JP2022109421A - Program for providing product information and information processing device for providing product information - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a program and an information processing device which easily acquire information indicating the use propriety of an instrument used by a user.SOLUTION: A program which causes a computer to execute a method capable of acquiring information about a prescribed product from one or more databases via an external network acquires a prescribed product image, determines identification information of the prescribed product included in the image, acquires an inquiry result by inquiring of a database the determined identification information via the external network, determines the use propriety of the prescribed product based on the inquiry result, and outputs a determination result of the use propriety.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

The present disclosure relates to a program that provides information on products and an information processing device that provides product information.

A consumer who is shopping at a retail store identifies a product by reading the bar code printed on the product using a mobile terminal, acquires product information of the identified product from multiple resources, and stores it on the mobile terminal. is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2007-520802

Equipment purchased and used by the user may become unusable or unsuitable for use for some reason. For example, a wireless device that uses radio waves in a predetermined frequency band specified by the Radio Law may become illegal if it continues to be used due to the revision of the standards specified by the Radio Law. In addition, a device recalled by a manufacturer after sale may become unsuitable for use, for example, if continued use poses a danger to the user. Alternatively, the manufacturer may stop providing after-sales support, making the device unsuitable for use.

In order for the user to know whether such equipment is suitable for use, it is necessary to identify the equipment. However, not all devices are provided with barcodes for identifying devices as in Patent Document 1. In addition, the user cannot know whether the device is suitable for use only by identifying the device.

In view of the above-described viewpoint, an object of the present disclosure is to provide a program and an information processing apparatus that can easily acquire information indicating whether or not a device used by a user is suitable for use.

In order to solve the above problems, according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a program that causes a computer to execute a method capable of acquiring information about a predetermined product from one or more databases via an external network obtaining an image of a predetermined product, determining the identification information of the predetermined product contained in the image, querying the database for the determined identification information via an external network to obtain a query result, and querying A program is provided for judging whether or not a given product is appropriate for use based on the result, and for outputting the judgment result of the suitability for use.

According to another aspect of the present disclosure, an information processing device is an information processing device that is connected to an external network and is capable of acquiring information about a predetermined product from one or more databases, the control unit and an output unit for outputting information according to processing by the control unit. The control unit acquires an image of a predetermined product, determines identification information of the predetermined product included in the image, queries the database for the determined identification information via an external network, and acquires a query result, Based on the result of the inquiry, it is determined whether or not the prescribed product is suitable for use. The output unit outputs the judgment result of the propriety of use.

A program and an information processing apparatus according to the present disclosure can easily acquire information indicating whether a device used by a user is suitable for use.

FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of a system including an information processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the information processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 shows an example of identification information according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the information processing device according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 shows an example of an output screen of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 shows another output screen example of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation of the information processing device according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the operation of the information processing device according to the third embodiment. FIG. 9 shows an example of identification information in the third embodiment. FIG. 10 shows an example of an output screen of the information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the operation of the information processing device according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 12 shows an example of an output screen of the information processing apparatus according to the fourth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 1, an information processing apparatus 10 is connected wirelessly or by wire to an external network N including the Internet, and retrieves information from one or more searchable databases 20 that are information about a plurality of devices. get. The user takes an image of the target device 30 with a camera, and the information processing apparatus 10 acquires the identification information of the device 30 from the image. The information processing apparatus 10 refers to the target device 30 in the external database 20 based on the acquired identification information, and automatically determines whether the device 30 is appropriate for use.

The device is, for example, a wireless communication device or other electronic device. In this embodiment, a wireless microphone is targeted as an example of a device.

Device identification information is information that can be obtained from the image of the device taken by the camera and can identify the device. Symbols, trademarks, device forms (shapes, colors and/or patterns that appear on the exterior of the device), and the like.

The database 20 holds information about equipment. The database 20 is held or connected to devices such as web servers managed by government offices, independent administrative agencies, and device manufacturers. Based on the identification information of the target device, the information processing apparatus 10 searches for and acquires information about the target device through a website or the like. The information about the device is information based on which the information processing apparatus 10 determines whether the device is appropriate for use. For example, information on devices that have received technical standard conformity certification managed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, and information on recalls managed by the National Institute of Technology and Evaluation and device manufacturers.

