JPH04287091A - Demonstration device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To effectively use temporal and human resources by automatically detecting the coming of a visitor to automatically start the demonstration and receiving visitor's questions through a line by an answerer to give answers and eliminating a need to always keep an explainer and the answerer on the alert. CONSTITUTION:A visitor detector 1 which detects coming of a visitor and a demonstration storage device 2 where contents of demonstration are stored are provided. When the visitor detector 1 detects a visitor, contents are read out from the demonstration storage device 2; but when the visitor detector 1 does not detect any visitor, contents are repeatedly read out and are outputted to a picture output device 3 and an audio output device 4.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a demonstration device for performing demonstrations.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in demonstrations such as product introductions and sightseeing spots, an explainer was on standby and when a visitor arrived, the demonstration was started and the explanation given. In addition, the exhibits were displayed to a large number of visitors and customers using computer systems and video output devices. At this time, the display can be displayed completely unattended,
Audio was output or an instructor was on standby to answer questions.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] As mentioned above, demonstrations have a problem in that the instructor has to repeat the same explanation each time a visitor comes, which places a heavy burden on the instructor. In addition, if the display or voice output was performed completely unattended for visitors, there was a problem in that it would not be possible to answer questions from visitors or customers. On the other hand, in order to be able to always respond to questions from visitors, a person in charge of answering must always be on standby near the exhibition equipment, which poses the problem of an extremely large time and human burden.

[0004] The present invention automatically detects that a visitor has come and automatically starts a demonstration, and a person in charge of answering questions from the visitor receives and answers them via a line. The aim is to eliminate the need for answering staff to be on standby at all times, allowing for more effective use of time and human resources.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] Means for solving the problems will be explained with reference to FIG. In (a) of Figure 1,
The visitor detection device 1 is a device that detects the arrival of a visitor. The demonstration storage device 2 stores the contents of the demonstration.

In FIG. 1B, the output mechanisms 12, 1
6 is a mechanism for outputting images, audio, etc. The input mechanism 13 is a mechanism for inputting character information such as questions and nouns. The storage mechanism 14 is a mechanism for storing demonstration contents and inputs from visitors.

[0007] The input mechanism 17 is a mechanism through which the respondent inputs answers and the like. The storage mechanism 18 is a mechanism that stores various data.

[0008]

[Operation] As shown in FIG. 1(a), when the visitor detection device 1 detects a visitor, the content read from the demonstration storage device 2 is transferred to the screen output device 3.
The content is read out repeatedly and outputted to the screen output device 3 and the audio output device 4 when no visitors are detected. Also,
When the visitor detection device 1 detects a visitor, it reads out the content from the demonstration storage device 2 and outputs it to the screen output device 3 or the audio output device 4, or when it does not detect a visitor, it outputs the content read from the demonstration storage device 2 to the screen output device 3 or the audio output device 4. The data is output to a screen output device 3 and an audio output device 4.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 1B, an output mechanism 12, an input mechanism 13, and a storage mechanism 14 are provided in the demonstration room, and an output mechanism 16, an input device is provided in the respondent room connected via a line. A mechanism 17 and a storage mechanism 18 are provided, and when a visitor is detected, the demonstration content read out from the storage mechanism 14 is outputted to the output mechanism 12 to display a demonstration image and output audio, and in response to this, the content of the demonstration read from the storage mechanism 14 is outputted. When a question is input from the input mechanism 13, the respondent room is notified via the line and the question is sent to the output mechanism 1.
In response to the output from 6, the respondent inputs the input mechanism 17.
The answers input from the terminal are outputted to the output mechanism 12 on the demonstration room side via a line. Also,
The input mechanism 13 takes in character information such as a business card from a visitor and stores it in the storage mechanisms 14 and 18.

[0010] Therefore, it is possible to automatically detect that a visitor has arrived and automatically start a demonstration, or to have a person in charge of answering questions from the visitor receive them over the line, thereby making it easier for the explainer and There is no longer a need for the person in charge of answering to be on standby at all times, making it possible to use time and human resources more effectively.

