Information processing device, information processing method, and program

Abstract

To obtain evaluation information for evaluating an opportunity loss from existing data.SOLUTION: An information processing apparatus according to an embodiment includes an acquisition unit, a specification unit, an estimation unit, and an output unit. The acquisition unit acquires integration data showing a time series of integration of the number of goods or services provided in a target period. The specification unit specifies an opportunity loss period which is a period in which an opportunity loss in which a provision opportunity is missed occurs among the object periods on the basis of a change point of the integration data. The estimation unit estimates an integration rate indicating a change rate of the integration of the number of offers in an adjacent period adjacent to the opportunity loss period among the target periods. The output unit outputs information based on the integrated rate of the adjacent period as opportunity loss information indicating the opportunity loss.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[[TECHNICAL FIELD]]

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing apparatus , love , an information processing method and a program. [[BACKGROUND ART]]

[0002] Conventionally, in the retail industry, there has been a problem that "opportunity loss", which refers to lost sales opportunities caused by stockouts, may occur. For this reason, retailers have a demand to suppress the occurrence of "opportunity loss" and its impact from the perspective of increasing sales and profits.

[0003] Under such circumstances, the evaluation of "opportunity loss" is often not quantified (digitized). When "opportunity loss" is not digitized, that is, when evaluation information for evaluating "opportunity loss" is not obtained, there is a problem that it is difficult to take "opportunity loss" into consideration in sales planning. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that outputs data for analysis related to "opportunity loss" by using data information obtained from surveillance cameras installed in a facility. However, for business owners who do not have equipment such as security cameras, initial investment in hardware is required to digitize "opportunity loss", so there is still room for improvement in digitizing "opportunity loss". [[SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION]] [[Problem to be Solved by the Invention]]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to obtain evaluation information for evaluating opportunity loss from existing data. [[Means for Solving the Problem]]

[0005] The information processing device according to this embodiment comprises an acquisition unit, a specification unit, an estimation unit, and an output unit. The acquisition unit acquires cumulative data showing the time series of the cumulative number of goods or services provided during the target period. The specification unit identifies the opportunity loss period, which is the period during the target period in which an opportunity to provide goods or services was missed. The estimation unit identifies the cumulative rate showing the percentage change in the cumulative number of goods or services provided during the adjacent period adjacent to the opportunity loss period within the target period. Based on the length of the opportunity loss period, the number of opportunities lost is the number of items that were missed due to the opportunity loss. The output unit estimates the opportunity loss. Estimated number Outputs. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the system configuration according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the display terminal shown in Figure 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device shown in Figure 2. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the display terminal shown in Figure 3. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the pre-processing and opportunity loss period identification process in the system according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the estimation process for the cumulative rate and the estimation process for information based on the cumulative rate in the system according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow in the system according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of the display screen in the flow shown in Figure 8. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows an example of the display screen in the flow shown in Figure 8. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The following description will refer to the drawings and explain the information processing device, display terminal, system, information processing method, program, and recording medium according to the embodiment.

[0008] The embodiments described below are one example of an information processing device, display terminal, system, information processing method, program, and recording medium, and do not limit their configuration or specifications. The embodiments described below are examples of applications to a POS (Point of Sales) system introduced in retail stores such as supermarkets.

[0009] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of System 1 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, System 1 includes an information processing device 3, a display terminal 5, and a POS terminal 7. In System 1, the information processing device 3 is connected to the display terminal 5 and the POS terminal 7 via communication lines.

[0010] The information processing device 3 is, for example, at least one server device installed in the back room of a store. For example, the information processing device 3 manages the types and quantities of products sold in the store. For example, the information processing device 3 manages sales in the store based on sales information (e.g., POS data) received from the POS terminal 7. Specifically, the information processing device 3 stores the sales information received from the POS terminal 7 and manages the store's sales using the stored sales information. Note that the information processing device 3 is not limited to being installed in a store; it may also be configured as a cloud server installed in the cloud.

[0011] Display terminal 5 is an example of a display terminal having a display such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) and used by employees or managers in retail businesses such as supermarkets. Display terminal 5 may be a portable terminal device such as a smartphone or tablet PC (Personal Computer), or a stationary terminal device such as a PC.

[0012] POS terminal 7 is installed in retail stores such as supermarkets, convenience stores, and mass retailers. POS terminal 7 is configured to perform at least one of the following processes for products purchased in the store: product registration and payment processing (collectively referred to as "transaction processing").

[0013] Here, the product registration process involves reading product information (product name, product price, etc.) from the product master and registering it for products identified through processes such as reading wireless tags or QR codes attached to the products and package recognition. The payment process involves displaying the total amount and tax for a single transaction for which products have been registered, calculating and displaying the change based on the deposit received from the customer, and issuing a receipt printed with product information and payment information (total amount, deposit amount, change amount, etc.).