In the present disclosure, querying the database for identification information includes searching the database 20 through a website or the like that can be connected from the external network N to acquire query information.

Each embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

1. Embodiment 1
In this embodiment, the wireless microphone 30 used by the user falls under the category of a device that violates the Radio Law because the standards stipulated by the Radio Law are revised after manufacturing and sales, and the technical standards conformity certification expires after the fact. It automatically judges whether or not it is appropriate to use it, and outputs the judgment result.

1-1. Configuration The information processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 2 is a mobile terminal that can be operated by a user, such as a smart phone or a tablet terminal. FIG. 2 shows the main hardware configuration of the information processing device 10. As shown in FIG. Information processing apparatus 10 includes control unit 11 , RAM 12 , ROM 13 , storage 14 , camera 15 , display unit 16 , operation unit 17 , voice input/output unit 18 , and communication unit 19 . Each section is connected to each other via a bus line B. FIG.

The control unit 11 (an example of a control unit) is configured by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), reads programs and data stored in the ROM 13 and the storage 14 onto the RAM 12, and executes processing to control the information processing apparatus 10. Realize each function. The RAM 12 is a volatile memory used as a work area for the control section 11 and the like. The ROM 13 is a non-volatile memory that can retain programs and data even when the power is turned off.

The storage 14 is, for example, flash memory. The storage 14 stores, for example, application programs including an application 11a, which will be described later, and various data.

The camera 15 is, for example, a camera equipped with an imaging device such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor or a CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor. be.

The display unit 16 (an example of the output unit) is a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic EL (Electro Luminescence) display.

The operation unit 17 includes, for example, a touch panel and operation buttons. The touch panel includes a touch sensor such as a resistive film type or a capacitive type, and is arranged over the display of the display unit 16, and the user can perform various operations by touching buttons, icons, and keyboards displayed on the screen. can be done. The operation buttons are arranged on the surface, side surface, or the like of the information processing apparatus 10, and are operated to turn on/off the power or display the screen.

The audio input/output unit 18 includes a microphone for inputting audio and a speaker for outputting audio data (an example of an output unit).

The communication unit 19 is an interface for data communication via the network N, such as a wireless LAN communication interface. The communication unit 19 may include communication interfaces for wired LAN, 3G (3rd Generation), LTE (Long Term Evolution), 4G (4th Generation), 5G (5th Generation), and millimeter wave wireless communication.

The control unit 11 executes the following usability determination processing by executing an application 11a (an example of a program), which is a predetermined program.

The control unit 11 determines the identification information of the wireless microphone 30 from the image of the wireless microphone 30 , which is the target device, captured by the camera 15 . More specifically, the control unit 11 determines the presence or absence of text from the image, and recognizes text such as letters and numbers. The control unit 11 has, for example, an OCR function that recognizes text and converts it into a predetermined code. When text is included, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the text matches a predetermined format. In this embodiment, the predetermined format is the format of the technical standard conformity certification number (hereinafter referred to as certification number). The authentication number is, for example, represented in a format as indicated by reference numeral 31 in FIG. represented by an array. The predetermined format is held in the storage 14 in association with the application 11a.

The control unit 11 queries a predetermined database 20 via the network N for the authentication number. In this case, if the authentication number is determined based on the address information of a predetermined website (for example, a website managed by the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications) stored in the storage 14 in advance in association with the application 11a, the site is connected. You may make it Alternatively, the control unit 11 may select an appropriate database from the multiple candidate databases 20 according to the product category that can be determined from the determined authentication number, and connect to the related website. The control unit 11 may query the database 20 by, for example, a web scraping program. In this case, the control unit 11 acquires HTML data from a predetermined website by web scraping, analyzes the HTML data based on the tag structure, and acquires information about the target device.

The control unit 11 receives the inquiry result via the communication unit 19, and based on the inquiry result, determines whether the technical regulations conformity certification of the wireless microphone 30 is valid, that is, whether the use of the wireless microphone 30 is proper. Determine whether or not there is The control unit 11 causes the display unit 16 to display information indicating whether or not the wireless microphone 30 is suitable for use as a determination result.

