Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

It provides a mechanism for collecting information to update sales plans. [Solution] The information processing device 3 includes a storage unit 32 that stores area information including information for identifying a predetermined location in a sales area; an acquisition unit 331 that acquires purchase information relating to the purchase of goods loaded onto a mobile vehicle by a user belonging to an organization using an office area, which includes information for identifying the seat location of the user included in the office area, and acquires location information for identifying the location of the mobile vehicle when the user purchased the goods; a location identification unit 332 that identifies the location where the mobile vehicle was located in the sales area when the user purchased the goods, based on the area information and the location information acquired by the acquisition unit 331; and a recording unit 333 that associates the purchase information acquired by the acquisition unit 331 with the location identified by the location identification unit 332 and records it in the storage unit 32.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, technologies in the field of robotics have improved, and robots that autonomously move in various fields are being utilized. Patent Document 1 discloses a technology for selling products while a moving object that autonomously moves is moving.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In order to improve the sales record of products by a moving object, it is preferable to update the sales plan in consideration of the tendency of product sales obtained by the moving object selling products in the area where the moving object sells products. Therefore, there is a need to provide a mechanism for collecting information for updating the sales plan.

[0005] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of these points, and an object thereof is to provide a mechanism for collecting information for updating the sales plan.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] An information processing device according to a first aspect of the present invention includes: a storage unit that stores area information indicating a sales area in which a mobile vehicle loaded with goods circulates and sells the goods, and which includes an office area located indoors, and which includes information for identifying a predetermined location in the sales area; a purchase information acquisition unit that acquires purchase information relating to the purchase of the goods loaded on the mobile vehicle by a user belonging to an organization that uses the office area, and which includes information for identifying the seat location of the user included in the office area; a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information for identifying the location of the mobile vehicle when the user purchased the goods; a location identification unit that identifies the location where the mobile vehicle was located in the sales area when the user purchased the goods, based on the area information and the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit; and a recording unit that associates the purchase information acquired by the purchase information acquisition unit with the location identified by the location identification unit and records it in the storage unit.

[0007] The information processing device may further include a generation unit that generates processed data for each location, based on a plurality of purchase information and a plurality of locations recorded in association with the storage unit, which is obtained by processing the actual purchase history of the product at that location; and an output unit that outputs the processed data generated by the generation unit.

[0008] The mobile unit may patrol the sales area and sell the products in accordance with a sales plan for patrolling the sales area and selling the products, the information processing device may further have a plan update unit that updates the sales plan based on the processing data generated by the generation unit, and the output unit may transmit the sales plan updated by the plan update unit to the mobile unit as processing data.

[0009] The generation unit may generate a heat map as the processing data, which visually represents the history of purchases of the product at the location where it exists. The generation unit may further generate processed data for each type of product, which is obtained by processing the actual purchase history of that type of product.

[0010] The storage unit may store user identification information for identifying the user in association with the user's attributes, the purchase information acquisition unit may acquire purchase information including user identification information corresponding to the user who purchased the product, and the generation unit may further generate processed data for each user attribute, which is the actual purchase history of the product by the user with that attribute.

[0011] The user's attributes may also be the user's personal information.

[0012] The user's attributes may also include the user's affiliation information within the organization to which the user belongs, which is an organization that utilizes the office area.

[0013] A second aspect of the present invention relates to an information processing method which includes the steps of: acquiring purchase information relating to the purchase of the goods loaded on the mobile vehicle by a user belonging to an organization that uses the office area, and which includes information for identifying the seat location of the user within the office area, and which is executed by a computer having a storage unit that stores area information indicating a sales area which includes an office area located indoors and which includes information for identifying a predetermined location within the sales area; acquiring location information for identifying the location of the mobile vehicle when the user purchased the goods; identifying the location where the mobile vehicle was located in the sales area when the user purchased the goods, based on the area information and the acquired location information; and recording the acquired purchase information and the identified location in association with each other in the storage unit.

[0014] A third aspect of the present invention provides a computer having a storage unit that stores area information indicating a sales area in which a mobile vehicle loaded with goods circulates and sells the goods, and which includes an office area located indoors, and which includes information for identifying a predetermined location in the sales area, and the computer functions as a purchase information acquisition unit that acquires purchase information relating to the purchase of the goods loaded on the mobile vehicle by a user belonging to an organization that uses the office area, and which includes information for identifying the seat location of the user included in the office area; a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information for identifying the location of the mobile vehicle when the user purchased the goods; a location identification unit that identifies the location where the mobile vehicle was located in the sales area when the user purchased the goods, based on the area information and the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit; and a recording unit that associates the purchase information acquired by the purchase information acquisition unit with the location identified by the location identification unit and records it in the storage unit.

