Commodity information management device

Abstract

[Problem] To generate a commodity master database updated to the latest information. [Solution] The present invention comprises: a storage means for storing, for each commodity, a commodity identification information item, a first category information item, and a second category information item in association with each other; a means for extracting one commodity identification information item and a first category information item from an image medium through image recognition processing; a means for accessing a database stored in an external device and extracting one commodity identification information item and a second category information item; a means for determining whether or not the first and second category information items associated with the extracted one commodity identification information item and the first and second category information items associated with the one commodity identification information item stored in the storage means coincide with each other; and a means for, when it is determined that the category information items do not coincide with each other, reporting the determination and replacing the first and second category information items associated with the one commodity identification information item stored in the storage means with the first and second category information items associated with the extracted one commodity identification information item.

Description

Product Information Management Device

[0001] It relates to the technology of the product master database.

[0002] The product master database is a database in which basic information and attributes related to products are registered. For example, by centrally managing information such as product name, raw materials, expiration date, content volume, storage method, reviews, order unit, and weight, it helps to improve the efficiency of operations such as inventory management and sales management.

[0003] Under such a background, technical proposals regarding the product master database have been made. For example, in Patent Document 1, a product information providing system has been proposed that improves convenience by making it common across the entire system while realizing confidentiality and freedom.

[0004] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2020-004308

[0005] However, in the above prior art, there were problems such as the existence of multiple product master databases and it was unclear which one had correct information, or the registration and management of data were left to humans, so the accuracy of the data was not guaranteed. Therefore, in the present invention, in view of the above problems, an object is to provide a product information management device that generates a product master database updated with the latest information.

[0006] One form of the disclosed product information management device includes: product information storage means for storing product identification information, first item identification information and its item value, and second item identification information and its item value in association with each product; image information extraction means for extracting a combination of one product identification information and the first item identification information and its item value from an image medium by image recognition processing; DB information extraction means for accessing a database stored in an external device and extracting a combination of one product identification information and the second item identification information and its item value from the database; first determination means for determining whether the combination of the first item identification information and its item value associated with the one product identification information obtained by the image information extraction means matches the combination of the first item identification information and its item value associated with the one product identification information stored in the product information storage means; and the combination of the first item identification information and its item value associated with the one product identification information obtained by the DB information extraction means. The device is characterized by comprising: a second determination means for determining whether the combination of the second item identification information and its item value matches the combination of the second item identification information and its item value associated with the first item identification information stored in the product information storage means; a first product information modification means for notifying the first determination means that they do not match, and replacing the item value related to the first item identification information associated with the first item identification information stored in the product information storage means with the item value related to the first item identification information associated with the first item identification information obtained by the image information extraction means; and a second product information modification means for notifying the second determination means that they do not match, and replacing the item value related to the second item identification information associated with the first item identification information stored in the product information storage means with the item value related to the second item identification information associated with the first item identification information obtained by the DB information extraction means.

[0007] The disclosed product information management system generates a product master database that is updated with the latest information.

[0008] This is a diagram illustrating the overview of the product information management device according to this embodiment. This is a functional block diagram of the product information management device according to this embodiment. This is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the product information management device according to this embodiment. This is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the product information management device according to this embodiment.

[0009] The embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. (Operating principle of the product information management device according to this embodiment)

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

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

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

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

[0014] The first item identification information 230 and the second item identification information 250 are, for example, information such as product name, raw materials, expiration date, net weight, storage method, reviews, ordering method, weight, and expiration date, but other information may also be used.

[0015] The image information extraction means 120 extracts a single product identification information 220 relating to a single product 210, as well as a combination of a first item identification information 230 and its item value 240, from the image medium 270 by image recognition processing. The image medium 270 is, for example, an advertising flyer. Furthermore, the image recognition processing method employed by the image information extraction means 120 is not particularly limited.

