Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To enhance efficiency of work when a commodity price is changed at a store.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes: a first setting unit for setting an identifier associated with deadline information related to an expiration date for each commodity; a second setting unit for setting discount information associated with the deadline information related to the expiration date for each commodity; and a display control unit for associating the identifier set by the first setting unit with the discount information set by the second setting unit to cause a display unit to display information on the commodity.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] In the past, for example in retail businesses, markdown labels (markdown labels) have been affixed to products to give customers a sense of value and increase their purchasing motivation. Various printers configured to print these markdown labels have been proposed. For example, a printer has been proposed that includes a judgment means for determining whether to print multiple price data, including price data for the regular price and price data lower than the regular price, and a display means for displaying a message indicating that the price is the regular price near the price data for the regular price if the judgment means determines that multiple price data should be printed (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2000-016414 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] When marking down products, store staff at retailers such as supermarkets visually check the expiration dates, etc. of each product, and issue and attach markdown labels to products that are close to their expiration dates, as determined by their store's rules (markdown work). Markdowns are sometimes carried out several times a day, so the work required for markdown work is significant. In addition, markdown work is often carried out in the evening or at night, which can place a heavy burden on store staff. On the other hand, if markdowns are not implemented, the discounted prices will not be communicated to consumers, and products with approaching expiration dates will remain unsold, ultimately leading to food waste. For this reason, the current situation is that stores cannot eliminate markdowns.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to improve the efficiency of operations when changing product prices in a store. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention is an information processing device having a first setting unit that sets, for each product, an identifier associated with deadline information related to an expiration date; a second setting unit that sets, for each product, price reduction information associated with the deadline information related to the expiration date; and a display control unit that associates the identifier set by the first setting unit with the price reduction information set by the second setting unit and displays information about the product on a display device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to improve the efficiency of operations when changing product prices in a store. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a store to which a price presentation system according to a first embodiment is applied; [Figure 2] 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a label attached to a product in the price presentation system of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which a plurality of products to which the label shown in FIG. 2 is attached are displayed. [Figure 4] 3 is a diagram showing an example of display of electronic shelf labels in a store in the price presentation system of the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 5] 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating examples of setting and using Markdown codes in the price presentation system of the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a product inventory database. [Figure 7] 1 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a price presentation system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] 4 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the price presentation system of the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating examples of setting and using Markdown codes in a price presentation system according to a second embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of display of electronic shelf labels in a store in the price presentation system of the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation mode of a price presentation system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a system configuration of a price presentation system according to a third embodiment. [Figure 13] 13A to 13C are diagrams illustrating an example of screen transitions of a store application on a user terminal in the price presentation system of the third embodiment. [Figure 14] 10 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the price presentation system according to the third embodiment. [Figure 15] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of screen transitions of a store application on a user terminal in a modified example of the price presentation system of the embodiment. [Figure 16] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of screen transitions of a store application on a user terminal in a modified example of the price presentation system of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In this disclosure, "product information" refers to information that identifies a product. Product information includes, for example, a product name, a product code, a product model, etc. The product code is identification information that identifies a product. In this disclosure, "expiration date information" of a product refers to information about an expiration date that indicates whether the product can be used, enjoyed, or consumed by a user. Expiration dates include, for example, use-by date, best-before date, expiry date, quality assurance date, sell-by date, etc. The sell-by date indicates the date until which the product can be sold to consumers and is set by the product manufacturer.

[0010] A price display system, which is one embodiment of an information processing system, includes, for example, a display device provided in a store for multiple products with different expiration dates, such as best-before dates or expiration dates, that are associated with the same product information, and an information processing device capable of communicating with the display device. Multiple products with different expiration dates, such as best-before dates or expiration dates, that are associated with the same product information are, for example, a group of products that have the same product code but may have different expiration dates, such as best-before dates or expiration dates, and are often displayed in the same position (area) on a product shelf in a store. The display device is provided to display price reduction information for multiple products with different expiration dates, such as best-before dates or expiration dates. An example of a display device is, for example, an electronic shelf tag. In this price display system, each of a plurality of products with different expiration dates, such as best-before dates or use-by dates, is assigned one of a plurality of identifiers that corresponds to expiration date information, such as best-before dates or use-by dates. Therefore, even when a plurality of products with different expiration dates, such as best-before dates or use-by dates, are displayed, store customers can distinguish between the expiration dates, such as best-before dates or use-by dates, at a glance by using the identifiers. From the viewpoint of ease of intuitive recognition by users, the identifier is preferably one to two lines of characters or symbols, but is not limited to this and may be a code, mark, pattern, emblem, design, graphic, etc., or a combination of two or more of these. There are no limitations on the method of attaching the identifier to the product, but examples include attaching a label with the identifier printed on it to the product or its packaging, or printing the identifier directly on the product itself.

[0011] In this price presentation system, an information processing device capable of communicating with the display device sets, for example, one or more identifiers corresponding to products that are to be subject to price reductions based on the current time from among a plurality of products with different expiration dates such as best-before dates or use-by dates. In order to target products with upcoming expiration dates such as best-before dates or use-by dates for price reductions, the one or more identifiers that are set are, for example, identifiers corresponding to products with upcoming expiration dates such as best-before dates or use-by dates based on the current time. Next, the information processing device sets, for example, price reduction information indicating the price reduction rate or price reduction range relative to the base price of the product to be reduced. The set price reduction rate or price reduction range may differ depending on the type of product to be reduced (product code, etc.) or the inventory identifier of the product to be reduced.

[0012] One or more identifiers set for each product (product code, etc.) corresponding to an expiration date such as a best-before date or a use-by date, and price reduction information, etc. set for each product corresponding to an expiration date such as a best-before date or a use-by date, are displayed in association with each other on the display device. Therefore, a user can immediately recognize a reduced-price product and its price reduction information, such as the discount rate and amount, from among multiple products with different expiration dates such as best-before dates or use-by dates that are displayed in the same position on a shelf, for example, by using the identifiers attached to each of multiple products with different expiration dates such as best-before dates or use-by dates and the price reduction information displayed on the display device in association with those identifiers. Furthermore, by changing the display content on the display device, the information processing device can notify store customers of products that are subject to price reductions and information about the price reductions among multiple products with different expiration dates such as best-before dates and expiry dates. This frees store staff from the task of attaching markdown labels to products to notify them of products that are subject to price reductions, thereby improving the efficiency of operations when changing product prices in the store. The price presentation system according to one embodiment will be described in more detail below. Note that the following description will be given of a case where a price reduction rate is used as an example of price reduction information.