[0015]

[0016] [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] The present invention has the effect of providing a mechanism for collecting information to update sales plans. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0018] [Figure 1] This is a diagram illustrating the overview of the information processing system. [Figure 2] This diagram schematically represents an example of a sales area. [Figure 3] This diagram schematically shows the functional configuration of an information processing device. [Figure 4] This diagram shows an example of the configuration of a purchase management database. [Figure 5] This diagram schematically represents the process of identifying the location of an object. [Figure 6] It is a diagram schematically showing an example of the configuration of processing data. [Figure 7] It is a diagram schematically showing an example of a heat map. [Figure 8] It is a diagram schematically showing the process of moving the stopping place. [Figure 9] It is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing of the information processing system.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0019] [Outline of Information Processing System S] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the information processing system S. The information processing system S is a system for providing an information processing service. The information processing service is a service for selling products to users. The user is, for example, a member of the information processing service. The information processing system S includes a mobile body 1, a user terminal 2, and an information processing device 3.

[0020] The mobile body 1 is a robot that moves autonomously. A plurality of products are loaded on the mobile body 1, and the mobile body 1 circulates in the sales area according to a predetermined plan to sell products. The sales area is an area defined for the mobile body 1 to circulate and sell products, and includes, for example, an indoor floor (such as an office area existing indoors). The sales area may include an outdoor area.

[0021] FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the sales area. In the example shown in FIG. 2, area A1 is the sales area. Places P (place P1, place P2, place P2, place P3, place P4, place P5, place P6) are stopping places defined as places where the mobile body 1 stops to sell products, and are places having a certain range. Six places P are defined in area A1. Route R is the route along which the mobile body 1 moves.

[0022] In this case, the mobile unit 1 moves along route R and stops at each location P for a certain period of time to sell goods. However, the mobile unit 1 is not limited to selling goods only at predetermined stopping locations; it may also sell goods on the spot when called upon by a user during its movement (for example, while moving from location P1 to location P2), or it may move to the user who called upon it and sell goods there. Once the mobile unit 1 has finished patrolling the sales area, it moves to a store located in a different area to replenish its stock, and then patrols the sales area again to sell goods.

[0023] Returning to Figure 1, User Terminal 2 is a device used by the user, such as a smartphone or tablet. User Terminal 2 has a dedicated application program (hereinafter referred to as "dedicated app") installed for providing information processing services. The user can use the dedicated app to purchase goods loaded on Mobile Unit 1.

[0024] Information processing device 3 is a device that manages information processing services, for example, a server. Information processing device 3 manages area information. Area information is information that indicates a sales area and includes information for identifying a predetermined location (for example, a bus stop) within the sales area, for example, a floor map. The following describes the processes performed by the information processing system S.

[0025] First, when a user approaches the mobile vehicle 1 that is selling goods and initiates the purchase procedure using a dedicated app, the user terminal 2 transmits purchase information to the information processing device 3 (Figure 1, (1)). The purchase information is information regarding the user's purchase of goods loaded on the mobile vehicle 1.

[0026] When the information processing device 3 obtains purchase information, it obtains location information (Figure 1, (2)). Location information is, for example, information used to identify the location of the mobile body 1 when the user purchased the product. Based on the area information and the location information of the mobile body 1, the information processing device 3 identifies the location where the mobile body 1 was present in the sales area when the user purchased the product (Figure 1, (3)).

[0027] The information processing device 3 then records the acquired purchase information in association with the identified location (Figure 1, (4)). In this way, the information processing system S can provide a mechanism for collecting information to update the sales plan. The configuration of the information processing device 3 will be described below.

[0028] [Functional Configuration of Information Processing Device 3] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the functional configuration of the information processing device 3. The information processing device 3 comprises a communication unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a control unit 33. In Figure 3, the arrows indicate the main data flow, and there may be other data flows not shown in Figure 3. In Figure 3, each functional block shows a functional unit configuration, not a hardware (device) unit configuration. Therefore, the functional blocks shown in Figure 3 may be implemented in a single device, or they may be implemented separately in multiple devices. Data exchange between functional blocks may be performed via any means, such as a data bus, network, or portable storage medium.