[0014] The POS terminal 7 may be a stationary terminal device, or it may be a terminal device carried by the customer or store clerk, such as a smartphone or tablet PC. This terminal device can process product transactions by running the installed POS application (program). Alternatively, the POS terminal 7 may refer to the terminal device (display terminal) itself that is fixed to or detachably attached to a shopping cart, such as a dedicated tablet terminal, a mobile terminal owned by the consumer, or a portable store terminal lent by the store to the consumer.

[0015] Furthermore, the communication lines between the information processing device 3 and the display terminal 5 and POS terminal 7 can be the internet, VPN (virtual private network), LAN (local area network), public communication network, mobile communication network, etc., either individually or in appropriate combinations.

[0016] Note that, although FIG. 1 exemplifies a system 1 including one information processing apparatus 3, the present invention is not limited thereto. The information processing apparatus 3 may be realized by cooperation of a plurality of information processing apparatuses. Furthermore, some of the functions of the information processing apparatus 3 according to the embodiment or some of the processes executed by the information processing apparatus 3 according to the embodiment may be realized by an information processing apparatus external to the system 1.

[0017] Note that, although FIG. 1 exemplifies a system 1 including one display terminal 5 and one POS terminal 7 respectively, the present invention is not limited thereto. Each of the display terminal 5 and the POS terminal 7 may be two or more in number.

[0018] Note that the display terminal 5 is not an essential component in the system 1, and may not be provided. As an example, the information processing apparatus 3 may include a display unit such as a display. That is, the information processing apparatus 3 may be configured integrally with the display terminal 5. As an example, the information processing apparatus 3 may be configured as an apparatus that outputs display information for displaying opportunity loss information on a display device such as a display external to the system 1.

[0019] Note that the POS terminal 7 is not an essential component in the system 1, and may not be provided. As an example, the information processing apparatus 3 may acquire sales information of transaction processing by a sales data processing apparatus such as a POS terminal external to the system 1, or information based on the sales information, from outside the system 1. The information based on the sales information may be point process data such as POS data, may be time-series data obtained by resampling point process data in unit time, or may be integrated data obtained by integrating time-series data. As an example, the information processing apparatus 3 may be configured integrally with the POS terminal 7 of the system 1.

[0020] Note that, in the system 1, the display terminal 5 and the POS terminal 7 may be configured integrally.

[0021] Note that, in the system 1, the information processing apparatus 3, the display terminal 5, and the POS terminal 7 may be configured integrally.

[0022] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 3 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 2, the information processing device 3 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a controller 33, and a communication unit 34. The control unit 31, storage unit 32, controller 33, and communication unit 34 are connected to each other via, for example, a bus 39.

[0023] The control unit 31 has, for example, at least one processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and at least one memory such as ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory), and is configured in the same way as a general computer. For example, the control unit 31 is configured to load various programs stored in memory such as ROM or in the storage unit 32 into the RAM of the memory, and the processor executes the loaded programs to realize the various functions of the information processing device 3 described later.

[0024] Furthermore, the processor in the control unit 31 may be other than the CPU, or in addition to the CPU. Other processors that can be used include various types of processors such as GPUs (Graphics Processing Units) and DSPs (Digital Signal Processors), as well as dedicated arithmetic circuits implemented using ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) and FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays).

[0025] In addition to ROM and RAM, non-volatile recording media such as HDDs (Hard Disk Drives), SSDs (Solid State Drives), and Flash memory can be used as appropriate for the memory of the control unit 31.

[0026] The storage unit 32 is a storage device equipped with a non-volatile recording medium such as an HDD, SSD, or Flash memory. The storage unit 32 stores various programs and data related to the operation of the information processing device 3, as well as device drivers for devices connected to the information processing device 3 via the controller 33.

[0027] As an example, the storage unit 32 stores the control program 321, the product master 322, and the POS data 323.

[0028] For example, the control program 321 includes at least one program for implementing each functional unit of the information processing device 3.

[0029] For example, the product master 322 stores product information for each product, associating it with product identification information that identifies that product. Here, product identification information is, for example, a product code that indicates a product, but it does not have to be a product code; any information that identifies a product is acceptable.

[0030] For example, POS data 323 stores sales information data, i.e., POS data, which includes customer-specific purchase information generated by the POS terminal 7. As an example, POS data is purchase information associated with a customer ID. This purchase information includes the number of items purchased, product information, and sales time (service time) indicating the date and time of purchase. Therefore, POS data 323, which stores POS data from the POS terminal 7, is sales performance data for each product, and is point-by-point process data showing the service time for each product and the number of items sold (number of items provided). Note that POS data 323 as point-by-point process data includes information that a product "was sold" but does not include information that a product "was not sold".

[0031] The controller 33 is an input / output interface for connecting devices to the information processing device 3.

[0032] The communication unit 34 is a communication interface for communicating with the outside of the information processing device 3. The communication unit 34 includes either a communication circuit for wired communication or a communication circuit for wireless communication, and connects to the above-mentioned communication line via the said communication circuit.