When the control unit 11 determines that the technical regulations conformity certification of the wireless microphone 30 is not valid, that is, when it determines that the use of the wireless microphone 30 is not proper, the control unit 11 provides guidance information for providing a substitute for the wireless microphone 30. to generate For example, the control unit 11 determines the same or similar product category as the wireless microphone 30, accesses the website of a predetermined manufacturer held in the storage 14 in association with the application 11a via the communication unit 19, and determines Product information is searched based on the product category obtained, and guide information is generated based on one or more product information obtained from the search results. The guidance information includes, as information prompting the purchase of a replacement for the wireless microphone 30, a display of a link to a website where information on the replacement can be obtained, contact information (telephone number and email) for contacting the manufacturer of the replacement, and the like. You can The contact information may include contact information for the sales office of the manufacturer of the replacement product. In that case, the contact may be the contact of the office closest to the user's location determined based on the GPS location information of the information processing device 10 .

As will be described later, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 16 to display information in an interactive manner between the application 11a and the user.

1-2. Operation The operation of the information processing apparatus 10 (FIG. 2) according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The application 11a is activated by the operation of the operation unit 17 by the user (S101). At this time, the initial screen after starting the application may include, for example, a screen prompting the user to take a picture with the camera 15 . Next, as shown in FIG. 3, the user takes an image of the wireless microphone 30, which is the target device, including the part to which the authentication number is attached (S102). The captured image is stored in the storage 14. - 特許庁

The control unit 11 acquires the image of the wireless microphone 30 from the storage 14 . The control unit 11 recognizes text such as letters and numbers from the acquired image (S103). The control unit 11 recognizes text and converts it into text data. If the text can be recognized (Yes in S103), the control unit 11 compares the recognized text with the authentication number format (S104), and determines the authentication number based on whether it matches the authentication number format (S105). . If the authentication number is determined (Yes in S105), the control unit 11 generates a message 16A including the determined authentication number and causes the display unit 16 to display it (S106). This display allows the user to confirm whether the determined authentication number is appropriate. At this time, as shown in FIG. 5, the control unit 11 may generate a message 16B prompting the user to make an input for confirmation, and cause the display unit 16 to display the message 16B. This confirmation input can be performed by the user touching a number on the screen or inputting using a displayed keyboard. Further, if the confirmation input by the user cannot be detected, the control unit 11 may cause the display unit 16 to display a message prompting the wireless microphone 30 to retake the photographing.

The control unit 11 inquires the determined authentication number to the predetermined database 20 via the communication unit 19, and acquires the inquiry result (S107). The inquiry result is, for example, the result obtained by searching for equipment that has received technical standards conformity certification, etc. from the radio wave utilization website of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Based on the inquiry result, the control unit 11 determines whether the use of the wireless microphone 30 is appropriate (S108). If the use is proper, the control unit 11, as shown in FIG. ) is generated and displayed on the display unit 16 (S109). The message 16C may include the authentication number, manufacturer name, model number, or part number of the wireless microphone 30, as shown in FIG.

If the use is not proper, the control unit 11 sends a message to the effect that the use is not proper (that is, the technical standards conformity certification of the wireless microphone 30 does not conform to the new standards and is not valid), as shown in FIG. 16D is generated and displayed on the display unit 16 by the control unit 11 (S110). The message 16D, as shown in FIG. 6, may include the authentication number, manufacturer name, model number or part number of the wireless microphone 30, and the time when the use is no longer appropriate.

If the use is not appropriate, the control unit 11 generates guidance information in the message 16D to prompt the purchase of a replacement for the wireless microphone 30 as described above, and displays it on the display unit 16 (S112).

If the text cannot be recognized in step S103, or if the authentication number cannot be determined in step S105, the control unit 11 displays an error on the display unit 16 (S111). The error display may include a message to the effect that the text or the authentication number could not be recognized or determined, and a message to the effect that the user is urged to redo the shooting of the target wireless microphone 30 or to input the keyboard on the touch panel. good.

If it is determined whether or not the device is suitable for use, the process returns to step S102. If not, the application 11a ends and the process ends (S113).

