JP3974034B2 - Sales management system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an information analysis technique, and more particularly to a technique for analyzing a product configuration of a product or a product sample on a product display based on an image.
[0002]
[Prior art]
With the development of network technology, contents such as text data, image data, audio data, and video data can be transmitted and received via a network. Such a function for transmitting and receiving content via a network is provided not only in a stationary terminal device such as a desktop computer but also in a portable terminal device such as a mobile phone and a PDA (Personal Digital Assistants). Terminal devices having such a network connection function are widely used, and the number thereof is enormous. There is a system for automating investigations that have been performed manually by using such portable terminal devices as information collecting means (Patent Document 1).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-143520
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Product manufacturer companies that practice the current vending machine strategy collect inventory information from vending machines every day and manage the sales performance of each product stored in the vending machine. The inventory information is information in which the inventory amount is associated with each column of the vending machine, that is, the column number and the inventory amount are associated with each other. The vending machine includes a hangar for each product, and a product sample displayed on the product display is associated with a hangar loaded with the product. This individual hangar is called a “column”. Since the inventory information associates this column with the inventory quantity, it is not possible to specify a product from the inventory information. Therefore, an apparatus for managing sales results manages the stock quantity for each product based on a product loading master that associates column numbers with products and inventory information. This merchandise loading master is manually created based on the result of the investigation of the column for each vending machine manually.
[0005]
In general, a single vending machine stores products of a plurality of companies. For companies, it is essential to secure an exhibition space in a product display, that is, secure a column in order to sell a product. As a result, column competition with competitors is fierce. If the product loaded into the column is changed due to the take-off of the column, the sales record cannot be accurately managed unless the product loading master is also changed in the same manner. Therefore, it is necessary to frequently investigate the column and update the loaded product master quickly and accurately.
[0006]
However, since the investigation of the column for each vending machine is performed manually by the investigator, a great deal of time is required. In addition, the investigator often misidentifies the column in order to determine the column in which the product and the product are arranged. An input mistake of the product loading master causes an error in the sales performance.
[0007]
The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and its purpose is to quickly create a product loading master, a technology for efficiently managing the sales of products, and an arrangement state of products or product samples on a product display. The technology is to provide the technology to investigate, the technology to instruct the investigator who possesses the terminal device, the technology to instruct the subject of the arrangement status, the technology to judge the reliability of the collected survey results, and the technology to improve the quality of the analysis results.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
  The present inventionAccording tovending machineTo collect inventory information that associates the column number of each column of the vending machine with the inventory amount of the product loaded in the column, and manages the sales results for each product stored in the vending machine Loaded into each column of the vending machine under investigation.CommodityManage informationIn the systemThere,
A vending machine information database that holds information in which the identification information of the vending machine is associated with the appearance image of the vending machine;
For each product, a product information database that holds information that associates the identification information of the product with the appearance image of the product,
SurveyedState image obtained by photographing the product display of the vending machineA survey data input unit that accepts input of survey data including
A vending machine specifying unit for identifying identification information of the vending machine to be investigated by matching the state image of the vending machine to be investigated and the appearance image held in the vending machine information database;
A column specifying unit that generates an extracted image for each product by cutting out an image part of the product included in the state image of the vending machine to be investigated, and associates a column number for each of the extracted images;
A product specifying unit that specifies product identification information of each extracted image by matching each extracted image and the product image stored in the product information database;
The product identification unit identified by the product identification unit and the column number associated with the extracted image of the product identification information are stored in association with each other.Product master generation to generate a loaded product masterPartWhen,
With
The vending machine information database stores the identification information of the vending machine to be surveyed specified by the vending machine specifying unit and the loaded product master generated by the product master generating unit in association with each other. Regarding the management system.Thereby, since the loaded product master can be created based on the state image, the time required for creating the loaded product master can be shortened.
[0010]
  In the sales management system of the present invention, the survey data can include shooting point position information that identifies the shooting location of the state image in association with the state image, and the sales management system includes a vending machine. It may further include a store information database that stores information for specifying the installation location and identification information of the vending machine installed at the installation location, and the vending machine specifying unit is included in the survey data Based on the shooting point position information and the information specifying the installation location of the vending machine held in the store information database, the identification information of the vending machines existing around the shooting point is obtained as the automatic inspection target. A selection unit that outputs as a candidate for a vending machine, the status image of the vending machine to be examined, and the identification information of the candidate vending machine that is output by the selection unit By matching with the associated said appearance image, a vending machine identification unit for identifying the identification information of the vending machine of the surveyed may include.ThisThe vending machines can be narrowed down based on the shooting location, and the vending machines can be identified based on the state image.
[0011]
  In the sales management system of the present invention, when the product identification information of the extracted image cannot be specified, the product specification unit associates an unspecified flag indicating that the product cannot be specified with a column number and the product master generation unit. The merchandise master generation unit can store the unspecified flag and the column number in association with each other in the analysis result file storage unit.
[0013]
  Product master generationPartMay further include an updating unit that updates the existing loaded product master based on the newly generated loaded product master. Thereby, the loaded product master can be updated quickly.
[0014]
The update unit compares a pre-existing loaded product master with a newly generated loaded product master to detect the presence or absence of a column in which the loaded product has been changed, and a loaded product for a column in which the loaded product has been changed. And a writing unit that updates the master. Thereby, an efficient update of the loaded product master is possible.
[0016]
  Of the present inventionIn the sales management system, the vending machine information database may further include a storage unit that stores the loaded product master generated by the product master generation unit as a file having a file name for each vending machine. Can be stored in association with the identification information of the vending machine to be surveyed specified by and the file name of the file of the loaded product master of the vending machine stored in the storage unit.
[0017]
It should be noted that any combination of the above-described constituent elements and a conversion of the expression of the present invention between a method, an apparatus, a system, a recording medium, a computer program, etc. are also effective as an aspect of the present invention.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
<First Embodiment>
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a sales management system 800 according to the first embodiment. The vending machine management apparatus 802 stores inventory information from the first vending machine 502a and the second vending machine 502b (hereinafter simply referred to as “vending machine 502”) via, for example, online, offline, or a handy terminal. To collect. The vending machine management apparatus 802 outputs the collected inventory information to the data collection server 806 via the network 804. The data collection server 806 stores the collected inventory information in the inventory information database 808. In general, the vending machine management apparatus 802 is provided to avoid concentration of access to the data collection server 806, and is provided, for example, for a predetermined area or for a predetermined number of vending machines. In another example, the vending machine management apparatus 802 may not be provided, and the inventory information may be directly output from the vending machine 502 to the data collection server 806.
[0019]
The sales performance analysis apparatus 810 stores the inventory amount for each product in the sales performance database 814 based on the inventory information database 808 and the loaded product master storage unit 812. In addition, the sales performance analysis apparatus 810 creates a sales prediction and a loading plan, for example, based on the sales performance. The loaded product master generation system 500 generates a loaded product master for each vending machine and stores it in the loaded product master storage unit 812. The “loaded product master” holds a column in the vending machine and information such as a product name and a product code of the product loaded in the column in association with each other. The loaded product master generation system 500 includes a product master generation device 600 that generates a product loading master based on an image of a vending machine photographed by the photographing device 504.
