the display position DB 221 when the categories of the plurality of products are not the same. That is, when the plurality of products registered immediately before the target product are not continuously in the same category, the registration position is adopted as the display position of the target product.

[0079] On the other hand, when the categories of each of the plurality of products registered immediately before the target product are the same, the determination unit 203 determines whether the category of the target product is the same as the categories of the plurality of products. That is, when the target product is registered after products of the same category have been continuously registered, it is determined whether the category thereof is the same as the category of the target product. When the category of the target product is different from the categories of the plurality of products, the determination unit 203 does not set the registration position as the display position of the target product. For example, when the category of the target product is different from the categories of the plurality of products, the output unit 202 does not update the display position DB 221. On the other hand, for example, when the category of the target product is the same as the categories of the plurality of products, the output unit 202 updates the display position DB 221. Further, the determination unit 203 may determine whether the categories of the plurality of products are the same as the category of the target product when the position information of the plurality of products is the same as the position information of the target product.

[0080] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram regarding determination example 3. Here, an example in which product information is sequentially registered in product registration by the same customer will be described. First, the case where the acquired data of product ID "V1" is focused on will be described. The determination unit 203 determines whether to set the registration position "P1" of the product indicated by the product ID "V1" as the display position of the product ID "V1". The product IDs of two different products registered immediately before the product ID "V1" are product ID "M1" and product ID "M2". Specifically, the determination unit 203 refers to, for example, the category information 223 to specify the category of each of the product ID "M1" and the product ID "M2". The categories of both the product ID "M1" and the product ID "M2" are "Meat M". Based on the category information 223, since the categories of the product ID "M1" and the product ID "M2" are the same, the determination unit 203 specifies the category "Vegetable V" of the product ID "V1". Then, the determination unit 203 determines whether the category "Vegetable V" of the product ID "V1" is the same as the categories "Meat M" of the product ID "M1" and the product ID "M2". Since the category "Vegetable V" of the product ID "V1" is not the same as the categories "Meat M" of the product ID "M1" and the product ID "M2", the registration unit 211 does not update the display position DB 221.

[0081] Next, the case where the acquired data of product ID "M3" is focused on will be described. The determination unit 203 determines whether the registration position "P1" of the product indicated by the product ID "M3" is to be set as the display position of the product ID "M3". The determination unit 203 specifies the category of the product ID "V1" registered immediately before the product ID "M3" and the category of the product ID "M2" based on the category information 223. For example, since the category "Vegetable V" of the product ID "V1" is different from the category "Meat M" of the product ID "M2", the registration unit 211 updates the display position DB221 so that the registration position "P1" becomes the display position of the product ID "M3". Thus, when the categories of a plurality of products registered immediately before the target product are not the same, the registration unit 211 updates the display position DB221. That is, when the categories are not continuously the same, the registration unit 211 sets the registration position as the display position.

[0082] Next, the case where the product ID "S3" is newly registered will be described. The determination unit 203 determines whether the registration position "P5" of the product indicated by the product ID "S3" is to be set as the display position of the product ID "S3". The determination unit 203 specifies the category of the product ID "S1" registered immediately before the product ID "S3" and the category of the product ID "S2" based on the category information 223. For example, since the category "Snack S" of the product ID "S1" is the same as the category "Snack S" of the product ID "S2", the determination unit 203 specifies the category of the product ID "S3" based on the category information 223. Since the category "Snack S" of the product ID "S3" is the same as the categories "Snack S" of the product ID "S1" and the product ID "S2", the registration unit 211 updates the display position DB221 so that the registration position "P5" becomes the display position of the product ID "S3". Thus, when the categories of a plurality of products registered immediately before the target product are the same as the category of the target product, the registration unit 211 updates the display position DB221.

[0083] Also, although not shown in the figures, when the time interval between the registration time of the target product and the registration time of the immediately preceding registered product is short, the determination unit 203 may perform the determination according to determination example 3. For example, when the time interval from the previous registration to the current registration is long, it is highly likely that the customer has moved from the position of the previous registration. On the other hand, when the time interval from the previous registration to the current registration is short, the possibility that the customer has moved from the position of the previous registration is low. When the possibility that the customer has moved from the position of the previous registration is high, the determination unit 203 may not perform the determination according to determination example 3. Specifically, the determination unit 203 determines whether the result of subtracting the registration time of the immediately preceding registered product from the registration time of the target product is equal to or greater than a predetermined time. The predetermined time can be set by the user or administrator of the information processing device 20, etc. And, for example, when the subtraction result is less than the predetermined time, the registration unit 211 performs the determination according to determination example 3. On the other hand, for example, when the subtraction result is equal to or greater than the predetermined time, the registration unit 211 updates the display position DB 221 so that the display position becomes the display position of the target product. Or, as described above, the determination unit 203 may use, as comparison targets, a plurality of products registered from the time when the target product was registered up to a predetermined period ago.