1-3. Features The application 11a or the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment determines the authentication number, that is, the identification information included in the image of the target device, queries the database for the identification information, acquires the query result, and obtains the query result. Based on this, it determines whether or not the device is appropriate for use, and outputs the determination result of whether or not the device is appropriate for use. Therefore, the user can easily obtain information indicating whether or not the device in use is appropriate for use, and can promote elimination of illegal use of the device.

The application 11a or the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment outputs guidance information that guides a substitute for the target device when the use of the target device is inappropriate. As a result, the user can quickly replace the target equipment that cannot be used, and the manufacturer providing the substitute product can effectively advertise its product to the user.

The application 11a or the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment outputs the identification information of the determined target device before referring to the database 20 for the target device, and the user input operation following the output of the identification information of the target device. In response, the database 20 is queried for a given device. Therefore, the user can confirm in advance whether the determined identification information is correct or not, and can more reliably acquire appropriate inquiry results for the target device. In addition, since it is possible to input and output interactively between the application 11a and the user, it is possible to provide an interface that is easy for the user to use.

In this embodiment, the identification information includes text including at least one of letters and numbers arranged in a predetermined format, and in determining the identification information of the target device, the text that matches the predetermined format is determined. . Therefore, it is possible to reduce the risk of recognizing irrelevant text included in the image of the target device and more accurately determine the identification information.

1-4. Modified Example In the processing of steps S103 and S104 in FIG. 4, the control unit 11 uses a predetermined symbol (a symbol including a 〒 mark indicating that it is a legal authentication number or a symbol enclosing R in a square, shown in FIG. 3). The presence or absence of the authentication number may be determined by first determining the presence or absence of the . In this case, the feature data of these predetermined symbols held in the storage 14 in association with the application 11a may be compared with the symbol recognized in the acquired image to determine the presence or absence of the authentication number. .

If the technical standard conformity certification of the wireless microphone 30, which is the target device, becomes invalid in the future, the user may be informed of the time. In this case, in the process of step S109 in FIG. 4, the control unit 11 generates a message including the time when the technical regulations conformity certification of the wireless microphone 30 becomes invalid in addition to the message 16C shown in FIG. 16. At this time, the display unit 16 may display guidance information on substitute products as shown in FIG.

In the processing of steps S108 to S109 in FIG. 4, even if the control unit 11 determines that the use of the wireless microphone 30 is appropriate, the control unit 11 generates guidance information that prompts the purchase of a replacement for the wireless microphone 30. and may be displayed on the display unit 16. As a result, an advertising effect for users can be obtained.

2. Embodiment 2
In the second embodiment, instead of determining whether or not the equipment is suitable for use based on conformity to technical standards in the first embodiment, it is determined whether or not the equipment is subject to recall.

2-1. Configuration The configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment has the same hardware configuration as the information processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. For this reason, descriptions of configurations having similar functions will be omitted, and similar reference numerals will be referred to.

2-2. Operation The operation of the information processing apparatus 10 (FIG. 2) according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. By the user's operation of the operation unit 17, the application 11a is activated as in the first embodiment (S201). Next, the user takes an image of the wireless microphone 30, which is the target device, including the part to which the device identification number (model number, product number, manufacturing number, etc.) is attached (S202). The captured image is stored in the storage 14. - 特許庁

The control unit 11 converts the recognized text into text data in the same manner as in the first embodiment. If the text can be recognized (Yes in S203), the control unit 11 compares the recognized text with the device specific number format (S204), and determines whether or not it matches the device specific number format (S205).

The device specific number format includes, for example, the number of digits such as a model number or product number determined for each manufacturer, the number of digits such as a manufacturing number, and an array of alphabetic characters and numbers. The device identification number format is pre-stored in the storage 14 in association with the application 11a.

When the device identification number is determined (Yes in S205), the control unit 11 causes the display unit 16 to display the determined device identification number in the same manner as in the first embodiment (FIG. 5), and prompts the user to enter the number. Confirmation is performed (S206).