[0020]
FIG. 2 is an example of a flowchart of processing in the sales management system 800 of FIG. In the sales management system 800, first, the imaging device 504 images the product display of the vending machine to be investigated, that is, the vending machine to be the generation target of the loaded product master (S800). Further, the photographing device 504 adds position information at the time of photographing, for example, to the image obtained by photographing (S802), and transmits them to the product master generating device 600 of FIG. 1 (S804). The information supplied from the photographing device 504 to the product master generation device 600 is hereinafter referred to as “survey result”, and the image of the vending machine included in the survey result is referred to as “state image”. The photographing device 504 may be a portable terminal such as a mobile phone with a photographing function or a PDA, for example. Then, the product master generation device 600 collects the survey results from the imaging device 504 (S806).
[0021]
Then, the product master generation device 600 extracts a state image from the survey result (S808). Next, the product master generation device 600 identifies the vending machine based on the state image and grasps the vending machine identification information (S809). Then, the product master generation device 600 determines the arrangement of the vending machine columns in the state image (S810), and identifies the product for each column (S812). Then, the product master generation device 600 generates a loaded product master by associating the column number with the product (S814). Then, the product master generation device 600 stores the generated loaded product master in the loaded product master storage unit 812 (S815). The sales performance analysis apparatus 810 in FIG. 1 determines the sales performance for each product based on the inventory information held in the inventory information database 808 in FIG. 1 and the loaded product master stored in the loaded product master storage unit 812. And stored in the sales record database 814 (S816). Then, the sales performance analysis device 810 performs various analyzes based on the sales performance (S818). Further, the loaded product master held in the loaded product master storage unit 812 is used, for example, as a material when a salesperson makes a business talk with the owner of the vending machine to secure a column (S820). In this way, automation is possible in a series of sales management operations.
[0022]
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the loaded product master generation system 500 according to the first embodiment. The investigator A uses the photographing device 504 to photograph the vending machine 502 to be investigated. The product master generation device 600 accepts input of survey data 506 including a state image obtained by the imaging device 504. The product master generation device 600 performs predetermined image processing on the received state image, determines the arrangement state of products or product samples (hereinafter simply referred to as “products”) on the product display 522 of the vending machine 502, and automatically The product configuration in the vending machine 502 is grasped. The product master generation device 600 outputs, as the loaded product master 508, information on the product loaded for each column based on the product arrangement state thus obtained. The loaded product master 508 includes a column ID column 510 that holds a column number, and a product name column 512 that holds, for example, a product name and a product code of a product loaded in the column. The survey target of the loaded product master generation system 500 may be the product display 522 of the vending machine 502, for example, a product display frame generally called a face in a fixture placed behind a cash register of a convenience store, a convenience store, It may be a product display space in which a display space is divided for each product such as in a refrigerator such as a supermarket. Further, it may be a product display space that is not provided with a partition in advance, such as a normal product shelf. The product may be food, beverage, tobacco, game software, or the like. Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described by taking as an example a product configuration survey of products on the product display 522 of the vending machine 502.
[0023]
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a state image 520 obtained by photographing the vending machine 502 of FIG. The product display 522 includes a first product 524a, a second product 524b, a third product 524c, a fourth product 524d, a fifth product 524e, a sixth product 524f, and a seventh product 524g (hereinafter, each product is simply referred to as “ Product 524 "). The insertion port 526 is a portion for inputting money. The change outlet 528 is a change outlet. The product outlet 530 is a product outlet.
[0024]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of data included in the survey data 506 of FIG. The survey data 506 includes position information 540, shooting date / time 542, and image data 544. The position information 540 is information for specifying a shooting location (hereinafter simply referred to as “shooting point position information”). This shooting point position information may be, for example, the name, address, and latitude, longitude, and altitude information obtained by GPS (Global Positioning System), such as “XX store”. In short, the shooting location position information only needs to be able to be specified by narrowing the shooting location to some extent. The shooting date and time 542 is a shooting date and time. The image data 544 is state image data obtained by photographing the vending machine 502 of FIG. The survey data 506 is recorded on a recording medium or supplied to the product master generation device 600 via a network, for example.
[0025]
FIG. 6 is an internal configuration diagram of the product master generation device 600 of FIG. Each component of the product master generation device 600 includes a CPU, a memory of a computer, a program that realizes the components of this figure loaded in the memory, a storage unit such as a hard disk that stores the program, and a network connection interface. Although it is mainly realized by an arbitrary combination of hardware and software, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that there are various modifications in the implementation method and apparatus. Each drawing described below shows a functional unit block, not a hardware unit configuration.
[0026]
The survey data input unit 604 accepts input of survey data 506 in FIG. 3 (hereinafter simply referred to as “survey data” without reference numerals) from, for example, the recording medium 602 or the network 601. The analysis unit 606 identifies the products lined up on the product display 522 of FIG. 3 based on the survey data and the data stored in the data storage unit 616, and specifies a column for each product. Then, the analysis unit 606 creates the loaded product master 508 in FIG. 3 (hereinafter simply referred to as “loaded product master” without reference numerals). The data storage unit 616 includes a vending machine information database 617 that holds information for each vending machine, a model information database 618 that holds information for each model of the vending machine, and information about a store where the vending machine is installed. It has a store information database 620 for holding, a product information database 622 for holding information about products, and an analysis result file storage unit 624 for holding analysis results, that is, loaded product masters.
[0027]
The analysis unit 606 stores the created loaded product master in the analysis result file storage unit 624 and notifies the analysis result providing unit 608 that the loaded product master has been created. Hereinafter, the loaded product master held in the analysis result file storage unit 624 is referred to as a “semi-loaded product master”, and the loaded product master held in the loaded product master storage unit 812 in FIG. " In response to the notification, the analysis result providing unit 608 reads the semi-loaded product master from the analysis result file storage unit 624 and updates, for example, the loaded product master held in the loaded product master storage unit 812 or the recording medium 603. Or displayed on the display unit 610.
[0028]
FIG. 7 is an internal configuration diagram of the analysis result providing unit 608. The medium writing unit 664 records the semi-loaded product master and the state image held in the analysis result file storage unit 624 on the recording medium 603. The display processing unit 662 causes the display unit 610 to display the semi-loaded product master, the state image, and the like held in the analysis result file storage unit 624. The update unit 660 updates the loaded product master held in the loaded product master storage unit 812 based on the semi-loaded product master held in the analysis result file storage unit 624.
[0029]
FIG. 8 is an internal configuration diagram of the update unit 660. The detecting unit 670 compares the semi-loaded product master held in the analysis result file storage unit 624 with the loaded product master held in the loaded product master storage unit 812, and changes the product stored in the column. (Hereinafter simply referred to as “column change”) is detected. The update instruction unit 672 receives an instruction to update the loaded product master from an operator who is a manager. For example, when a column change is detected by the detection unit 670, the update instruction unit 672 notifies the operator that the column has been changed, and receives an instruction from the operator as to whether or not to update. When an update instruction is received, the update instruction unit 672 instructs the writing unit 674 to update the loaded product master. The writing unit 674 receives the column number of the column in which the product has been changed and the product information from the detection unit 670, and rewrites the loaded product master in the loaded product master storage unit 812. Thereby, when the column change is detected, the loaded product master is immediately updated.
