JP2004274349A - Business support system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system capable of communicating the image of a decided seller or purchaser in real time. <P>SOLUTION: This business support system is provided with a means for utilizing a video conference system for performing a video conference between users who are at least three persons (at least one person is a seller and at least two persons are decided purchaser) or more through the Internet and acquiring from each terminal image frame data and voice data compressed in each terminal, a means for allocating the plurality of pieces of acquired image frame data to a plurality of sections, obtained by dividing one image frame by compressing the plurality of pieces of acquired image frame data and ordering and arranging the image frame data while synchronizing them, and combining the sections into one piece of image frame data, a means for combining a plurality of acquired pieces of voice data, and a means for performing multicasting of the combined image data and voice data to respective user terminals. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a sales support system, and more particularly, to a sales support system that utilizes an Internet TV conference system that communicates a plurality of voices and images.
[0002]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Generally, when a company develops a certain product or service (hereinafter simply referred to as "product"), the person who sells the product (hereinafter simply referred to as "seller") determines whether or not to purchase the product. In some cases, the merchandise is explained to a deciding person (hereinafter, simply referred to as a "purchase deciding person"). In this case, it is not uncommon for the seller to go to the place where the purchase decision maker is located and explain the product.
[0003]
Therefore, as the number of purchase decision-makers increases, the number of times that the seller goes to each place also increases, and as a result, there is a problem that the burden on the seller increases. In particular, when there are a plurality of purchase decision makers in the same company or the same group, the seller needs to go to each place, and the above problem is a more serious problem. Such situations include, for example, a case in which a pharmaceutical company has developed a new cedar pollen countermeasure product (for example, (1) a dietary supplement containing perilla concentrated extract and bean tea extract; Development of a nasal irrigator that uses a scent-based cleaning fluid), the seller of the company must go to multiple pharmacy stores within the same company and individually explain the same product is there.
[0004]
In such a situation, it is conceivable to use a conventional Internet TV conference system. That is, if it is possible to communicate all the voices and images between one seller and a plurality of purchase decision makers, the seller will not need to go to a plurality of places.
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of a conventional Internet TV conference system. As shown in FIG. 1, when a conventional Internet TV conference system is used, when the total number of sellers and a plurality of purchase decision makers is n, one personal computer (for example, personal computer 31) is A set of voices and images (eg, “F1” in the figure) of the owner is transmitted to the server 2 via the Internet 1, while n sets of voices and images (“F1”) of all the owners including the owner are transmitted. ... Fn ”) from the server 2. That is, each of the personal computer terminals 31, 32, 33,..., 3n needs to receive n sets of voices and images (“F1 to Fn”) from the server 2; Each had to have a large capacity communication infrastructure (eg, FTTH). Providing such a large-capacity communication infrastructure involves enormous costs, and as a result, it is impractical to explain a product using a conventional Internet TV conference system.
[0006]
On the other hand, in order to explain a product while using the current popular communication infrastructure (for example, ADSL12M), it is conceivable to reduce the size of one set of voice and image. However, since each of the personal computers 3 must receive n sets of voices and images (“F1 to Fn”), the personal computers 3 cannot communicate in real time the images of the seller or the purchase decision maker. Could not explain the product.
[0007]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of communicating images of a seller or a purchase decision maker in real time while using a current popular communication infrastructure.
[0008]
On the other hand, if the present invention is used, images of sellers or purchasers can be communicated in real time, and as a result, it is possible to explain products using the Internet TV conference system. Therefore, after the product explanation, a negotiation can be concluded, and it is possible to make a contract using the Internet TV conference system.
[0009]
Therefore, another object of the present invention is to provide a system capable of promoting or proving a contract using the Internet TV conference system.
Other objects of the present invention will become apparent by referring to embodiments of the invention described below.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a sales support system of the present invention comprises at least three or more TV conference terminals connected to the Internet and a server connected to the Internet. In the sales support system using the TV conference system for performing the TV conference between the above users,
The server is
From each terminal, data acquisition means for acquiring image frame data and audio data compressed in each terminal,
By arranging and adjusting the acquired plurality of image frame data while compressing and synchronizing, the acquired plurality of image frame data is assigned to a plurality of divisions obtained by dividing one image frame, Image data compression / synthesis means for synthesizing into one image frame data;
Means for synthesizing the plurality of acquired voice data;
Data distribution means for multicasting the synthesized image frame data and audio data to each of the user terminals;
With
At least one device is a merchant device,
At least two terminals are terminals for purchase decision makers.
