JP2012022392A - Content distribution device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To effectively make changes in setting of content on commodities to be displayed on a display in a facility.SOLUTION: In a content distribution device 100, an inventory status acquisition section 30 periodically acquires the inventory status of commodities sold in a facility. A distribution section 40 distributes content on commodities to a display terminal device 200 installed in the facility for displaying the content. A control section 50 controls to change the content to be displayed on the display terminal device 200 according to changes in the inventory status acquired by the inventory status acquisition section 30.

Description

  The present invention relates to a content distribution device that distributes content to a terminal device in a facility.

  In recent years, facilities such as supermarkets with digital signage are increasing. The digital signage can display pop content describing product information, still image content for sales promotion, moving image content, and the like. When it is desired to change the contents of the display object, it is necessary for the store clerk to change in the case of a paper medium. However, in the case of digital signage, it is sufficient to change the display data.

JP 2005-10482 A JP-A-6-251033

  However, in the case of digital signage, it is necessary to change the setting of content to be displayed on the display.

  This invention is made | formed in view of such a condition, The objective is to provide the technique which performs the setting change of the content regarding the goods which should be displayed on the display in a facility effectively.

  A content distribution device according to an aspect of the present invention is installed in a facility where an inventory status acquisition unit that periodically acquires the inventory status of a product sold in a facility and the content related to the product are to be displayed. A distribution unit that distributes to the terminal device, and a control unit that controls to change the content to be displayed on the terminal device in accordance with a change in the inventory status acquired by the inventory status acquisition unit.

  It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the setting change of the content regarding the goods which should be displayed on the display in a facility can be performed effectively.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the content delivery system cooperated with the POS system based on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the merchandise information managed by a merchandise information holding part. It is a block diagram which shows in detail the structure of the content delivery apparatus and display terminal device which are contained in the content delivery system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the POP production | generation method which concerns on a prior art. It is a figure which shows an example of POP. It is a figure which shows the table for managing the content hold | maintained at the content holding part based on the operation example 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the play list produced | generated by the play list production | generation part based on the operation example 1. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the content delivery apparatus based on the operation example 1. FIG. FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams for comparing POP content in which “displayability” is enabled and P0P content in which “displayability” is disabled. It is a figure which shows the table for managing the content hold | maintained at the content holding part based on the operation example 2. FIG. It is a figure which shows the play list produced | generated by the play list production | generation part based on the operation example 2. FIG. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the content delivery apparatus based on the operation example 2. FIG. FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a playlist generated by the playlist generation unit according to a modification.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a content distribution system 500 linked with a POS (Point of sale) system 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the POS system 300 and the content distribution system 500 are installed in a store such as a supermarket. The POS system 300 and the content distribution system 500 are connected by an in-facility LAN 400.

  The POS system 300 manages the sales trend of products in the store facility in real time. The POS system 300 includes a POS server 310, a cashier 320 (in FIG. 1, the cashier 320a and the cashier 320b are shown), and a printer 330. The POS server 310 includes a merchandise information holding unit 315, and the merchandise information holding unit 315 holds merchandise information including the sales trend of the merchandise described above. The POS server 310 acquires the sales record of the store from the cashier 320 and updates the sales record managed by the product information holding unit 315. The printer 330 can be used for printing sales results of the store. Although not depicted in FIG. 1, the POS server 310 acquires the sales results of affiliated stores (regions may be limited) from the external network and reflects them in the sales results managed by the product information holding unit 315. You may let them.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of product information managed by the product information holding unit 315. A “product code” is assigned to each product, and “product name”, “manufacturer”, “sales unit”, “price”, “stock quantity”, and the like are managed as items for each product. When products are sold, the “inventory quantity” decreases. As other items, “production center”, “product image”, “condition”, “advertisement deadline”, “comment”, and the like may be added. Examples of “conditions” include “one bag per person”, “first 30 people”. “Advertisement deadline” is usually set in units such as date and time zone. An example of “comment” is “Please fried!”.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the content distribution system 500 includes a content distribution device 100, a control terminal 150, an identification information reading unit 155, an access point 450 (indicated by AP in FIG. 1), and a display terminal device 200 (in FIG. 1, a display terminal device). 200a, display terminal device 200b, and display terminal device 200c).