[0084] In the above description, an example has been described in which each acquisition data of a single customer is sequentially focused on. The position information and product information included in the acquisition data are output is done Examples where it is output and examples where it is not output have been given. Instead of focusing on one piece of acquisition data, the acquisition data output from a plurality of acquisition data within a predetermined period may be selected.

[0085] During a predetermined period, if there are at least three or more pieces of acquired data and the location information included in the acquired data is the same, the output unit 202 outputs the product information and the location information included in the acquired data in which there are multiple categories of the same product among the acquired data. The predetermined period can be set by the user or administrator of the information processing apparatus 20, etc. The specific method can be changed variously. For example, the acquired data by the operations of the same customer during the predetermined period may be the target of processing, or the acquired data during the predetermined period may be the target of processing without limiting the customer. Also, whether the location information included in three or more pieces of acquired data is the same or not may or may not be continuous in time series.

[0086] Explaining with reference to FIG. 12, for example, during a predetermined period, seven pieces of acquired data (each row) are acquired. The determination unit 203 determines whether there are at least three or more pieces of acquired data and whether the location information included in the three or more pieces of acquired data is the same during the predetermined period. In FIG. 12, since the first four pieces of acquired data in time series are at the location "P1", the location information is the same. Also, since the last three pieces of acquired data in time series are at the location "P5", the location information is the same.

[0087] Since the location information is the same, the determination unit 203 outputs the product information and the location information included in the acquired data in which there are multiple categories of the same product among the acquired data. The determination unit 203 identifies the category of each product based on the category information. In FIG. 12, among the acquired data at the location "P1", the category of the third acquired data in time series is "Vegetable V". Among the acquired data at the location "P1", the category of the acquired data other than the third acquired data is "Meat M". Therefore, the output unit 202 outputs the location information and the product information included in the acquired data whose category is "Meat M". On the other hand, the output unit 202 does not output the location information and the product information included in the acquired data whose category is "Vegetable V".

[0088] Also, in FIG. 12, all the acquired data at position "P5" has a category of "Snack S". Therefore, the output unit 202 outputs the product information and the position information included in each acquired data at position "P5". As described above, each acquired data shown in FIG. 12 may be acquired by the operations of the same customer. Or, each acquired data may be acquired by the operations of a plurality of customers. Also, in FIG. 12, an example is shown where the acquired data including the same position information is continuous in time series. The acquired data with the same position information does not have to be continuous in time series.

[0089] Thus, the description of determination example 1 to determination example 3 is completed. Each determination example can be variously changed. Also, determination example 1 to determination example 3 may be combined. The order of determination and the like when combining determination example 1 to determination example 3 can also be variously changed. For example, when combining determination example 1 and determination example 2, the determination unit 203 compares the purchase quantity of the target product with the purchase quantity in the display position DB 221 when the position of the registration device 21 that registered the target product is a position corresponding to the category of the target product. Also, when using determination example 1 or determination example 3, the display position DB 221 does not have to have fields for cumulative purchase quantity and purchase quantity. Thus, each field of the display position DB 221 may be added or deleted according to the determination method and the output method. Also, for determination example 1, the process may be performed by the determination unit 203, and for determination example 2, the process may be performed by the output unit 202, etc., and it may be realized by different functional units. Also, for example, it may be realized by another functional unit such as a second determination unit that performs determination example 2 and a third determination unit that performs determination example 3.

[0090] Also, not limited to determination example 1 to determination example 3, the determination unit 203 may perform other determinations. If the position of the registration device 21 that registered the target product is within the prohibited area, the determination unit 203 may determine not to use this position as the display position of the target product. For example, it is less likely that frozen or refrigerated products are displayed in aisles without shelves. Therefore, for some products, an aisle or the like may be set as the prohibited area, and the determination unit 203 may determine whether the registration position is within the prohibited area.

[0091] Further, in a predetermined period, when the product information included in the acquisition data acquired by the acquisition unit 201 is the same, the output unit 202 may output the position information and product information with a large number of acquisition data for each position information. Thereby, for example, when there are a plurality of customers, the information processing apparatus 20 can use the registration position where many customers have registered products as the display position.

[0092] Next, a display example will be described. FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example. The display control unit 212 causes the display device 22 to display, for example, a map indicating the position of the specified product based on the display position DB 221. In the example of FIG. 13, a map showing the position “P1” of the product ID “M1” and the position of the customer is displayed on the display device 22. The product to be displayed is, for example, a product instructed by a customer, a product instructed by the store side, or a product instructed by the user of the information processing apparatus 20.