[0033] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the display terminal 5 shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 3, the display terminal 5 includes a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, a controller 53, a communication unit 54, a display unit 55, and an operation unit 56. The control unit 51, storage unit 52, controller 53, and communication unit 54 are communicated together, for example, via a bus 59. The display unit 55 and the operation unit 56 are each communicated together with the controller 53.

[0034] The control unit 51 has, for example, at least one processor such as a CPU and at least one memory such as ROM and RAM, and is configured in the same way as a general computer. For example, the control unit 51 is configured to load various programs stored in memory such as ROM or storage unit 52 into the RAM of the memory, and the processor executes the loaded programs to realize the various functions of the display terminal 5 described later.

[0035] In addition, as the processor of the control unit 51 according to this embodiment, various processors such as GPUs and DSPs, or dedicated arithmetic circuits implemented with ASICs and FPGAs, can be used as appropriate, instead of or in addition to a CPU.

[0036] The storage unit 52 is a storage device equipped with a non-volatile recording medium such as an HDD, SSD, or Flash memory. The storage unit 52 stores various programs and data related to the operation of the display terminal 5, as well as device drivers for devices connected to the display terminal 5 via the controller 53.

[0037] For example, the storage unit 52 stores a control program 521. For instance, the control program 521 includes at least one program for implementing each of the functional units of the display terminal 5.

[0038] The controller 53 is an input / output interface for connecting devices to the display terminal 5. In the example shown in Figure 3, the display unit 55 and the operation unit 56 are connected to the controller 53.

[0039] The communication unit 54 is a communication interface for communicating with the outside world of the display terminal 5. The communication unit 54 includes either a communication circuit for wired communication or a communication circuit for wireless communication, and connects to a communication line via the communication circuit.

[0040] The display unit 55 is configured to display various screens generated according to the control of the display unit 55. Various display devices such as liquid crystal displays (LCDs) and organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) displays can be used as the display unit 55 as appropriate.

[0041] The operation unit 56 is an input interface that receives user input. The operation unit 56 is, for example, a touch panel located on the display surface (screen) of the display unit 55, which detects the operator's touch operation and outputs a signal to the display unit 55. As an example, the operation unit 56 is configured to receive operator input for the operation screen displayed on the display unit 55. The display unit 55 is not limited to a touch panel; various input devices such as a keyboard, switches, buttons, and an electronic pen can be provided as appropriate.

[0042] Here, the functional configuration of the information processing device 3 will be explained with reference to the drawings. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the information processing device 3 shown in Figure 2.

[0043] The control unit 31 functions as an acquisition unit 311, a identification unit 312, an estimation unit 313, and an output unit 314, as shown in Figure 4, by having the processor execute the control program 321 loaded into memory.

[0044] The acquisition unit 311 acquires cumulative data showing the time series of cumulative sales figures for the target period.

[0045] For example, the acquisition unit 311 may receive POS data 323 (point-process data) showing the relationship between the number of products sold and the time of sale, for example, from a POS terminal 7.

[0046] As an example, the acquisition unit 311 may perform preprocessing (see Figure 6) on the POS data 323 as received point-process data. For example, in the preprocessing, the acquisition unit 311 generates time-series data of product sales by resampling the POS data 323 as point-process data with a predetermined time width. This time-series data of sales includes not only information on products that "were sold" but also information on products that "were not sold". In other words, the preprocessing according to the embodiment is an example of a process that converts "unsold" information into data.

[0047] As an example, the acquisition unit 311 may acquire cumulative sales data for products by accumulating the generated time-series data.

[0048] The acquisition unit 311 may acquire cumulative data from an external source, such as a POS terminal 7 or other information processing device 3. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 311 may acquire POS data or cumulative data from an external information processing device of system 1.

[0049] The identification unit 312 performs an opportunity loss period identification process (see Figure 6) to identify the opportunity loss period based on the change points of the cumulative data. Here, the opportunity loss period is the period within the target period during which a sales opportunity (opportunity to provide) was missed, resulting in an opportunity loss.

[0050] As an example, the specific unit 312 may modify the opportunity loss period in response to a user operation received by the operation unit 56 of the display terminal 5. This user operation is a user operation on the operation screen (see Figure 9) of the display unit 55 of the display terminal 5, which is used to receive a user operation to modify the opportunity loss period.

[0051] As an example, the identification unit 312 may identify the opportunity loss period in response to a user operation received by the operation unit 56 of the display terminal 5. This user operation is a user operation on the operation screen (see Figure 9) of the display unit 55 of the display terminal 5, which is used to receive a user operation to specify the opportunity loss period.

[0052] The estimation unit 313 performs an estimation process for the cumulative rate (see Figure 7), which estimates the cumulative rate that represents the percentage change in the cumulative number of sales in adjacent periods adjacent to the opportunity loss period within the target period. Here, the adjacent period is at least one of the periods in the time direction that is before and after the opportunity loss period within the target period.

[0053] As an example, the estimation unit 313 may estimate the cumulative rate for the opportunity loss period based on the cumulative rate for the adjacent period.