[0013] (1) First embodiment The price presentation system is configured to present the prices (offer prices) of products in a store to, for example, store users, etc. In the example of this embodiment, the store is a retailer such as a supermarket that handles food products with expiration dates such as best-before dates and use-by dates. Figure 1 shows an example of a store to which a price display system according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. As shown in Figure 1, a user CT is selecting products to purchase while carrying a shopping cart inside the store. In the store, product groups corresponding to a plurality of different product codes are displayed on shelves. Electronic shelf labels 2-1 to 2-11 are installed corresponding to the product groups of each product code. In the following description, items common to multiple electronic shelf labels in a store will be referred to as "electronic shelf label 2" as appropriate. Also, in the drawings, electronic shelf labels may be referred to as ESLs (Electronic Shelf Labels).

[0014] Products in a store that have expiration dates such as a best-before date or a use-by date are printed with a markdown code as an identifier corresponding to the expiration date, such as the best-before date or the use-by date. In the following description or accompanying drawings, the markdown code may be abbreviated to simply "code." Referring to FIG. 2, an example of a product with a label with a markdown code printed thereon is shown. In the example shown in FIG. 2, a markdown code (in this example, "B") corresponding to the expiration date, such as a best-before date or a use-by date, is printed on the label PL affixed to the product P by the markdown code display unit 103. For example, a store staff member or the like issues a label PL (a label with a markdown code) on which a markdown code is printed in advance to indicate whether the product P is a product subject to a price reduction, and the product P is then displayed on a shelf in the store.

[0015] In a store, products with multiple different product codes are displayed, but from the perspective of uniform operation within the store, markdown codes are determined based on expiration dates such as best-before dates and use-by dates, regardless of the product code. For example, meat products generally have shorter expiration dates than vegetable products, but the markdown codes set for both meat and vegetable products are determined based on the date and time of the expiration date such as the best-before date and use-by date of each product.

[0016] FIG. 3 shows a display of multiple products with different expiration dates for the same product code (in this example, the product code corresponds to "loin meat"). As an example of multiple products with different expiration dates for the same product code shown in FIG. 3, multiple products P1 to P4 with labels PL1 to PL4 attached are shown. The markdown codes displayed on each product may differ depending on the expiration date of each individual product (in the example of FIG. 3, the markdown codes are "A," "B," "C," and "G"). Fig. 4 shows an example of the display of electronic shelf labels 2 installed in correspondence with the multiple products shown in Fig. 3. In this example, for the product "loin meat" with the same product code, price reduction information is displayed indicating that the product with markdown code: "B" is discounted by 30%, the product with markdown code: "C" is discounted by 10%, and the product with markdown code: "D" is discounted by 5%. Store customers can check the display contents of the electronic shelf tag 2 and then select the products to purchase from the products P1 to P4 that have labels PL1 to PL4 etc. attached. This allows them to immediately recognize, for example, the products that are subject to price reductions (in this example, products P3 and P4) and their price reduction information, such as the price reduction rate, from among the products P1 to P4 with the same product code.

[0017] 4, there is a one-to-one correspondence between product codes (in this example, the product code corresponding to "loin meat") and electronic shelf labels, but this is not limited to this. For example, if a group of products with two different product codes are displayed adjacent to each other, price reduction information corresponding to the two product codes (for example, a markdown code and the corresponding price reduction rate) may be displayed together on a single electronic shelf label.

[0018] Next, examples of setting and using markdown codes will be described with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 illustrates an example of setting a markdown code to be printed on a label ("Label Setting Example") and an example of using it to reduce the price of a product in a store ("Operation Example"). Multiple markdown codes are set according to the period (e.g., the number of days) until the product's expiration date. For example, Figure 5 shows an example in which 10 markdown codes, A through J, are assigned in advance to products whose expiration date falls within nine days of November 30, 2021 (i.e., an example in which 10 labels with markdown codes are printed and issued). In other words, labels can be issued in bulk for products whose expiration date falls within nine days of November 30, 2021, and affixed to the products. In this example, once a label is affixed to a product whose expiration date is nine days from today, there is no need to issue a separate label, such as a markdown label.

[0019] In Figure 5, the markdown codes for products subject to price reductions change daily and are notified to customers via electronic shelf labels corresponding to each product in the store. In the operational example of Figure 5, on November 30, 2021, products in the store that are subject to price reductions will be products with labels printed with markdown codes "A," "B," or "C." Also, on the following day, December 1, 2021, products in the store that are subject to price reductions will be products with labels printed with markdown codes "B," "C," or "D." The same applies from December 2, 2021 onwards. In the example of Figure 5, the markdown codes displayed on electronic shelf labels 2 change daily.

[0020] In the example of price reduction shown in Figure 5, products with a best-before date within three days, including the current day, are set as products eligible for price reduction, but this is not limited to this and markdown codes corresponding to products eligible for price reduction can be set as appropriate. For example, in the example of Figure 5, on November 30, 2021, products in the store eligible for price reduction may be products with labels printed with the markdown code "A" or "B," or products with labels printed with "A," "B," "C," or "D."

[0021] For example, on December 6, 2021, the electronic shelf tags associated with each product will display that the markdown code for that day is "G," "H," or "I." This will allow customers to know that products in the store with labels bearing the markdown code "G," "H," or "I" are eligible for price reduction that day. Therefore, by checking the markdown codes printed on the labels of each product displayed on the shelves, customers can identify which products are eligible for price reduction and the discount information for that product, such as the discount rate, among multiple products with different expiration dates, such as best-before dates and expiry dates. On the other hand, once the store staff has affixed the label to the product, they do not need to affix further markdown labels to the product, which makes it possible to improve the efficiency of store operations.