[0030]
Returning to FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the analysis unit 606 identifies the product loaded in the vending machine and the column of the product based on the state image. For this reason, there are cases where individual products included in the state image cannot be specified due to the influence of the image quality of the state image. In such a case, the notification unit 612 displays that fact on the display unit 610. When such a notification is displayed on the display unit 610, for example, the operator displays the status image 520 of FIG. 4 on the display unit 610, determines each product, and completes the loaded product master. The operation unit 626 is a device that receives an operation of an operator such as a keyboard and a mouse. The correction unit 614 corrects the loaded product master held in the analysis result file storage unit 624 based on an instruction from the operation unit 626.
[0031]
FIG. 9 is an internal block diagram of the analysis unit 606 of FIG. Based on the survey data supplied from the survey data input unit 604, the vending machine identifying unit 635 identifies the vending machine photographed as the state image, that is, the vending machine that is the subject of the survey. The vending machine specifying unit 635 includes a separation unit 630, a selection unit 632, and a vending machine identification unit 634. The separating unit 630 receives survey data from the survey data input unit 604 and separates information included in the survey data. In the present embodiment, the separation unit 630 separates the survey data into shooting point position information and a state image, supplies the shooting point position information to the selection unit 632, and supplies the state image to the vending machine identification unit 634.
[0032]
Based on the data held in the store information database 620 and the shooting location information, the selection unit 632 identifies information (hereinafter simply referred to as “vending machine ID”) for identifying vending machines existing around the survey location. ) As a candidate for the vending machine to be surveyed. The vending machine identification unit 634 identifies the vending machine to be investigated from the state image supplied from the separation unit 630 and the candidate appearance image supplied from the selection unit 632 (hereinafter simply referred to as “appearance image”). To do. Thereby, even when a plurality of vending machines are installed at the same point, the vending machine to be investigated can be specified based on the state image.
[0033]
The vending machine identification unit 634 supplies the vending machine ID of the specified vending machine to the column specifying unit 636. Here, when the vending machine identifying unit 634 can identify the vending machine, the vending machine ID is output to the column identifying unit 636, and when the vending machine cannot be identified, the vending machine identifying unit 634 receives the vending machine ID from the operator, for example. Accept input. That is, the vending machine specifying unit 635 narrows down the vending machines based on the shooting point position information, and then specifies the vending machines based on the state image and the appearance image of the vending machine selected as a candidate.
[0034]
The column specifying unit 636 cuts out the image portion of the product included in the state image, and generates an extracted image for each product. Then, the column specifying unit 636 associates the column number with each extracted image and supplies the column number to the product specifying unit 640. That is, the column specifying unit 636 cuts out an area including individual products as an extracted image from one state image. For example, the column specifying unit 636 cuts out 12 extracted images from a state image obtained by photographing a 12-column vending machine. For this process, a commonly used image processing technique may be used. For example, after the binarization process is performed on the state image, the edge detection process is performed. Next, a portion that can be recognized as a rectangle is determined as a product region. Then, an area including a portion recognized as a rectangle is cut out from the state image and is set as an extracted image. In addition, the column specifying unit 636 assigns column numbers to the part recognized as a rectangle, for example, in order from the left toward the state image.
[0035]
The product specifying unit 640 specifies the product by determining the degree of coincidence with the appearance image of the product held in the product information database 622 (hereinafter simply referred to as “product image”). This determination process is hereinafter referred to as “matching”. For this matching processing, a commonly used image processing technique may be used. For example, image expansion / contraction processing, color distribution comparison processing, binarization processing, edge detection processing, and product images are printed. The degree of matching is determined by combining character recognition processing and the like. Then, the product identification unit 640 associates information for identifying a product such as a product name and a product code (hereinafter simply referred to as “product information”) and a column number, and supplies them to the product master generation unit 642. The product master generating unit 642 creates a loaded product master by associating the column number supplied from the product specifying unit 640 with the product information. The product master generation unit 642 stores the created loaded product master in the analysis result file storage unit 624 as a semi-loaded product master.
[0036]
FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the model information database 618 in FIG. The model ID column 700 holds the model ID of the vending machine. The image file name column 702 holds the file name of the appearance image of the vending machine. The image file name column 702 may hold, for each single vending machine, file names of a plurality of appearance images taken from a plurality of directions such as the front and the side. The column number column 704 holds the number of columns. The appearance image is held in the model information database 618. In addition, the model information database 618 may include data such as the manufacturer of the vending machine, the manufacturing age, the external dimensions, and the sales product type.
[0037]
FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the product information database 622 of FIG. The product ID column 710 holds information for specifying a product (hereinafter simply referred to as “product ID”). The product name column 712 holds a product name. The product image file name column 714 holds the file name of the product image. The product image file name column 714 may hold, for each single product, file names of a plurality of product images taken from a plurality of directions such as the front and side surfaces. The sales period column 716 holds the sales period of the product. The product specifying unit 640 of FIG. 9 may narrow down product candidates using this period. For example, the product specifying unit 640 may extract a product in which the shooting date and time of the state image is included in the sales period, and set the extracted product as a matching target. Thus, matching can be performed efficiently and matching accuracy can be improved. The product image is held in the product information database 622.
[0038]
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the store information database 620 of FIG. The installation location code column 720 holds information for specifying the installation location of the vending machine (hereinafter simply referred to as “installation location code”). The installation location name column 722 holds a name indicating an installation location, such as a store name or a building name. The position information column 724 holds the position information of the installation location. In this figure, latitude, longitude, and altitude are held as position information. The vending machine ID column 726 holds the vending machine ID of the vending machine installed at the place. For example, it can be seen that two vending machines with vending machine IDs “3612” and “3613” are installed in “XX store” of the installation location code “S105”. The selection unit 632 in FIG. 9 searches for vending machines existing around the survey point based on the shooting point position information with reference to the store information database 620, and the vending machines installed in the searched store. Are output to the vending machine identification unit 634 shown in FIG.
[0039]
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the vending machine information database 617. The vending machine ID column 730 holds a vending machine ID. The model ID column 732 holds a model ID. Thereby, by referring to the model information database 618 of FIG. 10 based on the model ID, it is possible to grasp the appearance image, the number of columns, and the like. The installation location code column 734 holds an installation location code. In another example, position information may be held. The loaded product master file name column 736 holds the file name of the loaded product master held in the loaded product master storage unit 812 of FIG. The update unit 660 in FIG. 8 updates the loaded product master specified by this file name. The master update date column 738 holds the date and time when the master file was updated.
[0040]
The appearance image file name column 740 holds the file name of the most recently captured state image. The vending machine identification unit 634 in FIG. 9 may use the state image specified by the file name held in the appearance image file name column 740 as the appearance image. Generally, a POP advertisement is pasted on a vending machine. For this reason, if matching is performed using an external appearance image for each model prepared in advance, the POP advertisement may become noise and cannot be correctly determined. Therefore, the vending machine identification unit 634 uses the state image used in the previous survey as an appearance image when performing matching. When the vending machine identification unit 634 identifies the vending machine, the vending machine identification unit 634 writes the file name of the state image in the appearance image file name column 740.
