JP7769443B2 - Advertising management system, control method thereof, and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an advertising management system, a control method therefor, and a program.

In supermarkets and other retail stores, it is common to display POP (Point of Purchase) advertisements on the shelves where products are displayed. These advertisements include information about the product, its price, and a promotional slogan or description to promote the product.

The product prices and catchphrases listed on these POP advertisements are often subject to limited-time campaigns and special sales, and are subject to change. Therefore, if the actual product information differs from the information on the POP advertisement, retail store staff will replace the POP advertisement.

Patent Document 1 therefore describes a system that can determine whether a displayed POP advertisement is valid or invalid, so that the person in charge can know which POP advertisements should be removed.

Patent Document 1 discloses a system in which product information such as label identification information or product identification information is printed on a POP advertisement. When determining whether or not to publish the advertisement, the system reads the product information in the POP advertisement and performs processing to determine whether the product information written in the POP advertisement is valid or invalid.

JP 2014-48752 A

If the system in Patent Document 1 determines that an invalid POP advertisement has been posted, the POP advertisement must be replaced. In this case, the person in charge needs to know the next steps to take in response to the invalid POP advertisement, such as whether the POP advertisement was forgotten to be replaced or whether new POP advertisement data needs to be created.

However, if product information changes frequently, the POP advertisements must be replaced each time. In such cases, the person in charge must check which items in the currently displayed POP advertisements are invalid every time a replacement is made, which is a time-consuming task for the person in charge.

The objective of this invention is to provide an advertising management system that makes it easy to recognize the status of advertisements that need to be replaced when advertising products whose information changes.

The advertising management system of the present invention is capable of communicating with a server device that manages first selling price information for products and an information processing device equipped with an imaging means, and is characterized by comprising: an acquisition means that acquires second selling price information at the time the advertisement for a product imaged by the imaging means is printed from the advertisement; and a display control means that controls the display so that detailed information about the advertisement is identifiable along with information indicating whether the first selling price information managed by the server device matches the second selling price information acquired by the acquisition means.

This invention has the effect of making it easy to recognize the status of advertisements that need to be replaced when advertising products whose information changes.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration of an advertisement management system. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of an information processing device 100, a server device 101, and a mobile terminal 102. FIG. 2 illustrates an example of the hardware configuration of a printing apparatus 103. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the functional configuration of an information processing device 100, a server device 101, and a mobile terminal 102. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing flow when printing an advertisement in the first embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of a process that enables a mobile terminal to check whether an advertisement needs to be replaced or not in the first embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of a process for automatically printing an advertisement when it is necessary to replace the advertisement in a second embodiment of the present invention. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for automatically printing an advertisement when it is necessary to replace the advertisement in the second embodiment of the present invention, and is a continuation of the flowchart in FIG. 7 . 9A and 9B are diagrams showing an example of a selling price check table 900 and a check result table 910 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a planning instruction table 1000 according to the present embodiment. 3A and 3B are diagrams showing examples of screens displayed on a mobile terminal 102 according to the present embodiment. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for displaying a screen showing the state of a POP advertisement located at a particular position in a store in a third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an advertisement position check table 1300 according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen 1400 showing advertising information that needs to be replaced according to the third embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of an advertisement image 1500 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the system configuration of an advertising management system in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, in the present invention, an information processing device 100, a server device 101, and a printing device 103 are connected to each other via a network 105 so that data can be communicated between them. The network 105 may be a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). In addition, a mobile terminal 102 such as a smart device with a touch screen does not need to be able to communicate with the information processing device 100, the server device 101, and the printing device 103 at all times; they only need to be able to communicate as needed.

The configuration of the various terminals or servers connected to network 105 in Figure 1 is just one example, and it goes without saying that there are various configuration examples depending on the application and purpose.

The information processing device 100 (client terminal or server device) is a terminal that can be used by employees of a store such as a supermarket to give instructions for creating POP advertisements that include color codes, and is a terminal provided for each store.

A color code is a system that can express information through different colors and their arrangement. For example, information can be expressed by arranging cells of multiple colors, such as "red," "blue," and "yellow," in a row or matrix. Such color codes can be recognized from a distance approximately 50 times greater than two-dimensional barcodes, eliminating the need for close-up photography and allowing multiple color codes to be recognized simultaneously. In this embodiment, instructions are given to create a POP advertisement that displays such a color code.