[0054] As an example, the estimation unit 313 may estimate the cumulative rate for the opportunity loss period based on the cumulative rate of the adjacent period corresponding to the user operation received by the operation unit 56 of the display terminal 5. Here, the adjacent period used to estimate the cumulative rate for the opportunity loss period is at least one of two adjacent periods, one preceding and one succeeding, that are continuous through the opportunity loss period, according to the user operation. This user operation is a user operation on the operation screen of the display unit 55 of the display terminal 5 (see Figure 10) for receiving a user operation to specify the adjacent period (or its cumulative rate) to be used to estimate the cumulative rate for the opportunity loss period.

[0055] As an example, the estimation unit 313 performs estimation processing of information based on the cumulative rate (see Figure 7) to estimate the number of sales lost due to lost opportunities (number of lost opportunities), based on the cumulative rate over the period of lost opportunities. Here, the number of lost sales is an example of information based on the cumulative rate over the period of lost opportunities (opportunity loss information).

[0056] The output unit 314 outputs information based on the cumulative rate for adjacent periods to the display terminal 5 as opportunity loss information indicating opportunity loss.

[0057] As an example, the output unit 314 may output display information to the display terminal 5 for displaying an operation screen (see Figure 9) for receiving user operations to correct the opportunity loss period identified by the identification unit 312.

[0058] As an example, the output unit 314 may output display information to the display terminal 5 for displaying an operation screen (see Figure 9) for accepting user operations to specify the opportunity loss period based on the accumulated data.

[0059] As an example, the output unit 314 may output display information to the display terminal 5 for displaying an operation screen (see Figure 10) that accepts user input to specify the adjacent period (or its accumulated rate) used to estimate the accumulated rate of the opportunity loss period.

[0060] Here, the functional configuration of the display terminal 5 will be explained with reference to the drawings. Figure 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the display terminal 5 in Figure 3.

[0061] The control unit 51 functions as a display control unit 511, as shown in Figure 5, by having the processor execute the control program 521 loaded into memory.

[0062] The display control unit 511 displays a screen based on the display information from the information processing device 3 on the display unit 55.

[0063] As an example, the display control unit 511 may display a display screen (see Figures 7 and 10) containing opportunity loss information on the display unit 55.

[0064] As an example, the display control unit 511 may cause the display unit 55 to display a display screen (see Figures 6 and 7) that includes the result of at least one of the following processes: preprocessing, process for identifying the opportunity loss period, and process for estimating the cumulative rate and information based on the cumulative rate.

[0065] As an example, the display control unit 511 may display an operation screen (see Figure 9) on the display unit 55 for accepting user operations related to at least one of the correction and specification of the opportunity loss period.

[0066] As an example, the display control unit 511 may display an operation screen (see Figure 10) on the display unit 55 for accepting user input to specify the adjacent period (or its cumulative rate) to be used in estimating the cumulative rate of the opportunity loss period.

[0067] Here, the functional configuration of the POS terminal 7 will be described. The POS terminal 7 has at least one processor, such as a CPU, and at least one memory, such as ROM and RAM, and is configured in the same way as a general computer. The processor of the POS terminal 7 is configured to load various programs stored in memory, such as ROM, into the RAM of the memory, and to realize various functions by executing the loaded programs. For example, the processor of the POS terminal 7 implements a transaction control unit that performs a registration process to register products based on the product identification information of the products read, performs a settlement process for the products registered in the registration process, and transmits the product information and settlement information (i.e., sales information) of the settled products to the information processing device 3.

[0068] Next, with reference to the diagrams, we will describe each process performed in System 1 with the above configuration.

[0069] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating the pre-processing and opportunity loss period identification process in System 1 according to the embodiment.

[0070] Prior to preprocessing, the acquisition unit 311 acquires, for example, point-by-point process data 810 for the target period from the accumulated POS data 323. Each data point 811 in the point-by-point process data 810 shows the relationship between the number of products sold and the time (date and time) of sales of the products.

[0071] In the preprocessing stage, the acquisition unit 311 performs a process 82 to acquire time-series data 820 of product sales by resampling the point-process data 810 with a predetermined time width (unit time). Each data point 821 of the time-series data 820 represents the number of product sales per unit time, i.e., each interval divided into predetermined time widths.

[0072] Furthermore, in the preprocessing, the acquisition unit 311 performs a process 83 to acquire integrated data 830, which shows the time series of the cumulative number of product sales, by accumulating each data point 821 of the time series data 820 of the number of product sales. Each data point 831 of the integrated data 830 shows the cumulative number of product sales in each interval that is time-divided into predetermined time widths.

[0073] After preprocessing, the identification unit 312 performs an opportunity loss period identification process 84 to identify the opportunity loss period 8422 based on the change points of the cumulative data 830. For example, the identification unit 312 identifies at least one division position 8411, 8412, 8413 that divides the cumulative data 830 into multiple periods based on the amount of change or rate of change of each data point 831 of the cumulative data 830. For example, the identification unit 312 identifies the period in which the data point 831 does not change in the multiple periods 8421, 8422, 8423, 8424 defined by the identified division positions 8411, 8412, 8413 as the opportunity loss period 8422.