[0011]
In a case where at least one of the plurality of terminals for the purchase decision maker does not have a camera for a TV conference, preferably,
The TV conference system server further includes storage means for storing a still image,
The image data compression / synthesis unit is configured to read out a still image from the storage unit and assign it to a section in one image frame corresponding to a user terminal without a camera.
[0012]
When the number of terminals for purchase decision-makers participating in the TV conference is less than the number of the plurality of sections of one image frame, preferably,
The image data compression / synthesis unit is further configured to read and assign a still image from the storage unit to the surplus section.
[0013]
More preferably, the data acquisition means further comprises means for detecting the largest volume of audio data among the acquired audio data, or a key operation signal representing the speaker from the terminal,
The image data compression / synthesis unit further processes the image frame data from the terminal corresponding to the audio data with the highest detected volume, or the terminal from which the key operation signal representing the detected speaker is transmitted. The data image is configured to be enlarged and compared to an image from another terminal and assigned to one section.
[0014]
In addition, the server also:
The voice analysis result data of the seller and the purchase decision maker who are permitted to participate in the TV conference are stored in advance, and the obtained voice data is analyzed to determine whether or not the voice analysis result data matches the previously stored voice analysis result data. Means for determining,
The means for synthesizing a plurality of voice data synthesizes only voice data that matches the voice analysis result data,
It is preferable that the image data compression / synthesis unit is configured to compress only image frame data corresponding to the matching audio data and synthesize the image data into one image frame data.
[0015]
Preferably, the server further includes a unit for storing the combined image frame data and audio data.
Further, in order to achieve the above object, the sales support system of the present invention includes at least one or more video monitoring terminals connected to the Internet, at least two or more cameras connected to the Internet, In a sales support system comprising a connected server and using a video monitoring system for monitoring video from at least two or more cameras via the Internet,
The server is
Data acquisition means for acquiring image frame data from each camera;
An image to be combined with one image frame data by compressing the obtained plurality of image frame data and assigning the plurality of compressed image frame data to a plurality of sections obtained by dividing one image frame. Data compression / synthesis means;
Data distribution means for multicasting the synthesized image frame data to the terminal;
With
A camera is located in the store with the product.
[0016]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
( First embodiment )
Hereinafter, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
[0017]
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration example of the sales support system 10 of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the server 4 in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a terminal 5 in FIG. FIG. 2 shows a schematic functional block diagram of FIG.
[0018]
As shown in FIG. 2, the sales support system 10 of the present invention includes a server 4 connectable to the Internet 3 and at least three terminals 51, 52, 53,. Is represented by “terminal 5”).
[0019]
As shown in FIG. 3, the server 4 in FIG. 2 includes a data acquisition unit 41, an image data compression and synthesis unit 42, an audio data synthesis unit 43, a data transmission unit 44, a material management unit 45, a still image A storage unit 46 and a material storage unit 47 are provided.
[0020]
Also, as shown in FIG. 4, each terminal 5 (for example, a personal computer) in FIG. 2 stores a program module (PM) 48 for executing various modes in advance. The modes include, for example, a “user image display mode” for displaying images of TV conference participants (at least one sales person and at least two purchase decision makers), and a “material” for creating and editing conference materials. A "creation / edit mode" and a "presentation mode" for displaying conference materials. In addition, each terminal 5 performs data communication with the data acquisition unit 41 and the data transmission unit 24 of the server 4 using an appropriate protocol. A program (P) 48 ′ for this is also stored in each terminal 5 in advance. It is remembered. Further, each terminal 5 performs data compression on image data and audio data by an appropriate compression method, and a program (P) 48 ′ for that purpose is stored in each terminal 5 in advance. Each terminal 5 includes a camera, a microphone, a speaker and a display 49, and a video codec and an audio codec 49 '.
[0021]
Hereinafter, operations in the “user image display mode”, the “material creation / editing mode”, and the “presentation mode” executed in the terminals 51 to 5n will be described.