[0093] Specifically, the display control unit 212 identifies the position of the product to be displayed from the display position DB 221, for example. Then, the display control unit 212 generates, for example, display data that the display device 22 can display for a map indicating the specified position. Then, the display control unit 212 transmits the display data to the display device 22, for example. The display device 22 receives the display data. Then, the display device 22 displays a map on the display based on the display data.

[0094] Further, when the display device 22 generates display data related to the map, the display control unit 212 transmits, for example, the product information of the specified product and the position information of the specified product to the display device 22 based on the display position DB 221. The display device 22 generates display data related to a map indicating the position of the product based on the associated product information and position information. Then, the display device 22 displays a map on the display based on the display data.

[0095] In FIG. 13, the display control unit 212 causes the map to be displayed on the display device 22 by using the product information and the position information registered in the display position DB 221. The display control unit 212 may display the product information and the position information acquired by the acquisition unit 201 without using the display position DB 221.

[0096] FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram regarding determination example 1 of the system 2 according to Embodiment 2. In FIG. 14, the registration device 21 reads a product code from a product in product registration by a customer, for example (step S201). In step S201, the registration device 21 performs product registration by reading the product code from the product. Next, the registration device 21 accepts an input of the number of purchases (step S202). In step S202, the registration device 21 displays, for example, a screen for accepting an input of the number of purchases for the product corresponding to the read product code. Then, in step S202, the registration device 21 accepts the number of purchases by the operation of the customer. Regarding the number of purchases, the registration device 21 may use the number of times read as the number of purchases when the same product is read continuously a plurality of times without performing step S202. Next, the registration device 21 transmits product information indicating the product corresponding to the product code, position information, and registration time information to the information processing device 20 (step S203).

[0097] The information processing device 20 acquires (receives) various information from the registration device 21 (step S204). The information processing device 20 determines whether the registration position is within the area corresponding to the category of the target product (step S205). Specifically, in step S205, the information processing device 20 specifies the category of the target product based on the category information 223, for example. In step S205, the information processing device 20 specifies the area corresponding to the category of the target product based on the area information 222. In step S205, the information processing device 20 determines whether the registration position is included within the area.

[0098] Next, when the registration position is within the area corresponding to the category of the target product (step S205: Yes), the information processing apparatus 20 proceeds to step S206. The information processing apparatus 20 registers various types of acquired information in, for example, the display position DB 221 (step S206). Specifically, in step S206, when the position of the record 2210 corresponding to the target product in the display position DB 221 is the same as the registration position, the information processing apparatus 20 adds the number of purchases indicated by the purchase number information to the cumulative number of purchases for that record 2210. Then, in step S206, the information processing apparatus 20 updates the latest registration time and the number of purchases for the record 2210 based on the various types of acquired information. In step S206, when the position of the record 2210 corresponding to the target product in the display position DB 221 is different from the registration position, the information processing apparatus 20 registers the number of purchases indicated by the purchase number information in the cumulative number of purchases for the record 2210. Then, in step S206, the information processing apparatus 20 sets the position, the latest registration time, and the number of purchases for the record 2210 based on the various types of acquired information.

[0099] When the registration position is not within the area corresponding to the category of the target product (step S205: No), or after step S206, the information processing apparatus 20 ends the flow.

[0100] FIG. 15 is a sequence diagram relating to determination example 2 of the system 2 according to Embodiment 2. Steps S201 to S204 shown in FIG. 15 are the same as steps S201 to S204 in FIG. 14, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. Therefore, the description will start from step S215.

[0101] The information processing device 20 determines whether the registered position is different from the position registered in the record 2210 corresponding to the target product in the display position DB 221 (step S215). When the registered position is different from the registered position (step S215: Yes), the information processing device 20 determines whether the number of purchases indicated by the acquired purchase number information is greater than the number of purchases registered in the record 2210 (step S216). In step S216, instead of the registered number of purchases, the cumulative number of purchases registered in the record 2210 may be used.

[0102] When it is determined that the number of purchases indicated by the acquired purchase number information is not greater than the number of purchases registered in the record 2210 (step S216: No), the information processing device 20 ends the flow. On the other hand, when the number of purchases indicated by the acquired purchase number information is greater than the number of purchases registered in the record 2210 (step S216: Yes), the information processing device 20 registers the acquired various information in the display position DB 221 (step S217). In step S217, the information processing device 20 registers the position information, the display number information, and the time information in the record 2210 corresponding to the target product in the display position DB 221. Also, in step S217, the information processing device 20 sets the number of purchases indicated by the display number information for the cumulative number of purchases for the record 2210. The information processing device 20 ends the flow after step S217.