[0011]

Embodiment Next, the structure and operation of an embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail using FIG. 1A and FIG. 2. In (a) of FIG. 1, a visitor detection device 1 detects the arrival of a visitor and notifies the control device 5.

The demonstration storage device 2 is a device that stores the contents of the demonstration. The screen output device 3 is a device (for example, a projection type video device) that displays the contents of the demonstration. The audio output device 4 is a device that outputs audio explaining a demonstration, synthesized audio, music, and the like.

[0013] In order to perform a demonstration when a visitor comes, the control device 5 controls image output to the screen output device 3 and audio output in accordance with the content read out from the demonstration storage device 2. It outputs audio to and controls the device 4. Next, the operation of the configuration shown in FIG. 1A will be explained in detail using FIG.

FIG. 2A shows a flowchart of the demonstration device. In (a) of Figure 2, S
If 1 is an end command, end, otherwise S2
Proceed to. If the visitor detection device 1 detects a visitor (YES in S2), S2 notifies the control device 5 to this effect;
Proceed to S3, and if not detected, proceed to S4.

[0015] S3 starts a demonstration. This is done when the control unit 5 receives a notification that a visitor has arrived.
According to the demonstration content read from the demonstration device 2, the screen output device 3 and the audio output device 4 output images and audio. After performing the demonstration once, proceed to S2. In S4, if the visitor does not come, the control device 5 erases the screen in S4, repeats the demonstration, or plays another commercial, and waits for the visitor to come.

As described above, when the visitor detection device 1 detects a visitor, it reads the contents of the demonstration from the demonstration storage device 2 and starts a demonstration consisting of images and sounds. If no visitors are detected after one demonstration, the demonstration will be repeated, another commercial will be played, or the screen will be blanked. This results in
It becomes possible to automatically start the demonstration from the beginning when a visitor comes, without the need for an instructor to be always on standby.

FIG. 2B shows a flowchart of the visitor detection device. This is a device that detects when a visitor enters a demonstration room and enters an area to view the demonstration. In (b) of FIG. 2, S11 extracts people from a demonstration viewing range (demonstration viewing range) using an input means such as a camera.

[0018] In S12, if it is detected that a person is within the demonstration observation range, the process proceeds to S13. If not detected, repeat S11 and wait for input. In step S13, an input is obtained after a certain period of time has elapsed after the person was detected in step S12. In S14, a person is extracted from the demonstration observation range, and it is determined whether the person is in the same position as in S12 or if the person is present within a certain range (= stationary). In the case of YES, it is found in S15 that the person is stationary and a visitor has arrived, so the control device 5 is notified and a demonstration is started in S3 of FIG. 2(a) described above. On the other hand, in the case of NO, since a person has arrived but is not stationary and is not a visitor, S11 and subsequent steps are repeated.

As described above, it is determined that a visitor has arrived when a person remains within the demonstration viewing range for a certain period of time. Then, the demonstration starts at S3 in (a) of FIG. 2 described above. Next, (b) in Figure 1
, 3 and 4, the configuration and operation of another embodiment of the present invention will be explained in detail.

In (b) of FIG. 1, the demo side system 1
1 is a computer system on the demonstration room side. The output mechanism 12 is a mechanism that outputs images, audio data, etc. as a demonstration. The input mechanism 13 is a mechanism for inputting questions and responses from visitors, and includes, for example, buttons, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch pen, a microphone, a camera, a character recognition device, and the like. Here, the buttons, keyboard, mouse, etc. are directly operated by the visitor to input data into the demonstration system 11. The microphone is used by the visitor to input questions into the demonstration system 11 as voice. The camera is used to input questions in the form of pictures or images. Character recognition devices allow visitors to enter questions in text, and automatically read and input visitors' names and phone numbers from business cards, etc. These input data are temporarily stored in the storage mechanism 14.