[0074] The identification unit 312 may also identify a period during which the amount of change or rate of change of the data point 831 is smaller than a predetermined threshold stored in the storage unit 32 or the like, as the opportunity loss period 8422.

[0075] Furthermore, if the user specifies the opportunity loss period 8422, the identification unit 312 does not need to perform the opportunity loss period identification process 84.

[0076] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating the estimation process for the cumulative rate and the estimation process for information based on the cumulative rate in System 1 according to this embodiment.

[0077] The estimation unit 313 performs an estimation process 85 for the cumulative rate, which shows the trend in sales volume, for each period of the processing result 840 of the opportunity loss period identification process 84. For example, for each period of the processing result 840, the estimation unit 313 estimates the cumulative rates 8511, 8512, 8513, and 8514 for each period by linear regression based on each data point 831 of the cumulative data 830.

[0078] Furthermore, the estimation unit 313 may estimate the cumulative rate for each period using methods that employ not only linear regression but also quadratic or higher regression.

[0079] Furthermore, the estimation unit 313 performs an estimation process 86 for information based on the cumulative rate, which estimates the cumulative rate that shows the trend in the number of sales during the period of lost opportunity, based on the processing result 850 of the estimation process 85 of the cumulative rate.

[0080] As an example, the estimation unit 313 autoregresses the cumulative rate 8511 of the preceding adjacent period 8421 to estimate the cumulative rate 8611 of the opportunity loss period, as shown in the processing result 861 of the estimation process 86. This allows the estimation unit 313 to estimate the number of sales losses (19 in Figure 7) during the sales loss period.

[0081] As an example, the estimation unit 313 autoregresses the cumulative rate 8513 of the subsequent adjacent period 8423, as shown in the processing result 862 of the estimation process 86, to estimate the cumulative rate 8621 of the opportunity loss period. This allows the estimation unit 313 to estimate the number of sales losses during the sales loss period (14 in Figure 7).

[0082] Furthermore, the estimation unit 313 may estimate the cumulative rate for the opportunity loss period not only using a method based on autoregression of the cumulative rate for adjacent periods, but also using a method based on changes in the time series model or a method based on machine learning.

[0083] Furthermore, the estimation unit 313 may estimate the cumulative rate and the number of sales losses for both of the two adjacent periods 8421 and 8423 that are consecutive, separated by the opportunity loss period 8422. In this case, the estimation unit 313 may estimate the number of sales losses using statistical values ​​such as the average of the two cumulative rates based on each period, or it may estimate the range of the number of sales losses by estimating the two number of sales losses based on each period. In other words, in the system 1 according to this embodiment, the number of sales losses as information based on the cumulative rate may be presented to the user as a range.

[0084] Next, an example of the operation of System 1 with the above configuration will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0085] Figure 8 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow in System 1 according to the embodiment. Figures 9 and 10 show examples of display screens 910 and 920 in the flow shown in Figure 8, respectively. Note that the processing flow in Figure 8 is merely an example, and steps can be added, deleted, and rearranged as desired.

[0086] First, a transaction is processed at the POS terminal 7 (S1). Then, the acquisition unit 311 of the information processing device 3 acquires sales information for each transaction from the POS terminal 7 (S2), and stores it as POS data 323 in the storage unit 32 (S3).

[0087] The acquisition unit 311 of the information processing device 3 performs preprocessing on the POS data 323 (S4). The output unit 314 outputs display information to the display terminal 5 to display the processing results of the preprocessing (S5). Then, the display control unit 511 of the display terminal 5 displays an accumulation screen including the accumulation data 830 on the display unit 55 based on the display information from the information processing device 3 (S6).

[0088] The identification unit 312 of the information processing device 3 performs estimation processing of the opportunity loss period based on the processing result of preprocessing of the POS data 323 (S7). The output unit 314 outputs display information for displaying the period estimation result to the display terminal 5 (S8). Then, the display control unit 511 of the display terminal 5 displays a period identification screen (display screen 910) including the processing result 840 of the opportunity loss period identification processing 84 on the display unit 55 based on the display information from the information processing device 3 (S6).

[0089] Display screen 910 is an example of an operation screen for receiving user operations related to at least one of the modification and specification of the opportunity loss period. As shown in Figure 9, display screen 910 includes a display 911 based on cumulative sales data 830 of the number of products sold, and displays 9121 and 9122 of at least one division position that divides the cumulative data 830 into multiple periods. On display screen 910, the displays 9121 and 9122 represent multiple time-divided periods 9131, 9132, and 9133. For example, a user can move the position of the displays 9121 and 9122 of the division position that defines the opportunity loss period 9132 in the time direction (left and right direction in the figure) by operating the operation unit 56 of the display terminal 5. In other words, a user can adjust the opportunity loss period 9132 by operating the displays 9121 and 9122.