The server device 101 can manage various databases, such as limited-time promotions such as the "Spring Thanksgiving Sale," as well as product information and POP layouts corresponding to those promotions. By managing promotions on such a server device 101, common promotions, common product information, and common POP layouts can be used in response to access from the information processing device 100 of each store. It is also possible to manage promotions, product information, POP layouts, etc. on the information processing device 100 of each store, without providing a server device 101.

The mobile terminal 102 is a terminal used by store employees to determine whether the content of a POP advertisement has changed or whether the advertisement period has expired, and is designed to be easily portable. According to the present invention, simply by capturing an image of a POP advertisement displayed on a store's product display shelf with the camera 232 of the mobile terminal 102, it is possible to easily determine whether the content of the POP advertisement has changed. Furthermore, by enabling this determination without communicating with the server device 101, etc., it is possible to easily determine whether the advertisement is still within its advertisement period, even in stores with poor communication environments.

The printing device 103 is a printer installed in each store that can print POP advertisements. It can be either an inkjet printer or a laser printer, but it must be a color-compatible printer that can print color codes. This printing device 103 can not only print in response to printing requests from each store, but also accept and print printing instructions from headquarters.

Figure 2(a) is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 100 and the server device 101.

The CPU 201 provides overall control over the devices and controllers connected to the system bus 204.

The ROM 202 or external memory 211 (storage means) also stores the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), which is the control program for the CPU 201, and the operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS). It also stores various programs (described below) required to realize the functions executed by the information processing device 100 and the server device 101. The RAM 203 functions as the main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 201.

The CPU 201 loads the programs and other data required for processing into the RAM 203 and executes the programs to perform various operations.

In addition, the input controller (input C) 205 controls input from input devices 209 such as a keyboard or a pointing device such as a mouse (not shown).

The video controller (VC) 206 controls the display on a display device such as a display 210. The type of display device is assumed to be a CRT or LCD display, but is not limited to these.

The memory controller (MC) 207 controls access to external memory 211, such as a hard disk (HD) or flexible disk (FD), which stores boot programs, browser software, various applications, font data, and various data. It also controls access to external memory 211, such as a card-type memory connected to a PCMCIA card slot via an adapter.

The communication I/F controller (communication I/FC) 208 connects and communicates with external devices via a network, and performs communication control processing over the network. For example, internet communication using TCP/IP is possible.

The CPU 201 can display the outline font on the display 210 by, for example, rasterizing it in an area for display information in the RAM 203. The CPU 201 also enables user instructions using a mouse cursor (not shown) on the display 210.

Various programs and the like used by the information processing device 100 and server device 101 of the present invention to execute the various processes described below are recorded in external memory 211 and are executed by the CPU 201 by being loaded into RAM 203 as needed.

Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used by the programs related to the present invention are stored in external memory 211.

Figure 2(b) is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a mobile terminal 102, such as a smart device equipped with a touch screen.

The CPU 221 provides overall control of each device and controller connected to the system bus 224.

The ROM 222 or external memory 231 (storage means) also stores the BIOS (Basic Input/Output System), which is the control program for the CPU 221, and the operating system program (hereinafter referred to as OS). It also stores various programs (described below) required to realize the functions executed by the mobile terminal 102. The RAM 223 functions as the main memory, work area, etc. of the CPU 221.

The CPU 221 loads the programs and other data required for processing into the RAM 223 and executes the programs to perform various operations. The touch panel controller 225 controls the touch panel 233, the display controller 226 controls the display 230, and the camera controller 229 controls the camera 232.

The memory controller 227 controls access to external memory 231, such as a hard disk (HD) or flexible disk (FD), which stores boot programs, browser software, various applications, edited files, various data, etc. It also controls access to external memory 231, such as a card-type memory connected to a PCMCIA card slot via an adapter.

The communication I/F controller (communication I/FC) 228 connects and communicates with external devices via a network, and performs communication control processing over the network. For example, internet communication using TCP/IP is possible.

The CPU 221 can display the outline font on the display 230 by, for example, rasterizing it in a display information area in the RAM 223.

Various programs and the like used by the mobile terminal 102 of the present invention to execute the various processes described below are recorded in external memory 231, and are loaded into RAM 223 as needed and executed by CPU 221. Furthermore, definition files and various information tables used by the programs related to the present invention are stored in external memory 231.