[0029] The communication unit 31 is a communication interface for connecting to a network and has a communication controller for receiving data from external devices.

[0030] The memory unit 32 is a large-capacity storage device such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) of the computer that realizes the information processing device 3, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that serves as the working area of ​​the information processing device 3, and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive) that stores the OS (Operating System), application programs, and various information referenced when the application programs are executed.

[0031] The memory unit 32 stores multiple area information, each representing a different sales area, information about the user, information about the product, and information about the mobile unit 1. The multiple area information represents information about each of several different sales areas. The area information includes, for example, information about multiple stops (e.g., ID, name, location, etc.), information about objects, and information about organizations. The objects are objects that exist in the sales area, such as conference rooms, reception desks, tables, chairs, sofas, doors, printers, etc. The organizations are organizations that use the office area included in the sales area, such as companies, departments, etc.

[0032] User information includes, for example, user identification information (e.g., user ID (identification)), user attributes, and credit card numbers used for payment, for each user. User attributes include, for example, the user's personal information (e.g., age, gender, health status, etc.) or the user's affiliation information within the organization to which the user belongs (e.g., company, department, position, seating location, years of service, working hours, etc.).

[0033] The product information stored in the memory unit 32 is, for example, information about products managed in a store. The product information is, for example, information associated with each product, such as product identification information (e.g., product ID), the name of the product, and the attributes of the product (e.g., type).

[0034] Information regarding Mobile Unit 1 includes, for example, Mobile Unit Identification Information (e.g., Mobile Unit ID) for identifying Mobile Unit 1, and information associated with the sales plan set for Mobile Unit 1. The sales plan is a plan established for selling goods by touring a sales area, and includes, for example, a list of goods to be loaded onto Mobile Unit 1, a route to tour the sales area, stopping locations to sell goods in the sales area, and the duration of stay at those stopping locations.

[0035] Furthermore, the storage unit 32 stores a purchase management database that manages purchase information. Figure 4 shows an example of the configuration of the purchase management database. In the example shown in Figure 4, the purchase management database stores the purchase date and time when the user purchased the product, the user ID corresponding to the user who purchased the product, the purchase amount, the product ID corresponding to the product purchased by the user, location information, and the mobile device ID in association with each other. The purchase date and time is information indicating the date and time when the user purchased the product. The location information is information indicating the location where the mobile device 1 existed when the user purchased the product, for example, the location ID corresponding to that location, or the name of that location.

[0036] Returning to Figure 3, the control unit 33 is a processor such as the CPU (Central Processing Unit), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or NPU (Neural Network Processing Unit) of the information processing device 3, and functions as the acquisition unit 331, location identification unit 332, recording unit 333, generation unit 334, output unit 335, plan update unit 336, and rank setting unit 337 by executing the program stored in the storage unit 32.

[0037] The acquisition unit 331 functions as a purchase information acquisition unit and acquires purchase information, which is information relating to the purchase of goods loaded on the mobile body 1 by the user. The purchase information includes, for example, a mobile body ID corresponding to the mobile body 1 that is purchasing the goods and a product ID corresponding to the goods that the user is purchasing.

[0038] The acquisition unit 331 acquires purchase information from, for example, the user terminal 2. The user terminal 2 transmits the purchase information to the information processing device 3 by performing, for example, the following three steps.

[0039] As the first step, user terminal 2 obtains the mobile ID corresponding to mobile 1 from which the product will be purchased. For example, when a user uses user terminal 2 to identify mobile 1 from which the product will be purchased, user terminal 2 obtains the mobile ID corresponding to that mobile 1.

[0040] The operation to identify mobile object 1 is, for example, an operation in which the user terminal 2 connects with mobile object 1 located in front of the user via short-range wireless communication (for example, an operation in which the user holds the user terminal 2 over the communication unit provided by mobile object 1). In this case, when the user terminal 2 connects with mobile object 1 via short-range wireless communication, it obtains a mobile object ID corresponding to mobile object 1 from said mobile object 1.

[0041] The operation to identify mobile body 1 may also be an operation to specify mobile body 1 for which the product will be purchased on the display screen of the dedicated application. In this case, user terminal 2 obtains the mobile body ID corresponding to the mobile body 1 specified by the user as the mobile body ID corresponding to the mobile body 1 for which the product will be purchased.