[0090] Furthermore, the display screen 910 may include a display 9141 showing the time and position of stockout occurrence and a display 9142 showing the time and position of stock replenishment, based on information from the POS terminal 7. This allows for user operation on displays 9121 and 9122, i.e., assistance in adjusting or specifying the opportunity loss period 9132 by the user.

[0091] When the display terminal 5 detects a user operation on displays 9121 and 9122 via the operation unit 56, it accepts the operation as a user operation to adjust the opportunity loss period 9132 (S10) and outputs period adjustment information indicating the operation result to the information processing device 3 (S11). Then, the identification unit 312 of the information processing device 3 adjusts the opportunity loss period 9132 according to the period adjustment information from the display terminal 5 (S12).

[0092] The estimation unit 313 of the information processing device 3 performs estimation processing to estimate the cumulative rate for each period 9131, 9132, and 9133, including the opportunity loss period 9132 identified by the identification unit 312 (S13). The output unit 314 outputs display information for displaying the estimation result of the cumulative rate to the display terminal 5 (S14). Then, the display control unit 511 of the display terminal 5 displays a condition specification screen (display screen 920) including the processing result 850 of the estimation processing 85 of the cumulative rate on the display unit 55 based on the display information from the information processing device 3 (S15).

[0093] Display screen 920 is an example of an operation screen for receiving user input to specify adjacent periods 9131, 9133 (or their accumulated rates 9211, 9213) used to estimate the accumulated rate for the opportunity loss period 9132. As shown in Figure 10, display screen 920 includes a display 911 based on the accumulated sales data 830 of the number of products sold, and displays 9121, 9122 of at least one division position for dividing the accumulated data 830 into multiple periods. Display screen 920 also includes, as shown in Figure 10, displays of the accumulated rates 9211, 9212, 9213 for each period showing the processing result 850 of the accumulation rate estimation process 85, and displays 9221, 9222 of operation icons for specifying adjacent periods 9131, 9133 (or their accumulated rates 9211, 9213). For example, by specifying the display of operation icon 9221, the user can estimate the accumulated rate for the opportunity loss period 9132 using the accumulated rate 9211 for the adjacent period 9131. For example, by specifying the display of operation icon 9222, the user can estimate the accumulated rate 923 for the opportunity loss period 9132 using the accumulated rate 9213 for the adjacent period 9133, as illustrated in Figure 10. In other words, by operating on the display of operation icons 9221 and 9222, the user can specify the accumulated rate to be applied to the opportunity loss period 9132.

[0094] In addition, similar to the display screen 910, user operations on displays 9121 and 9122 may be accepted on the display screen 920.

[0095] Furthermore, the selected adjacent period and its cumulative rate may be highlighted on the display screen 920. Figure 10 illustrates the case where the cumulative rate 9213 of the adjacent period 9133 selected by the operation icon display 9222 is highlighted in bold.

[0096] When the operation unit 56 detects a user operation on displays 9221 and 9222, the display terminal 5 accepts it as a user operation to specify the cumulative rate to be applied to the opportunity loss period 9132 (S16), and outputs condition specification information indicating the operation result to the information processing device 3 (S17).

[0097] Then, the estimation unit 313 of the information processing device 3 regresses the cumulative rate 9213 of the adjacent period 9131, according to the condition specified information from the display terminal 5, to the cumulative rate 923 of the opportunity loss period 9132, and estimates the number of opportunity losses in the opportunity loss period 9132 (S18). The output unit 314 outputs display information to the display terminal 5 for displaying the estimated number of opportunity losses (S19). Then, the display control unit 511 of the display terminal 5 displays the estimation result screen, which includes the processing results 861 and 862 of the estimation process 86, i.e., the estimated number of opportunity losses, on the display unit 55 based on the display information from the information processing device 3 (S20). This estimation result screen may be a screen that includes a display similar to the processing results 861 and 862 in Figure 7, or it may be a screen that displays the estimated number of opportunity losses as numerical or text data.

[0098] As described above, System 1 according to this embodiment is configured to acquire integrated data obtained by integrating time-series data based on point process data, and to identify the opportunity loss period from the time-divided period based on the change points of the integrated data. Furthermore, System 1 according to this embodiment is configured to estimate the integrated rate of the opportunity loss period from the integrated rate of the adjacent period, and to output opportunity loss information regarding the opportunity loss during the opportunity loss period.

[0099] This configuration allows retailers to estimate lost sales opportunities from existing data, such as POS data. In other words, the configuration according to this embodiment allows retailers to obtain evaluation information for assessing lost sales opportunities from existing data. Therefore, initial investment in hardware resources such as cameras is unnecessary when estimating and digitizing lost sales opportunities. Furthermore, since estimated lost sales opportunities can be digitized, "lost sales opportunities" can be considered in sales plans, for example, by incorporating the digitized lost sales opportunities into sales plans such as product stocking strategies.