[0103] Also, when the registered position is the same as the position registered in the display position DB 221 (step S215: No), the information processing device 20 registers the acquired various information in the display position DB 221 (step S218). In step S218, the information processing device 20 registers the display number information and the time information in the record 2210 corresponding to the target product in the display position DB 221. Also, in step S218, the information processing device 20 adds the number of purchases indicated by the purchase number information to the cumulative number of purchases for the record 2210. The information processing device 20 ends the flow after step S218.

[0104] Further, before step S215, the information processing apparatus 20 may determine whether the difference between the time indicated by the time information and the time indicated by the time information registered in the record 2210 corresponding to the target product is equal to or greater than a predetermined time. Then, when the difference is less than the predetermined time, the information processing apparatus 20 proceeds to step S215. On the other hand, when the difference is equal to or greater than the predetermined time, the information processing apparatus 20 may proceed to step S217 without performing step S215. In this way, when the position information registered in the display position DB 221 is old, the information processing apparatus 20 sets the new registered position as the display position.

[0105] FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram relating to determination example 3 of the system 2 according to Embodiment 2. Steps S201 to S204 in FIG. 16 are the same as steps S201 to S204 shown in FIGS. 14 and 15, and thus detailed description thereof is omitted. Therefore, the description will start from step S225.

[0106] The information processing apparatus 20 determines whether a plurality of products registered immediately before the target product by the same customer are in the same category (step S225). Regarding the product information indicating each of the plurality of products, the registration apparatus 21 may transmit it in step S203, and the information processing apparatus 20 may receive it in step S204. Alternatively, the information processing apparatus 20 may store a plurality of pieces of product information previously acquired for each customer in the storage unit 204 in association with their respective time information. Further, in step S225, the information processing apparatus 20 specifies the category of each of the plurality of products based on the category information 223. Then, the information processing apparatus 20 determines whether all the specified categories are the same.

[0107] Also, if the categories of the plurality of most recently registered products are not the same (step S225: No), the information processing apparatus 20 proceeds to step S227. On the other hand, if the categories of the plurality of most recently registered products are continuously the same (step S225: Yes), the information processing apparatus 20 proceeds to step S226. The information processing apparatus 20 determines whether the category of the registered product is the same as the categories of the plurality of products (step S226). The registered product is the product indicated by the newly acquired product information as described above. Specifically, in step S226, the information processing apparatus 20 specifies the category of the target product based on the category information 223. Then, in step S226, the information processing apparatus 20 determines whether the category of the specified registered product is the same as the categories of the plurality of products (step S226).

[0108] If the category of the registered product is the same as the categories of the plurality of products most recently registered (step S226: Yes), the information processing apparatus 20 registers the acquired various information in the display position DB221 (step S227). After step S227, the information processing apparatus 20 ends the flow.

[0109] Also, if the category of the newly registered product is not the same as the categories of the plurality of products most recently registered (step S226: No), the information processing apparatus 20 ends the flow.

[0110] FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a map display of the system 2 according to the second embodiment. The display apparatus 22 transmits a display request notification for the map of the specified product to the information processing apparatus 20 (step S231). For example, the product is specified by a user (such as a customer or a store clerk) of the display apparatus 22. The display request notification includes, for example, product information indicating the product specified by the user (such as a customer or a store clerk) of the display apparatus 22, position information indicating the position of the display apparatus 22, and the like.

[0111] The information processing apparatus 20 receives a display request notification from the display apparatus 22 (step S232). Next, the information processing apparatus 20 generates map information of products based on the display request notification and the display position DB 221 (step S233). As for the method of generating the map information, an existing technique may be used and is not particularly limited.

[0112] Next, the information processing apparatus 20 transmits the map information to the display apparatus 22 (step S234). The display apparatus 22 receives the map information from the information processing apparatus 20 (step S235). Then, the display apparatus 22 displays the map on a display or the like based on the map information (step S236). Then, the display apparatus 22 ends the flow.

[0113] As described above, in the second embodiment, the operation by the customer may be either one of the product registration operation and the product search operation, or both. Also, similar to the first embodiment, when both the product registration operation and the product search operation are used, the registration apparatus 21 and the search apparatus may be the same apparatus or different apparatuses, and are not particularly limited. For example, among a plurality of registration apparatuses 21, some of the registration apparatuses 21 may include the function of the search apparatus, and some of the registration apparatuses 21 may not include the function of the search apparatus. Alternatively, among a plurality of search apparatuses, some of the search apparatuses may include the function of the registration apparatus 21, and some of the search apparatuses may not include the function of the registration apparatus 21. Also, the display apparatus 22 and the search apparatus may be the same apparatus.

[0114] For example, when product information is obtained through a product search operation, a search device is used instead of the registration device 21. In this case, the product information is, for example, the product information acquired by the search device at the time of product search. The position information is, for example, the position information at the time when the product information is acquired by the search device. The time information is, for example, the time information indicating the time when the product information is acquired by the search device. The purchase quantity information may be, for example, information indicating the purchase quantity input in the product search operation. The reason for inputting the purchase quantity at the time of search includes, for example, operations such as a customer checking the total amount or total weight. Note that the purpose of inputting the purchase quantity at the time of search is not particularly limited.