[0042] In the second step, user terminal 2 obtains the product ID corresponding to the product the user will purchase from among the multiple products loaded on mobile device 1. For example, when a user uses user terminal 2 to identify the product they will purchase from mobile device 1, user terminal 2 obtains the product ID corresponding to that product.

[0043] The operation to identify a product is, for example, the operation to read the code image (e.g., barcode, QR code (registered trademark), etc.) of the product that the user has taken out of mobile device 1. In this case, user terminal 2 obtains the product ID corresponding to the product by reading the code image of the product.

[0044] The operation to identify a product may also involve selecting the product to purchase from a list of products loaded onto mobile device 1 on the display screen of the dedicated application. In this case, user terminal 2 obtains the product ID corresponding to the product specified by the user as the product ID corresponding to the product the user purchases.

[0045] In the third step, when the user performs an operation to purchase a product on the user terminal 2, the user terminal 2 transmits purchase information, including the acquired mobile ID, the acquired product ID, and the user ID, to the information processing device 3. The user terminal 2 may also transmit purchase information, including the date and time of purchase and the purchase amount, to the information processing device 3. Subsequently, the acquisition unit 331 acquires the purchase information from the user terminal 2.

[0046] The acquisition unit 331 may also acquire purchase information from the mobile device 1. For example, the mobile device 1 is equipped with a touch panel and a payment terminal. In this case, when a user performs the operations of connecting the mobile device 1 and the user terminal 2 via short-range wireless communication, selecting the product to purchase on the touch panel, and making a payment at the payment terminal (for example, holding the user terminal 2 or credit card over the payment terminal), the mobile device 1 transmits purchase information to the information processing device 3, which includes the mobile device ID corresponding to the mobile device 1, the user ID acquired from the user terminal 2, and the product ID corresponding to the product selected by the user.

[0047] The acquisition unit 331 further functions as a location information acquisition unit, acquiring location information to determine the location of the mobile device 1 when a user purchases a product. Specifically, the acquisition unit 331 acquires location information from the mobile device 1. For example, the mobile device 1 is equipped with a measurement unit for measuring the location of the mobile device 1 in the sales area. The measurement unit measures the location of the mobile device 1, for example, via measuring equipment such as beacons installed in the sales area. The measurement unit may also measure the location of the mobile device 1 using GPS (Global Positioning System).

[0048] In this case, first, when the acquisition unit 331 acquires the purchase information, it sends a transmission request to the mobile body 1 corresponding to the mobile body ID included in the acquired purchase information to request the transmission of location information. Then, the acquisition unit 331 acquires information indicating the current location of the mobile body 1 from the mobile body 1 as location information.

[0049] The acquisition unit 331 may acquire location information from the user terminal 2. In this case, the location information may be information indicating the location of the mobile body 1 (for example, location information corresponding to the mobile body 1 acquired when the user terminal 2 connected via short-range wireless communication), or it may be information indicating the location of the user terminal 2. In this case, the acquisition unit 331 may, for example, acquire purchase information including location information from the user terminal 2.

[0050] The location identification unit 332 identifies the location where the mobile body 1 was present when the user purchased the product in the sales area, based on the area information stored in the memory unit 32 and the location information acquired by the acquisition unit 331. Specifically, the location identification unit 332 refers to the area information and identifies the location of the mobile body 1 as the location of a stop among several stop locations included in the sales area, which includes the location indicated by the location information acquired by the acquisition unit 331.

[0051] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the process of identifying the location. In the example shown in Figure 5, the location indicated by the location information acquired by the acquisition unit 331 is assumed to be location L1. In this case, the location identification unit 332 identifies location P2, which includes location L1, as the location of the mobile body 1 among the six locations P. If there is no location among the multiple stopping places that includes the location indicated by the location information acquired by the acquisition unit 331, the location identification unit 332 may identify the location of the mobile body 1 as the location among the multiple stopping places that is closest in distance to the location indicated by the location information acquired by the acquisition unit 331.

[0052] The location identification unit 332 may identify the location of the mobile body 1 based on objects located near the location indicated by the location information acquired by the acquisition unit 331 in the sales area. For example, first, the location identification unit 332 refers to area information and identifies the object that is closest to the location indicated by the location information acquired by the acquisition unit 331 among a plurality of objects in the sales area. The object that is closest to the location indicated by the location information is, for example, the object that is closest to the location indicated by the location information on a passage that the mobile body 1 can move along.