  The content distribution apparatus 100 is constructed by a server or the like and holds content information described later. The detailed configuration of the content distribution apparatus 100 will be described later. The control terminal 150 is constructed by a PC or the like, and mainly performs a function of transmitting a user operation to the content distribution apparatus 100 and reflecting the user's intention on the content distribution apparatus 100.

  The identification information reading unit 155 is constructed by a barcode reader, a QR code (registered trademark) reader, or the like. The store clerk reads the product code affixed to the product packaging or the like as a print or sticker with the identification information reading unit 155 and transmits it to the control terminal 150. The control terminal 150 transmits the received product code to the content distribution apparatus 100. 1 illustrates a configuration in which the identification information reading unit 155 is connected to the control terminal 150 by wire, but may be configured to be connected wirelessly. In addition, the identification information reading unit 155 may be directly connected to the content distribution apparatus 100 by wire or wireless.

  The access point 450 is a relay point for the display terminal device 200 to connect to the in-facility LAN 400 via the wireless LAN.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing in detail the configuration of content distribution apparatus 100 and display terminal apparatus 200 included in content distribution system 500 according to the embodiment of the present invention. The content distribution device 100 includes a content holding unit 10, a POP generation unit 20, an inventory status acquisition unit 30, a distribution unit 40, a control unit 50, and a playlist generation unit 60. The display terminal device 200 includes a receiving unit 70, a control unit 80, a holding unit 90, and a display unit 95.

  The configuration of the content distribution apparatus 100 can be realized by an arbitrary processor, memory, or other LSI in terms of hardware, and is realized by a program loaded in the memory in terms of software. It depicts the functional blocks that are realized. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be realized in various forms by hardware only, software only, or a combination thereof.

  The content holding unit 10 holds a plurality of contents to be distributed to the display terminal device 200. The content is mainly content for product explanation and product promotion. In the present embodiment, POP (Point Of Purchase), moving images, and still images are assumed as contents. Note that audio may be added to these contents.

  The POP generation unit 20 acquires the product code read by the identification information reading unit 155 and transmits the product code to the POS server 310 in accordance with an instruction from the control unit 50. The POS server 310 returns the product information corresponding to the product code received from the content distribution apparatus 100 (more strictly speaking, the POP generation unit 20) to the content distribution apparatus 100 (more strictly speaking, the POP generation unit 20). In the example shown in FIG. 2, “product name”, “manufacturer”, “sales unit”, “price”, and “stock quantity” of the product corresponding to the product code are returned. Based on the product information, the POP generation unit 20 generates POP content related to the product based on the design plate selected or fixed by the user. Then, the generated POP content is stored in the content holding unit 10.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining a POP generation method according to the prior art. The store clerk displays a setting screen as shown in FIG. 4 on the control terminal and manually inputs information to be displayed on the POP, such as the product name and manufacturer.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a POP. The POP shown in FIG. 5 is generated based on information input from the setting screen shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, the store clerk can generate a similar POP only by reading the product code. This is because information that conventionally requires manual input can be acquired from the POS server 310. As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to reduce the labor required for the POP generation work.

  Returning to FIG. 3, the play list generation unit 60 generates a play list for designating a content play schedule. In particular, when a plurality of contents are distributed, it is used for designating the reproduction order. A specific example of the reproduction list will be described later.

  The inventory status acquisition unit 30 acquires the inventory status of products sold in the facility periodically (for example, every 5 minutes, every 30 minutes, etc.) from the POS server 310 via the facility LAN 400. The schedule for acquiring the inventory status may be varied depending on the type of product. For example, the acquisition interval may be shortened for a popular product with a high turnover rate, and the acquisition interval may be lengthened for an unpopular product with a low turnover rate.

