JP2005327119A - Retrieval system and retrieval method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a retrieval system and retrieval method by which differences in attribute information on objects are easily compared with each other. <P>SOLUTION: The retrieval system 100 comprises: an input device 20 consisting of an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) reader, a display device 30 consisting of a display, an information storage device 40 consisting of a hard disk, and a controller 10, including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and a memory. The input device 20 inputs respective identifiers for a plurality of articles (objects). A controller 10 retrieves and extracts respective attribute information on the inputted identifiers-related articles based on an input signal from the information storage device 40. The display device 30 displays the attribute information extracted by the controller 10. The displayed information is attributed to the information on the objects only to be compared with each other, resulting in easy comparison. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a search system and a search method.

In recent years, in supermarkets and the like, a search system is used in which a user searches for attribute information (for example, production place, raw material, price, etc.) of a product and obtains the attribute information. In such a search system, when a user inputs conditions such as a production area, raw material, price, etc., a list of product names and production areas that meet the conditions is displayed. For example, Patent Literature 1 describes a method of searching for a product that meets a customer's budget condition and providing information about the price of the product. Further, Patent Document 2 describes a method of specifying store area and product type as search conditions and providing store price information of the product. Also, in Patent Document 3, if you want product information of the same classification as the product you picked up, you can read the barcode attached to the product with a barcode reader, provide the product information of the product, A method for providing merchandise information related to the merchandise is described.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-149392 JP 2001-325532 A JP 2002-49968 A

  By the way, in supermarkets and the like, many of the same type of products are displayed, and when consumers try to select one type of product, the price, trademark, seller name / producer name, or product A technique such as comparing product information on affixed labels is used, but it may be time consuming and sufficient information necessary for selection may not be obtained. For example, for allergic individuals, information on the presence or absence of allergens in food is extremely important, but foods that do not contain allergens from a wide variety of foods should be selected in front of the product shelf in a short time. Is not easy.

  The present inventors find it useful if they find that there is such a product purchase situation and can easily compare the difference in attribute information between different types of products using a product attribute information search system. It was.

  The conventional search system as described above is also useful for product selection, but it is difficult to compare the differences between products simply by displaying a list of product names and production locations that meet the conditions such as production location. There is a problem.

  In view of such circumstances, the present invention intends to provide a search system and a search method that can easily compare the difference in attribute information of a product, that is, a search object.

  The present invention provides a search system capable of searching and extracting attribute information of a plurality of objects to be compared, (a) input means for inputting an identifier of the object, and (b) 1 for each of the plurality of objects. Information storage means storing at least types of attribute information; and (c) when identifiers of a plurality of objects to be compared are input by the input means, the attribute information of each of the objects is retrieved from the information storage means. And a control means for extraction.

  According to this configuration, attribute information of only the target object to be compared is extracted, and thus information to be compared is narrowed down. In order to further narrow down the information, the control unit compares the attribute information of the same type with respect to the attribute information retrieved and extracted from the information storage unit, and when the compared attribute information is different, the different attribute information of each object is displayed. Further, it is preferable to extract.

  In addition, after the identifier of each of the plurality of objects is input to the input unit within a predetermined time, the control unit is input when the input unit does not input a new object identifier within the predetermined time. The control means is preferably configured to extract attribute information based on the identifier.

  According to this configuration, the attribute information is extracted after a predetermined time without inputting a separate display instruction signal.

  Although the attribute information extracted by the control means can be provided to the user by voice or the like, it is preferable from the viewpoint of facilitating comparison and comparison to display the attribute information using a display means such as a CRT or a liquid crystal display. .

Furthermore, the control means can search for attribute information of a type determined in advance for each type of target object for attribute information of each target object.
According to this configuration, the range of attribute information searched by the control unit can be limited.

The input means is preferably composed of an RFID reader.
If the input means is an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) reader, the identifier can be input without contact.

The input means, control means, and display means are preferably connected wirelessly.
Since the input means, the control means, and the display means are connected wirelessly, it is not necessary to connect them by wire.

  Another aspect of the present invention relates to a search method for searching and extracting attribute information of a plurality of objects to be compared. This search method includes (a) a first step of preparing an input unit for inputting an identifier of an object, and an information storage unit in which one or more types of attribute information are stored in advance for each of a plurality of objects; (B) a second step of retrieving and extracting attribute information of each of the plurality of objects to be compared from the information storage unit when the identifiers of the plurality of objects to be compared are input by the input unit. It is characterized by.

  In the second step, the attribute information of the same type is compared between the attribute information searched and extracted from the information storage means, and when the compared attribute information is different, the different attribute information of each object is further extracted. Is preferred. This is because the attribute information to be compared can be limited.