[0041]
FIG. 14 shows an example of a flowchart of processing in the product master generation device 600 of FIG. First, the survey data input unit 604 in FIG. 6 receives survey data (S500). The vending machine specifying unit 635 in FIG. 9 specifies a vending machine based on the survey data (S502).
[0042]
FIG. 15 shows an example of a detailed flowchart of the process in step 502 of FIG. First, the selection unit 632 in FIG. 9 extracts the vending machine IDs of the vending machines existing around the position specified by the position information supplied from the separation unit 630 in FIG. 9 from the store information database 620 (S522). Then, the vending machine identification unit 634 performs matching between the appearance image of the vending machine specified by the extracted vending machine ID and the vending machine included in the state image (S524). If the vending machine can be specified by the matching (Y in S526), the vending machine identifying unit 634 outputs the vending machine ID of the vending machine to the column specifying unit 636 (S530). If the vending machine cannot be specified in step 526 (N in S526), the vending machine identification unit 634 receives the vending machine ID from the operator (S532). Thus, by narrowing down the vending machine candidates based on the position information, the time required for the matching process can be shortened and the matching accuracy can be increased.
[0043]
Returning to FIG. 14, the column specifying unit 636 in FIG. 9 cuts out the image portion of the product included in the state image and generates an extracted image for each product (S506). Next, the product identification unit 640 in FIG. 9 individually identifies the products included in the extracted image (S510). If all the products have been identified (N in S512), the product identification unit 640 supplies the product information and column numbers of the products to the product master creation unit 642 in FIG. Then, the product master creation unit 642 creates a semi-loaded product master by associating them (S516). If there is a product that cannot be specified in step 512 (Y in S512), the product specification unit 640 supplies an unspecified flag indicating that the product cannot be specified and a column ID to the loaded product master creation unit 642 ( S514).
[0044]
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the semi-loaded product master held in the analysis result file storage unit 624 in FIG. 6 by the processing in step 516 in FIG. Such a semi-loaded product master is stored in the analysis result file storage unit 624 for each vending machine. The column number column 510 holds a column number. The product name column 512 holds product information of products stored in the column. The unspecified flag column 514 holds an unspecified flag. In this figure, “1” indicates that the product has been specified, and “0” indicates that the product has not been specified. When “0” is held as the unspecified flag, the analysis result providing unit 608 in FIG. 6 causes the notification unit 612 to notify the fact. Based on this notification, the operator corrects the semi-loaded product master. The update unit 660 of FIG. 7 may start the process for updating the loaded product master when all the unspecified flags are “1”. Thereby, the loaded product master can be reliably updated.
[0045]
<Second Embodiment>
FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the external appearance of a wide large vending machine 502 and the relationship between the first state image 520a, the second state image 520b, and the third state image 520c when the image is taken. is there. As described above, in the second embodiment, processing when the appearance of the vending machine 502 cannot be captured as a single state image will be described.
[0046]
FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of data included in the survey data 506 of FIG. 3 when the appearance of the vending machine 502 is captured in a plurality of regions. The survey data 506 includes position information 540, shooting date / time 542, multiple image flag 546, first image data 544a, second image data 544b, and third image data 544c. This figure is an example when the vending machine 502 is divided into three areas. The multiple image flag 546 holds information specifying that there are multiple status images. This flag may be automatically added by the imaging device 504 in FIG. 3 or may be added by the operation of the investigator A. The first image data 544a, the second image data 544b, and the third image data 544c are data of each state image.
[0047]
FIG. 19 is an internal configuration diagram of the analysis unit 650 in the second embodiment. In the second embodiment, the configurations given the same reference numerals as those already described are the same as the configurations already described in terms of their functions or operations. In the following description, a configuration having functions or operations different from those already described will be mainly described. The separation unit 630 receives the survey data 506 described with reference to FIG. 3 from the survey data input unit 604 in FIG. 6. The separation unit 630 separates a plurality of state images from the survey data and outputs them to the image supply unit 652 respectively. The image supply unit 652 includes a determination unit 654 and a composition unit 656. The determination unit 654 determines whether there are a plurality of state images based on the presence / absence of the multiple image flag 546 in FIG. When there are a plurality of state images, the combining unit 656 combines the plurality of state images to generate one state image. The image supply unit 652 supplies the state image thus generated to the vending machine identification unit 634. There are various combining methods in the combining unit 656. For example, the investigator A in FIG. 3 takes each state image so as to include the overlapping portion, and the combining unit 656 superimposes the overlapping portions. One sheet of state image may be generated. By including such a combining unit 656, a flexible survey can be performed regardless of the size of the survey target and the performance of the imaging device 504 used for the survey.
[0048]
<Third Embodiment>
The third embodiment is a system that collects survey data from a plurality of surveyors via a network and generates a loaded product master. As described in the first embodiment and the second embodiment, in order to generate the loaded product master, it is only necessary to take an image of the vending machine for which the master is to be generated. It is not necessary to seek advanced technology. For this reason, part-time workers can be employed as investigators. Mobile phones equipped with cameras, GPS, communication functions, program execution functions, and the like are widely used. If a person with such a mobile phone is employed as a part-time job, the mobile phone possessed by the part-time job can be used as a research terminal. By employing a part-time job, a large amount of survey data can be collected in a short time at a low cost. For example, if the vending machine installed on the route from the investigator's home to the school destination is requested to be photographed every day, the column change can be quickly handled. In addition, since the same vending machine status image can be obtained from a plurality of investigators, it is possible to conduct a comprehensive survey and to back up defective data. On the other hand, when many investigators, part-time workers, gather, the difference in their consciousness varies, and it is expected that some investigators actually go to the survey point and do not shoot vending machines. For this reason, it is important to ensure the reliability of the survey data collected from each investigator. A system having a configuration for solving these points will be described below.
[0049]
FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of the loaded product master generation system 10 according to the third embodiment. The loaded product master generation system 10 is another form of the loaded product master generation system 500 of FIG. 1 and can be replaced. The first terminal device 200a, the second terminal device 200b, the third terminal device 200c, and the fourth terminal device 200d (hereinafter simply referred to as “terminal device 200”) are portable terminals such as mobile phones and PDAs, for example. is there. The terminal device 200 includes, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) unit that receives a GPS signal from the GPS satellite 16 and acquires position information, a CCD camera, a microphone, and the like. Each terminal device 200 has a function of connecting to the network 12 via the base station 14 and communicating with the product master generation device 100.