[0053] The location identification unit 332 then identifies the location of the mobile body 1 based on the identified object and the relationship between the object's position and the position indicated by the position information acquired by the acquisition unit 331. For example, if the identified object is "Conference Room A" and the position indicated by the position information acquired by the acquisition unit 331 is "Outside Conference Room A", the location identification unit 332 identifies "In front of Conference Room A" as the location of the mobile body 1.

[0054] The recording unit 333 records the purchase information acquired by the acquisition unit 331 in association with the location identified by the location identification unit 332 and records it in the purchase management database. For example, the recording unit 333 records the purchase date and time, user ID, purchase amount, and product ID included in the purchase information acquired by the acquisition unit 331 in association with information indicating the location identified by the location identification unit 332 (for example, the location ID or name of the location corresponding to the location) and records it in the purchase management database. Alternatively, instead of the location identified by the location identification unit 332, the recording unit 333 may record location information acquired by the acquisition unit 331 in association with the purchase information acquired by the acquisition unit 331 and record it in the purchase management database.

[0055] The information processing device 3 may output data that has been processed from the information stored in the purchase management database. Specifically, the information processing device 3 outputs data that has been processed from the information stored in the purchase management database by performing the following two steps.

[0056] As the first step, the generation unit 334 generates processed data based on multiple purchase information and multiple locations recorded in association with the purchase management database. The processed data is data that has been processed for each location (stopping point) based on the actual purchase history of goods at that location. For example, for each location, the data is a combination of information indicating the location and actual values ​​indicating the actual purchase history of goods at that location. The actual values ​​are aggregated values ​​that summarize the actual purchase history of goods at each location, such as the number of purchases made at the location, the quantity of goods purchased at the location, or the number of users who purchased goods at the location.

[0057] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the structure of processed data. The processed data shown in Figure 6 associates the name of the location with aggregated values ​​(number of purchases, quantity purchased, number of purchasers). The generation unit 334 generates the processed data shown in Figure 6 by aggregating the actual purchase history of goods at each location, based on multiple purchase information and multiple locations recorded in association with the purchase management database. The actual values ​​may be statistical values ​​obtained by statistically processing the actual purchase history of goods at the location, such as the average, median, or mode of the number of times goods were purchased at the location during a predetermined period (e.g., one day, one week, one month, etc.), the quantity of goods purchased at the location during a predetermined period, or the number of users who purchased goods at the location during a predetermined period.

[0058] The generation unit 334 may generate processed data processed under various conditions in addition to the location of existence. For example, the generation unit 334 may further generate processed data for each type of product, processing the purchase history of that type of product. The generation unit 334 may also further generate processed data for each user attribute, processing the purchase history of products by users with that attribute. The generation unit 334 may also generate processed data for each user, processing the purchase history of products by that user. Furthermore, the generation unit 334 may generate processed data for each predetermined period, processing the purchase history of products during that predetermined period. In this way, the information processing device 3 can analyze the purchase history of products in the sales area under various conditions.

[0059] Here, if the goods loaded onto mobile unit 1 are determined according to sales performance, the goods loaded onto mobile unit 1 may differ from one sales area to another (for example, from one floor of a building). In this case, if a user finds that the mobile unit 1 selling goods in the first sales area where the user's seat is located does not have the desired goods loaded, the user may move to a second sales area, which is a different sales area from the first sales area, and purchase the goods from a mobile unit 1 selling goods in the second sales area. Therefore, the generation unit 334 may generate processed data that processes the user's purchase history in the second sales area.

[0060] For example, user affiliation information included in user information may include area-specific information. Area-specific information is information used to identify the office area where the user's seat is located, or information used to identify the user's seat location within that office area. Examples include information indicating the organization to which the user belongs, the user's seat location, etc.

[0061] In this case, the generation unit 334 generates processed data that processes the actual purchase history of a user in the second sales area, based on multiple area information, the location stored in the purchase management database, and the user's affiliation information identified by the user ID included in the purchase information associated with that location. For example, first, the generation unit 334 identifies the user who purchased the product in the second sales area, based on multiple area information, the location stored in the purchase management database, and the user's affiliation information identified by the user ID included in the purchase information associated with that location. Then, the generation unit 334 generates processed data that processes the actual purchase history of the product by the identified user.

[0062] In this way, the information processing device 3 can analyze the actual purchase history of goods in the second sales area. For example, the information processing device 3 can formulate a plan to load the goods purchased in the second sales area onto the mobile vehicle 1 that circulates through the first sales area.