[0022] Although FIG. 5 shows 10 types of markdown codes, this is not a limitation. The number of types of markdown codes is determined appropriately depending on the store's operations. Although FIG. 5 shows different markdown codes assigned to different best-before dates, this is not a limitation. The same markdown code may be assigned to different best-before dates. For example, in the example of FIG. 5, the markdown code assigned to November 30th to December 1st may be "A," the markdown code assigned to December 2nd to December 3rd may be "B," and so on.

[0023] The example of setting and operating a markdown code shown in FIG. 5 is applied to multiple products with different expiration dates corresponding to a specific product code. While the markdown codes displayed on product labels in a store are uniformly determined according to the expiration date, in one embodiment, the discount rate associated with each markdown code is set individually for each product code, for example, depending on the type of product. Therefore, different product codes may result in different discount rates for the same markdown code displayed on an electronic shelf label. In other words, the discount rate associated with the same markdown code set for the same expiration date may vary depending on the type of product (e.g., meat product, vegetable product, etc.), product characteristics (e.g., state or degree of freshness relative to the expiration date or best-before date), product inventory quantity, etc.

[0024] FIG. 6 illustrates an example of a product inventory database referenced in a price display system according to an embodiment. In the product inventory database, a markdown code is associated with an inventory quantity for each product. In the example product inventory database illustrated in FIG. 6, each record includes values ​​for the fields "product code," "product name," "best before date," "code," and "inventory quantity." The value in the "code" field is the value of the markdown code associated with the expiration date, as illustrated in FIG. 5, for example. One or more markdown codes displayed on the electronic shelf label corresponding to the expiration date of each product code, as well as the price reduction rate corresponding to each markdown code, are determined individually for each product code according to the type of product, characteristics, and inventory quantity of each product code.

[0025] In the example of FIG. 6, the product names "Bread α" and "Milk β" are assigned the same markdown code (e.g., markdown code "A") if they have the same expiration date. However, because the product type, product characteristics, and product inventory quantity differ between the bread α and the milk β, different discount rates may be assigned to each. For example, even if the expiration dates are the same, different discount rates may be assigned to "Bread α" and "Milk β" because the degree of consumer demand differs due to the different product types. Furthermore, even if the expiration dates are the same, if the inventory quantity of "Bread α" is greater than the inventory quantity of "Milk β," the discount rate assigned to "Bread α" will be greater than that of "Milk β." Furthermore, for example, for a product with the same product code, "Bread α," different markdown codes may be assigned depending on the expiration date (e.g., a product with markdown code "B" and a product with markdown code "C"), discount rates may be assigned depending on the inventory quantity of each product.

[0026] Conventionally, a business has been engaged in issuing and affixing markdown labels to products approaching their expiration dates (markdown business), but because the effort of affixing markdown labels is troublesome, the frequency of price reduction business has been limited to about two times (for example, a business of affixing a 50% discount label one day before the expiration date and a 35% discount label two days before the expiration date).In contrast, the price presentation system 1 of this embodiment can reduce prices more frequently than before and flexibly set the timing for changing the price reduction rate, etc., by changing the display content of the electronic shelf label 2. This not only reduces the workload of store staff in reducing prices, but also increases store profits more than before. For example, compared to the conventional method of attaching a 50% discount label one day before the expiration date and a 35% discount label two days before the expiration date, a lower discount rate can be set three days or more before the expiration date (for example, 10% three days before the expiration date and 5% four days before the expiration date). This reduces the inventory of products one or two days before the expiration date, so the number of products subject to a 50% discount, for example, is relatively smaller, making it possible to increase profits more than before even if the same number of products are sold overall.

[0027] Note that the method of determining one or more markdown codes to be displayed on the electronic shelf label corresponding to the expiration date of each product code and the price reduction rate corresponding to each markdown code is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a rule-based determination method or a determination method that applies a trained model.

[0028] Next, the system configuration of a price display system 1 according to one embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 7, the price display system 1 according to this embodiment includes an electronic shelf label management device 4, a store server 5, a POS server 6, one or more relay devices 7 and one or more electronic shelf labels 2 installed in the store, and a printer 8 located in the store, and is configured to be able to display product price reduction information to store customers via the electronic shelf labels 2. The electronic shelf label management device 4, the store server 5, and the POS server 6 are communicatively connected via a network NW. The network NW is not limited to, but may be, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), or a WAN (Wide Area Network). Printer 8 issues labels on which the product name, product code, expiration date, markdown code, etc. are printed. Printer 8 receives label information for each product based on the product inventory database from store server 5, and prints based on the label information. Store staff attach the labels printed by printer 8 to product packs, etc., and display the products on shelves.

[0029] 7, the electronic shelf label management device 4 is a device that manages a plurality of electronic shelf labels 2 installed in a store. The electronic shelf label management device 4 stores data that associates a specific electronic shelf label 2 with each product code. The electronic shelf label management device 4 performs processing (ESL display switching processing, described later) to switch the display content individually for each electronic shelf label (ESL) 2 in the store via the relay device 7 based on an ESL display switching request received from the store server 5. In the ESL display switching processing, display data is sent individually to each electronic shelf label 2. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, this display data includes one or more markdown codes that are subject to price reduction for each product code, and data such as the price reduction rate corresponding to each markdown code. The relay device 7 is, for example, a wireless gateway device, and performs wireless communication with one or more electronic shelf labels 2, transmitting display data to each electronic shelf label 2.

[0030] As shown in Fig. 7, the store server 5 includes a control unit 51, a storage 52, and a communication unit 53. The control unit 51 is mainly configured with a microprocessor and controls the entire store server 5. For example, the microprocessor included in the control unit 51 loads and executes a server program recorded in the storage 52, and performs processes such as determining, for each product code, one or more markdown codes to be displayed on the corresponding electronic shelf label 2, and associating the one or more markdown codes with corresponding price reduction rates. A product inventory database is referenced when performing these processes.