  In the second step, after the identifier of each of the plurality of objects is input to the input unit within a predetermined time, and when the input unit does not input an identifier of a new object within the predetermined time, the control unit , Attribute information based on the input identifier can be extracted.

  In order to facilitate the comparison, it is effective that the search method according to the present invention further includes a third step of displaying the attribute information extracted in the second step by the display means.

  Furthermore, in the second step, attribute information of a type determined in advance for each type of target object may be searched for the attribute information of each target object.

  In the first step, it is preferable that an RFID reader is prepared as the input means because the identifier can be input without contact.

  Further, the input unit, the control unit, and the display unit can be connected wirelessly, and it is not necessary to connect them by wire, which is preferable.

  According to the search system and the search method of the present invention, only the attribute information of the objects to be compared is extracted. Thereby, when selecting one target object from a plurality of target objects, it is only necessary to compare the extracted attribute information, and the comparison is facilitated. In particular, when only different attribute information is further narrowed down and extracted, the comparison is further facilitated.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a search system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The search system 100 according to the present embodiment is configured as a computer system for giving product attribute information to a user in a product store such as a supermarket. The search system 100 according to the present embodiment includes a control device 10 (control means) including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a memory, and the like. In addition, the search system 100 includes an input device 20 (input means) made up of an RFID reader. The search system 100 includes a display device 30 (display means) such as a liquid crystal display. Furthermore, the search system 100 includes an information storage device 40 (information storage means) composed of a hard disk. Hereinafter, each component will be described in detail.

The input device 20 receives an identifier (ID = IDentification) of each of a plurality of products (objects). In the present embodiment, the identifier of the product is registered in advance in an RFID tag attached to the product, and is input in a non-contact manner by holding the RFID tag over the input device 20, that is, the RFID reader.
When the product identifier is input from the RFID tag, the input device 20 outputs a signal corresponding to the identifier to the control device 10.

More specifically, the control device 10 includes a CPU, a ROM (read only memory) that stores program data for the CPU to control operations, and a RAM that temporarily stores data and the like that the CPU performs arithmetic processing on. (Random Access Memory) is basically configured, and when a signal (identifier signal) corresponding to the identifier of the identifier product is input from the input device 20, the attribute information of the product is transmitted from the information storage device 40. Search and extract. Therefore, the information storage device 40 includes
One or more types of attribute information must be stored in advance for each product.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of attribute information stored in the information storage device 40. In FIG. 2, “milk powder” and “apple” are illustrated as the types of products. The products A to C are subdivided into powdered milk, which are powdered milk (1) to powdered milk (3), respectively. The products L to N are subdivided into apples, and apples (1) to (3) It was. In FIG. 2, attribute information 1 indicates a production place, attribute information 2 indicates a raw material, and attribute information 3 indicates a price. For example, for attribute information 1, the attribute information 1 (production area) of the product A (milk powder (1)) is a ₁ = α prefecture. Of course, the information storage device 40 stores at least the products that need to be compared and the attribute information among all the products handled at the product sales floor.
The information storage device 40 may be configured by an FD (flexible disk), a CD (compact disk), an MO (magneto-optical disk), or the like.

  Returning to FIG. 1, the control device 10 is connected to the display device 30. The display device 30 displays the attribute information extracted by the control device 10. In the present embodiment, the display device 30 is composed of a CRT, a liquid crystal display, a printer or the like that can display visual information such as characters and symbols. However, for the visually impaired, audio information such as a speaker is used. Can be output, or can be switched between audio information and visual information.

  FIG. 3 is a perspective view schematically showing an example of the arrangement of the input device 20 and the display device 30. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the input device 20 is arranged at the front edge of each product shelf 50 in the product sales floor. In addition, a display device 30 is disposed on the upper part of the product shelf 50. In this configuration, since the input device 20 is positioned in front of the product shelf 50, the user can easily hold the RFID tag attached to the product over the input device 20 with respect to the product taken out from the product shelf 50, and identify the product identifier. Can be input to the input device 20. Moreover, since the display device 30 is located approximately at the top of the product shelf 50, that is, at the height of the user's line of sight, there is an effect that it is easy to see the display content. In order to easily achieve such a configuration, it is effective to connect the input device 20, the display device 30, and the control device 10 wirelessly instead of wired.