[0115] Next, the effects of the second embodiment will be described. The information processing device 20 in the second embodiment described above can collect a large amount of position information of each product in real time, similar to the information processing device 20 in the first embodiment. Therefore, the information processing device 20 can provide highly accurate position information in real time. In addition, the information processing device 20 can provide highly accurate position information without using expensive devices such as RFID. Therefore, the information processing device 20 can achieve cost reduction in providing position information. Further, the information processing device 20 utilizes product registration used by customers to purchase products and product search used by customers to search for products. For this reason, the information processing device 20 can provide position information without imposing new burdens on customers. Also, since the information processing device 20 utilizes customer operations, it can save the labor of store clerks.

[0116] In addition, the information processing device 20 determines whether to set the position at the time of obtaining the product information acquired by the customer's operation as the display position. For example, the information processing device 20 determines whether to set the position related to the registration device 21 where the product was registered in the customer's product registration as the display position of that product. Or, for example, the information processing device 20 determines whether to set the position related to the search device where the product was searched in the customer's product search as the display position of that product. Thereby, the information processing device 20 can improve the accuracy of the position information of the product obtained by the customer's operation.

[0117] Further, when the acquired position is within the area corresponding to the category of the product, the information processing apparatus 20 sets the acquired position as the display position of the product. Taking the product registration operation as an example, when the position related to the registration apparatus 21 is within the area corresponding to the category of the product, the information processing apparatus 20 sets the position related to the registration apparatus 21 as the display position of the product. For example, when a meat product is registered at the meat counter, the information processing apparatus 20 sets the position related to the registration apparatus 21 as the display position of the meat product. On the other hand, when the position related to the registration apparatus 21 is not within the area corresponding to the category of the product, the information processing apparatus 20 does not set the position related to the registration apparatus 21 as the display position of the product. For example, when a vegetable is registered at the meat counter, the information processing apparatus 20 does not set the position related to the registration apparatus 21 as the display position of the vegetable product. Thereby, when product information is acquired by a customer's operation within the area corresponding to the category of the product, the information processing apparatus 20 can set the position of the registration apparatus 21 as the display position of the product. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 20 can improve the accuracy of the position information of the product.

[0118] Also, for example, when the number of purchased products is small, such as 1, there is a possibility that the customer's child or the like has moved the product from another shelf, or that the customer has moved and registered the product. On the other hand, if the number of purchased products is large, it is highly likely that the customer has taken out the product from the shelf on the spot and registered the product. Therefore, when the position related to the registration apparatus 21 of a certain customer is different from the position related to the registration apparatus 21 of another customer, if the number of purchased products of the customer is larger than the number of purchased products in the registration of another customer, the information processing apparatus 20 sets the position related to the registration apparatus 21 of the certain customer as the display position of the product. For example, when customer A purchases 3 units of product X and customer B purchases 1 unit of product X, the information processing apparatus 20 adopts the position related to customer A's registration apparatus 21 as the display position of product X. Thereby, the information processing apparatus 20 can set the position related to the registration apparatus 21 due to the product registration of the customer with a large number of purchased products as the display position of the product. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 20 can improve the accuracy of the position information of the product.

[0119] For a certain product, if the number of purchases for product registration or product search at the same location is large, it is highly likely that the product is displayed in the vicinity of that location. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 20 outputs the location information and product information included in the acquisition data with a large cumulative number of purchases for each location information among the acquisition data acquired during a predetermined period. Thereby, the information processing apparatus 20 can improve the accuracy of the location information of the product.

[0120] When there are three or more acquisition data and the location information included in three or more acquisition data is the same during a predetermined period, the information processing apparatus 20 outputs the product information and location information included in the acquisition data in which there are a plurality of categories of the same product. Thereby, the information processing apparatus 20 can output, for example, the product information and location information in which products of the same category are searched or registered at the same location. Thereby, the information processing apparatus 20 can improve the accuracy of the location information of the product. Further, the information processing apparatus 20 does not have to output the product information and location information such that products of the same category are not registered at the same location during a predetermined period. Therefore, the information processing apparatus 20 can improve the accuracy of the location information of the product. Also, when focusing on a single customer, for example, when products of a different category are newly registered after products of the same category are continuously registered, there is a possibility that the registration of the product is performed at a location away from the location where the product is displayed. For this reason, when products of the same category are continuously registered in the product registration by the customer and products of a different category are registered, the information processing apparatus 20 does not adopt the location regarding the registration apparatus 21 for the products of the different category as the display location. Thereby, the information processing apparatus 20 can improve the accuracy of the location information of the product.