[0031] By executing the server program, the control unit 51 realizes the functions of a first setting unit 511, a second setting unit 512, and a display control unit 513. The first setting unit 511 sets an identifier associated with expiration date information related to an expiration date for each product. The first setting unit 511 sets a markdown code as an identifier associated with expiration date information related to an expiration date such as a best-before date or a use-by date for each product code, for example. The second setting unit 512 sets, for each product, price reduction information associated with expiration date information related to the expiration date. The second setting unit 512 sets, for example, for each product code, a value such as a price reduction rate as price reduction information associated with expiration date information related to the expiration date such as a best-before date or a use-by date. For example, the second setting unit 512 sets price reduction information (for example, a price reduction rate relative to the base price of the product) to be associated with each of one or more markdown codes corresponding to products that are to be reduced in price based on the current time among multiple products with the same product code but different expiration dates such as a best-before date or a use-by date. The display control unit 513 associates the identifier set by the first setting unit 511 with the price reduction information set by the second setting unit 512, and causes the electronic shelf label 2, which serves as a display device that displays information about products, to display the associated identifier. The display control unit 513 generates display data by associating, for example, a markdown code corresponding to a product that is subject to a price reduction with the price reduction information, and causes the display data to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 2 that displays information about the product, as illustrated in FIG.

[0032] In one embodiment, the second setting unit 512 may set price reduction information for products with identifiers, for example, depending on the inventory of the products. For example, the second setting unit 512 may refer to the inventory quantity in a product inventory database and set the price reduction rate and the like for products to which one or more markdown codes corresponding to the products to be reduced in price (i.e., one or more markdown codes to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 2) are assigned on a rule-based basis, or may set the rate using a trained model. For example, when setting on a rule-based basis, the second setting unit 512 may set one or more markdown codes to be displayed on the electronic shelf label 2 and the price reduction rate associated with each markdown code, for example, depending on the inventory quantity of each product. For example, in order to eliminate unsold products, the second setting unit 512 may set a higher price reduction rate or increase the number of markdown codes to be displayed when the inventory quantity is higher than the planned quantity.

[0033] When setting using a trained model, for example, a trained model is constructed in advance to learn the price reduction start date and discount rate that minimizes food waste (the amount of food that is discarded even though it is still edible) and maximizes profits for each product, using factors such as weather, temperature, store events, inventory quantity, and number of days until expiration date.By setting using a trained model, it is possible to automatically set the timing of price reductions, which are set based on the experience and intuition of veteran store employees.

[0034] Storage 52 is a large-capacity storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), and stores a product inventory database (see FIG. 6) as well as the server program. The product inventory database is accessed by control unit 51 as needed when the server program is executed. Although not shown, storage 52 also stores data such as the regular price of each product sold in the store (i.e., regular price data corresponding to each product code). The regular price data is referenced by control unit 51 when determining a discounted price. The communication unit 53 is a communication interface for communicating with the electronic shelf label management device 4 and the POS server 6.

[0035] In FIG. 7, a POS server 6 is a server that collects and manages store purchase data, sales data, inventory data, etc., and is connected to cash register terminals (not shown) in the store.

[0036] Next, the operation of the price display system 1 of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a sequence chart showing the operation when, for example, every day before the store opens, the display contents of the electronic shelf labels 2 installed in the store are switched.

[0037] Referring to FIG. 8, the store server 5 first acquires purchased product data and sold product data from the POS server 6 (step S2), and updates the product inventory database based on the acquired purchased product data and sold product data (step S4). Purchased product data is data entered from a store terminal (not shown) when a product arrives at the store or is manufactured at the store, and is registered in the POS server 6. It is data related to products that are newly available for sale at the store (product code, product name, best-before date data). Sold product data is data related to products that have been sold to store customers and are no longer in the store (product code, product name, best-before date data). In other words, purchased product data and sold product data are data related to products that have entered the store and products that have left the store. In step S4, the inventory quantity values ​​of each record in the product inventory database (FIG. 6) are updated based on the purchased product data and sold product data.

[0038] For example, if the display content of each electronic shelf label 2 is switched every day, the timing for switching the display of the electronic shelf label 2 (ESL display switching timing) is set to a predetermined time before the store opens. When this predetermined time is reached (step S6: YES), the store server 5 sets one or more markdown codes (markdown target codes) for the price reduction for each electronic shelf label 2 (that is, for each corresponding product code) (step S8), and sets a price reduction rate to be associated with each markdown code set for each product code (step S10). As described above, the settings in steps S8 and S10 may be made on a rule-based basis or based on a trained model.

[0039] The store server 5 sets one or more price reduction target codes corresponding to expiration dates, such as best-before dates or expiration dates, for each product code, and a price reduction rate to be associated with the price reduction target code corresponding to expiration dates, such as best-before dates or expiration dates, and the inventory quantity of the product at that expiration date, for each product code.The store server 5 then transmits a price update request to the POS server 6 to reflect the price reductions in the offered price, which is the basis of the sales data.The price update request includes data including the product code, the markdown code, etc., associated with the product code set in step S8, and the price reduction rate, etc., associated with the product code set in step S10.The POS server 6 performs processing to update the offered price for each product based on this data (step S14).As a result, the offered price of the product processed by the in-store register terminal is updated.When the processing to update the offered price is completed, the POS server 6 returns an update completion response to the store server 5 (step S16).

[0040] When the store server 5 receives the update completion response from the POS server 6, it transmits an ESL display switching request to the electronic shelf label management device 4 (step S18). The ESL display switching request is a request to switch the display content of each electronic shelf label 2 in the store, and includes data including the product code, the markdown code etc. set in step S8 in association with the product code, and the price reduction rate etc. set in step S10 in association with the product code. When the electronic shelf label management device 4 receives the ESL display switching request, it performs ESL display switching processing (step S20). Specifically, the electronic shelf label management device 4 transmits display data individually to the electronic shelf labels 2 corresponding to each product code. This display data includes data included in the ESL display switching request (such as one or more markdown codes for each product code and price reduction rate data to associate with each markdown code). The ESL display switching processing switches the display content of each electronic shelf label 2 in the store. When the ESL display switching process is completed, the electronic shelf label management device 4 returns a switching completion response to the store server 5 (step S22).