[0050]
The product master generation device 100 provides the terminal device 200 via the network 12 with a survey content file for displaying the survey content on the display unit 202 of the terminal device 200. Based on the contents of the survey displayed on the display unit 202, the investigator moves, for example, with the terminal device 200 to the designated survey point and conducts the survey on the spot. The terminal device 200 acquires the position information of the moving point (hereinafter simply referred to as “survey position information”) using the GPS unit. The acquisition instruction may be performed based on an instruction from the investigator, may be automatically performed by a program inside the terminal device 200, or may be performed based on other external signals. The investigator takes an image of the designated object using the CCD camera of the terminal device 200, and inputs items in accordance with the investigation content to the terminal device 200 using the operation unit 204 such as a key button. Or The terminal device 200 transmits items, images, survey position information, and the like input by the researcher to the product master generation device 100 as survey results. The product master generation device 100 collects the survey results and performs a predetermined analysis. In this way, the product master generation device 100 collects the survey results associated with the survey position information from the plurality of terminal devices 200.
[0051]
FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the survey content display screen 320 displayed on the display unit 202 of FIG. The survey content display screen 320 includes a survey content display region 300 for displaying a survey summary, a survey item display region 302 for displaying detailed survey items, a send button 314 for transmitting survey results, And a cancel button 316 for interrupting the input of the survey content. In the survey content display area 300, information on the survey point such as the address and name of the survey point, information on the survey target, the survey period, and the like are displayed. For example, as the information about the survey point, a point or range to be surveyed such as “XX store” or “around XX station” is designated. In the present embodiment, when the fourth button 318 is pressed, a detailed address or telephone number of the survey point is displayed.
[0052]
In the survey item display area 302, a series of work in the survey is displayed for each item (hereinafter simply referred to as “survey item”). In each survey item, a component corresponding to the input content is displayed. For example, “item 1” is an item for instructing an operation of acquiring survey position information using a GPS unit. This work is automatically performed by the investigator pressing the first button 304. Although “acquired” is displayed on the first button 304 in this figure, this indicates that the survey position information has already been acquired. The first button 304 is displayed as “acquired” before the survey position information is acquired. The second button 310 and the third button 312 are buttons for photographing an investigation object using a CCD camera. Shooting is performed by pressing this button. When the survey target cannot be included in one image, the researcher shoots the survey target by dividing it into a plurality of images. For example, when a plurality of images are taken, the multiple image flag 546 described with reference to FIG. 18 is automatically added to the survey result.
[0053]
“Item 2” and “Item 3” are provided with a radio button 306 and a combo box 308 as components. In this way, by preparing components according to the input contents in advance, it is possible to reduce the input mistakes of the investigator, so that the quality of the survey result can be improved even in the terminal device 200. Even an inexperienced researcher can easily operate the system. The surveyor finishes inputting all survey items and presses the send button 314. Thereby, the survey result is transmitted to the product master generation device 100.
[0054]
The survey content file for displaying the survey content display screen 320 may be a program created in a programming language such as Java (registered trademark). The terminal device 200 displays the survey content display screen 320 on the display unit 202 by receiving and executing such a program from the product master generation device 100. Hereinafter, the survey content display screen 320 displayed in this manner is referred to as “survey sheet”, and data for displaying the survey sheet is referred to as “survey content file”.
[0055]
FIG. 22 is an internal block diagram of the product master generation device 100 of FIG. The survey content registration unit 128 stores the survey content file in the survey content file storage unit 102 and uses information (hereinafter simply referred to as “determination file”) used when determining the reliability of the survey result as the determination file storage unit 126. To store. When the survey content file is requested from the terminal device 200 of FIG. 20, the providing unit 106 authenticates the investigator who operates the terminal device 200 based on the data held in the investigator information database 110. For example, the authentication is performed based on identification information assigned to each terminal device 200 (hereinafter simply referred to as “terminal ID”). If the authentication is successful, the providing unit 106 instructs the reading unit 104 to read the investigation content file. The reading unit 104 reads the survey content file from the survey content file storage unit 102 and supplies it to the providing unit 106. The providing unit 106 transmits the survey content file supplied from the reading unit 104 to the terminal device 200. Based on the survey content file thus transmitted, the survey content display screen 320 described with reference to FIG. 21 is displayed on the display unit 202 of the terminal device 200 of FIG. Further, the providing unit 106 stores the transmission history in the log storage unit 108 every time the investigation content file is transmitted.
[0056]
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of the log storage unit 108 of FIG. The sheet ID column 400 holds information for identifying a survey content file, that is, information for identifying a survey sheet (hereinafter simply referred to as “sheet ID”). The investigator ID column 402 holds information for identifying the investigator who is the owner of the terminal device 200 that has transmitted the investigation content file (hereinafter simply referred to as “investigator ID”). The provision date and time column 404 holds the date and time when the survey content file is transmitted. The start date and time column 405 holds the date and time when reception of the survey result created based on the transmitted survey content file is started. The time limit date / time column 406 holds a time limit for accepting a survey result created based on the transmitted survey content file. For example, the collection unit 114 in FIG. 22 described later accepts the investigation result only within a period (hereinafter simply referred to as “collection period”) determined by the date and time held in the start date and time field 405 and the expiration date and time field 406. The reception flag column 408 holds information (hereinafter simply referred to as “reception flag”) indicating whether or not a survey result created based on the transmitted survey content file has been received. In this figure, “1” means that it has been received, and “0” means that it has not been received. This reception flag is written by the collection unit 114 of FIG.
[0057]
In this figure, for example, the survey content file with the sheet ID “1051” is transmitted to the terminal device 200 of the surveyor with the surveyor ID “36112” at “December 2, 2002, 13:15”. I understand that. Further, it can be seen that the collection period of the survey results created based on the survey content file is from “December 1, 2002, 8:00” to “December 7, 2002, 20:00”. Then, by referring to the reception flag column 408, it is understood that the product master generation device 100 has already received the survey result created based on this survey content file.
[0058]
24 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the investigator information database 110 of FIG. The investigator ID column 410 holds an investigator ID. The terminal ID column 412 holds the terminal ID of the terminal device 200 possessed by the investigator. The e-mail address column 414 holds an investigator's e-mail address. The investigator name column 416 holds the name of the investigator. In addition to these data, the investigator information database 110 may hold various types of information related to the investigator, such as the investigator's address, age, sex, and preferences. In another example, the providing unit 106 in FIG. 22 may selectively transmit a survey content file according to the sex or preference of the researcher.
[0059]
Returning to FIG. 22, the notification unit 112 notifies that the examination result acceptance deadline is approaching based on the data held in the deadline date / time field 406 of FIG. 23. The notification timing may be set in advance, or may be set for each survey content file. For example, when the timing is set two days before the deadline, the notifying unit 112 refers to the deadline date / time column 406 in FIG. 23, and the investigator of the investigator who downloaded the investigation content file two days before the deadline date and time Search for an ID. Next, the investigator information database 110 is referred to based on the investigator ID, and the e-mail address is read out. Then, the notification unit 112 notifies the electronic mail address. In addition, the notification unit 112 may refer to the reception flag column 408 in FIG. 23 and notify only the investigator who has not yet transmitted the investigation result. Thereby, it is possible to prompt the investigator to transmit the survey result. In addition, the number of survey results to be collected in advance may be set, and the notification unit 112 may notify when the number has not been reached. Thereby, the merchandise master generation device 100 can secure the number of investigation results necessary for the analysis.