[0063] In the second step, the output unit 335 outputs the processing data generated by the generation unit 334. The output unit 335 outputs the processing data by, for example, transmitting it to a terminal (not shown) used by the administrator of the information processing service.

[0064] The information processing device 3 may output a heat map. Specifically, first, the generation unit 334 generates a heat map as processed data that visually represents the actual purchase history of products at their locations. Then, the output unit 335 outputs the heat map generated by the generation unit 334.

[0065] Figure 7 is a schematic representation of an example of a heatmap. In the example shown in Figure 7, it can be seen that locations P (e.g., locations P2 and P5) are displayed more darkly when the aggregate value is large (e.g., when the number of purchases is large), and locations P (e.g., locations P1 and P4) are displayed more lightly when the aggregate value is small (e.g., when the number of purchases is small). By outputting such a heatmap, the information processing device 3 makes it easier to visually grasp the sales performance of products at each location.

[0066] The information processing device 3 may update the sales plan for the mobile unit 1 to sell products in the sales area based on the generated processing data. Specifically, the information processing device 3 updates the sales plan for the mobile unit 1 based on the processing data by performing the following two steps.

[0067] As the first step, the plan update unit 336 updates the sales plan stored in the storage unit 32 based on the processing data generated by the generation unit 334. For example, as part of updating the sales plan, the plan update unit 336 extends the period during which the mobile unit 1 stays at stops where the product has been purchased to a high degree (for example, stops with a high number of purchases).

[0068] Specifically, the plan update unit 336 first determines whether the actual value corresponding to each stop included in the sales plan is equal to or greater than the first performance threshold. The first performance threshold is a numerical value determined to determine whether the degree to which goods were purchased at a stop is high.

[0069] The plan update unit 336 then determines, for each stop included in the sales plan, that the actual value corresponding to that stop is equal to or greater than the first actual threshold, and extends the stop period for that stop. For example, the plan update unit 336 extends the stop period per stop for a stop that is subject to extension and whose actual value is equal to or greater than the first actual threshold.

[0070] The plan update unit 336 increases the duration of each stop by adding or multiplying a predetermined coefficient (for example, a positive number of 1 or more) to the duration of each stop specified for the stop to be extended. If the total duration of stops at each stop is predetermined, the plan update unit 336 may increase the duration of each stop by increasing the ratio of the duration of stops corresponding to the stop to be extended to the total duration. Alternatively, if the duration of each stop at a stop is fixed, the plan update unit 336 may increase the total duration of stops at the stop to be extended by increasing the number of stops at the stop to be extended. In this way, the information processing device 3 can increase the proportion of times the mobile device 1 sells goods in locations where there is a high probability of the goods being purchased during the period in which the goods are sold.

[0071] The plan update unit 336 may, as part of updating the sales plan, shorten the period during which the mobile unit 1 is stationed at stations where the degree of actual product purchases is low (for example, stations with few purchases). For example, first, the plan update unit 336 determines whether the actual value corresponding to each station included in the sales plan is less than the second actual threshold. The second actual threshold is a numerical value determined to determine whether the degree of actual product purchases at a station is low. The first actual threshold and the second actual threshold may be the same value or they may be different values.

[0072] The plan update unit 336 then shortens the stop period for each stop included in the sales plan if it determines that the actual value corresponding to that stop is less than the second actual threshold. The plan update unit 336 may also remove a stop from the sales plan if it determines that the actual value corresponding to that stop is less than the second actual threshold. In this way, the information processing device 3 can increase the proportion of products sold in locations where there is a high probability of purchase during the period in which the mobile device 1 sells the products.

[0073] The information processing device 3 may update the sales plan by changing the bus stops. Specifically, the plan update unit 336 updates the sales plan so that the distance between the seat position of a user who has purchased a product and the bus stop that is relatively close to that user's seat position among the multiple bus stops (for example, the closest bus stop) becomes shorter.

[0074] For example, the sales area includes permitted areas where the mobile vehicle 1 is allowed to stop, and unpermitted areas where the mobile vehicle 1 is not allowed to stop. In this case, first, the plan update unit 336 identifies a stop location from among several stop locations that is relatively close to the seat position of the user who purchased the product. Then, in the permitted area, the plan update unit 336 updates the sales plan by changing the identified stop location, which is the stop location to be changed, to a location that is the shortest distance from the user's seat position.