[0041] As described above, according to the price display system 1 of this embodiment, a label with a markdown code, on which a markdown code corresponding to the expiration date such as a best-before date or a use-by date is printed, is affixed to each product in the store that has an expiration date such as a best-before date or a use-by date. In the store, electronic shelf labels 2 are installed in a location where multiple products with the same product code but different expiration dates such as best-before dates or use-by dates are displayed together. The electronic shelf labels 2 display one or more markdown codes indicating products that are subject to a price reduction on that day among products with the same product code but different expiration dates such as best-before dates or use-by dates, and a price reduction rate associated with each markdown code. Therefore, customers can easily identify products that are subject to price reductions among multiple products with the same product code but different expiration dates such as best-before dates or use-by dates, and can immediately recognize the price reduction rate for the products.In addition, by changing the display content of the electronic shelf label 2, it is possible to immediately change the products that are subject to price reductions and the price reduction rate among multiple products with the same product code but different expiration dates such as best-before dates or use-by dates, and notify customers in a timely manner.This frees store staff from the task of affixing markdown labels to products, and improves the efficiency of price reduction operations when changing prices in stores.

[0042] (2) Second embodiment The markdown code may be switched not only on a daily basis but also on an hourly basis. For example, for products that are produced multiple times a day, such as prepared meals or bento boxes, the markdown code may be switched multiple times a day.

[0043] An example of setting and operating Markdown codes when switching between them multiple times in one day will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 shows an example of setting a Markdown code to be printed on a label ("Label Setting Example") and an example of how to apply price reductions to products in a store ("Application Example"). A plurality of markdown codes are provided according to the period (date and time) until the expiration date, such as the best-before date, of the product.

[0044] For example, in Figure 9, on the morning of November 30, 2021, labels are issued in bulk for products whose expiration dates, such as best-before dates, fall between that day and the following day and are affixed to the products. Note that in this example, once labels are affixed to products whose expiration dates, such as best-before dates, fall the following day, there is no need to issue a separate label, such as a markdown label. In the example shown in Figure 9, markdown codes "A1," "A2," and "A3" are assigned to products whose expiration dates, such as best-before dates, fall at 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 10:00 PM on November 30, 2021, respectively, and markdown codes "B1," "B2," and "B3" are assigned to products whose expiration dates, such as best-before dates, fall at 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 10:00 PM on December 1, 2021, respectively. Similarly, in Figure 9, on the morning of December 1, 2021, for example, labels are issued in bulk for products whose expiration dates, such as best-before dates, will arrive between that day and the next day, and affixed to the products. In the example shown in Figure 9, markdown codes "B1", "B2", and "B3" are assigned to products whose expiration dates, such as best-before dates, will arrive at 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 10:00 PM on December 1, 2021, respectively, and markdown codes "C1", "C2", and "C3" are assigned to products whose expiration dates, such as best-before dates, will arrive at 2:00 PM, 6:00 PM, and 10:00 PM on December 2, 2021, respectively.

[0045] Thus, when the markdown code assigned in this embodiment indicates the date and time of an expiration date such as a best-before date, the best-before date is a combination of symbols such as "A," "B," "C" (an example of a date identifier) ​​associated with the date and symbols such as "1," "2," "3" (an example of a time identifier) ​​associated with the time. In other words, when the expiration information indicates a date, the first setting unit of the store server 5 can set "A," "B," "C," etc. as the date identifier associated with the date, as shown in Figure 9, and when the expiration information indicates a date and time, it can set "A1," "A2," "A3," etc. as the date identifier associated with the date and the time identifier associated with the time, as shown in Figure 9.

[0046] In FIG. 9, the markdown codes for items subject to price reductions change daily and are notified to customers via electronic shelf tags corresponding to each item in the store. In the operation example of Figure 9, on November 30, 2021, the products in the store that are subject to price reductions will vary depending on the specified time (for example, 10:00, 14:00, and 18:00). That is, between 10:00 and 14:00, products that are subject to price reductions are products with labels that have "A1," "A2," or "A3" printed as markdown codes. Between 14:00 and 18:00, products that are subject to price reductions are products with labels that have "A2," "A3," or "B1" printed as markdown codes. Between 18:00 and 22:00, products that are subject to price reductions are products with labels that have "A3," "B1," or "B2" printed as markdown codes. On the following day, December 1, 2021, as shown in Figure 9, the products in the store that are subject to price reductions will have labels printed with markdown code combinations that are different from those printed on November 30, 2021. In other words, the markdown code combinations printed on the labels of products subject to price reductions will be updated sequentially every four hours.

[0047] Figure 10 shows an example in which an electronic shelf tag associated with the product "Fried Chicken (5 pieces)" displays that the markdown code is "A2," "A3," or "B1" for the time period from 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM on November 30, 2021. Customers can see that products with labels bearing the markdown code "A2," "A3," or "B1" are subject to price reductions during that time period. Therefore, by checking the markdown codes printed on the labels of each product displayed on the shelves, customers can identify which products are subject to price reductions and the price reduction information, such as the percentage reduction. On the other hand, once the label has been affixed to the product, the store staff does not need to affix the markdown label to the product again, which makes it possible to improve the efficiency of the store's price reduction operations.

[0048] The markdown code assigned in this embodiment combines symbols such as "A," "B," and "C" (an example of a date identifier) ​​associated with the expiration date and symbols such as "1," "2," and "3" (an example of a time identifier) ​​associated with the expiration time. Therefore, the markdown code setting for products whose expiration dates are set on a date-by-day basis (e.g., the setting shown in FIG. 5 ) can be standardized to the symbols associated with the expiration dates. In other words, the symbols associated with the expiration dates in the markdown code can be set uniformly for all products in the store. Therefore, even if the types of products (e.g., "fried chicken" and "loin meat") are different, the same markdown code (e.g., "A," "B"), which is a date identifier, is set for the expiration date on a date-by-day basis, such as the expiration date. Therefore, date-by-day expiration information, such as the expiration date, can be accurately conveyed to the customer.

[0049] In this embodiment, too, one or more markdown codes displayed as price reduction targets on electronic shelf labels attached to a group of products corresponding to each product code, and the price reduction rates associated with each markdown code are set individually for each product code. Therefore, if the product code is different, the expiration dates such as best-before dates of the products subject to price reduction will also be different, and so the markdown codes and / or price reduction rates displayed on the electronic shelf labels may differ.

[0050] In the price display system of this embodiment, by switching the markdown code displayed on the electronic shelf tag at a specified time interval throughout the day, store employees are no longer required to frequently attach markdown labels to products with short expiration dates, thereby significantly improving the efficiency of price reduction operations.