  The distribution unit 40 distributes the content related to the product held in the content holding unit 10 and the reproduction list thereof to the display terminal device 200 that should display the content via the wireless LAN.

  The control unit 50 controls to change the content to be displayed on the display terminal device 200 in accordance with the change in the inventory status acquired by the inventory status acquisition unit 30. Details of this processing will be described later.

  The receiving unit 70 receives the content and the play list distributed from the content distribution device 100 and outputs them to the control unit 80. The control unit 80 controls the display terminal device 200 as a whole. The control unit 80 mainly temporarily holds the content received by the receiving unit 70 in the holding unit 90 and causes the display unit 95 to display the content according to the playback schedule specified in the playback list.

  Next, an operation example 1 of display content control based on the inventory status by the control unit 50 of the content distribution apparatus 100 will be described. In the first operation example, when the stock quantity of the specific product acquired by the stock status acquisition unit 30 falls below a predetermined threshold, the control unit 50 does not display the product description or the content related to the sales promotion on the display terminal device 200. Control as follows. The control unit 50 displays content for notifying that the product is about to be sold out or sold out when the number of stocks of the specific product acquired by the inventory status acquisition unit 30 falls below a predetermined threshold. You may control to display on the apparatus 200. FIG.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a table for managing content held in the content holding unit 10 according to the operation example 1. This table may be built in the content holding unit 10 or may be built in the control unit 50. In the table, “content ID” is assigned to each content held in the content holding unit 10, and “type”, “corresponding product code”, “content name”, “file name”, and “stock quantity” are assigned to each content. Etc. are managed. “Type” includes POP, moving image, and still image as described above. The “corresponding product code” is a code for specifying which product the content is related to. The “stock quantity” stores the latest stock quantity acquired from the POS server 310.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a playlist generated by the playlist generation unit 60 according to the operation example 1. In this reproduction list, a “content ID” is assigned for each content to be distributed, and “reproduction time”, “display availability”, and the like are designated for each content to be distributed. In FIG. 7, “Display availability” of the content whose “content ID” is “C0001” is set to be impossible. The display terminal device 200 reproduces the content repeatedly in order from the top of the reproduction list. Note that content for which “displayability” is set to “impossible” is skipped without being displayed.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the content distribution apparatus 100 according to the operation example 1. Every time the predetermined time elapses (Y in S10), the subsequent processing is executed. If the predetermined time has not elapsed since the previous execution of the process (N in S10), the process waits. Note that when the entire process according to this flowchart is terminated (Y in S11), the process is terminated. While the process is not finished (N in S11), the process proceeds to the next process.

  The control unit 50 extracts a product code related to the content held in the content holding unit 10 from the table or the like (S12). The stock status acquisition unit 30 acquires the stock quantity of the extracted product code from the POS server 310 (S13).

  Next, the variable n is set to an initial value (S14). Here, 1 is substituted into the variable n. The control unit 50 determines whether or not the current “displayability” of the n-th content in the reproduction list being reproduced on the display terminal device 200 is acceptable (S15). If “displayability” is possible (possible), the number of contents in stock and the threshold are compared (S16). The threshold value can be arbitrarily set by a designer or a store clerk. In operation example 1, it is “10”. When the stock quantity is equal to or less than the threshold value (Y in S16), the “display availability” of the reproduction list is updated to be disabled (S17). This corresponds to the content whose “content ID” in FIG. 7 is “C0001”. Since the number of stocks is 9 or less than the threshold value, “display availability” is updated to “impossible”. When the stock quantity exceeds the threshold value in step S16 (N in S16), the process in step S17 is skipped.

  If “display availability” is not possible in step S15 (impossible), the number of contents in stock and the threshold are compared (S18). When the stock quantity exceeds the threshold value (Y in S18), the “display availability” of the reproduction list is updated as possible (S19). When the stock quantity is equal to or less than the threshold value (N in S18), the process in step S19 is skipped.