[0075] Figure 8 schematically illustrates the process of moving a bus stop location. In the example shown in Figure 8, Area A2 is the permitted area. Location L2 is the seating position of the user who purchased the product. Location P2 is the bus stop location closest to Location L2. In this case, the plan update unit 336 changes Location P2 within Area A2 to Location P2', which is the location with the shortest distance from the user's seating position.

[0076] If the seating positions of multiple users who have purchased goods from the mobile vehicle 1 are located near the stop to be changed, the plan update unit 336 may update the sales plan so that the distance between the seating positions of these multiple users and the stop to be changed is shortened. Alternatively, the plan update unit 336 may select the user with the highest purchase history from among the multiple users who have purchased goods from the mobile vehicle 1, and update the sales plan so that the distance between the selected user's seating position and the stop to be changed is shortened. In this way, the information processing device 3 can make it easier for users who are likely to purchase goods to do so by stopping the mobile vehicle 1 near them.

[0077] The information processing device 3 may update the sales plan according to the user's purchase history. Specifically, first, the rank setting unit 337 sets a user rank for each user based on the purchase information corresponding to that user. For example, the rank setting unit 337 sets a higher user rank the more a user has purchased goods from the mobile device 1 (e.g., number of purchases, quantity purchased, purchase amount). The rank setting unit 337 may further set a higher user rank the higher the user's position in the organization to which they belong.

[0078] Next, the plan update unit 336 identifies users whose user rank is equal to or greater than the rank threshold from among multiple users. The rank threshold is a threshold set to determine whether or not a user has a high rank.

[0079] The plan update unit 336 then updates the sales plan by making the stopping period for the mobile vehicle 1 at a stop relatively close to the seat position of a specified user among a plurality of stops in the sales area for selling products longer than a predetermined period. The predetermined period is, for example, a common stopping period predetermined for each stop, or a stopping period predetermined for the stop that is subject to change. In this way, the information processing device 3 can increase the probability that a user will purchase a product by making the mobile vehicle 1 stop for a longer period at a stop near that user who is highly likely to purchase a product.

[0080] The planning update unit 336 may update the products to be loaded onto the mobile unit 1 based on the processing data. For example, the planning update unit 336 increases the number of products if the number of products purchased is large. Conversely, the planning update unit 336 decreases the number of products if the number of products purchased is small. If the number of products purchased is below a threshold, the planning update unit 336 may load other products that are not currently loaded onto the mobile unit 1 onto the mobile unit 1. The threshold is a threshold set to determine whether the number of products purchased is small or not.

[0081] In the second step, the output unit 335 transmits the sales plan updated by the plan update unit 336 to the mobile device 1 as processing data. When the mobile device 1 receives the updated sales plan from the information processing device 3, it sells the goods according to the sales plan. In this way, the information processing device 3 can update the plan for the mobile device 1 to sell the goods based on the actual purchase history of the goods.

[0082] [Processing by Information Processing System S] Next, we will explain the processing flow executed by the information processing system S. Figure 9 is a sequence diagram showing the processing flow of the information processing system S. This process starts when the acquisition unit 331 acquires purchase information from the user terminal 2 (S1). The acquisition unit 331 acquires location information from the mobile device 1 (S2).

[0083] The location identification unit 332 identifies the location where the mobile object 1 was present when the user purchased the product in the sales area, based on the area information stored in the storage unit 32 and the location information acquired by the acquisition unit 331 (S3). The recording unit 333 associates the purchase information acquired by the acquisition unit 331 with the location identified by the location identification unit 332 and records it in the purchase management database (S4).

[0084] The generation unit 334 generates processed data for each location, based on multiple purchase information and multiple locations stored in association with the purchase management database, by processing the actual purchase history of the product at that location (S5). Then, the output unit 335 outputs the processed data generated by the generation unit 334 (S6).

[0085] [Effects of this embodiment] As explained above, the information processing device 3 identifies the location where the mobile vehicle 1, loaded with goods, was located in the sales area when a user purchased goods, based on area information that indicates the sales area in which the mobile vehicle 1 circulates and sells goods, and location information that identifies the location of the mobile vehicle when a user purchased goods. The device then associates the purchase information regarding the goods purchased by the user from the mobile vehicle with the identified location and records it in the purchase management database. In this way, the information processing device 3 can provide a mechanism for collecting information to update the sales plan.

[0086] Furthermore, this invention will make it possible to contribute to Goal 9 of the United Nations-led Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), "Build resilient infrastructure, promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation."