[0051] (3) Third embodiment Next, a price presentation system 1A according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The price presentation system 1A is intended to be operated in a cashierless manner (payment of products is made without going through a register terminal). A store application for presenting the prices of products in a store to the user when shopping at the store is installed on the user terminal 3. The user terminal 3 is capable of communicating with the store server 5 via the network NW.

[0052] A payment agent server (not shown) can communicate with the store server 5 via the network NW and provides a service of handling payment for products for users in the store. If users do not pay for products through a store application, the price presentation system 1A of this embodiment does not require a payment agent server. 11, in the price presentation system 1A of the third embodiment, when the code information on the label PL of a product P is read by a predetermined operation on the store application of the user terminal 3, the store application displays a screen G1 including price reduction information for the read product P. Screen G1 displays, in association with each other, markdown codes set for each expiration date such as the best-before date of the product P that is subject to a price reduction, as well as price reduction information such as a price reduction rate set according to the expiration date such as the best-before date, stock quantity, and other characteristics of the product that is subject to a price reduction. In the price presentation system 1A of this embodiment, a user can check the price reduction information of a product without checking the electronic shelf label, or even if an electronic shelf label is not installed for each product.

[0053] Next, a method for using the store application of the user terminal 3 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an example of screen transitions of the store application of the user terminal 3. By running the store application, users can check the markdown code and discount rate, which indicate which products are subject to price reductions, among the products scanned in the store, and then pay for the products they have selected. Screens G1 to G3 in Figure 12 show how to use the store application when a user checks the product price, adds the product to their shopping cart, and pays for the product.

[0054] In Figure 11, it is assumed that the code information of the label PL of the product P read by the store application includes, for example, the product information of the product P, such as the product code, expiration information related to the expiration date such as the best-before date or use-by date, and information on the weight of the product P.

[0055] As shown in FIG. 12, the user can view the information included in the screen G1, for example, and select whether or not to add the product P to the wish list (basket). When adding product P to the wish list, for example, the user operates button b1 ("Add to Cart") displayed on screen G1, which causes screen G2 to be displayed and notifying the user that product P has been added to the wish list. As shown in FIG. 11, the code information on the label PL of product P read by the store application contains the product code of product P and expiration date information related to the expiration date such as the best-before date of product P. Therefore, the offer price of product P is determined based on the discount rate for product P set by the store server 5 from the product code of product P and the expiration date information, and the offer price is displayed on the wish list. Here, the user places the product P they have picked up into the actual basket or shopping cart at the store. When making a payment, the user operates button b2 (payment button) on screen G2, and the payment is made by the store server. The store application then displays screen G3, which includes code information C2 as a payment completion code. The payment completion code indicates that payment for the product has been completed, and includes a payment ID (described below) that identifies the payment. The payment completion code is used to notify the store or store staff that payment for the product in the cart has been completed.

[0056] Next, the configuration of the price presentation system 1A of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The price presentation system 1A includes a user terminal 3 carried by a user who makes a purchase at a store, a store server 5, and a POS server 6. The user terminal 3 may be a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a smartwatch, or another wearable device.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 13, the user terminal 3 includes a control unit 31, a storage 32, an operation input unit 33, a display unit 34, an imaging unit 35, a code reader 36, and a communication unit 37. The control unit 31 is mainly configured with a microprocessor, and controls the entire user terminal 3. For example, the microprocessor included in the control unit 31 loads and executes a store application program recorded in the storage 32, and displays the execution result on the display unit 34. The storage 32 is a non-volatile memory, such as a solid state drive (SSD) such as a flash memory. The storage 32 stores store application programs as well as data, files, and the like created by executing the store applications.

[0058] The operation input unit 33 is, for example, a touch panel type input device provided on the display panel of the user terminal 3. The operation input unit 33 notifies the store application of an operation input to the display panel. The display unit 34 includes, for example, a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL panel, and displays the execution results of the store application. The display unit 34 also displays the digital image signal generated by the imaging unit 35. The imaging unit 35 has, for example, an optical lens and an imaging element (image sensor) that converts incident light from the optical lens into an electrical signal, and sequentially generates digital images and outputs them to the display unit 34.

[0059] The code reader 36 analyzes the code information and the like included in the image signal generated by the imaging unit 35, and extracts (acquires) data (product code, expiration date information, and the like) from the code information displayed on the label, for example. The communication unit 37 is a communication interface for communicating with the store server 5.

[0060] The store server 5 has a configuration similar to that shown in Fig. 7, but differs in that it includes a display control unit 513A. The display control unit 513A performs processing in response to a request from the store application and generates display data to be displayed on the store application (for example, display data including price reduction information shown on screen G1 in Fig. 11). That is, when the display control unit 513A acquires product codes, expiration date information, etc. (examples of product information) from product label information, etc., using the user terminal 3, the display control unit 513A associates an identifier set for a product corresponding to the product code, expiration date information, etc. with the set price reduction information, and displays information about the product on the user terminal 3. The communication unit 53 communicates with the store application of the user terminal 3 using, for example, HTTPS.

[0061] FIG. 14 is a sequence chart showing the operation of the price presentation system 1A when a user makes payment for a product. 14, for example, as shown on screen G2 in FIG. 12, when a user presses the payment button (step S30: YES), the store application sends a payment request including the displayed wish list to the store server 5 (step S32). When the store server 5 receives the payment request from the store application, it obtains data on the user's name and payment method from a database (not shown), and sends a payment request including that data and data on the payment amount (total amount of the wish list) to the payment agent server (step S34). The payment agent server performs payment processing based on the data provided by the store server 5 (step S36), and when the payment processing is complete, it sends a payment completion notification to the store server 5 (step S38). When the payment is completed, the store server 5 issues a new payment ID (step S40) and sends a payment completion notice corresponding to the payment request of step S32 to the store application (step S42). This payment completion notice includes the payment ID issued in step S40. The store application creates a payment completion code, which is a two-dimensional code including the payment ID included in the received payment completion notice (step S44), and displays it on the user terminal 3, for example, as shown on screen G3 in FIG. 12 (step S46).