The storage mechanism 14 is a mechanism for storing question data from visitors. The answering system 15 is a computer system on the answering room side. Output mechanism 16
is a mechanism that conveys various information to respondents. The input mechanism 17 is a mechanism through which respondents input answers to questions from visitors.

The storage mechanism 18 is a mechanism for storing various information on the respondent room side. Next, using Fig. 3, (b) of Fig. 1 is shown.
The operation of the configuration will be explained in detail. In FIG. 3, S21
determines whether there is a question. When a visitor enters the demonstration room and is detected, the demonstration system 11 reads out the content of the demonstration from the storage mechanism 14 and outputs it to the output mechanism 12, displaying images of the demonstration and outputting audio. The user presses a button, key, etc. provided as the input mechanism 12 in response to the action. If YES, S23
Proceed to. If NO, the demonstration is continued in S22.

[0023] In S23, the visitor presses a specific button, key, etc. in S21 to transmit the fact that there is a question to the answerer via the line. In S24, it is determined whether or not the question has been completed. If YES, in S29, contact information is input, for example, a business card is inserted, and the name, telephone number, etc. are automatically read by the character recognition device and stored in the storage mechanism 14. . NO
In this case, the process advances to S25.

[0024] In S25, the visitor inputs a question. This allows visitors to ask questions using buttons, keyboards, microphones, cameras, etc., as if the person answering the question was there. S26 transfers the question input by the visitor in S25 to the answering system 15 via the line, and outputs the question to the output mechanism 16.
The data is output from the computer and transmitted to respondents in a separate room or remotely.

[0025] In S27, the answerer inputs an answer. In this case, a respondent in a separate room or a remote location inputs an answer from the input mechanism 17 in S26. In step S28, the answer is transferred to the demonstration system 11 via the line, outputted from the output mechanism 12, and replied to the visitor asking the question (response with images and sounds). Furthermore, if the respondent is absent or unable to answer immediately, the visitor inputs contact information such as his or her address and telephone number through the input mechanism 3. At this time, the business card is read by a character recognition device, and this information is automatically input and stored in the storage device 14.

[0026] As described above, in response to the pressing of a specific key (question key) by the visitor during the demonstration, that fact is communicated to the respondent side, the question is inputted, and the response is made. The answer is transmitted to the answerer's room via the line, and the answer is output as an image and sound from the visitor's output mechanism 12, allowing the visitor and the answerer to interact in real time via the line. It is also possible to automatically read questions, answers, and even business cards of visitors and store their contact information.

FIG. 4 shows another system configuration diagram of the present invention. In FIG. 4, the demo side includes a demo side computer system 21 that controls the whole, a display that displays, a speaker that outputs audio, input buttons, a keyboard,
A mouse, a touch panel, a microphone for inputting voice, a camera for inputting images, a character recognition device that automatically recognizes business cards, etc., and a storage device 24 for storing demonstration data.
, video equipment, etc.

The answering side includes an answering side computer system 25 that controls the whole, a display that displays, a speaker that outputs audio, buttons that input, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch panel, a microphone that inputs audio, a camera that inputs images, It consists of video equipment, etc. The line is a line that connects the demonstration side computer system 21 and the response side computer system 25. The operation will be explained below.

(1) When a visitor comes into the demonstration room, the demonstration side computer system 21 detects the visitor and displays the content of the demonstration data read from the storage device 24 as an image on the display or from the speaker. Start the demonstration by outputting it as audio. (2) When the visitor presses the question key during the demonstration, the demonstration computer system 21 detects this and enters the answer phase. Until now,
The answering computer system 25 and the answering person can perform other tasks independently of the demonstration.

(3) In (2), the visitor presses the question key, the demonstration side computer system 21 detects this, transmits it to the answering side computer system 25 via the line, and causes a specific lamp to emit light or A ring tone notifies the respondent that a question has been asked. If there is a respondent, the demonstration side computer system 21 is notified via the line that the person can respond, and the information is displayed on a display or the like. If the respondent is absent, the answer phase is aborted, the demonstration side computer system 21 is notified via the line, and a notification to that effect is displayed on the display. In this case, the visitor inserts the business card into the character recognition device and has it read, and the name, address, and telephone number are automatically read, stored in the storage device 24 and stored along with the question content, and a message is sent to the respondent. Make a request.