[0060]
The collection unit 114 collects survey results from the terminal device 200 only during the collection period set in the log storage unit 108, for example, and stores the collected survey results in the survey result storage unit 116. Further, the collection unit 114 writes that the investigation result has been received in the log storage unit 108. As a result, “1” is written as the reception flag in the reception flag column 408 of FIG. The survey result storage unit 116 holds, for example, a text format survey result file, an image file, a video file, an audio file, and the like collected as a survey result and a management table for managing them. The analysis unit 130 performs a predetermined analysis based on the survey result stored in the survey result storage unit 116. The analysis unit 130 includes an extraction unit 118 that selects a survey result used for analysis, and an analysis unit 120 that performs analysis based on the selected survey result.
[0061]
FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a survey result file held in the survey result storage unit 116. The survey result file is recorded in the file for each survey result, and a unique file name is added. The file name 468 of the investigation result file in this figure is “36112xxx.dat”. This survey result file holds an input value (hereinafter simply referred to as “survey data”) of each survey item in an XML (eXtensible Markup Language) format. The survey data is described in a range surrounded by the survey result start tag 450a and the survey result end tag 450b. Thus, the survey result file holds each survey data sandwiched between the start tag and the end tag. By taking such a data structure, the merchandise master generation device 100 can flexibly handle a plurality of different survey contents. That is, a single product master generation device 100 can handle a plurality of survey contents at the same time. For example, a survey for generating a loaded product master and a survey for simply grasping the arrangement of products arranged on the face or the product display shelf can be performed simultaneously.
[0062]
The investigator ID column 452 holds the investigator ID of the investigator who provided the survey result. The sheet ID column 454 holds the sheet ID of the survey sheet that is the basis for creating the survey result. The survey date column 456 holds the date and time when the survey was performed. The first item column 458, the second item column 460, the third item column 462, the fourth item column 464, and the fifth item column 466 hold survey data for each survey item in the survey sheet. In the case of this figure, each item column holds survey data for each survey item in FIG. For example, the first item column 458 holds the position information of the terminal device 200 at the time of the survey, that is, the survey position information. The position information is expressed by latitude, longitude, altitude, etc., for example. The second item column 460 holds the content selected by the radio button 306 in FIG. The third item column 462 holds the content selected in the combo box 308 in FIG. The fourth item column 464 and the fifth item column 466 hold the file names of the image files photographed in the items 4 and 5 in FIG.
[0063]
In general, the data structure in the XML format described with reference to FIG. 25 is excellent in flexibility, but processing such as data retrieval takes time compared to the case of using a table having a fixed field in advance. Therefore, the survey result storage unit 116 further holds a management table that includes, in the field, survey data included in the survey result, which is frequently used in subsequent processing. When the collection unit 114 receives the survey result, the collection unit 114 writes necessary survey data in the management table.
[0064]
FIG. 26 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the management table held in the survey result storage unit 116. The investigator ID column 420 holds the investigator ID of the investigator who provided the investigation result. This investigator ID is the same as the data held in the investigator ID column 452 of FIG. The sheet ID column 422 holds the sheet ID of the survey sheet that is the basis for creating the survey result. This sheet ID is the same as the data held in the sheet ID column 454 of FIG. The collection date / time column 424 holds the date / time when the collection unit 114 of FIG. The position information column 426 holds survey position information. This survey position information is the same as the data held in the first item column 458 of FIG. The survey date column 428 holds the date and time when the survey was performed. This date and time is the same as the data held in the survey date and time column 456 of FIG. The result file name column 430 holds the file name of the investigation result file. The file name 468 of FIG. 25 is held in the result file name column 430. Thereby, the investigation result file of FIG. 25 can be referred to based on this management table, that is, a relation is established.
[0065]
The reliability column 432 holds information indicating reliability (hereinafter simply referred to as “reliability value”). This confidence value is written by the determination unit 124 of FIG. In this figure, “A” indicates that the reliability is high, “B” indicates that the reliability is somewhat high, and “C” indicates that the reliability is low. In another example, the confidence value may be expressed numerically. Although details will be described later, the analysis unit 130 in FIG. 22 preferentially extracts a highly reliable survey result based on the reliability value and sets it as an analysis target. The analysis flag column 434 holds information (hereinafter simply referred to as “analysis flag”) indicating whether or not the analysis flag is used. This analysis flag is written by the analysis unit 130 of FIG. In this figure, “1” indicates that it is used for analysis, and “0” indicates that it is not used for analysis.
[0066]
Returning to FIG. 22, the determination unit 124 determines the reliability of the investigation result held in the investigation result storage unit 116 based on the determination file held in the determination file storage unit 126, and the determination result Is written in the reliability column 432 of FIG.
[0067]
FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating an example of the data structure of the determination file storage unit 126. The sheet ID column 470 holds a sheet ID. The reliability determination data item column 472 holds survey items (hereinafter simply referred to as “determination target items”) used when the determination unit 124 of FIG. 22 determines reliability. The survey data of this judgment target item is called “judgment data”. The ideal value column 474 holds the ideal value of the determination data, that is, the ideal value that the determination data should take. For example, as in the case of the survey sheet described with reference to FIG. 21, in the case of a survey regarding vending machines arranged in “XX store”, an image of the vending machine photographed based on this survey sheet is “ The photograph should be taken in the vicinity of the ideal value stored in the ideal value column 474, that is, the location of “OO store”. From such a viewpoint, the determination unit 124 in FIG. 22 determines the reliability of the investigation result. Information necessary for the determination is held in the determination file storage unit 126. In this figure, the determination target item used for determining the reliability of the survey result created based on the sheet ID “1051” is the data held in the first item column 458 of FIG. 25, that is, the survey position information. Is specified. Then, it can be seen that the ideal value as the actual survey point information is the position information of “XX store”.
[0068]
The reliability value column 476 holds information for determining a reliability value according to the difference between the ideal value held in the ideal value column 474 and the determination data held in the reliability determination data item column 472. For example, in the present embodiment, the confidence value is expressed in three stages of “A”, “B”, and “C”, and a range is set for each. For example, in the sheet ID “1051”, the reliability value “A” is set to the difference range, that is, the distance between the survey position and the store position is “0 m or more and less than 5 m”, and the reliability value “B” is the difference range. “5 m or more and less than 15 m” is set, and the reliability value “C” has the difference range set to “15 m or more”. The determination unit 124 of FIG. 22 uses such information to determine the reliability value of each survey result held in the survey result storage unit 116.
[0069]
In the example of FIG. 27, the survey position information is taken up as the determination target item, but in the other examples, the image taken at the survey point, the sound sampled at the survey point, the time at the survey, the temperature at the survey point, the survey point External environmental information other than location information such as humidity and survey point altitude may be used. Moreover, it is good also as a judgment object item combining these external environment information. For example, when investigating the traffic volume at a predetermined point, the investigation position information and the investigation time may be set as items to be determined. In addition, information held in the ideal value column 474 and the confidence value column 476 is appropriately set according to the determination target item.