[0062] (4) Modifications of the embodiment Next, a price presentation system according to a modified example of the embodiment will be described.

[0063] (4-1) First Modification Next, a modification of the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In this modified example, when price reduction information for a product is presented to a user, related information for the product is also displayed.

[0064] FIG. 15 shows an example of transition of the display screen of the user terminal 3 in this modified example. Screen G5 shown in Fig. 15 is a screen that is displayed when, for example, a user reads the code information on a product label using a store application, as shown in Fig. 11. At this time, screen G5 displays button b3 that suggests a menu of dishes that use the product that was read. When button b3 is operated on screen G5, screen G6 is displayed, which contains a list of multiple menus that use the product being read. When the user selects one of the multiple menus on screen G6, screen G7 is displayed, which contains the recipe for the selected menu. Screen G7 displays, for example, two or more products to be used to create the selected menu, and includes a button b4 for displaying price reduction information for each product other than the product whose code information has already been read (in the example of screen G5, "loin meat"). When the user operates the button b4 corresponding to any product on the screen G7, a screen G8 is displayed. In this example, price reduction information for the product "onion" is displayed. Therefore, the store can induce the user to purchase additional items, and the user can also know the markdown code for purchasing each item of the selected menu at a lower price.

[0065] In this variant, in order to display, for example, on screen G6, a list of multiple menus that use the product that has been read as related information for the product that has been read by the user's operation, the store server 5 has a database that associates each product code with multiple menus of dishes that use each product, and creates a list of multiple menus by referring to the database. In this variant, when a menu (an example of item information indicating an item) is selected by a user, the control unit 51 associates the set identifier with the set price reduction information for the product associated with the menu and displays information about the product on the user terminal 3 (an example of a second display device).

[0066] For example, when button b3 is operated on screen G15 of FIG. 15, the control unit 51 reads information on multiple menu items associated with the product code to be processed (the product code corresponding to the product "loin meat" on screen G5) from the database and transmits display data including the information on the multiple menu items to the store application, thereby displaying screen G6. When an operation to select one of the menu items is performed on screen G6, the control unit 51 also transmits display data including information on multiple products with different product codes associated with the selected menu item to the store application, thereby displaying screen G7. When an operation to select one of the product codes is performed on screen G7 (when an operation to select one of the buttons b4 is performed), the control unit 51 further transmits display data to the store application, which displays information about the product by associating the markdown code set for the product corresponding to the selected product code with price reduction information. As a result, screen G8 is displayed.

[0067] Furthermore, if the product that is the target of scanning by the user's operation is close to its expiration date, such as its best-before date, the store server 5 may display on the user terminal 3 electronic coupons for products related to the product (for example, electronic coupons for other products (such as seasonings) that can be used with the product that is the target of scanning). This can encourage the user to purchase additional products. Furthermore, even if the product that is the target of scanning by the user's operation is not close to its expiration date, the store server 5 may store in a database one or more products that may be purchased in combination with the product, and if there is a product that is subject to a price reduction among the one or more products by referring to the product inventory database, the store server 5 may display information about the product that is subject to a price reduction (including markdown codes, price reduction information, etc.) on the user terminal 3. This can encourage the user to purchase additional products that are subject to a price reduction.

[0068] In this variation, the output destination of the price reduction information is not limited to the user terminal 3, but may be a digital signage (an example of a second display device) in the store. In this case, information about a predetermined combination including a product with a markdown code attached that is subject to a price reduction is displayed on the digital signage in the store. For example, the digital signage may display a message proposing "ginger pork" as a menu (item information) using a predetermined combination of products including a product with a markdown code attached, and information about the predetermined combination such as price reduction information (markdown code and discount rate) for each product such as "loin meat," "cabbage," and "onion," which are ingredients of "ginger pork." This promotes sales of each product.

[0069] (4-2) Second Modification The control unit 51 of the store server 5 may set a price reduction rate or a price reduction amount for each combination of products to which a markdown code is attached. For example, the store server 5 determines a discount rate for a combination of two or more products that the store wants to sell off (for example, to avoid discarding) so that the discount rate for the combination of two or more products is higher than the discount rate for each of the two or more products purchased individually. This can encourage users to purchase the products that the store wants to sell off. Such special discount information for combined products may be displayed on the electronic shelf labels corresponding to each product, but is preferably announced by digital signage or the like installed in the store. In other words, when a user purchases two or more products with markdown codes, the store server 5 may change the discount rate for each product, and may display the products for which the discount rate is being changed for each product code on the user terminal 3 or digital signage or the like (e.g., the discount rate for vegetables is XX%, the discount rate for meat is XX%). This can encourage users to purchase multiple products.

[0070] (4-3) Third Modification A digital signage (an example of a second display device) may be placed in the store, and price reduction information for high-priority products that the store wants to sell quickly may be displayed on the digital signage. In this example, the store server 5 and the digital signage in the store are capable of communicating via a network. The store server 5 controls the digital signage to display price reduction information for a high-priority product code based on the product code entered by a store staff member using a store terminal (not shown). At this time, the store server 5 may set a price reduction rate for a product in the product inventory database according to the priority of the product that the store staff wants to sell quickly, and display information on the digital signage including the markdown code, price reduction rate, etc. as information about the product. In this modified example, information about high-priority products that the store wants to sell quickly can be effectively communicated to store users.

[0071] (4-4) Fourth Modification Next, a fourth modified example will be described with reference to FIG. In this modification, the store application has a function of managing the user's home inventory. In this modification, for example, the storage 32 of the user terminal 3 stores a home inventory database of products. Each time payment for a product on the wish list is completed, the store application adds data on each product included in the wish list to the home inventory database. When the user consumes or discards a product, the store application deletes the selected product from the home inventory database based on, for example, an operation by the user. In this modification, the user's home inventory database may be stored on the store server 5 side, for example.

[0072] Referring to Figure 16, an example of how to use the store application when managing home inventory is shown. In this modification, as shown on screen G9 in Figure 16, the main menu of the store application includes a button b5 ("Home Inventory"). When button b5 is operated, a screen G10 including a home inventory list HL is displayed. The home inventory list HL is a list of products that reflects the home inventory database. If the products included in the home inventory list HL cannot be displayed on one screen, all products can be viewed using the scroll bar 102. When a user consumes or discards a product at home, the user can delete the corresponding product from the home inventory list HL (i.e., delete it from the home inventory database) by operating button b6 ("Delete") or the like.