  Subsequently, an operation of the search system according to the present embodiment will be described, and a search method according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIGS. 4A to 4E are flowcharts showing the operation of the search system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  First, the basic operation of the search system according to this embodiment will be described. In operating the search system according to the present embodiment, in the first step S1, first, an identifier of a product is input to the input device 20 ((a) of FIG. 4). More specifically, non-contact input is performed by simultaneously or sequentially holding RFID tags attached to a plurality of products over the input device 20 disposed on the product shelf 50 as shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 4, the identifiers of the product A (powdered milk (1)), the product B (powdered milk (2)), and the product C (powdered milk (3)) shown in FIG. 2 are input.

Next, in 2nd step S2, the control apparatus 10 searches the attribute information of each goods concerning the identifier input into the input device 20 from the information storage device 40 ((b) of FIG. 4). In the present embodiment, the attribute information searched by the control device 10 is searched for attribute information of a type determined in advance for each type of product. Thereby, the range of the attribute information to be searched can be limited, and the processing speed can be increased. The type of attribute information to be searched can be determined, for example, by previously investigating attribute information desired by the user through a questionnaire or the like. Further, in the merchandise store, the type of attribute information to be searched may be changed depending on the time zone. Alternatively, an input device such as a touch panel may be provided separately to input the type of attribute information to be searched by the user. In the example of FIG. 4, the attribute information 1 (production area), the attribute information 2 (raw material), and the attribute information 3 (price) shown in FIG. That is, the attribute information _a 1 ~a ₃ Product A, the attribute information _b 1 ~b _3, and attribute information _c 1 to c ₃ Product C Product B is searched.

The attribute information searched and extracted in this way may be displayed on the display device 30 as it is. However, in the present embodiment, in the second step S2, the control device 10 further reads from the information storage device 40. The attribute information of the same type is compared for the attribute information of each searched product ((c) in FIG. 4). More specifically, in the example of FIG. 4, a ₁ , b ₁ , c _{1 of} attribute information 1 (production place) shown in FIG. 2, a ₂ , b ₂ , c _{2 of} attribute information 2 (raw material), and _{a 3,} b 3 of the attribute information 3 (price), _{c 3} to each other are compared. As a result, as shown in FIG. 4C, it is found that a ₁ = b ₁ ≠ c ₁ , a ₂ ≠ b ₂ ≠ c ₂ , and a ₃ = b ₃ = c _3. .

Next, in the second step S2, when the compared attribute information is different, the control device 10 extracts the attribute information of the corresponding type of each product ((d) in FIG. 4). More specifically, in the example of FIG. 4, for the attribute information 1 (production _area), because the inner _{c 1} of a _1, b 1, _{c 1} are different, _{a 1,} b 1, _{c 1} of the attribute information 1 Extracted. For the attribute information 2 (raw _material), since each of a _2, b 2, _{c 2} are different, _{a 2,} b 2, _{c 2} of the attribute information 2 is extracted. On the other hand, for attribute information 3 (price), a ₃ , b ₃ , and c ₃ are all the same price, so a ₃ , b ₃ , and c ₃ of attribute information 3 are not extracted.

  Finally, in the third step S3, the display device 30 displays the attribute information extracted by the control device 10 ((e) in FIG. 4). FIG. 4 (e) schematically shows the display form on the display device 30, but when displaying, the attribute information of each product is compared for each type of attribute information as shown. It is preferable to define the display layout so that it is easy.

Similarly, for example, a case where identifiers of the product L (apple (1)), product M (apple (2)), and product N (apple (3)) shown in FIG. In the present embodiment, when the product type is “apple”, the control device 10 searches only the attribute information 1 (production area) and the attribute information 3 (price). Then, since l ₁ = m ₁ = n ₁ and l ₃ ≠ m ₃ ≠ n ₃ , only l ₃ , m ₃ , and n ₃ related to the attribute information 3 (price) are extracted and displayed.

  When the type of product is different, it is also possible to display that the type of product is different without searching, comparing, and extracting attribute information. Thereby, processing speed can be sped up by showing only the difference in the kind of goods. Further, it is possible to indicate to the user that the attribute information cannot be compared for different types of products.

  Next, the display operation of the search system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the search system 100 according to the present embodiment, when a display instruction signal is input to the control device 10, identifiers of a plurality of products are already input as described above with reference to FIG. 4. (S10) The extracted information ((a) to (e) in FIG. 4) is displayed on the display device 30 (S12, S14). As a method for inputting the display instruction signal, a method of holding a dedicated RFID tag for instructing display over the input device 20 can be considered. Further, a display instruction button may be arranged in a part of the input device 20 and a display instruction signal may be input by pressing the button. Furthermore, when a normal RFID tag is continuously input twice or more, etc., when the number of inputs and the timing are changed, it can be regarded as a signal for instructing display.