[0121] Also, the information processing apparatus 20 associates the product information and the location information and registers them in the storage unit 204. Thereby, the information processing apparatus 20 can create information that can provide the location regarding the registration apparatus 21 that registered the product as the display location of the product.

[0122] Further, the information processing apparatus 20 associates product information with location information and outputs it to an output device. Thereby, the information processing apparatus 20 can output to the output device the location regarding the registration apparatus 21 that registered the product as the display location of the product. For example, the information processing apparatus 20 can display the display location of a product on a terminal device of a customer or a store employee in response to a request from the customer or the store employee.

[0123] Also, the information processing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment and the information processing apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment may be combined with existing technologies. In the display location DB 221, for example, location information may be registered in advance by a store employee. And the information processing apparatus 20 may update the display location DB 221 to the latest state. Also, for example, regarding some of a plurality of products in a store, the location information provided by the information processing apparatuses 10 and 20 is used. And regarding the remaining products among the plurality of products, location information specified by RFID or location information obtained by the work of a store employee may be used.

[0124] Next, a case where the information processing apparatus 10 according to the first embodiment and the information processing apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment are realized by a computer will be described. FIG. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration when the information processing apparatus is realized by a computer. As shown in FIG. 18, the information processing apparatus 30 is, for example, the information processing apparatuses 10 and 20. The information processing apparatus 30 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a storage device 304, and a communication interface 305. Each component is connected via a bus 306.

[0125] The CPU 301 controls the entire information processing apparatus 30. For example, the CPU 301 may control the entire information processing apparatus 30 by operating an OS (Operating System). The CPU 301 may have a plurality of cores.

[0126] The information processing apparatus 30 includes, as a storage unit, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a storage device 304, and the like. The storage device 304 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, an HDD, an SSD, and the like. For example, the storage device 304 stores various programs such as an OS program, an application program, and a program according to the first or second embodiment. Alternatively, the ROM 302 stores an application program. Further, the ROM 302 may store a program according to the first or second embodiment. And the RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301.

[0127] Also, the CPU 301 loads programs stored in the storage device 304, the ROM 302, and the like. Then, the CPU 301 executes each process coded in the program. Further, the CPU 301 may download various programs via the communication network 310. Also, the CPU 301 functions as part or all of the information processing apparatus 30. And the CPU 301 may execute the processes or instructions in the illustrated flowchart based on the program.

[0128] The communication interface 305 is connected to a communication network 310 such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) through a wireless or wired communication line. Thereby, the information processing apparatus 30 is connected to an external device or an external computer via the communication network 310. The communication interface 305 controls the interface between the communication network 310 and the inside of the information processing apparatus 30. And the communication interface 305 controls the input / output of data from an external device or an external computer.

[0129] However, the hardware configuration shown in FIG. 18 is just an example, and other components may be added or some components may not be included. For example, the information processing apparatus 30 may have a drive device or the like. And the CPU 301 may read programs and data from a recording medium mounted on a drive device or the like into the RAM 303. Examples of the recording medium include optical disks, flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, USB (Universal Serial Bus) memories, and the like. Also, for example, the information processing apparatus 30 may have an input device such as a keyboard or a mouse and an output device such as a display.

[0130] As described above, the information processing apparatuses 10 and 20 according to the first or second embodiment are realized by the computer hardware shown in FIG. 18. Also, the information processing apparatuses 10 and 20 are realized by a single physically coupled device. Alternatively, the information processing apparatuses 10 and 20 may be realized by connecting two or more physically separated devices by wire or wirelessly.

[0131] Also, there are various modifications to the method of realizing the information processing apparatuses 10 and 20. For example, each device may be realized by an arbitrary combination of different computers and programs for each component. Also, a plurality of components included in each device may be realized by an arbitrary combination of one computer and a program.

[0132] Also, some or all of the components of the information processing apparatuses 10 and 20 may be realized by circuits for specific purposes. Also, some or all of the information processing apparatus may be realized by a general-purpose circuit including a processor such as an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). Also, some or all of the information processing apparatus may be realized by a combination of circuits for specific purposes and general-purpose circuits. Also, these circuits may be a single integrated circuit. Alternatively, these circuits may be divided into a plurality of integrated circuits. And the plurality of integrated circuits may be configured by being connected via a bus or the like.

[0133] In addition, 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 centrally arranged or distributed.

[0134] The position information providing method described in each embodiment is realized by the information processing devices 10 and 20 executing. Further, the position information providing method is realized by a computer such as the information processing devices 10 and 20 executing a program prepared in advance. The programs described in each embodiment are recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as an HDD, SSD, flexible disk, optical disk, flexible disk, magneto-optical disk, or USB memory. Then, this program is executed by being read out from the recording medium by a computer. Also, the program may be distributed via the communication network 310.