[0022]
[User image display mode]
When the user screen mode is selected in each terminal 5, the data acquisition unit 41 of the server 4 compresses the data in each terminal 5 from the terminals 51 to 5n participating in the Internet TV conference, for example, in the order of the terminals 51 to 5n. The image frame data (“F1” to “Fn” in FIG. 2) is captured.
[0023]
That is, the data acquisition unit 41 first outputs a transmission request (a request to instruct to transmit image data and accompanying audio data) to the terminal 51 (for example, the terminal is owned by a business operator). . Then, in response, the terminal 51 transmits the image frame data F1 (including at least the face of the business person) currently captured and compressed by the camera 49 and the voice data (commercial Is returned to the data acquisition unit 41. Similarly, when the data acquisition unit 41 sequentially transmits transmission requests to the terminals 52 to 5n (for example, these terminals are owned by the purchase decision maker), the terminals 52 to 5n transmit the current compressed image The frame data F2 to Fn (including at least the face of the purchase decision maker) and the voice data (the voice of the purchase decision maker) are returned to the data acquisition unit 41. The data acquisition unit 41 repeatedly performs such an operation of acquiring image frame data during a TV conference.
[0024]
The image frame data F1 to Fn acquired by the data acquisition unit 41 are synchronously supplied to the image data compression / synthesis unit 42, and the audio data acquired by the data acquisition unit 41 is synchronized with the audio data It is supplied to the synthesizing unit 43.
[0025]
Upon receiving the image frame data F1 to Fn, the image data compression / combination unit 42 of the server 4 compresses the data. For the compression of the image data, an appropriate known compression method can be adopted, but it is necessary to compress each image frame data to 1 / n or less. The image data compression / synthesizing unit 42 sets the compressed image frame data F1 to Fn as sub-frame data Fs1 to Fsn, respectively, where the sub-frame data is to be incorporated into “one” image frame data F in advance. Is set.
[0026]
FIG. 5 shows a configuration example of an image M (frame data F) displayed on each display 49 of each terminal 5. As shown in FIG. 5, for example, the sub-frame data strings (Fs1 to Fsn) are so arranged that each of the sub-images M1 to Mn based on the sub-frame data Fs1 to Fsn is assigned to each of the sections obtained by dividing the screen M into n pieces. ) Is rearranged. Thus, the obtained image frame data F1 to Fn are combined into one image frame data F. The synthesized image frame data F is supplied to the data transmission unit 44.
[0027]
The audio data synthesizing unit 43 receives audio data transmitted from the terminals 51 to 5n accompanying the image frame data F1 to Fn from the data acquisition unit 41, synthesizes them (compresses them if necessary, and compresses them). ) Supply the data to the data transmission unit 44.
[0028]
When receiving the image frame data F and the audio data from the image data compression / synthesis unit 42 and the audio data synthesis unit 43, the data transmission unit 44 multicasts them to all of the terminals 51 to 5n of the TV conference participants. As a result, the sub-images M1 to Mn corresponding to the sub-frame data Fs1 to Fsn are displayed on one screen M on each terminal 5 as shown in FIG.
[0029]
Since the image frame data F to be multicast to the terminals 51 to 5n is one image frame data by the rearranging / adjustment process on the server side, the conventional Internet TV that multicasts a plurality of image frame data to each terminal. As compared with the conference system, the amount of image data to be transmitted is reduced, and thus the load on the Internet 1, the server 4, and each terminal 5 is reduced. Even if the number of participating terminals increases, the method does not exceed a certain amount of image data, so that the load on the Internet is reduced and the image data frames F and The data communication speed of the audio data is set to, for example, 300 kbps or less. This reduction in the amount of image data increases as the number of terminals 5 increases. Therefore, it is possible to realize a TV conference system with stable voice and image quality even in a simultaneous conference of hundreds of people.
[0030]
FIG. 6 shows another configuration example of the image M (frame data F) displayed on each display 49 of each terminal 5.