  When the RFID tag for instructing the display is not input and a predetermined time has elapsed (S16), if no new identifier is input within the time (S18), the control device 10 changes the state. Recognizing and extracting attribute information based on the identifier input so far, the attribute information is displayed on the display device 30 (S14). On the other hand, when the time has not elapsed (S16), or when a new identifier is input within the time (S18), the process is repeated. Accordingly, the user can display the attribute information without inputting a signal for instructing the display by waiting for the time after inputting the identifier. When it is desired to shorten the waiting time and display the attribute information immediately, the user can display the attribute information immediately by inputting a signal instructing the display.

  As described above, in the search system 100 according to the present embodiment, the control device 10 extracts attribute information that is different between products by inputting identifiers of a plurality of products to be compared with the input device 20. To do. And the display apparatus 30 displays the attribute information which differs between goods. As a result, the user can easily compare the products and can easily select the products. On the other hand, from the merchandise provider side, it can also be used to promote information by actively providing information, such as specifying better products.

  It should be noted that the search system and search method of the present invention are not limited to the above-described embodiments, and it goes without saying that various changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied mainly to a search system that searches for product attribute information mainly in a merchandise section has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, it can be used when obtaining attribute information about a display such as a museum or a museum. Alternatively, it can also be used when comparing stored items in a warehouse or the like.

  Furthermore, the search system and search method of the present invention do not necessarily display the searched attribute information by display means such as a display. For example, the attribute information extracted by the control means is stored or output outside the search system. Even in this case, it is effective from the viewpoint of merchandise management.

  In addition, the input device may be configured by a bar code reader, a touch panel, a keyboard, a mouse, and the like. For example, when the input device is a barcode reader, the product identifier is input by inputting a barcode attached to the product to the barcode reader.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the search system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the attribute information memorize | stored in the information storage device which concerns on embodiment of this invention. 1 is a perspective view schematically showing an arrangement of an input device and a display device according to an embodiment of the present invention. (A)-(e) is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the search system which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is the flowchart which showed the display operation of the search system which concerns on embodiment of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Control apparatus, 20 ... Input device, 30 ... Display apparatus, 40 ... Information storage device, 50 ... Merchandise shelf, 100 ... Search system

Claims (14)

In a search system that can search and extract attribute information of multiple objects to be compared,
An input means for inputting an identifier of the object;
Information storage means for storing one or more types of attribute information for each of a plurality of objects;
And a control unit that retrieves and extracts attribute information of each of the plurality of objects to be compared from the information storage unit when identifiers of the plurality of objects to be compared are input by the input unit. system.   The control means compares the attribute information of the same type with respect to the attribute information searched and extracted from the information storage means, and further extracts the different attribute information of each object when the compared attribute information is different The search system according to claim 1, wherein:   When the identifier of each of a plurality of objects is input to the input means within a predetermined time and the input means does not input an identifier of a new object within the predetermined time, the control means The search system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein attribute information based on the input identifier is extracted. The search system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising display means for displaying attribute information extracted by the control means.   The said control means searches the attribute information of the kind decided beforehand for every kind of target object about the attribute information of each target object, The any one of Claim 1 thru | or 4 characterized by the above-mentioned. Search system.   The search system according to claim 1, wherein the input unit includes an RFID reader.   The search system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the input unit, the control unit, and the display unit are connected by radio. In a search method for searching and extracting attribute information of a plurality of objects to be compared,
A first step of preparing input means for inputting an identifier of an object, and information storage means in which one or more types of attribute information are stored in advance for each of a plurality of objects;
A second step of retrieving and extracting attribute information of each of the objects from the information storage unit when identifiers of each of the plurality of objects to be compared are input by the input unit;
The search method characterized by including.   In the second step, the attribute information of the same type is compared with respect to the attribute information searched and extracted from the information storage means, and when the compared attribute information is different, the different attribute information of each object is further The search method according to claim 8, wherein extraction is performed.   In the second step, after the identifier of each of a plurality of objects is input to the input means within a predetermined time, and when no new object identifier is input to the input means within a predetermined time, The search method according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the control means extracts attribute information based on the input identifier. The search method according to any one of claims 8 to 10, further comprising a third step of displaying the attribute information extracted in the second step by a display unit.   The attribute information of a predetermined type for each type of target object is searched for the attribute information of each target object in the second step. Search method.   13. The search method according to claim 8, wherein an RFID reader is prepared as the input means in the first step.   The search method according to any one of claims 11 to 13, wherein the input unit, the control unit, and the display unit are connected wirelessly.

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