The control unit 11 accesses a predetermined website via the communication unit 19, inquires the determined device identification number to the database 20 through the predetermined website, and acquires the inquiry result (S207). The predetermined website and database 20 are, for example, the website of the Consumer Affairs Agency or an independent administrative agency that inquires about recall information, and a database that can be connected from the website. Alternatively, the predetermined website and database 20 may be the website of the manufacturer identified from the determined wireless microphone 30 and the database of the manufacturer connectable from the website. As in the first embodiment, the control unit 11 selects an appropriate database from multiple candidate databases 20 according to the product category that can be determined from the determined device identification number, and connects to the related website. may

Based on the inquiry result, the control unit 11 determines whether the wireless microphone 30 is a recall target device (S208). If the wireless microphone 30 is to be recalled, the control unit 11 generates a message indicating that the device is not appropriate for use (that is, that the device is to be recalled) and causes the display unit 16 to display the message (S209). At this time, the message may include recall information (device specific information, manufacturer's contact information, response method (free replacement, free inspection/repair, refund/collection, etc.), response start date, reason for recall, etc.). good.

If not, the control unit 11 generates a message indicating that the use of the wireless microphone 30 is appropriate (that is, the wireless microphone 30 is not subject to the recall), and displays it on the display unit 16 (S210). The same message may also include the specific information, manufacturer name, and model number of the wireless microphone 30, as in the first embodiment.

As in the first embodiment, in steps S209 and S210, the control unit 11 determines the category of the product from the read device identification number, and displays guidance information on the substitute products belonging to the same or similar product category on the display unit 16. may be displayed.

If the text cannot be recognized in step S203, or if the device identification number cannot be determined in step S205, the control unit 11 displays an error on the display unit 16 as in the first embodiment (S211).

If the device continues to be recalled or not, the process returns to step S202. If not, the application 11a ends and the process ends (S212).

2-3. Features In addition to the features of the first embodiment, the application 11a or the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment determines the device identification number, that is, the identification information included in the image of the target device, and queries the database for the identification information. Then, based on the inquiry result, it is determined whether or not the device is subject to recall, and the determination result is output. As a result, the user can easily obtain information indicating whether or not the equipment they are using is suitable for use, and can immediately confirm the dangers of continuing to use the equipment, allowing them to use the equipment with peace of mind. be able to. For device manufacturers, it can be effectively utilized as a new recall notification means through access from the user side.

2-4. Modification Instead of the processing of steps S203 to S206 in FIG. 7, the control unit 11 may execute the following processing. In step S205, the control unit 11 performs an image search for the image captured by the wireless microphone 30 in step S202 via the network N (FIG. 1) using a known image search engine or image search algorithm. Identify the wireless microphone 30 . In this case, the control unit 11 displays information specifying the wireless microphone 30 obtained as a result of the image search (for example, product name, manufacturer name, model number, image of the wireless microphone 30, etc.) on the display unit 16 in step S206. display. At this time, the control unit 11 may cause the display unit 16 to display a plurality of candidate products. When the user confirms and inputs the information specifying the wireless microphone 30 displayed on the display unit 16 in step S206, the control unit 11 queries the database 20 for the device specified in step S207.

3. Embodiment 3
In the third embodiment, the determination of the suitability of use of the equipment based on conformance to technical standards in the first embodiment and the determination of the suitability of use of the equipment by the recall in the second embodiment are performed in parallel. In the present embodiment, when a certification number based on conformity with technical standards and a device identification number for identifying the device are indicated on the target device, it is automatically determined whether or not the device is suitable for use for each reason. In the following description, the authentication number and the device identification number may be referred to as identification information when they are not distinguished from each other.

3-1. Configuration The configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment has the same hardware configuration as the information processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. Therefore, the description of the configurations having similar functions will be omitted and the same reference numerals will be referred to.

3-2. Operation The operation of the information processing apparatus 10 (FIG. 2) according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. By the user's operation of the operation unit 17, the application 11a is activated as in the first and second embodiments (S301). Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the user enters the certification number 31 (technical standards conformity certification number) and the device identification number 32 (model number, product number, manufacturing number, etc.) for the wireless microphone 30, which is the target device. The image is taken including the part marked with (S302). The captured image is stored in the storage 14. - 特許庁

If the authentication number 31 and the device identification number 32 do not fit in one image, for example, if one number is written on the front side and the other number is written on the back side, each number is photographed and a plurality of images are stored. 14 may be stored. In this case, the control unit 11 may cause the display unit 16 to display a message such as "Do you want to shoot another number?"