In the above description, an example has been described in which all participants of the TV conference return image data and audio data to the data acquisition unit 41 of the system server 2. However, even if the purchase decision-maker does not have a camera, It is possible to participate in a TV conference only by voice. For example, when the terminal 53 is not provided with the camera 49, the subframe data FsNC corresponding to the subframe data Fs3 of the synthesized image frame data F includes an appropriate still image stored in the still image storage unit 46 in advance. An image (for example, a still image of the owner of the terminal 46, an indication that there is no camera, etc.) is assigned as the sub-image M3. When a terminal without a camera participates in the TV conference, the image data compression / combination unit 42 automatically allocates the still image from the still image storage unit 46 to be arranged in the last section (the position of the sub-image Mn). You can also.
[0031]
Also, for example, even if the number of sub-images is set to n so that a maximum of n people can participate in the TV conference, the number of participants is actually smaller than n, for example, (n-2). There are cases. In such a case, the image data compression / synthesis unit 42 stores an appropriate still image from the still image storage unit 46 (for example, in the absence of a conference participant) in the divided position corresponding to the remaining two sub-images Mn-1 and Mn. ). Instead, the image data compression / synthesis unit 42 changes the number of sub-images (ie, the number of divisions) and the compression ratio in one image M displayed on each terminal 5 according to the number of participants. You may comprise so that it is possible.
[0032]
FIG. 7 shows another configuration example of the image M (frame data F) displayed on each display 49 of each terminal 5.
Further, the image data compression / synthesis unit 42 may incorporate the speaker sub-image MSP into the image M displayed on each terminal 5. For example, it is possible to configure so that only the participant (seller or purchase decider) who operates a specific key on each terminal 5 gets the floor, and in this case, the data acquisition unit 21 obtains the floor. By identifying the terminal on which the key operation has been performed, the speaker can be specified. Instead of this, the data acquisition unit 21 can detect which terminal participant is the speaker by performing voice detection. When voice data is transmitted from a plurality of terminals, the one with the highest voice is identified as the speaker.
[0033]
For example, when the seller of the terminal 51 is speaking, preferably, the speaker sub-image MSP is the sub-frame data FSP obtained by enlarging the sub-frame data FS1. The subframe data FSP is synthesized in the image compression synthesizing unit 42 together with the other subclaim data FS1 to FSn. Preferably, the sub-frame data corresponding to the image SP at the outer edge of the sub-screen M1 for specifying the speaker is also synthesized together.
[0034]
As shown in FIG. 7, each display 49 of each terminal 5 can also display a text chat image MCH in addition to the image M. When displaying the text chat image MCH, the server 2 needs to further have a function as a chat service server, and each terminal 5 needs to further have a chat program 48 '.
[0035]
[Material editing mode]
When this mode is selected at each terminal 5, the terminal provides the terminal with business negotiation materials (for example, (1) materials for market research results on dietary supplements, (2) detailed structure explanation materials for nasal irrigators, (3)). A creation / edit screen (not shown) of a purchase decision maker's in-store test sales result material) is displayed, thereby enabling new creation of materials and modification of existing materials. This material creation and editing function can be realized by using general-purpose document creation and editing software. The created material is stored in the material storage unit 27 in the system server 2 and is commonly accessible by the conference participants. Note that only the seller's terminal 51 is provided with this material creation / editing function, and the purchase determinator's terminals 52 to 5n may omit this function.
[0036]
[Presentation mode]
When this mode is selected in each terminal, it is possible to access the material stored in the material storage unit 27 and display the material. When a presentation is made in a TV conference using materials, the materials are provided and displayed via the server 2 to all the terminals 51 to 5n participating in the TV conference.
[0037]
In this case, the material data is transmitted from the terminal (for example, the terminal 51 of the seller) which is a pre-center to the server 2, and the server 2 makes a presentation to all the terminals 5 in accordance with the instruction from the pre-center. Notify. This notification is displayed on the monitor screen of each terminal 5, and when the notification is displayed, the operation can be switched to the presentation mode.
[0038]
In addition, the image frame data F and the audio data together with the material data for presentation are also multicast from the data transmission unit 44 to all the terminals 51 to 5n, whereby each participant puts his / her own terminal into the presentation mode. It is possible to individually select whether to enter the user image display mode.