Next, an example of the hardware configuration of the printing device 103 will be described using Figure 3.

In Figure 3, the controller unit 333 is connected to the print unit 314, card reader 315, and operation unit 318, which function as image output devices. In addition to these connections, it also connects to a local area network or a public line (WAN) such as PSTN or ISDN to output advertising print jobs.

As shown in FIG. 3, the controller unit 333 is composed of a CPU 301, RAM 306, ROM 302, an external storage device (hard disk drive (HDD)) 307, a network interface (Network I/F) 303, etc. The controller unit 333 is also composed of a modem (Modem) 304, an operation unit interface (Operation I/F) 305, an external interface (External I/F) 309, an image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I/F) 308, etc. The controller unit 333 is further composed of a raster image processor (RIP) 310, a printer interface (Printer I/F) 311, an image processing unit 313, etc.

CPU 301 is a processor that controls the entire system.

RAM 306 is a system work memory for the operation of CPU 301, a program memory for recording programs, and an image memory for temporarily storing image data.

ROM 302 stores the system boot program and various control programs.

The external storage device (hard disk drive HDD) 307 stores various programs for controlling the system, print jobs, etc. It also stores various tables.

The operation unit interface (operation unit I/F) 305 is an interface with the operation unit (UI) 318, and outputs image data to be displayed on the operation unit 318 to the operation unit 318.

The operation unit I/F 305 also serves to transmit information (e.g., user information) entered by the user of the system via the operation unit 318 to the CPU 301. The operation unit 318 is equipped with a display unit with a touch panel, and the user can issue various instructions by pressing (touching with a finger, etc.) buttons displayed on the display unit.

The network interface (Network I/F) 303 connects to a network (LAN) and performs data input and output.

The modem 304 connects to a public line and performs data input and output, such as sending and receiving faxes.

The external interface (external I/F) 309 is an interface unit that accepts external inputs such as USB, IEEE 1394, printer port, and RS-232C.

The image bus interface (IMAGE BUS I/F) 308 is a bus bridge that connects the system bus 316 to the image bus 317, which transfers image data at high speed, and converts the data structure. The image bus 317 is configured as a PCI bus or IEEE 1394. The following devices are located on the image bus 317.

The raster image processor (RIP) 310 converts vector data, such as PDL code, into a bitmap image.

The printer interface (printer I/F) 311 connects the print unit 314 and the controller unit 333, and performs synchronous/asynchronous conversion of image data.

The image processing unit 313 performs printer correction, resolution conversion, and other operations on the print output image data generated by the print job. In addition, the image processing unit 313 also rotates the image data and performs compression and expansion operations such as JPEG for multi-value image data and JBIG, MMR, and MH for binary image data.

The print unit 314 connected to the printer I/F 311 converts raster image data into an image on paper. This can be done using an electrophotographic method that uses a photosensitive drum or belt, or an inkjet method that ejects ink from a micro-nozzle array to print an image directly onto paper, but any method is acceptable. The print operation is initiated by a command from the CPU 301. The print unit 314 has multiple paper feed stages, with corresponding paper cassettes, so that different paper sizes or orientations can be selected.

Operation unit 318, which is connected to operation unit I/F 305, has a liquid crystal display (LCD) display unit. A touch panel sheet is attached to the LCD, which displays the system's operation screen and, when a displayed key is pressed, transmits position information to CPU 301 via operation unit I/F 305. Operation unit 318 also has various operation keys, such as a start key, stop key, ID key, and reset key.

The start key on the operation unit 318 is used to start a printing operation, etc. The center of the start key has a two-color LED, green and red, which indicates whether the start key is usable or not. The stop key on the operation unit 318 stops an ongoing operation. The ID key on the operation unit 318 is used to enter the user's ID. The reset key is used to initialize the settings from the operation unit 318.

Next, the functional configuration of the information processing device 100, server device 101, mobile terminal 102, and printing device 103 will be described using Figure 4. Note that the functional configuration of the information processing device 100, server device 101, mobile terminal 102, and printing device 103 shown in Figure 4 is an example, and there are various configuration examples depending on the application and purpose.

The information processing device 100 has, as its functional units, a communication control unit 401, a color code generation unit 402, and an advertising data generation unit 403.

The communication control unit 401 is a functional unit for controlling communication between the information processing device 100, the server device 101, and the printing device 103.