[0100] In the embodiments described above, the application of the technology relating to this disclosure to the evaluation of opportunity losses in the sale of goods in the retail industry and other sectors was given as an example, but the invention is not limited to this. The technology relating to this disclosure can also be applied to the evaluation of opportunity losses in service industries that provide various types of services. In this case, the number of services provided corresponds to the number of goods sold in the embodiments described above, for example, the number of service reservations.

[0101] In this disclosure, opportunity loss information refers to data-based information on opportunity losses, and any information that can be used to evaluate opportunity losses is acceptable. For example, opportunity loss information related to this disclosure is not limited to the above, but can also include various types of information such as the cumulative rate of sales loss periods, the length of sales loss periods, sales losses based on the number of opportunity losses, and opportunity loss rates.

[0102] Furthermore, the information processing device 3 relating to this disclosure may include a management device for managing data on the number of goods or services that can be provided. Alternatively, the system 1 relating to this disclosure may further have a management device for managing data on the number of goods or services that can be provided. In these cases, the identification unit 312 of the information processing device 3 can identify the opportunity loss period based on the number of goods or services that can be provided managed by the management device.

[0103] According to at least one embodiment described above, evaluation information for assessing opportunity losses can be obtained from existing data.

[0104] In the embodiments described above, "determining whether it is A" may mean "determining that it is A," "determining that it is not A," or "determining whether or not it is A."

[0105] Furthermore, each control program executed by each device in System 1 of this embodiment is provided pre-loaded onto a recording medium such as ROM.

[0106] Each control program executed by each device in System 1 of this embodiment may be configured to be provided as a file in an installable or executable format, recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk (FD), CD-R, or DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0107] Furthermore, each control program executed by each device of System 1 in this embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Alternatively, each control program executed by each device of System 1 in this embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0108] For example, the control program 321 executed in the information processing device 3 of this embodiment has a modular configuration that includes execution units for each of the functions described above (e.g., acquisition unit 311, identification unit 312, estimation unit 313, and output unit 314). The processor of the control unit 31 reads the control program 321 from the recording medium and loads each of the above units onto the main memory of the control unit 31, such as RAM. As a result, each of the above units is generated on the main memory.

[0109] For example, the control program 521 executed in the display terminal 5 of this embodiment has a modular configuration that includes execution units for each of the functions described above (e.g., the display control unit 511). The processor of the control unit 51 reads the control program 521 from the recording medium and loads each of the above units onto the main memory of the control unit 51, such as RAM. As a result, each of the above units is created on the main memory.

[0110] While several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out in a variety of other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents.

[0111] (Note) (1) An acquisition unit that acquires cumulative data showing the time series of the cumulative number of goods or services provided during the target period, Based on the change points of the cumulative data, the identification unit identifies the opportunity loss period, which is the period within the target period during which an opportunity to provide a service was missed and an opportunity loss occurred. An estimation unit that estimates an accumulation rate that shows the rate of change in the cumulative number of provision in adjacent periods adjacent to the opportunity loss period within the aforementioned target period, The system includes an output unit that outputs information based on the cumulative rate for the adjacent period as opportunity loss information indicating the aforementioned opportunity loss. Information processing device. (2) The estimation unit estimates the cumulative rate for the opportunity loss period based on the cumulative rate for the adjacent period, The aforementioned opportunity loss information is information based on the cumulative rate for the opportunity loss period. The information processing device described in (1) above. (3) The estimation unit estimates the number of opportunities lost, which is the number of units that were missed due to the opportunity loss, based on the cumulative rate for the opportunity loss period. The aforementioned opportunity loss information is the number of opportunity losses. The information processing device described in (2) above. (4) The acquisition unit receives point-process data showing the relationship between the number of items provided and the time of provision of the goods or services, generates time-series data by resampling the received point-process data with a predetermined time width, and acquires the integrated data by accumulating the generated time-series data. An information processing device as described in any one of the above items (1) to (3). (5) The output unit outputs display information for displaying an operation screen that accepts user operations to correct the opportunity loss period identified by the identification unit. The specified unit modifies the opportunity loss period in accordance with the user operation. An information processing device as described in any one of the above items (1) to (4). (6) The output unit outputs display information for displaying an operation screen that accepts user input to specify the opportunity loss period based on the accumulated data. The specified unit identifies the opportunity loss period in accordance with the user operation. An information processing device as described in any one of the above items (1) to (5). (7) The output unit outputs display information for displaying an operation screen that accepts user input to specify which of the two adjacent periods that are consecutive through the opportunity loss period the accumulated rate of will be used to estimate the accumulated rate of the opportunity loss period. The estimation unit estimates the cumulative rate of the opportunity loss period using at least one of the two adjacent periods in response to the user operation. An information processing device as described in any one of the above items (1) to (6). (8) Display unit and The system includes a display control unit that obtains information based on an accumulation rate indicating the percentage change in the cumulative number of provision in adjacent periods adjacent to the opportunity loss period within the target period, as opportunity loss information indicating the opportunity loss in an opportunity loss period, which is a period within the target period in which an opportunity to provide the product or service was missed, based on change points in the cumulative data showing the time series of the cumulative number of provision in a target period, and displays a display screen including the opportunity loss information on the display unit. Display terminal. (9) An information processing device described in any one of the above items (1) to (7), Includes a management device for managing data on the number of products or services that can be provided, The specified unit identifies the opportunity loss period based on the number of items that can be provided from the management device. Information processing system. (10) In an information processing device comprising at least one processor, the at least one processor provides: We obtain cumulative data showing the time series of the cumulative number of goods or services provided during the target period. Based on the change points of the cumulative data, the opportunity loss period, which is the period within the target period during which an opportunity to provide a service was missed, is identified. The cumulative rate is estimated to show the rate of change in the cumulative number of provision in the adjacent period adjacent to the opportunity loss period within the aforementioned target period. As opportunity loss information indicating the aforementioned opportunity loss, information based on the cumulative rate for the adjacent period is output. Information processing methods. (11) We obtain cumulative data showing the time series of the cumulative number of goods or services provided during the target period. Based on the change points of the cumulative data, the opportunity loss period, which is the period within the target period during which an opportunity to provide a service was missed, is identified. The cumulative rate is estimated to show the rate of change in the cumulative number of provision in the adjacent period adjacent to the opportunity loss period within the aforementioned target period. As opportunity loss information indicating the aforementioned opportunity loss, information based on the cumulative rate for the adjacent period is output. A program that causes a computer to perform a task. (12) A computer program that is executed by a computer, and on which the program described in (11) above is recorded (Computer Program Product). [Explanation of symbols]