[0073] According to this modification, the user's home inventory can be visualized to show the amount and when the expiration date of the product is approaching, which can contribute to reducing food waste at home, for example. Furthermore, the store application references the home inventory database and, if there is a product with an upcoming expiration date (e.g., "pork" in the example of FIG. 16), queries the store server 5. The store server 5 then suggests a menu using the product with an upcoming expiration date (e.g., "ginger pork" and "sauteed pork" displayed on screen G6 in the example of FIG. 15), and may also suggest products that are eligible for price reductions and price reduction information that can be used in combination with the product with an upcoming expiration date (e.g., "cabbage" and "onion" displayed on screen G7 and screen G8 in FIG. 15). Furthermore, because the data obtained by the user scanning the product at the store is reflected in the home inventory database, the effort of creating a home inventory database is essentially unnecessary.

[0074] In this modification, the control unit 51 of the store server 5 functions as an acquisition unit and a provision unit as described below. When the product has been paid for by the user, the acquisition unit acquires the product information and expiration date information acquired by the user terminal 3 as product inventory information for the user. The providing unit provides the product inventory information of the user obtained by the obtaining unit to the user terminal 3 based on a request from the user.

[0075] (4-5) Fifth Modification The code corresponding to the expiration date can be used not only as a markdown code for conveying information about a price reduction of a product, but also as a freshness control code indicating the freshness of the product. For example, if the freshness control codes are set as shown in FIG. 5, products with labels issued on November 30, 2021 will be ranked in descending order of freshness as J, I, H, etc. Therefore, for example, a message promoting the freshness of products labeled J, I, and H may be displayed on the store's digital signage. Furthermore, the store server 5 may store information such as the price reduction rate when multiple highly fresh products are purchased in a database in advance, and display a message on the digital signage or user terminal 3 indicating a price reduction when multiple highly fresh products are purchased. This can encourage purchasing motivation among users who are more sensitive to freshness than price.

[0076] Although the information processing device, information processing method, and program embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. Furthermore, various improvements and modifications to the above embodiments are possible without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, the individual technical features described in the above embodiments and modifications can be combined with part or all of other embodiments and modifications as appropriate, as long as no technical contradiction occurs.

[0077] In the first embodiment, at least some of the functions of the store server 5 may be realized by software of the electronic shelf label management device 4, or some of the functions of the electronic shelf label management device 4 may be realized by software of the store server 5. The functions of the electronic shelf label management device 4 and the functions of the store server 5 may be distributed and realized between the user terminal 3 and the store server 5, as necessary. In the third embodiment, at least a part of the functions of the store server 5 may be realized by software of the user terminal 3, or a part of the functions of the user terminal 3 may be realized by software of the store server 5. The functions of the user terminal 3 and the functions of the store server 5 may be distributed between the user terminal 3 and the store server 5 as necessary. The functions executed by the store server 5 may be distributed and executed by a plurality of devices. [Explanation of symbols]

[0078] 1. Price quote system 2(2-1~2-11)…Electronic shelf label 3...User terminal 31...Control unit 32…Storage 33...Operation input section 34…Display section 35...imaging unit 36...Code reader 37…Communications Department 4…Electronic shelf label management device 5...Store server 51...Control unit 511...First setting section 512...Second setting section 513...Display control unit 52…Storage 53…Communications Department 6...POS server 7...Relay device 8...Printer 103...Markdown code display section C2...Code information CT…User NW...Network P(P1~P4)…Product PL (PL1~PL4)...Label

Claims

1. a first setting unit that sets an identifier associated with expiration date information relating to an expiration date for each product; a second setting unit that sets, for each of the products, price reduction information associated with expiration date information related to the expiration date; a display control unit that associates the identifier set by the first setting unit with the price reduction information set by the second setting unit and displays information about the product on a display device; Information processing device.

2. the first setting unit sets a date identifier associated with the date when the deadline information indicates a date, and sets a date identifier associated with the date and a time identifier associated with the time when the deadline information indicates a date and a time; 2. The information processing device according to claim 1.

3. the second setting unit sets price reduction information for the product according to the inventory of the product.

3. The information processing device according to claim 1.

4. the second setting unit individually sets price reduction information to be associated with the products having the same identifier among the identifiers according to the type of the products; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. a label on which the identifier set by the first setting unit is printed is attached to each product; The information processing device according to claim 1 .

6. the second setting unit sets a price reduction rate or a price reduction amount for each combination of the products to which the identifier is assigned. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

7. When item information indicating an item is selected by a user's operation, the display control unit causes the second display device to display information about the item associated with the item information, by associating the identifier set by the first setting unit with the price reduction information set by the second setting unit. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. the display control unit causes the second display device to display information about a commodity for which a discount rate is set according to a priority level for selling the commodity, by associating the identifier set by the first setting unit with the discount information set by the second setting unit; The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. The information processing device is capable of communicating with a user terminal, When the display control unit acquires product information from a product by the user terminal, the display control unit associates the identifier set by the first setting unit with the price reduction information set by the second setting unit for the product corresponding to the product information, and displays information about the product on the user terminal. The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. The information processing device is capable of communicating with a user terminal carried by a user, an acquisition unit that acquires the product information and the expiration date information acquired by the user terminal as product inventory information of the user when the product has been paid for by the user; a providing unit that provides the product inventory information of the user obtained by the acquiring unit to the user terminal based on a request from the user, The information processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

11. An information processing method executed by an information processing device, comprising: a first step of setting an identifier associated with expiration date information relating to an expiration date for each product; a second step of setting price reduction information associated with expiration date information relating to the expiration date for each of the products; a third step of associating the identifier set in the first step with the price reduction information set in the second step and displaying information about the product on a display device; Information processing methods.

12. a first step of setting an identifier associated with expiration date information relating to an expiration date for each product; a second step of setting price reduction information associated with expiration date information relating to the expiration date for each of the products; a third step of associating the identifier set in the first step with the price reduction information set in the second step and displaying information about the product on a display device; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

Images