[0070]
Returning to FIG. 22, the analysis unit 130 outputs the loaded product master created based on the highly reliable survey result to the output unit 122. The output unit 122 writes the loaded product master in the loaded product master storage unit 812 of FIG. The accepting unit 131 accepts an instruction from the operator. Then, the reception unit 131 supplies the instruction to the analysis unit 130. For example, this instruction may be an instruction to correct the loaded product master in the analysis unit 130.
[0071]
FIG. 28 is an internal block diagram of the analysis unit 130 of FIG. In this figure, the structure which attached | subjected the code | symbol same as the already demonstrated structure is the same as the structure already demonstrated in the function or operation | movement. In the following description, a configuration having functions or operations different from those already described will be mainly described. For example, when the collection deadline has been reached, the extraction unit 118 selects a survey result to be used for analysis of the survey result from the survey result storage unit 116 and provides the selected survey result to the analysis unit 606. The extraction unit 118 preferentially selects a survey result with a high reliability value. For example, when there are a plurality of survey results related to the same survey sheet, the extraction unit 118 selects the survey results in descending order of reliability values. Thereby, a highly reliable survey result is positively selected as an analysis target. Further, the extraction unit 118 may have high reliability and preferentially select a new survey result on the survey date and time. It is preferable that the extraction condition in the extraction unit 118 can be arbitrarily set according to the survey contents.
[0072]
The analysis unit 606 retains the same internal configuration as that described with reference to FIG. 9, and creates a loaded product master for the vending machine based on the state image included in the survey result extracted by the extraction unit 118. . Further, the analysis unit 606 may be replaced with the analysis unit 650 described with reference to FIG. The analysis result providing unit 608 reads the loaded product master from the analysis result file storage unit 624 and supplies it to the output unit 122. The analysis result providing unit 608 performs processing so as to provide only a single loaded product master instead of providing a loaded product master in a duplicated state when there are duplicated loaded product masters. . Further, the analysis result providing unit 608 may provide the loaded product master in an overlapping state as necessary. When the unspecified flag is associated with the loaded product master, the notification unit 612 outputs a message requesting confirmation from the operator to the output unit 122. When the correction of the loaded product master is instructed according to the message, the correcting unit 614 corrects the loaded product master in accordance with the instruction.
[0073]
FIG. 29 is an internal block diagram of the terminal device 200 of FIG. The receiving unit 208 receives the survey content file from the product master generation device 100, stores the sheet ID in the sheet ID storage unit 232, and stores the survey content file in the survey content file storage unit 210. The control unit 212 controls each configuration based on the survey content file. For example, the control unit 212 generates display data based on the survey content file and outputs the display data to the display processing unit 206. The display processing unit 206 causes the display unit 202 to display the survey content display screen 320 of FIG. 21 based on the display data. The operation unit 204 is, for example, a key button, and receives an input of survey data from the investigator and outputs it to the control unit 212. The control unit 212 supplies the survey data to the storage processing unit 236 in association with the survey item. In addition, the control unit 212 instructs the survey date acquisition unit 216 to acquire the survey date and time, and instructs the external environment data acquisition unit 218 to acquire external environment data.
[0074]
The survey date acquisition unit 216 reads the current date from the clock 214 and supplies it to the storage processing unit 236. The external environment data acquisition unit 218 includes a position information acquisition unit 220, a photographing unit 222, and a microphone 224. In another example, the external environment data acquisition unit 218 may include various sensors such as a thermometer that measures temperature, a hygrometer that measures humidity, and a barometer that measures atmospheric pressure. The position information acquisition unit 220 is a GPS unit, for example, and acquires the position information of the terminal device 200 at the time point instructed by the control unit 212. Then, the acquired position information is supplied to the storage processing unit 236 as survey position information. The photographing unit 222 is, for example, a CCD camera, photographs an investigation target, and supplies image data such as a still image or a moving image to the storage processing unit 236. The microphone 224 samples the sound around the terminal device 200 and supplies the sound data to the storage processing unit 236.
[0075]
The storage processing unit 236 stores the survey data supplied from the control unit 212, the survey date acquisition unit 216, and the external environment data acquisition unit 218 in the survey data storage unit 226 in association with the respective survey items. Further, when a plurality of state images are supplied as the survey data from the imaging unit 222, the storage processing unit 236 stores a multiple image flag indicating the state image. This flag corresponds to the multiple image flag 546 in FIG. For example, the result file generation unit 228 reads the survey data held in the survey data storage unit 226 and the sheet ID held in the sheet ID storage unit 232 at the timing when the transmission button 314 in FIG. Generate a survey result file. The transmission unit 230 transmits the generated survey result file to the product master generation device 100. When receiving the survey content file and transmitting the survey result file, the receiving unit 208 and the transmitting unit 230 transmit the terminal ID held in the terminal ID storage unit 234 to the product master generation device 100 for authentication.
[0076]
FIG. 30 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing sequence between the product master generation device 100 and the terminal device 200 in FIG. 20. First, the terminal device 200 requests a survey content file from the product master generation device 100 (S10). The product master generation device 100 reads the survey content file (S12) and transmits it to the terminal device 200 (S14). Next, the terminal device 200 displays a survey sheet based on the survey content file (S16). Next, the terminal device 200 receives an input of survey data corresponding to the survey sheet from the surveyor (S18). Further, the terminal device 200 acquires external environment information such as position information, which is determination data used for determination of reliability (S20). And the terminal device 200 produces | generates an investigation result file (S22), and transmits to the goods master production | generation apparatus 100 (S24).
[0077]
The product master generation device 100 stores the survey result file in the survey result storage unit 116 of FIG. 22 (S26). Then, the determination unit 124 of FIG. 22 determines the reliability of the investigation result (S28). For example, when the survey result collection deadline has been reached, the extraction unit 118 in FIG. 22 preferentially selects a highly reliable survey result (S30). The analysis unit 120 in FIG. 22 performs a predetermined analysis based on the survey result selected by the extraction unit 118, that is, creates a loaded product master (S32).
[0078]
The loaded product master generation system 10 can exclude, from the analysis, an inappropriate survey result by a researcher who transmits a false survey result without actually going to the survey point. Moreover, since the investigator who performs such fraud can be grasped, it is possible to pay attention to the investigator, and there is an effect of suppressing transmission of an inappropriate investigation result.
[0079]
The present invention has been described based on the embodiments. The embodiments are exemplifications, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to combinations of the respective constituent elements and processing processes, and such modifications are within the scope of the present invention. .
[0080]
The first modification relates to the analysis result providing unit 608 in FIG. The analysis result providing unit 608 selects, for example, a loaded product master created using a state image with the best image quality and displays it on the display unit 610 when there are a plurality of loaded product masters related to the same vending machine. Alternatively, the latest state image shooting date may be selected and displayed on the display unit 610. In short, the analysis result providing unit 608 performs processing so as to provide only a single loaded product master instead of providing a loaded product master in a duplicated state when there are duplicate loaded product masters. Do. Further, the analysis result providing unit 608 may provide the loaded product master in an overlapping state as necessary. The operator refers to the loaded merchandise master displayed on the display unit 610 and uses it for materials when building a marketing strategy.