[0135] Each component of the information processing devices 10 and 20 in each of the embodiments described above may have its function realized hardware-wise like the information processing device 30 of the computer shown in FIG. 18. Alternatively, each component may be realized by a computer device or firmware based on program control.

[0136] FIG. 19 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration when the registration device is realized by a computer. As shown in FIG. 19, the registration device 31 is, for example, the registration device 21 described in Embodiment 2. Here, the case where the registration device 31 is a customer's terminal device will be described as an example. The registration device 31 includes a CPU 311, a ROM 312, a RAM 313, a storage device 314, a communication interface 315, an input / output device 317, and a reader 318. Each component is connected via a bus 316.

[0137] The CPU 311 controls the entire registration device 31. For example, the CPU 311 may operate an OS to control the entire registration device 31. The CPU 311 may have a plurality of cores.

[0138] The registration device 31 has, as a storage unit, a ROM 312, a RAM 313, a storage device 314, etc. The storage device 314 includes, for example, a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, an HDD, an SSD, etc. For example, the storage device 314 stores various programs such as an OS program, an application program, and applications for product registration and settlement. Alternatively, the ROM 312 stores an application program. Also, the ROM 312 may store the program according to the first or second embodiment. And the RAM 313 is used as a work area for the CPU 311.

[0139] Also, the CPU 311 loads the programs stored in the storage device 314, the ROM 312, etc. Then, the CPU 311 executes each process coded in the program. Also, the CPU 311 may download various programs via the communication network 310. Also, the CPU 311 functions as part or all of the registration device 31. And the CPU 311 may execute the processes or instructions in the illustrated flowchart based on the program.

[0140] The communication interface 315 is connected to a communication network 310 such as a LAN or a WAN. Thereby, the registration device 31 is connected to an external device such as an information processing device or an external computer via the communication network 310. The communication interface 315 manages the interface between the communication network 310 and the inside of the registration device 31. And the communication interface 315 controls the input / output of data from an external device or an external computer.

[0141] The input / output device 317 has, for example, an input device and an output device. Examples of the input / output device 317 include a touch panel display. The reader 318 is a device capable of reading a product code such as a barcode. Examples of the reader 318 include a camera.

[0142] As described above, the present disclosure has been described with reference to each embodiment, but the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. The configurations and details of each present disclosure may include embodiments to which various changes that can be grasped by those skilled in the art within the scope of the present disclosure are applied. The present disclosure may include embodiments in which the matters described in this specification are appropriately combined or replaced as necessary. For example, the matters described using a specific embodiment can also be applied to other embodiments as long as no contradiction occurs. For example, although a plurality of operations are described in order in the form of a flowchart, the order of the description does not limit the order in which the plurality of operations are executed. Therefore, when implementing each embodiment, the order of the plurality of operations can be changed as long as the content is not hindered. Further, the search device may have a hardware configuration such as the registration device 31.

[0143] Some or all of the above embodiments may be described as follows in the appended claims, but are not limited thereto.

[0144] (Appended Claim 1) An acquisition means for acquiring data including product information indicating a product acquired by a customer operation and position information regarding the position where the product information was acquired; An output means for outputting the position information and the product information included in the data acquired by the acquisition means; An information processing apparatus comprising:

[0145] (Appended Claim 2) The output means outputs the position information and the product information in association with each other when the position information is within an area corresponding to the category of the product indicated by the product information. The information processing apparatus according to Appended Claim 1.

[0146] (Appendix 3) The data further includes purchase quantity information indicating the quantity of the product purchased by the customer. When, within a predetermined period, there are two or more pieces of data including the same product information among the data acquired by the acquisition means, and each piece of location information included in the two or more pieces of data is different, the output means outputs the location information and the product information included in the data acquired by the operation of the customer with a larger purchase quantity. The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 1 or 2.

[0147] (Appendix 4) The data further includes purchase quantity information indicating the quantity of the product purchased by the customer. When, within a predetermined period, there are two or more pieces of data including the same product information among the data acquired by the acquisition means, and each piece of location information included in the two or more pieces of data is different, the output means outputs the location information and the product information for which the cumulative purchase quantity for each location information is larger. The information processing apparatus according to Appendix 1 or 2.

[0148] (Appendix 5) When, within a predetermined period, there are at least three or more pieces of data acquired by the acquisition means, and the location information included in the three or more pieces of data is the same, the output means outputs the product information and the location information included in the data in which there are a plurality of categories of the same product among the data acquired by the acquisition means. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4.

[0149] (Appendix 6) When the categories of a plurality of products acquired immediately before the product in the operation of the customer are the same, and the category of the product indicated by the product information is the same as the categories of the plurality of products, the output means outputs the location information and the product information in association with each other. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 4.