The control unit 11 converts the recognized text into text data as in the first and second embodiments. If the text can be recognized (Yes in S303), the control unit 11 determines that there is text that matches the authentication number format and the device specific number format in the recognized text, as in the first and second embodiments. (S304). When the authentication number and the device identification number are determined (Yes in S305), the control unit 11 determines the authentication number in steps S106 to S112 of FIG. 4 and the device identification number in steps S206 to S210 in FIG. Use propriety determination processing is executed respectively. Note that the control unit 11 may process these processes in parallel and display information such as determination results on the display unit 16 at the same time, or may process them in order and cause the display unit 16 to display them sequentially.

On the other hand, if the authentication number or the device identification number was not determined (No in S305) and only the authentication number was determined (Yes in S306), the control unit 11 indicates that the device identification number could not be determined. message is displayed on the display unit 16 (S307), and the use propriety determination processing of the target device in steps S106 to S112 of FIG. 4 is executed for the determined authentication number. If neither the authentication number nor the device identification number is determined (No in S305) but only the device identification number is determined (No in S306 and Yes in S308), the control unit 11 cannot determine the authentication number. A message to that effect is displayed on the display unit 16 (S309), and the use propriety determination processing of the target device in steps S206 to S210 of FIG. 7 is executed for the determined device identification number. Note that the messages in steps S307 and S309 may include a message to the effect that the user is urged to retake the photographing of the authentication number or device identification number of the target wireless microphone 30 or input the keyboard of the touch panel.

If the text could not be recognized in step S303, or if both the authentication number and the device identification number could not be determined (No in S305, No in S306, and No in S308), the control unit 11 causes the display unit 16 to display an error (S310). The error display may include a message to the effect that the text could not be recognized, and a message to the effect that the user is urged to re-shoot the image with the target wireless microphone 30 or to input the keyboard on the touch panel.

If it is determined whether or not the device is suitable for use, the process returns to step S302. If not, the application 11a ends and the process ends (S311).

3-3. Features Application 11a or information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has, in addition to the features of Embodiments 1 and 2, identification information including multiple types of text, and control unit 11 uses multiple types of identification information. judge each. For this reason, the information processing apparatus 10 can provide information on the propriety of use of the target device corresponding to a plurality of reasons.

Application 11a or information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment has, in addition to the features of Embodiments 1 and 2, at least the first reason (conforming to technical standards) and the second reason (recall) for the propriety of use of the target device. ), determine whether the target device is appropriate for use according to the first reason and the second reason, and output whether the target device is appropriate for use according to the first reason and the second reason. Therefore, even if the user does not have much knowledge about the reason for the propriety of use (compliance with technical standards or recall), the user can obtain information on the propriety of use of the device in use without much trouble.

3-4. MODIFIED EXAMPLE In the above-described third embodiment, usage suitability is automatically determined based on a plurality of reasons, but the reason for determination may be selected in advance by the user's input operation. For example, after starting the application in step S301 of FIG. 8, the control unit 11 causes the display unit 16 to display a screen as shown in FIG. On the same screen, select the "technical conformity confirmation mode" that determines the suitability of use according to the technical standards conformance reason, and the "recall confirmation mode" that determines whether the recall is subject to the recall if the reason is a recall. button is displayed. The user selects the desired mode. When the "technical conformity confirmation mode" is selected, the determination processing (S102 to S113) of the first embodiment (FIG. 4) is executed, and when the "recall confirmation mode" is selected, the second embodiment ( 7) is executed (S202 to S212). This allows the user to select reasons for pre-determining.

4. Embodiment 4
Depending on the type and manufacturer of the device, it may be difficult for the user to understand where the identification information such as the authentication number and device identification number is written. For example, it may be difficult and troublesome for the user to find the place where the identification information is written, such as the back side of the device or a place covered with a lid. In the fourth embodiment, the user is automatically notified of the location of the identification information in the target device before the process of judging whether or not the device is suitable for use in the first to third embodiments.

4-1. Configuration The configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the present embodiment has the same hardware configuration as the information processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. For this reason, descriptions of configurations having similar functions will be omitted, and similar reference numerals will be referred to.