The color code generation unit 402 is a functional unit that generates color codes containing information. Specifically, it generates a color code that indicates a print serial number, which is identification information for each POP advertisement. The print serial number is an identification number assigned to each POP advertisement when a print instruction for the POP advertisement is received. Note that in this embodiment, the print serial number is indicated by a color code, but the information indicated by the color code may be information other than the print serial number related to the product or POP advertisement, such as product selling price information or the display period of the POP advertisement. Furthermore, the color code does not necessarily have to be generated by the information processing device 100; it may be generated by the server device 101, the printing device 103, or another device and managed by the information processing device 100.

The advertising data generation unit 403 is a functional unit for generating advertising data corresponding to products. In this embodiment, it generates advertising data that includes the color code generated by the color code generation unit 402 along with product information.

Next, we will explain the functional units of the server device 101. The server device 101 includes a communication control unit 404, a memory unit 405, and a print serial number acquisition unit 406.

The communication control unit 404 is a functional unit that controls communication between the information processing device 100 and the mobile terminal 102 and printing device 103.

The storage unit 405 is a functional unit (storage means) for storing information on various tables and masters, as described below, and information that configures various screens. It adds, updates, and deletes information as needed.

The print serial number acquisition unit 406 is a functional unit that acquires a print serial number for each POP advertisement when the server device 101 receives a print instruction for a POP advertisement from the information processing device 100. The print serial number acquired by the print serial number acquisition unit 406 is transmitted from the server device 101 to the information processing device 100, and the color code generation unit of the information processing device 100 generates a color code indicating the received print serial number.

Next, we will explain the functional units of the mobile terminal 102. The functional units of the mobile terminal 102 include an imaging unit 407 and a display control unit 408.

The imaging unit 407 is a functional unit that controls imaging by the camera 232 provided in the mobile terminal 102. In this embodiment, it captures the color code included in the POP advertisement and displays it on the screen so that changes to the POP advertisement can be identified.

The display control unit 408 is a functional unit for controlling the display on the display 230 of the mobile terminal 102 (display control means). When a screen display instruction is issued from the display control unit 408, the display instruction is sent to the display 210 via the video controller 206. Then, when the display 230 receives this instruction, it displays the screen in accordance with the instruction.

Next, the flow of a series of processes from creating a POP advertisement to notifying a user of a POP advertisement to be changed will be explained using the flowcharts in Figures 5 and 6. The embodiment explained using the flowcharts in Figures 5 and 6 is the first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the process of outputting a POP advertisement specified by a user.

In step S501, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 accepts the user's selection of an advertising template from advertising templates previously stored in the information processing device 100. An advertising template indicates the layout of an advertisement, which determines where in a POP advertisement the product name, selling price, and catch phrase will be placed.

In step S502, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 accepts the selection of products for which a POP advertisement is to be created. The CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 may accept the selection for each product individually, or may accept the selection of all products that are grouped together to a certain extent, such as a list of products that are relevant to a limited-time event, all at once.

In step S503, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 sends to the server device 101 the JAN code (Japanese Article Number) of the product selected in step S502, along with an instruction to print an advertisement corresponding to that product. Note that in this embodiment, the JAN code is sent as information identifying the product, but information other than the JAN code may also be sent as long as it is identification information that can identify the product, such as the product name or a product code managed by store.

In step S504, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 receives the product's JAN code and a print instruction from the information processing device 100.

In step S505, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 acquires (acquisition means) selling price information for the product corresponding to the JAN code received in step S504 from a POS system (Point Of Sales system) linked to the server device 101. The POS system manages product sales information and also manages fluctuating product selling prices. The selling price information acquired by the server device 101 from the POS system in step S505 is the selling price of the product at the time the selling price information is acquired.

In step S506, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 acquires a print serial number using the function of the print serial number acquisition unit 406. The CPU 201 of the server device 101 acquires a number (print serial number) for each POP advertisement for which a print instruction has been received. Even if a print serial number for a POP advertisement for a product with the same JAN code has been acquired in the past, when a new print instruction is received, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 acquires a new print serial number.

In step S507, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 associates the JAN code received in step S504, the selling price information acquired in step S505, and the printing serial number acquired in step S506 and stores them in the selling price check table 900.