  Next, the variable n is incremented (S20). The variable n is compared with the number of contents in the reproduction list (S21). While the variable n does not exceed the number of contents (N in S21), the process proceeds to step S15. When the variable n exceeds the number of contents (Y in S21), when the “display availability” of the playlist is updated (Y in S22), the distribution unit 40 displays the updated playlist. 200 is notified (S23). Then, the process proceeds to step S10. If the “display availability” has not been updated (N in S22), the process proceeds to step S10 without notifying the reproduction list. As described above, the control unit 50 does not display the content “undisplayable” in the reproduction list.

  FIGS. 9A and 9B are diagrams for comparing POP content in which “displayability” is enabled and P0P content in which “displayability” is disabled. FIG. 9A shows an example of POP content in a state where “displayability” is possible, and FIG. 9B shows an example of P0P content in a state where “displayability” is not possible. Although the control unit 50 does not display the “non-displayable” content in the playlist, the content that informs the store visitor that the product related to the content is almost sold out or sold out (for example, FIG. 9B). )) May be displayed. In this case, in order to display the content, “not displayable” is temporarily set to “enabled”. Note that the time that is temporarily set to “permitted” is a predetermined time.

  Next, an operation example 2 of display content control based on the inventory status by the control unit 50 of the content distribution apparatus 100 will be described. In the operation example 2, the control unit 50 predicts whether or not the number of stocks of a specific product acquired by the stock status acquisition unit 30 is below a predetermined threshold from the past stock fluctuation data of the product, and the next stock When it is determined that the time is less than the situation acquisition timing, the product description or the content related to the sales promotion is controlled not to be displayed on the display terminal device 200. In addition, when it is predicted that the number of stocks of a specific product acquired by the stock status acquisition unit 30 is below a predetermined threshold, the control unit 50 displays content for notifying that the product is about to be sold out or sold out. The display terminal device 200 may be controlled to display.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a table for managing the content held in the content holding unit 10 according to the operation example 2. In the table, a “content ID” is assigned to each content held in the content holding unit 10, and “type”, “corresponding product code”, “content name”, “file name”, “previous inventory number” are assigned to each content. And “stock quantity” are managed.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a playlist generated by the playlist generation unit 60 according to the operation example 2. In this reproduction list, a “content ID” is assigned for each content to be distributed, and “reproduction time”, “display availability”, and the like are designated for each content to be distributed. In FIG. 11, “display availability” of the content whose “content ID” is “C0003” is set to be impossible.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the content distribution apparatus 100 according to the operation example 2. The flowchart shown in FIG. 12 is the same as the flowchart shown in FIG. 8 up to the determination process in step S15, and thus the description thereof is omitted.

  When “displayability” is permitted in step S15 (possible), the control unit 50 displays {inventory quantity− (inventory quantity−previous inventory quantity) of the nth content in the reproduction list being reproduced on the display terminal device 200. } And a threshold value are compared (S16m). (Inventory quantity-previous inventory quantity) indicates the inventory reduction quantity per unit period. The threshold value can be arbitrarily set by a designer or a store clerk. In Operation Example 2, it is “5”.

  If {stock quantity- (stock quantity-previous inventory quantity)} is equal to or less than the threshold value (Y in S16m), “display availability” in the reproduction list is updated to be improper (S17). This corresponds to the content whose “content ID” in FIG. 11 is “C0003”. Since {26− (48−26)} = 4, which is equal to or less than the threshold value, “display availability” is updated to be impossible. In step S16m, if {inventory quantity- (inventory quantity-previous inventory quantity)} exceeds the threshold (N in S16m), the process in step S17 is skipped.

  When “display availability” is not possible in step S15 (impossible), the control unit 50 compares the inventory quantity and the previous inventory quantity of the nth content in the playlist being played back on the display terminal device 200 (S18m). ). If the stock quantity exceeds the previous stock quantity (Y in S18m), it is determined that a product corresponding to the content has been received, and the “display availability” in the play list is updated as possible (S19). When the stock quantity is equal to or less than the previous stock quantity (N in S18m), the process of step S19 is skipped.