4-2. Operation The operation of the information processing apparatus 10 (FIG. 2) according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. By the user's operation of the operation unit 17, the application 11a is activated as in the first embodiment (S401). Next, the user takes an image of the wireless microphone 30, which is the target device (S402). The captured image is stored in the storage 14. - 特許庁

The control unit 11 executes an image search using a known image search engine or image search algorithm (S403), and acquires information such as the product name, manufacturer name, model number, or part number of the target wireless microphone 30 based on the search results. By doing so, the wireless microphone 30 is specified. If the wireless microphone 30 can be identified (Yes in S404), the control unit 11 queries the database 20 for the identified wireless microphone 30 via the communication unit 19, for example, through the manufacturer's website (S405), and checks the identified wireless microphone 30. The positional information indicating the position where the identification information is written on the microphone 30 is obtained (S406). The control unit 11 causes the display unit 16 to display the position information of the identification information of the specified wireless microphone 30 (S407).

FIG. 12 shows a display example of information indicating where the identification information is written in the specified wireless microphone 30 . As shown in the figure, a message 16E including the description of the identification information is displayed in an interactive manner between the application 11a and the user, and the specific description includes photographs and illustrations obtained from the database 20 through the website. You may display it with the message 16F.

If the wireless microphone 30 cannot be specified in step S404, the control unit 11 displays an error on the display unit 16 (S408). The error display may include a message to the effect that the device could not be specified, and a message to the effect that the user is urged to re-shoot the image with the target wireless microphone 30 or perform keyboard input on the touch panel.

Subsequently, when executing the use propriety determination process of the wireless microphone 30, the control unit 11 performs the processes of the first to third embodiments (steps S102 to S113 in FIG. 4, steps S202 to 212 in FIG. 7, or steps S202 to 212 in FIG. Steps S302 to S311) are executed, and if the application 11a is to be terminated, the process is terminated (S409).

4-3. Features Application 11a or information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment, in addition to the features of Embodiments 1 to 3, identifies a device based on the form of the device included in an image taken by the user, and identifies the device. The database is queried for the device, and the text position information indicating the position of the text, which is the identification information of the device, in the device is obtained and output. Therefore, the user can easily find the location where the identification information is written, and the information processing apparatus 10 can smoothly proceed with the subsequent process of judging whether or not the device is suitable for use.

4-4. MODIFIED EXAMPLE The position information output process of the device identification information by the information processing apparatus 10 shown in FIG. 11 may be executed independently of the usability determination process of the first to third embodiments. In this case, the application that executes the fourth embodiment may be an application separate from the applications that execute the first to third embodiments.

5. Other Embodiments As described above, each embodiment has been described as an example of the technology disclosed in the present application. However, the technology in the present disclosure is not limited to this, and can also be applied to embodiments in which changes, replacements, additions, omissions, etc. are made as appropriate. Further, it is also possible to combine the constituent elements described in the above embodiments to form a new embodiment.

For example, the following embodiments are conceivable.

(1) The information processing device 10 may be a computer terminal such as a desktop type, a laptop type, a tablet type, or the like.

(2) Input by the user via the operation unit 17 may be performed by voice via the microphone of the voice input/output unit 18 . In addition to or instead of the display by the display unit 16, output of the information on suitability for use of the device and/or guidance information may be performed via the speaker of the audio input/output unit 18. FIG.

(3) Guidance information on substitute products may be output regardless of whether or not the equipment is suitable for use. As a result, it is possible to expect the effect of advertisement of the product by the manufacturer.

(4) The application 11a or the information processing apparatus 10 may collectively determine the propriety of use of a plurality of devices based on a plurality of images of the plurality of devices captured in succession, and output the result.

(5) In the above embodiments, the identification information includes the model number or article number, the manufacturing number, the technical standard conformity certification number, the form of the product, etc., but the identification information is not limited to this. Any information marked on the product (including the form of the product itself) may be used as long as it can identify the product.

(6) In the above embodiments, the target products are not limited to wireless devices such as the wireless microphone 30 and electronic devices, and in addition to devices subject to technical regulations conformity certification, recalls (paid or This includes all devices that may become unsuitable for use due to reasons such as the need to collect them free of charge) or the suspension of after-sales support by the manufacturer. In addition, target products are not limited to equipment, and may be other articles (including food, medicine, etc.).