[0150] (Appendix 7) The output means includes a registration means for registering the position information and the product information in a storage means. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 6.

[0151] (Appendix 8) The output means includes a display control means for causing the display means to display the position information and the product information. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Appendices 1 to 7.

[0152] (Appendix 9) Obtain data including product information indicating a product obtained by a customer's operation and position information regarding the position where the product information was obtained. Output the position information and the product information included in the data. Position information providing method.

[0153] (Appendix 10) Cause a computer to Obtain data including product information indicating a product obtained by a customer's operation and position information regarding the position where the product information was obtained. Output the position information and the product information included in the data. Program for executing processing.

[0154] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-161648 filed on September 28, 2020, and incorporates the entire disclosure thereof herein.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0155] 2 System 10, 20, 30 Information processing apparatus 21, 31 Registration apparatus 22 Display apparatus 101, 201 Acquisition unit 102, 202 Output unit 203 Determination unit 204 Storage unit 211 Registration unit 212 represents the control unit 221 Display position DB 222 Area information 223 Category information

Claims

1. An acquisition means for acquiring data including product information indicating the product obtained by an operation in which a customer registers a product in a registration device or an operation in which the customer searches for a product using a search device, position information regarding the position where the product information was obtained, and purchase quantity information indicating the purchase quantity of the product by the customer; An output means for associating and outputting the position information and the product information included in the data obtained by the operation of the customer with a larger purchase quantity when, among the data obtained by the acquisition means during a predetermined period, there are two or more pieces of data including the same product information and the respective position information included in the two or more pieces of data are different; An information processing apparatus comprising the above.

2. An acquisition means for acquiring data including product information indicating the product obtained by an operation in which a customer registers a product in a registration device or an operation in which the customer searches for a product using a search device, position information regarding the position where the product information was obtained, and purchase quantity information indicating the purchase quantity of the product by the customer; An output means for associating and outputting the position information and the product information when, among the data obtained by the acquisition means during a predetermined period, there are two or more pieces of data including the same product information and the respective position information included in the two or more pieces of data are different, and the cumulative purchase quantity for each position information is large; An information processing apparatus comprising the above.

3. The output means outputs the position information and the product information in association with each other when the position information is within an area corresponding to the category of the product indicated by the product information. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The output means outputs the product information and the position information included in the data in which there are a plurality of categories of the same product among the data obtained by the acquisition means when, during a predetermined period, there are at least three or more pieces of data obtained by the acquisition means and the position information included in the three or more pieces of data is the same. The information processing apparatus according to any one of Claims 1 to 3.

5. The output means outputs the position information and the product information in association with each other when the categories of a plurality of products obtained immediately before the product in the operation of the customer are the same and the category of the product indicated by the product information is the same as the categories of the plurality of products. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The output means includes a registration means for registering the position information and the product information in a storage means. The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. Obtain data including product information indicating a product obtained by an operation in which a customer registers a product in a registration device or an operation in which the customer searches for a product using a search device, position information regarding the position where the product information was obtained, and purchase quantity information indicating the purchase quantity of the product by the customer. In a predetermined period, if there are two or more pieces of the obtained data that include the same product information and the respective position information included in the two or more pieces of data is different, associate and output the position information and the product information included in the data obtained by the operation of the customer with a large purchase quantity. Position information providing method.

8. Obtain data including product information indicating a product obtained by an operation in which a customer registers a product in a registration device or an operation in which the customer searches for a product using a search device, position information regarding the position where the product information was obtained, and purchase quantity information indicating the purchase quantity of the product by the customer. In a predetermined period, if there are two or more pieces of the obtained data that include the same product information and the respective position information included in the two or more pieces of data is different, associate and output the position information and the product information in which the cumulative purchase quantity for each position information is large. Position information providing method.

9. On a computer, Obtain data including product information indicating a product obtained by an operation in which a customer registers a product in a registration device or an operation in which the customer searches for a product using a search device, position information regarding the position where the product information was obtained, and purchase quantity information indicating the purchase quantity of the product by the customer. In a predetermined period, if there are two or more pieces of the obtained data that include the same product information and the respective position information included in the two or more pieces of data is different, associate and output the position information and the product information included in the data obtained by the operation of the customer with a large purchase quantity. A program for causing the processing to be executed.

10. On a computer, Obtain data including product information indicating a product acquired by an operation in which a customer registers a product in a registration device or an operation in which the customer searches for a product using a search device, position information regarding the position where the product information was acquired, and purchase quantity information indicating the purchase quantity of the product by the customer. If, within a predetermined period, there are two or more pieces of the acquired data that include the same product information and the respective position information included in the two or more pieces of data is different, associate and output the position information with a higher cumulative purchase quantity for each position information and the product information. A program for executing the process.

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