[0087] Although the present invention has been described above using embodiments, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of its gist. For example, all or part of the apparatus can be configured by functionally or physically distributing and integrating in any unit. Furthermore, new embodiments resulting from any combination of multiple embodiments are also included in the embodiments of the present invention. The effects of the new embodiments resulting from the combinations are combined with the effects of the original embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0088] 1 Mobile Unit 2 User terminals 3. Information Processing Device 31 Communications Department 32 Storage section 33 Control Unit 331 Acquisition Department 332 Location Identification Section 333 Records Section 334 Generation part 335 Output section 336 Planning and Update Department 337 Rank setting section S Information Processing System

Claims

1. Area information indicating a sales area in which a mobile vehicle carrying the goods circulates and sells the goods, and which includes an office area located indoors, the area information including information for identifying a predetermined location in the sales area, and a storage unit that stores user identification information for identifying a user belonging to an organization using the office area, and information relating to the user, which is associated with the seat location of the user included in the office area. A purchase information acquisition unit that acquires purchase information relating to the purchase of the goods loaded on the mobile vehicle by the user, and which includes user identification information corresponding to the user who purchased the goods; A location information acquisition unit that acquires location information to identify the location of the mobile object when the user purchases the product, A location identification unit identifies the location where the mobile object was present in the sales area when the user purchased the product, based on the area information and the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit. A recording unit records the purchase information acquired by the purchase information acquisition unit and the location identified by the location identification unit in association with each other in the storage unit. A generation unit generates processed data for each combination of a location and the seat position of the user who purchased the product at that location, based on the user information stored in the storage unit, and a plurality of purchase information and a plurality of locations recorded in association with the storage unit, which processes the user's purchase history at that location. An output unit that outputs the processing data generated by the generation unit, An information processing device having

2. The mobile unit patrols the sales area and sells the products in accordance with a sales plan for patrolling the sales area and selling the products. The information processing device further includes a plan update unit that updates the sales plan based on the processing data generated by the generation unit, The output unit transmits the sales plan updated by the plan update unit to the mobile unit as processing data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The generation unit generates a heat map as processing data, which visually represents the history of purchases of the product at the location where it exists. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The generation unit further generates processed data for each type of product, which is obtained by processing the actual purchase history of that type of product. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. Area information indicating a sales area in which a mobile vehicle carrying goods circulates and sells the goods, and which includes an office area located indoors, wherein the area information includes information for identifying a predetermined location within the sales area, and information relating to the user, which is associated with user identification information for identifying a user belonging to an organization using the office area and the seat location of the user included in the office area, is executed by a computer having a storage unit that stores: A step of obtaining purchase information relating to the purchase of the goods loaded on the mobile vehicle by the user, which includes user identification information corresponding to the user who purchased the goods; A step of obtaining location information to determine the location of the mobile object when the user purchases the product, A step of identifying the location where the mobile object was present when the user purchased the product in the sales area, based on the area information and the acquired location information. The steps include recording the acquired purchase information and the identified location in the storage unit, A step of generating processed data that processes the actual purchase history of the user at a given location for each combination of the location and the seat position of the user who purchased the product at that location, based on the user information stored in the storage unit and a plurality of purchase information and a plurality of locations recorded in association with the storage unit. The steps include outputting the generated processing data, An information processing method having

6. A computer having a storage unit that stores area information indicating a sales area in which a mobile vehicle carrying goods circulates and sells the goods, and which includes an office area located indoors, the area information including information for identifying a predetermined location in the sales area, and user information associated with a user belonging to an organization using the office area, and the seat location of the user included in the office area, Purchase information acquisition unit that acquires purchase information relating to the purchase of the goods loaded on the mobile vehicle by the user, and which includes user identification information corresponding to the user who purchased the goods. A location information acquisition unit that acquires location information to identify the location of the mobile object when the user purchases the product. A location identification unit identifies the location where the mobile object was present in the sales area when the user purchased the product, based on the area information and the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit. A recording unit records the purchase information acquired by the purchase information acquisition unit and the location identified by the location identification unit in association with each other in the storage unit. A generation unit generates processed data that processes the actual purchase history of a user at a location for each combination of a location and the seat position of the user who purchased the product at that location, based on the user information stored in the storage unit, and a plurality of purchase information and a plurality of locations recorded in association with the storage unit, and An output unit that outputs the processing data generated by the generation unit, A program designed to function as such.

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