[0112] 1 System 3. Information Processing Device 31 Control Unit 311 Acquisition Department 312 Specific part 313 Estimation Department 314 Output section 32 Storage section 321 Control Program 322 Product Master 323 POS data 33 Controllers 34 Communications Department 39 bus 5 Display terminal 51 Control Unit 511 Display Control Unit 52 Storage section 521 Control Program 53 Controllers 54 Communications Department 55 Display section 56 Operation section 59 bus 7 POS terminals [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0113] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2015-133131

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires cumulative data showing the time series of the cumulative number of goods or services provided during the target period, Based on the change points of the cumulative data, the identification unit identifies the opportunity loss period, which is the period within the target period during which an opportunity to provide a service was missed and an opportunity loss occurred. An estimation unit estimates the number of opportunities lost, which is the number of opportunities lost, based on the cumulative rate showing the rate of change in the cumulative number of opportunities in adjacent periods adjacent to the opportunity loss period within the target period, and the length of the opportunity loss period. The system includes an output unit that outputs the estimated number of opportunity losses. Information processing device.

2. The estimation unit estimates the cumulative rate for the opportunity loss period based on the cumulative rate for the adjacent period, and estimates the number of opportunity losses based on the estimated cumulative rate for the opportunity loss period and the length of the opportunity loss period. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The acquisition unit receives point-process data showing the relationship between the number of items provided and the time of provision of the goods or services, generates time-series data by resampling the received point-process data with a predetermined time width, and acquires the integrated data by accumulating the generated time-series data. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

4. The output unit outputs display information for displaying an operation screen that accepts user operations to correct the opportunity loss period identified by the identification unit. The specified unit modifies the opportunity loss period in accordance with the user operation. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

5. The output unit outputs display information for displaying an operation screen that accepts user input to specify the opportunity loss period, which represents the amount of change in the cumulative data over time. When the opportunity loss period is specified by the user operation, the estimation unit estimates the number of opportunity losses based on the specified opportunity loss period. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

6. The output unit outputs display information for displaying an operation screen that accepts user input to specify which of the two adjacent periods that are consecutive through the opportunity loss period the accumulated rate of will be used to estimate the accumulated rate of the opportunity loss period. The estimation unit estimates the cumulative rate for the opportunity loss period using the cumulative rate of at least one of the two adjacent periods in response to the user operation. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.

7. In an information processing device comprising at least one processor, the at least one processor provides: We obtain cumulative data showing the time series of the cumulative number of goods or services provided during the target period. Based on the change points of the cumulative data, the opportunity loss period, which is the period within the target period during which an opportunity to provide a service was missed, is identified. Based on the cumulative rate, which shows the rate of change in the cumulative number of supplies provided in adjacent periods adjacent to the opportunity loss period within the aforementioned target period, and the length of the opportunity loss period, the number of supplies missed due to the opportunity loss is estimated. Output the estimated number of opportunity losses. Information processing methods.

8. We obtain cumulative data showing the time series of the cumulative number of goods or services provided during the target period. Based on the change points of the cumulative data, the opportunity loss period, which is the period within the target period during which an opportunity to provide a service was missed, is identified. Based on the cumulative rate, which shows the rate of change in the cumulative number of supplies provided in adjacent periods adjacent to the opportunity loss period within the aforementioned target period, and the length of the opportunity loss period, the number of supplies missed due to the opportunity loss is estimated. Output the estimated number of opportunity losses. A program that causes a computer to perform a task.

Images