[0016] The DB information extraction means 130 accesses the database 290 stored in the external device 280 and extracts from the database 290 one product identification information 220 related to one product 210, as well as a combination of a second item identification information 250 and its item value 260. There is one or more external devices 280, each installed with separate management means and purposes.

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

[0018] The first determination means 140 determines whether the combination of a first item identification information 230 and its item value 240 obtained (extracted) by the image information extraction means 120 matches the one stored in the product information storage means 110. The first determination means 140 verifies whether the combination of a first item identification information 230 and its item value 240 is the latest information, or whether it is valid information.

[0019] The second determination means 150 determines whether the combination of the first second item identification information 250 and its item value 260 obtained (extracted) by the DB information extraction means 130 matches the one stored in the product information storage means 110. The second determination means 150 verifies whether the combination of the first second item identification information 250 and its item value 260 is the latest information, or whether it is valid information.

[0020] If the first determination means 140 determines that there is no match, the first product information modification means 160 notifies the first product information modification means 160 of that fact. The first product information modification means 160 then replaces the item value 240 related to the first item identification information 230 associated with a single product identification information 220, which is stored in the product information storage means 11, with the item value obtained (extracted) by the image information extraction means 120. The first product information modification means 160 updates the item value 240 related to the first item identification information 230 with the latest information.

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

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

[0023] The CPU 510 is a device that executes programs stored in the ROM 520. It processes data loaded into the RAM 530 according to program instructions and controls the entire device 100. The ROM 520 stores programs and data that the CPU 510 will execute. When the CPU 510 executes a program stored in the ROM 520, the RAM 530 loads the program and data to be executed and temporarily holds the calculation data during the calculation.

[0024] The auxiliary storage device 540 is a device that stores the operating system (OS), which is the basic software, and application programs according to this embodiment, along with related data. For example, it may include a product information storage means 110. The auxiliary storage device 540 is, for example, an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory.

[0025] The communication interface 550 is an interface for exchanging data with other devices (such as POS systems) 280 that connect to a communication network 300, such as a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or the Internet, and provide communication functions.

[0026] The input device 560 is a device for inputting data into the main device 100, such as a keyboard. The display device (output device) 570 is a device consisting of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) or the like, and functions as a user interface when the user uses the functions of the main device 100 or makes various settings. The storage medium I / F 580 is an interface for sending and receiving data with storage media 590 such as CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and USB memory.

[0027] Each of the means of this device 100 may be realized by the CPU 510 executing a program corresponding to each means stored in the ROM 520 or auxiliary storage device 540. Alternatively, each of the means of this device 100 may be realized by the processing related to each means being implemented as hardware. Furthermore, the program according to the present invention may be read from an external server device via a communication I / F 550, or read from a storage medium 590 via a storage medium I / F 580, and the device 100 may execute the program. (Example of processing by the product information management device according to this embodiment) The flow of a processing example by this device 100 will be explained using Figure 4. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of a processing example by this device 100.

[0028] In S10, the image information extraction means 120 extracts a single product identification information 220 relating to a single product 210, as well as a combination of a first item identification information 230 and its item value 240, from the image medium 270 by image recognition processing. The image medium 270 is, for example, an advertising flyer. Furthermore, the image recognition processing method employed by the image information extraction means 120 is not particularly limited.

[0029] Furthermore, in S10, the DB information extraction means 130 accesses the database 290 stored in the external device 280 and extracts from the database 290 a single product identification information 220 relating to a single product 210, as well as a combination of a second item identification information 250 and its item value 260. There is one or more external devices 280, each installed according to separate management means and purposes.

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

[0031] In S20, the first determination means 140 determines whether the combination of a first item identification information 230 and its item value 240 obtained (extracted) in S10 matches the one stored in the product information storage means 110. The first determination means 140 verifies whether the combination of a first item identification information 230 and its item value 240 is the latest information, or whether it is valid information.