The selling price check table 900 in Figure 9 is a table that manages information about POP advertisements for which a print instruction has been received. The CPU 201 of the server device 101 also checks the selling price check table 900 when checking changes to a POP advertisement captured by the mobile terminal 102. The selling price check table 900 includes a JAN code 901, a printing serial number 902, a printing price 903, a printing flag 904, a printing time 905, and a selling price 906. The JAN code 901 is received by the server device 101 in step S504, and the printing serial number 902 is stored as obtained by the server device 101 in step S506. The printing price 903 is the selling price obtained by the server device 101 from the POS system in step S505, and the JAN code 901, printing serial number 902, and printing price 903 are stored in correspondence with each other. The printing flag 904 manages whether or not the advertisement for which a print instruction has been received has been printed. Printing time 905 stores the time when the POP advertisement was printed. Selling price 906 is selling price information acquired separately from printing price 903, and product selling price information is acquired and stored from the POS system when the POP advertisement is photographed and confirmed with the mobile terminal 102, or at predetermined intervals. When checking whether the price of a published POP advertisement has changed, the printing price 903 is compared with the value stored in selling price 906.

Returning to Figure 5, in step S508, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 transmits the print serial number associated with the JAN code to the information processing device 100 along with the JAN code.

In step S509, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 receives the JAN code and print serial number from the server device 101.

In step S510, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 generates a color code indicating the printing serial number using the function of the color code generation unit 402. Then, using the function of the advertising data generation unit 403, it generates advertising data including the color code.

In step S511, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 sends an output instruction to the printing device 103 using the function of the communication control unit 401 (output control means).

In step S512, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 sends information indicating that the print instruction was sent in step S511 to the server device 101. Note that, to ensure that printing has been completed, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 may send the print results to the server device 101 after receiving information from the printing device 103 indicating whether printing has been completed.

In step S513, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 receives the print results from the information processing device 100.

In step S514, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 stores the print results received from the information processing device 100 using the functions of the memory unit 405. More specifically, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 stores "1" in the print flag 904 of the selling price check table 900. If the POP advertising data has been generated but has not yet been printed by the printing device 103, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 stores "0".

This concludes the explanation of the process for outputting a specified POP advertisement. This process generates a color code indicating the printing serial number assigned when the POP advertisement data was created, and then creates and prints a POP advertisement containing that color code.

Next, using Figure 6, we will explain the flow of a series of processes for capturing an image of a POP advertisement printed using the processing in the flowchart of Figure 5 with a mobile terminal and notifying the user of any changes to the POP advertisement.

In step S601, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 pre-installs an application for checking the content of POP advertisements on the mobile terminal 102 and launches the corresponding application.

In step S602, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 begins capturing images of the POP advertisement using the functions of the imaging unit 407.

In step S603, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 identifies the printing serial number indicated by the color code included in the POP advertisement.

In step S604, the print serial number identified in step S603 is sent to the server device 101.

In step S605, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 receives the print serial number from the mobile terminal 102.

In step S606, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 uses the received printing serial number as a key to search for the printing serial number 902 in the selling price check table 900 stored by the function of the memory unit 405.

In step S607, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 identifies the printing serial number found in step S606 from the printing serial number 902, and then references the printing price 903 and selling price 906, which are stored in association with the printing serial number 902. The selling price stored in the printing price 903 is a fixed value because it is the selling price at the time the POP advertisement was printed. On the other hand, the value stored in the selling price 906 is a variable selling price because it is obtained from the POS system at a predetermined timing. Next, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 compares the selling price stored in the printing price 903 with the selling price stored in the selling price 906 and determines whether the two selling prices are the same (whether they match). If the CPU 201 of the server device 101 determines that the two selling prices are the same, it proceeds to step S608 and determines that there is no problem. In other words, it determines that there has been no change in the content of the product information in the POP advertisement, and proceeds to step S612. If the CPU 201 of the server device 101 determines that the two selling prices are not the same, or that they are different selling prices, it proceeds to step S609.

In step S609, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 determines whether a latest serial number is available. More specifically, the JAN code associated with the print serial number used as the search key is identified, and the JAN code 901 in the selling price check table 900 is searched for using the JAN code as a key. If the same JAN code is identified and a new print serial number (latest serial number) is stored, this indicates that print data for a POP advertisement with an updated selling price has been generated to accommodate the replacement of the POP advertisement. If the CPU 201 of the server device 101 determines that a latest serial number is available, the process proceeds to step S611, where it determines that the advertising data for the POP advertisement has been generated and a print instruction has been received, and that the POP advertisement has not been replaced. If the CPU 201 of the server device 101 determines that a latest serial number is not available, the process proceeds to step S610, where it determines that a change has occurred in the content (selling price) of the POP advertisement and that the POP advertisement has not yet been printed.