[0081]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, a product loading master can be generated based on a state image. The arrangement state of product samples on the product display can be investigated. Survey results can be collected from multiple terminal devices. In addition, analysis can be performed based on highly reliable survey results.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a sales management system according to a first embodiment.
FIG. 2 is an example of a flowchart of processing in the sales management system of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining the outline of the loaded product master generation system of FIG. 1;
4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a state image photographed by the photographing apparatus of FIG. 3. FIG.
5 is a diagram illustrating an example of data included in survey data input to the product master generation device in FIG. 3; FIG.
6 is an internal configuration diagram of the product master generation device of FIG. 3;
7 is an internal configuration diagram of an analysis result providing unit in FIG. 6;
FIG. 8 is an internal configuration diagram of an updating unit in FIG. 7;
9 is an internal configuration diagram of the analysis unit in FIG. 6;
10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a model information database in FIG. 6;
11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a product information database in FIG. 6;
12 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the store information database in FIG. 6;
13 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the vending machine information database in FIG. 6;
14 is an example of a flowchart of processing in the product master generation device of FIG. 6;
FIG. 15 is an example of a detailed flowchart of processing in Step 502 of FIG. 14;
16 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of a loaded product master in the vending machine under analysis held in the analysis result file storage unit in FIG. 6 by the processing in step 516 in FIG. 14;
FIG. 17 is a diagram for explaining the relationship between the appearance of a wide large vending machine and the first state image, the second state image, and the third state image when the vending machine is photographed;
18 is a diagram showing an example of data included in the survey data of FIG. 3 when the appearance of the vending machine is photographed while being divided into a plurality of areas.
FIG. 19 is an internal configuration diagram of an analysis unit according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of a loaded product master generation system according to a third embodiment.
FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of a survey content display screen displayed on the display unit of the terminal device of FIG. 20;
22 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration diagram of the product master generation device in FIG. 20;
FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure of a log storage unit in FIG. 22;
24 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the investigator information database in FIG. 22;
25 is a diagram showing an example of a data structure of a survey result file held in the survey result storage unit of FIG.
26 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of a management table held in the investigation result storage unit of FIG.
27 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data structure held in a determination file storage unit in FIG. 22;
28 is an internal block diagram of the analysis unit in FIG. 22;
29 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration diagram of the terminal device in FIG. 20;
30 is a diagram illustrating an example of a processing sequence in the product master generation device and the terminal device in FIG. 20;
[Explanation of symbols]
10 Loaded goods master generation system
12 network
14 base stations
16 GPS satellites
100 Commodity master generation device
102 Survey content file storage
104 Reading section
106 Supply Department
108 Log storage
110 Surveyor Information Database
112 Notification unit
114 Collection Department
116 Survey result storage
118 Extractor
120 analysis unit
122 Output unit
124 Judgment part
126 Judgment file storage
128 Survey Content Registration Department
130 Analysis unit
131 Reception
200 Terminal device
202 Display section
204 Operation unit
206 Display processing unit
208 Receiver
210 Survey content file storage
212 Control unit
214 clock
216 Survey date acquisition department
218 External environment data acquisition unit
220 Location information acquisition unit
222 Shooting unit
224 microphone
226 Survey data storage
228 Result file generator
230 Transmitter
232 Sheet ID storage
234 Terminal ID storage unit
236 Storage processing unit
500 Loaded goods master generation system
502 Vending machine
504 Imaging device
506 Survey data
508 Loaded goods master
520 state image
600 Commodity master generation device
604 Survey data input section
606 Analysis Department
608 Analysis result provider
610 display unit
612 Notification unit
614 Correction
616 Data storage unit
617 Vending Machine Information Database
618 Model information database
620 Store information database
622 Product Information Database
624 Analysis result file storage
626 operation unit
630 Separation part
632 Selector
634 Vending machine identification section
635 Vending Machine Identification Department
636 Column specific part
640 Product Identification Department
642 Product Master Creation Department
650 analysis unit
652 Image supply unit
654 determination unit
656 synthesis unit
660 Update Department
662 Display processing unit
664 Medium writing unit
670 detector
672 Update instruction section
674 Writing section

Claims (6)

Collecting inventory information that associates the column number of each column of the vending machine with the inventory quantity of the product loaded in the column from the vending machine, and managing the sales results for each product stored in the vending machine In order to perform information on products loaded in each column of the vending machine to be investigated ,
A vending machine information database that holds information in which the identification information of the vending machine is associated with the appearance image of the vending machine;
For each product, a product information database that holds information that associates the identification information of the product with the appearance image of the product,
A survey data input unit that accepts input of survey data including a state image obtained by photographing the product display of the vending machine to be surveyed;
A vending machine specifying unit for identifying identification information of the vending machine to be investigated by matching the state image of the vending machine to be investigated and the appearance image held in the vending machine information database;
A column specifying unit that generates an extracted image for each product by cutting out an image part of the product included in the state image of the vending machine to be investigated, and associates a column number for each of the extracted images;
A product specifying unit that specifies product identification information of each extracted image by matching each extracted image and the product image stored in the product information database;
A product master generating unit that generates a loaded product master that holds the product identification information specified by the product specification unit and the column number associated with the extracted image of the product identification information ;
With
The vending machine information database stores the identification information of the vending machine to be surveyed specified by the vending machine specifying unit and the loaded product master generated by the product master generating unit in association with each other. Management system. In the sales management system according to claim 1,
The survey data includes shooting location information that identifies the shooting location of the state image in association with the state image,
The sales management system further includes a store information database that stores information that identifies the installation location of the vending machine and identification information of the vending machine installed at the installation location,
The vending machine identifying unit is
Based on the shooting point location information included in the survey data and information specifying the installation location of the vending machine held in the store information database, identification information of vending machines existing around the shooting point is obtained. A selection unit for outputting as a candidate for the vending machine to be investigated,
By identifying the state image of the surveyed vending machine and the appearance image associated with the candidate vending machine identification information output by the selection unit, the identification information of the surveyed vending machine is obtained. A vending machine identification unit to identify,
A sales management system characterized by including: In the sales management system according to claim 1 or 2,
When the identification information of the product of the extracted image cannot be specified, the product specifying unit supplies an unspecified flag indicating that the product cannot be specified and a column number in association with each other, and supplies the product master generation unit.
The product master generation unit stores the unspecified flag and the column number in association with each other in an analysis result file storage unit . In the sales management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
The merchandise master generation unit further includes an updating unit that updates the already-installed merchandise master based on a newly generated loaded merchandise master . In the sales management system according to claim 4,
The update unit compares a loaded product master that already exists with a newly created loaded product master, and detects the presence or absence of a column in which the loaded product has been changed;
A writing unit for updating a loaded product master for a column in which the loaded product has been changed;
A sales management system characterized by comprising: In the sales management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5,
A storage unit that stores the loaded product master generated by the product master generation unit as a file having a file name for each vending machine;
The vending machine information database corresponds to the identification information of the vending machine to be investigated specified by the vending machine specifying unit and the file name of the file of the loaded product master of the vending machine stored in the storage unit. A sales management system characterized by attaching and memorizing .

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