[0039]
The present invention is configured as described above. After receiving image data that has been primarily compressed by software on the terminal 5 side of the TV conference system at the system server, the data is synchronized and organized and adjusted in a secondary process. Since a method is adopted in which a plurality of image data are combined into one image by performing compression, the amount of data traveling from the system server 4 to each terminal 5 can be reduced. Therefore, even if the number of conference participants increases to hundreds, the data amount can be stabilized relatively small (for example, 300 kbps or less).
[0040]
Therefore, according to the present invention, an epoch-making use of a TV conference system that can greatly reduce the network load from high-quality image / audio / presentation data and stably maintain a constant load amount. A simple sales support system can be realized.
[0041]
( Second embodiment )
Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the second embodiment, means for promoting or proving a contract using the Internet TV conference system is added to the first embodiment. Therefore, the added means will be described in detail below.
[0042]
[Speech analysis unit 71]
FIG. 8 shows a functional block diagram of the server 4 according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 8, the server 4 further includes a voice analysis unit 71. The voice analysis unit 71 stores voice analysis result data (for example, voiceprint data) of sellers and purchase decision makers who are allowed to participate in the TV conference in advance. The voice analysis unit 71 analyzes the voice data acquired by the data acquisition unit 41, and supplies only the voice data that matches the voice analysis result data stored in advance to the voice data synthesis unit 43. At this time, the audio analysis unit 71 supplies only the image frame data corresponding to the audio data that matches the previously stored audio analysis result data to the image data compression / synthesis unit 42, and The data transmission unit 44 is instructed to transmit the synthesized image frame data and audio data only to the terminal corresponding to the matching audio data.
[0043]
The timing at which the voice analysis unit 71 analyzes the voice data acquired by the data acquisition unit 41 is the time when each voice data is first acquired in response to a transmission request from the data acquisition unit 41 to each terminal 5. is there. Further, the voice analysis unit 71 can also analyze voice data at predetermined intervals (for example, every 30 minutes) during the TV conference. Alternatively, the audio analysis unit 71 can always analyze audio data during a TV conference.
[0044]
In this way, only the participants who have been permitted in advance can participate in the TV conference, so that each participant can use the Internet TV conference system with confidence.
[0045]
[Synthesized data storage unit 72]
The server 4 further includes a combined data storage unit 72. The composite data storage unit 72 stores the image frame data and the audio data that are subsequently transmitted from the data transmission unit 44 and combined by the image data compression and combination unit 42 and the audio data combination unit 43.
[0046]
The timing at which the synthesized data storage unit 72 starts to store the synthesized image frame data and audio data is such that, in response to a transmission request from the data acquisition unit 41 to each terminal 5, any one of the image frame data It is when it was obtained. Thereafter, the combined data storage unit 72 always stores the combined image frame data and audio data during the TV conference. After the end of the TV conference, when all the user screen modes of the terminals 5 are released, the combined data storage unit 72 stops storing data.
[0047]
As described above, since the contents of the negotiation in the TV conference can be stored, it is possible to easily prove the contract act performed during the negotiation.
Further, among the terminals 5, one terminal of the seller (for example, the terminal 51) and one terminal of the purchase decision maker (for example, the terminal 52) are provided with a storage start button and a storage stop button (not shown), respectively. ) Can also be provided. In this case, when the first storage start button of the terminal 51 is pressed by the user (seller) of the terminal 51 at the terminal of the seller (for example, the terminal 51), the terminal 51 receives the first storage start signal. Is transmitted to the server 4 via the Internet 1. Similarly, when the second storage start button of the terminal 52 is pressed by the user (representative of the purchaser) of the terminal 52 at the terminal of the purchaser (for example, the terminal 52), the terminal 52 becomes: A second storage start signal is transmitted to the server 4 via the Internet 1. On the other hand, after receiving the first or second storage start signal, the combined data storage unit 72 of the server 2 starts storing the combined image frame data and audio data.
[0048]
Further, during or after the TV conference, at one of the terminals of the seller or the purchase decision maker (for example, the terminal 52), the second memory stop button of the terminal 52 is pressed by the user of the terminal 52 (the purchaser). When pressed by the representative of the decider, the terminal 52 transmits a second memory stop signal to the server 4 via the Internet 1. On the other hand, after receiving the first or second storage stop signal (for example, the second storage stop signal), the combined data storage unit 72 of the server 2 stores the data and ends.