Here, the check result table 910 in Figure 9 will be described. The check result table 910 in this embodiment is an example of a table that stores the results of determining whether a change has occurred in the selling price based on the printing serial number of the POP advertisement. The check result table 910 includes a JAN code 911, a printing serial number 912, and a check result 913. The check result 913 indicates the results of checking the changes to the POP advertisement and determining the results determined in steps S608, S610, and S611. For example, if there are no changes to the information indicated by the POP advertisement and there are no problems, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 stores a "0." If there is a change to the information indicated by the POP advertisement, but it is determined that a new POP advertisement has already been printed because the latest serial number has been obtained, that is, if it is determined that the POP advertisement was simply not replaced, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 stores a "1" in the check result 913. If it is determined that the information indicated by the POP advertisement has changed and the latest serial number has not been obtained, so that a POP advertisement with updated information has not been printed, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 stores "2" in the check result 913.

Returning to the flowchart in Figure 6, in step S612, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 transmits the results stored in the check result table 910 in Figure 9 to the mobile terminal 102.

In step S613, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 receives the check results from the server device 101.

In step S614, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 notifies the store staff of the changes to the POP advertisement based on the check results received in step S613. In this embodiment, the display control unit 408 functions to display POP advertisements with changes to their content in an identifiable manner on the display 230 of the mobile terminal 102. The CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 also displays detailed information for each POP advertisement according to the check results received in step S613. The detailed information here refers to information indicating the status of the POP advertisement that should be notified to store staff when the CPU 201 of the server device 101 determines that the selling price of the POP advertisement has changed. Here, the information indicating the status of the POP advertisement includes, for example, information to indicate the next step to be taken by the store staff, such as whether the POP advertisement in which the error occurred was not replaced or whether new POP advertisement data needs to be created.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example in which the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 displays an identification display corresponding to the check results received from the server device 101 in step S614. The display 230 of the mobile terminal 102 displays the interior of the store as it is being captured, and displays a POP advertisement 1101 and a color code 1102 contained in the POP advertisement 1101. The color code 1102 is read by the mobile terminal 102 to determine the status of the POP advertisement. The missing replacement error display 1104 and the unprinted error display 1103 are identified by superimposing the error display of the POP advertisement corresponding to each check result on the captured image. The POP advertisements on which the missing replacement error display 1104 and the unprinted error display 1103 are superimposed are both POP advertisements in which a change has occurred between the selling price stated in the POP advertisement and the actual selling price of the product. In this embodiment, not only can the system manage whether problematic POP advertisements can be posted, but it can also notify store personnel of the error status of POP advertisements that need to be changed, thereby reducing the checking work required of store personnel who check and replace POP advertisements. Note that in this embodiment, it is sufficient to notify POP advertisements with changes to their posted content, so notification may be by other means, such as audio, rather than by display. Furthermore, rather than being limited to displaying the error status, POP advertisements with changes to their selling prices may be displayed with the correct selling price superimposed on the captured image.

This concludes the explanation of the process flow for notifying the user (store staff) of POP advertisements that have been changed. This process allows store staff to recognize at a glance which POP advertisements need to be replaced. In addition, in this embodiment, detailed information is also available for POP advertisements whose selling prices have changed, such as whether print data for a POP advertisement with the updated selling price needs to be created, or whether new print data does not need to be created and the advertisement was simply overlooked. Therefore, store staff can determine the next steps to take when they discover a POP advertisement that needs to be replaced simply by taking a photo of the POP advertisement with their mobile terminal 102.

[Embodiment 2]
Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowcharts of Figures 7 and 8. In the first embodiment, a determination was made as to whether or not there had been any changes to the content of a POP advertisement, and POP advertisements with changes were identified and displayed to notify the user. In the second embodiment, a mechanism is described in which a POP advertisement is imaged with a mobile terminal 102, and if there is a POP advertisement with changes to the published content, the POP advertisement is extracted and an updated POP advertisement with the changes is automatically printed.