(7) The control unit 11 of the information processing device 10 may be realized by various processors other than the CPU, such as MPU, GPU, DSP, FPGA, and ASIC. A processor may consist of one or more processors. The control unit 11 may include a processor composed of dedicated electronic circuits designed to implement predetermined functions.

(8) The execution order of the processes in the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 4, 7, 8, and 11 is not necessarily limited to the description of the above embodiments, and can be executed within the scope of the invention. They can be reordered or executed in parallel. Furthermore, when one step includes a plurality of processes, the plurality of processes included in the one step can be executed by one device or shared by a plurality of devices.

(9) A method for determining the propriety of use of a product executed by the information processing apparatus 10, a computer program including an application 11a for executing the method, and a computer-readable recording medium recording the computer program are the present disclosure. included in the range of A computer program may be obtained or executed via an electric communication line, a wireless or wired communication line, a network represented by the Internet, or the like.

(10) Part or all of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present disclosure can take a cloud computing configuration in which one function is shared by a plurality of apparatuses via a network and processed jointly. The information processing apparatus 10 may cooperate with a computer terminal and a server or a storage device connected to the computer terminal to execute a process of determining whether or not a product is suitable for use.

The present disclosure is applicable as a program that provides product information to users and an information processing device that provides product information.

10: Information processing device 11: Control unit 11a: Application 12: RAM
13: ROM
14: storage 15: camera 16: display unit 17: operation unit 18: voice input/output unit 19: communication unit 20: database 30: wireless microphone 31: authentication number 32: device identification number

Claims (11)

A program that causes a computer to execute a method capable of obtaining information about a given product from one or more databases via an external network,
Get an image of a given product,
determining identification information of the predetermined product contained in the image;
querying a database for the determined identification information through an external network to obtain a query result;
determining whether or not the predetermined product is suitable for use based on the inquiry result;
Outputting the determination result of the propriety of use;
program. If the predetermined product is unsuitable for use, outputting information guiding a substitute for the predetermined product;
A program according to claim 1. further outputting the determined identification of the given product prior to querying the database for the given product;
querying the database for the given product in response to a user input operation subsequent to outputting identification information of the given product;
3. A program according to claim 1 or 2. the identification information includes text including at least one of letters and numbers arranged in a predetermined format;
determining text that matches the predetermined format in determining the identification information of the predetermined product;
A program according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The identification information includes multiple types of the text,
In determining the identification information of the predetermined product, each of the plurality of types of identification information is determined.
5. A program according to claim 4. The reasons for suitability for use include at least a first reason and a second reason,
Determining whether the predetermined product is appropriate for use in determining whether the predetermined product is appropriate for use according to the first reason and the second reason,
Outputting the suitability for use of the product according to each of the first reason and the second reason in outputting the determination result of the suitability for use;
A program according to any one of claims 1 to 5. Receiving selection of the first mode and the second mode by user's operation input,
If the selection of the first mode is accepted, determining whether the product is suitable for use according to the first reason,
If the selection of the second mode is accepted, determining whether the product is suitable for use according to the second reason;
7. A program according to claim 6. The first reason relates to the propriety of use based on conformity with technical standards,
The second reason relates to the suitability of use due to the presence or absence of a recall of the predetermined product,
8. A program according to claim 6 or 7. Furthermore,
identifying the predetermined product based on the form of the predetermined product included in the image;
querying the database for the specified product identified, obtaining text location information indicating the location of text that is identification information of the product in the product;
outputting said text position information;
A program according to any one of claims 1 to 8. In querying the database, selecting a predetermined database from a plurality of databases according to the identification information, and querying the predetermined database for the identification information;
A program according to any one of claims 1 to 9. An information processing device connected to an external network and capable of acquiring information about a predetermined product from one or more databases,
a control unit;
an output unit that outputs information according to processing by the control unit;
with
The control unit
Get an image of a given product,
determining identification information of the predetermined product contained in the image;
querying a database for the determined identification information through an external network to obtain a query result;
determining whether or not the predetermined product is suitable for use based on the inquiry result;
The output unit outputs the determination result of the propriety of use.
Information processing equipment.

Images