[0049]
As described above, since the contents of the negotiation in the TV conference can be stored from the time the storage start button is pressed to the time the storage stop button is pressed, the capacity for storing data can be reduced.
[0050]
( Third embodiment )
Hereinafter, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the third embodiment is a modification of the method of using the first embodiment. Therefore, the changed use method (changed configuration) will be described in detail below.
[0051]
FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a sales support system 10 according to the third embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 9, the sales support system 10 according to the third embodiment includes a server 4 connectable to the Internet 3, at least one terminal 61, 62, 63,. , 7n attached to at least two or more stores (hereinafter referred to as "camera 7"").
[0052]
9 includes a data acquisition unit 41, an image data compression / synthesis unit 42, and a data transmission unit 44. As shown in FIG. It is not necessary to provide the still image storage unit 46 and the material storage unit 47.
[0053]
Further, each terminal 6 (for example, a personal computer) in FIG. 9 stores in advance a program module (PM) 48 for executing an “in-store image display mode” for displaying an image in a store, and There is no need to previously store the program module (PM) 48 for executing the “user image display mode”, the “material creation / editing mode”, and the “presentation mode”. In addition, each terminal 6 performs data communication with the data acquisition unit 41 and the data transmission unit 24 of the server 4 using an appropriate protocol, and a program (P) 48 ′ for that is also stored in each terminal 5 in advance. It is remembered. Each terminal 6 includes a display 49 and a video codec 49 ', and does not need to include a camera, a microphone and a speaker 49, and an audio codec 49'.
[0054]
Each camera 7 in the store in FIG. 9 includes a video codec 49 ′. Preferably, each camera 7 is arranged so as to capture a shelf in the store where products are arranged, a customer trying to enter the store, and the like. Note that a plurality of cameras can be arranged in the same store.
[0055]
Hereinafter, the operation of the “in-store image display mode” executed in the terminals 61 to 6m will be described.
[In-store image display mode]
When the in-store screen mode is selected in each terminal 6, the data acquisition unit 41 of the server 4 captures image frame data from the cameras 71 to 7n installed in the store, for example, in the order of the cameras 71 to 7n.
[0056]
That is, the data acquisition unit 41 first outputs a transmission request (a request for instructing transmission of image data) to the camera 71. Then, in response, the camera 71 sets the image frame data F1 (the image in the store: the customer near the merchandise shelf and its surroundings, the customer near the entrance who wants to enter the store) in the data. It is returned to the acquisition unit 41. Similarly, when the data acquisition unit 41 sequentially transmits transmission requests to the cameras 72 to 7n, the cameras 72 to 7n return the current image frame data F2 to Fn to the data acquisition unit 41. The data acquisition unit 41 repeatedly performs such an operation of acquiring image frame data during the operation in this mode.
[0057]
The image frame data F1 to Fn acquired by the data acquisition unit 41 are supplied to the image data compression / combination unit 42 in the order of acquisition.
Upon receiving the image frame data F1 to Fn, the image data compression / combination unit 42 of the server 4 compresses the data. For the compression of the image data, an appropriate known compression method can be adopted, but it is necessary to compress each image frame data to 1 / n or less. The image data compression / synthesizing unit 42 sets the compressed image frame data F1 to Fn as sub-frame data Fs1 to Fsn, respectively, where the sub-frame data is to be incorporated into “one” image frame data F in advance. Is set. The synthesized image frame data F is supplied to the data transmission unit 44.
[0058]
Upon receiving the image frame data F from the image data compression / synthesis unit 4243, the data transmission unit 44 multicasts them to all of the terminals 61 to 6m of the video monitoring participants.
[0059]
Since the image frame data F to be multicast to the terminals 61 to 6n is one image frame data, an Internet video surveillance system modified from the conventional Internet TV conference system which multicasts a plurality of image frame data to each terminal is used. In contrast, the amount of image data to be transmitted is reduced, and thus the loads on the Internet 1, the server 4, and each terminal 7 are reduced.
[0060]
Note that the server 4 according to the third embodiment can also store the image frame data F like the combined data storage unit 72 according to the second embodiment.