The processing from step S701 to step S707 in Figure 7 is the same as step S601 to step S607 in Figure 6, so a description thereof will be omitted. The processing from step S701 to step S707 is processing in which the server device 101 compares the selling price of the identified product based on the printed serial number captured by the mobile terminal 102 and read from the color code.

In step S708, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 compares the selling price stored in the printing price 903 with the selling price stored in the selling price 906 in step S707, and performs processing if it determines that the two selling prices are not the same value. The CPU 201 of the server device 101 identifies the JAN code corresponding to the printing serial number of the POP advertisement whose selling price has changed.

In step S709, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 identifies the current date information.

In step S710, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 acquires project information stored by the function of the memory unit 405. Project information refers to projects such as limited-time special sales held at stores, and indicates data for generating advertisements that compiles information such as the layout, catchphrase, and selling price of POP advertisements prepared for each project. The project information may be stored in the server device 101, or information stored in another storage device may be acquired as appropriate.

The plan instruction table 1000 in Figure 10 shows an example of a table summarizing plan information from which advertising data for a plan can be generated. The plan instruction table 1000 includes category 1001, title 1002, pattern 1003, sale start date 1004, sale end date 1005, JAN code 1006, manufacturer name 1007, product name 1008, selling price 1009, and catchphrase 1010. Category 1001 indicates whether the data is for a plan (special sale) advertisement or a regular advertisement, and title 1002 indicates the title of the plan. Pattern 1003 indicates the layout pattern of the POP advertisement, and sale start date 1004 and sale end date 1005 indicate the sale start date and sale end date of the relevant product, respectively. In other words, they also indicate the display period of the POP advertisement. Furthermore, the JAN code 1006, manufacturer name 1007, product name 1008, selling price 1009, and catchphrase 1010 are information for each product and indicate the data to be printed on the promotional POP advertisement. In step S710 of Figure 7, this promotion instruction table 1000 is obtained as promotional information.

Returning to the flowchart in Figure 7, in step S711, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 determines whether the relevant product is included in the project information based on the current date identified in step S709 and the JAN code identified in step S708. In other words, it determines whether the JAN code identified in step S708 is included among the products that are the subject of the currently held project. If the CPU 201 of the server device 101 determines that the JAN code of the relevant product is included in the project information, it proceeds to step S712. If the CPU 201 of the server device 101 determines that the JAN code of the relevant product is not included in the project information, it proceeds to step S713.

In step S712, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 obtains the selling price for the project from the selling price 1009 in the project instruction table 1000.

In step S713, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 obtains the latest current selling price from the POS system using the function of the communication control unit 404.

In step S714, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 acquires the print serial number using the function of the print serial number acquisition unit 406.

In step S715, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 associates the JAN code identified in step S708, the selling price information acquired in step S713 or step S714, and the printing serial number acquired in step S714. The association is then stored in the selling price check table 900.

The CPU 201 of the server device 101 repeats the processing of steps S706 to S715 the number of times equal to the number of print serial numbers received from the mobile terminal 102.

In step S716, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 extracts the POP advertisement data for which a new printing serial number has been acquired. In other words, it was determined in step S707 that the two selling prices were not the same, and the data for which a new printing serial number has been acquired is extracted.

Next, in step S717 of FIG. 8, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 transmits the data extracted in step S716 to the information processing device 100.

In step S718, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 receives the data extracted in step S716 from the server device 101.

In step S719, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 generates new print data for the POP advertisements received in step S718, which have a difference in selling price. Here, based on the determination in step S711, if the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 determines that advertising data indicating products eligible for the promotion is included, it uses the promotion information to generate print data for the promotion. Furthermore, if the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 determines that advertising data indicating products eligible for the promotion is not included, it generates print data for a regular POP advertisement.

In step S720, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 sends an instruction to the printing device 103 to output a POP advertisement.

In step S721, the CPU 201 of the information processing device 100 identifies the printing time when the POP advertisement was printed and sends it to the server device 101.

In step S722, the CPU 201 of the server device 101 stores the printing time received from the information processing device 100 in the printing time 905 of the selling price check table 900, and ends the series of processes.

This concludes the explanation of the mechanism for printing POP advertisements in the second embodiment that have been read and extracted by the mobile terminal 102 and have undergone changes to their information. In this embodiment, the POP advertisement is changed based on a change to the selling price information; however, the POP advertisement may also be changed based on other information, such as a change to the display period or catch phrase of the POP advertisement, rather than just the selling price information.