(4) If there are respondents and the answer phase is continued, the visitor inputs the questions by voice or keyboard, stores them in the storage device 24, and then displays them on the display via the line. This will be communicated to the respondents. In response to this, the answerer inputs an answer and displays it on a display via a line to give the answer to the visitor. Furthermore, the respondent may take out previously prepared response data from the storage device 28 and respond to the visitor. above questions,
Repeat your answer.

(5) When the visitor presses a specific button to end the question, that fact is transmitted to the answerer via the line, and the answer phase ends. In response to this,
The demonstration will resume.

[0033]

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention,
The system automatically detects that a visitor has arrived and automatically starts the demonstration, and the person in charge of answering questions from the visitors is received over the line and answered. This eliminates the need for explanation staff and answering staff to be on standby at all times, allowing for more effective use of time and human resources. In detail, (1)
Since there is no need for an instructor to be present during the demonstration, the burden on the instructor can be reduced.

(2) Throughout the demonstration,
Respondents no longer need to wait in the demonstration room, which reduces the burden on respondents, and they can also answer questions from visitors from a separate room or even from a remote location via line, allowing them to work while doing other work. Able to provide high-quality answers that utilize specialized knowledge, making effective use of time and human resources.

(3) Furthermore, useful information such as questions, addresses, and telephone numbers from visitors can be automatically collected and used as aggregated data.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the principle of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart explaining the operation of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating another operation of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is another system configuration diagram of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1: Visitor detection device 2: Demonstration storage device 3: Screen output device 4: Audio output device 5: Control device 11: Demo side system 12, 16: Output mechanism 13, 17: Input mechanism 14, 18: Memory mechanism 15: Responding system 21: Demo side computer system 24, 28: Storage device 25: Responding computer system

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A demonstration device for performing a demonstration, comprising a visitor detection device (1) for detecting the arrival of a visitor, and a demonstration storage device (2) for storing the contents of the demonstration, the visitor detection device described above. When (1) detects a visitor, the content is read from the demonstration storage device (2), while when no visitor is detected, the content is read repeatedly from the screen output device (3) or the audio output device ( 4) A demonstration device characterized in that it is configured to output. 2. A demonstration device for performing a demonstration, comprising a visitor detection device (1) for detecting the arrival of a visitor, and a demonstration storage device (2) for storing the contents of the demonstration, the visitor detection device described above. When (1) detects a visitor, it reads out the content from the demonstration storage device (2), while when it does not detect a visitor, it reads out other data and outputs it to the screen output device (3) or audio output device. (4) A demonstration device characterized in that it is configured to output. [Claim 3] In a demonstration device that performs a demonstration, an output mechanism (12) that outputs images, audio, etc., provided on the demonstration room side.
, an input mechanism (13) for inputting questions, a storage mechanism (14) for storing demonstration content, and an output mechanism (16) for outputting images, audio, etc., provided in the respondent room connected via a line. , an input mechanism for entering answers (
17), and a storage mechanism (18) for storing various data.
and the memory mechanism (14) when a visitor is detected.
) is outputted to the output mechanism (12) to display demonstration images and output audio, and in response to this, when a question from a visitor is input from the input mechanism (13). , In response to the notification to the respondent room side via the line and the output from the output mechanism (16), the respondent outputs the input mechanism (16).
6) A demonstration device characterized in that it is configured to output the answers inputted from the device via a line to an output mechanism (12) on the demonstration room side. 4. The input mechanism (13) captures character information such as a business card from the visitor, and the storage mechanism (13) captures character information such as a business card from the visitor.
4. The demonstration device according to claim 3, wherein the demonstration device is configured to store information in steps 14) and (18).