The present invention is configured as described above, and the user of each terminal 6 can grasp and analyze in real time the behavior (leading wire, purchase result) data of the customer in the store, and can optimize the product in the store. The number of purchases, model shelving, etc. can be proposed.
[0061]
Further, it is possible to recognize a customer who has entered the store, and it is possible to create an advertisement suitable for the customer.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a conventional Internet TV conference system.
FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a sales support system 10 of the present invention.
FIG. 3 shows a functional block diagram of a server 4 in FIG.
FIG. 4 is a schematic functional block diagram of a terminal 5 in FIG. 2;
5 shows a configuration example of an image M (frame data F) displayed on each display 49 of each terminal 5. FIG.
6 shows another configuration example of an image M (frame data F) displayed on each display 49 of each terminal 5. FIG.
FIG. 7 shows another configuration example of an image M (frame data F) displayed on each display 49 of each terminal 5.
FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram of a server 4 according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a diagram schematically illustrating a configuration example of a sales support system 10 according to a third embodiment.

Claims (8)

A TV conference system, comprising at least three TV conference terminals connected to the Internet and a server connected to the Internet, for performing a TV conference among at least three users via the Internet is used. Sales support system,
The server is
From each terminal, data acquisition means for acquiring image frame data and audio data compressed in each terminal,
By arranging and adjusting the acquired plurality of image frame data while compressing and synchronizing, the acquired plurality of image frame data is assigned to a plurality of divisions obtained by dividing one image frame, Image data compression / synthesis means for synthesizing into one image frame data;
Means for synthesizing the plurality of acquired voice data;
Data distribution means for multicasting the synthesized image frame data and audio data to each of the user terminals,
At least one device is a merchant device,
A sales support system, wherein at least two terminals are terminals for purchase decision makers. In the sales support system according to claim 1,
At least one of the plurality of terminals for the purchase decision maker does not have a camera for the TV conference,
The TV conference system server further includes storage means for storing a still image,
A sales support system, wherein the image data compression / synthesis unit is configured to read out a still image from the storage unit and assign it to a section corresponding to a user terminal having no camera in one image frame. 3. The sales support system according to claim 2, wherein the image data compression / synthesis unit further comprises a surplus when the number of terminals for purchase decision-makers participating in the TV conference is less than the number of sections of one image frame. A sales support system, wherein a still image is read from a storage unit and assigned to a section. In the sales support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The data acquisition means further comprises means for detecting the loudest audio data among the acquired audio data,
The image data compression / synthesis unit further processes the image frame data from the terminal corresponding to the detected audio data having the largest volume, and enlarges the image of the data by 1 in comparison with the image from another terminal. A sales support system configured to be assigned to one of the divisions. In the sales support system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The data acquisition means further includes means for detecting a key operation signal representing the speaker from the terminal,
The image data compression / synthesis unit further processes the image frame data from the terminal that transmitted the key operation signal representing the detected speaker, and enlarges the image of the data in comparison with the image from another terminal. A sales support system characterized in that the sales support system is configured to allocate the information to one section. The sales support system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the server further comprises:
The voice analysis result data of the seller and the purchase decision maker who are permitted to participate in the TV conference are stored in advance, and the obtained voice data is analyzed to determine whether or not the voice analysis result data matches the previously stored voice analysis result data. Means for determining,
The means for synthesizing a plurality of voice data synthesizes only voice data that matches the voice analysis result data,
A sales support system characterized in that the image data compression / synthesis means is configured to compress only image frame data corresponding to the matching audio data and synthesize the image data into one image frame data. The sales support system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the server further comprises means for storing the combined image frame data and audio data. At least one or more video monitoring terminals connected to the Internet, at least two or more cameras connected to the Internet, and at least two or more cameras connected to the Internet via the Internet In a sales support system that uses a video surveillance system to monitor video from
The server is
Data acquisition means for acquiring image frame data from each camera;
An image to be combined with one image frame data by compressing the obtained plurality of image frame data and assigning the plurality of compressed image frame data to a plurality of sections obtained by dividing one image frame. Data compression / synthesis means;
Data distribution means for multicasting the synthesized image frame data to the terminal,
A sales support system, wherein a camera is arranged in a store having a product.

Images