  Next, the variable n is incremented (S20). The variable n is compared with the number of contents in the reproduction list (S21). While the variable n does not exceed the number of contents (N in S21), the process proceeds to step S15. When the variable n exceeds the number of contents (Y in S21), when the “display availability” of the playlist is updated (Y in S22), the distribution unit 40 displays the updated playlist. 200 is notified (S23). The control unit 50 overwrites the “previous inventory quantity” in the playlist with the acquired inventory quantity this time, and clears the “inventory quantity” or leaves it as it is (S24). Then, the process proceeds to step S10. If the “display availability” has not been updated (N in S22), the process proceeds to step S10 without notifying the reproduction list.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to effectively change the setting of the content related to the product to be displayed on the display in the facility by taking into account the inventory information acquired from the POS system. Specifically, it is possible to suppress the display of product descriptions or sales promotion contents for out-of-stock products.

  Moreover, in the operation example 2, by changing the content related to the product to be displayed on the display in advance by predicting the stock status, an error occurs due to the time lag between the stock information acquired from the POS system and the actual sales of the sales floor. It is possible to prevent information from being displayed or unnecessary display from being stopped.

  The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. This embodiment is an exemplification, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are also within the scope of the present invention. is there.

  In the operation example 2 described above, it is determined whether or not the inventory has from the difference between the inventory number acquired last time and the inventory number acquired this time (that is, the latest inventory decrease number) until the next inventory information acquisition timing. A plurality of parameters such as this point, time zone, day of the week, season, weather, temperature, and number of visitors may be set, and a multi-factor model may be generated to predict the number of stocks at a certain point in time for each product. In addition, any existing prediction model can be used.

  FIGS. 13A and 13B are diagrams showing a playlist generated by the playlist generation unit 60 according to a modification. FIG. 13A shows a reproduction list for managing “reproduction time”, and FIG. 13B shows a reproduction list for managing “display availability”. 7 and 11, an example in which “display availability” is also included in the playlist has been described. However, when “display availability” is handled separately, and only a change occurs in “display availability”, only the information is displayed on the display terminal device. 200 may be transmitted.

  In the operation example 2 described above, the example in which the out-of-stock prediction is performed by the content distribution apparatus 100 has been described. However, the out-of-stock prediction function of the POS server 310 may be used.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Content holding part, 20 POP production | generation part, 30 Inventory status acquisition part, 40 Distribution part, 50 Control part, 60 Play list production | generation part, 70 Receiving part, 80 Control part, 90 Holding part, 95 Display part, 100 Content delivery apparatus , 150 control terminal, 155 identification information reading unit, 200 display terminal device, 300 POS system, 310 POS server, 315 product information holding unit, 320a, 320b cashier, 330 printer, 400 in-facility LAN, 450 access point, 500 content distribution system.

Claims (4)

An inventory status acquisition unit that periodically acquires the inventory status of products sold in the facility;
A distribution unit that distributes content related to the product to a terminal device installed in the facility where the content is to be displayed;
A control unit that controls to change the content to be displayed on the terminal device according to a change in the inventory status acquired by the inventory status acquisition unit;
A content distribution apparatus comprising:   The control unit performs control so that the content related to the product description or the sales promotion is not displayed on the terminal device when the number of stocks of the specific product acquired by the inventory status acquisition unit falls below a predetermined threshold. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   The control unit predicts whether or not the number of stocks of the specific product acquired by the stock status acquisition unit is below a predetermined threshold, from the past stock fluctuation data of the product, and the next stock status acquisition timing 3. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the content is less than before, the content description or the sales promotion content is controlled not to be displayed on the terminal device.   The control unit notifies that the product is about to be sold out or sold out when the inventory quantity of the specific product acquired by the inventory status acquisition unit is predicted to be below or below a predetermined threshold. The content distribution apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the content is controlled to be displayed on the terminal device.

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