[0032] Furthermore, in S20, the second determination means 150 determines whether the combination of the first second item identification information 250 and its item value 260 obtained (extracted) in S10 matches the one stored in the product information storage means 110. The second determination means 150 verifies whether the combination of the first second item identification information 250 and its item value 260 is the latest information, or whether it is valid information.

[0033] In S30, if the first product information modification means 160 determines that the first determination means 140 does not match in S20, it notifies the system of this fact. In addition, in S30, the first product information modification means 160 replaces the item value 240 related to the first item identification information 230 associated with a single product identification information 220, which is stored in the product information storage means 11, with the item value obtained (extracted) by the image information extraction means 120. The first product information modification means 160 updates the item value 240 related to the first item identification information 230 with the latest information.

[0034] Furthermore, in S30, if the second product information modification means 170 determines that the second determination means 150 does not match in S20, it notifies the system of this fact. In addition, in S30, the second product information modification means 170 replaces the item value 260 related to the second item identification information 250 associated with one product identification information 220, which is stored in the product information storage means 110, with the item value obtained (extracted) by the DB information extraction means 130. The second product information modification means 170 updates the item value 260 related to the second item identification information 250 with the latest information. By performing the above processing, the device 100 generates a product master database 110 that has been updated with the latest information.

[0035] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to these specific embodiments, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the gist of the present invention as described in the claims.

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

Claims

1. Product information storage means for storing product identification information, first item identification information and its item value, and second item identification information and its item value in association with each product; image information extraction means for extracting a combination of one product identification information and the first item identification information and its item value from an image medium by image recognition processing; DB information extraction means for accessing a database stored in an external device and extracting a combination of one product identification information and the second item identification information and its item value from the database; first determination means for determining whether the combination of the first item identification information and its item value associated with the one product identification information obtained by the image information extraction means matches the combination of the first item identification information and its item value associated with the one product identification information stored in the product information storage means; A product information management device comprising: a second determination means for determining whether a combination of the second item identification information and its item value associated with the first product identification information obtained by the DB information extraction means matches a combination of the second item identification information and its item value associated with the first product identification information stored in the product information storage means; a first product information modification means for notifying the first determination means that they do not match and replacing the item value related to the first item identification information associated with the first product identification information stored in the product information storage means with the item value related to the first item identification information associated with the first product identification information obtained by the image information extraction means; and a second product information modification means for notifying the second determination means that they do not match and replacing the item value related to the second item identification information associated with the first product identification information stored in the product information storage means with the item value related to the second item identification information associated with the first product identification information obtained by the DB information extraction means.

2. A product information management method performed by a computer equipped with product information storage means that stores product identification information, first item identification information and its item value, and second item identification information and its item value in association with each product, comprising: an image information extraction means extracting a combination of one product identification information relating to one of the products, and the first item identification information and its item value from an image medium by image recognition processing; a DB information extraction means accessing a database stored in an external device and extracting the one product identification information, and the combination of the second item identification information and its item value from the database; and a first determination means determining whether the combination of the first item identification information and its item value associated with the one product identification information obtained by the image information extraction means matches the combination of the first item identification information and its item value associated with the one product identification information stored in the product information storage means. The second determination means determines whether the combination of the second item identification information and its item value associated with the first product identification information obtained by the DB information extraction means matches the combination of the second item identification information and its item value associated with the first product identification information stored in the product information storage means; and the first product information modification means, if the first determination means determines that they do not match, notifies that fact and replaces the item value related to the first item identification information associated with the first product identification information stored in the product information storage means with the item value related to the first item identification information associated with the first product identification information obtained by the image information extraction means. A product information management method comprising the steps of: if the second product information modification means determines that the second determination means does not match, it notifies that fact and replaces the item value related to the second item identification information associated with the first product identification information stored in the product information storage means with the item value related to the second item identification information associated with the first product identification information obtained by the DB information extraction means.

3. A product information management program for causing a computer to perform the method described in claim 2.

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