The processing of the second embodiment allows store staff to simply capture a POP advertisement with their mobile terminal 102, not only discovering new POP advertisements that need to be printed due to changes in information, but also easily printing POP advertisements that need to be printed. Furthermore, because changed POP advertisements are automatically created, the creation of a POP advertisement notifies the store staff of the POP advertisements that need to be changed, and also prevents problems such as forgetting to create or print a POP advertisement that needs to be replaced.

[Embodiment 3]
12 to 15, a third embodiment will be described. In the first and second embodiments, the state of a POP advertisement is recognized using a mobile terminal 102. In the third embodiment, price information of the POP advertisement is acquired along with in-store location information and information on the shelves where the product is displayed (shelf information), and a process is shown for displaying a screen showing the state of the POP advertisement at which position in the store it is located.

In the third embodiment, the mobile terminal 102 will be mainly described, but the present invention may also be applied to other mobile information processing devices or terminals, such as self-propelled robots. If the entity capturing the POP advertisement images is a robot or the like, it may store the route it takes within the store in advance, and while moving along the stored route, capture the POP advertisements and obtain the selling price information contained in the POP advertisements.

First, the flow in Figure 12 will be described. In step S1201 in Figure 12, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 starts capturing images of a POP advertisement using the functions of the imaging unit 407. As mentioned above, the imaging is not limited to being performed by the mobile terminal 102; a self-propelled information processing device such as a robot may also start an application and start capturing images.

In step S1202, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 acquires location information at the time of image capture (location information acquisition means). The location information may be acquired using a GPS (Global Positioning System), or may be acquired from product shelf information within a store, or any other information that indicates the location of the captured POP advertisement.

Here, the advertisement position check table 1300 in Figure 13 will be explained. The advertisement position check table 1300 is an example of a data table that stores information including the position of a POP advertisement captured by the mobile terminal 102. The advertisement position check table 1300 includes shelf information 1301, JAN code 1302, product name 1303, and POP information 1304. The shelf information 1301 indicates the position or location of the shelf on which the POP advertisement was captured. The JAN code 1302 and product name 1303 indicate the JAN code and product name printed on the captured POP advertisement, respectively. The POP information 1304 indicates information such as the printing status of the captured POP advertisement.

In step S1203, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 captures an image of the POP advertisement and transmits the identified print serial number of the POP advertisement to the server device 101. The processing of the server device 101 that receives the print serial number from the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 is similar to the processing of steps S605 to S612 in FIG. 6, and therefore description thereof will be omitted. In other words, upon receiving the print serial number, the server device 101 compares the selling price information of the POP advertisement using the printing serial number as a key and determines whether there is a difference in the selling price information of the POP advertisement. If there is a difference in the selling price information, it then determines whether the POP advertisement has already been printed and not replaced, or whether it is unprinted, and transmits the check result to the mobile terminal 102.

In step S1204, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 receives the check results from the server device 101.

In step S1205, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 associates the check result received in step S1204 with the location information acquired in step S1202 and stores them in the advertisement position check table 1300. For example, the received check result is stored in POP information 1304 of the advertisement position check table 1300, and the location information is stored in shelf information 1301. In this embodiment, the advertisement position check table 1300 is stored in the mobile terminal 102, but it may also be stored in the server device 101.

In step S1206, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 generates a display screen for the advertising information. More specifically, based on the information in the advertisement position check table 1300, a screen is generated to display information about the POP advertisement to be notified to users who have been determined to have a discrepancy in the printed information. Note that in this embodiment, the mobile terminal 102 performs the processing to generate the advertising information display screen, but the server device 101 may also perform the processing to generate the advertising information display screen, and the mobile terminal 102 may acquire the information generated by the server device 101 as appropriate.

In step S1207, the CPU 221 of the mobile terminal 102 displays the advertising information display screen generated in step S1206 on the display 230 of the mobile terminal 102.

Now, let us consider Figure 14. Figure 14 shows screen 1400 displaying advertising information that requires replacement, an example of a screen displayed in step S1207. Screen 1400 displaying advertising information that requires replacement includes advertising information display 1401 and store map 1402. Store map 1402 indicates the location of the POP advertisement to be notified, and advertising information display 1401 displays the status of the POP advertisement using a color, mark, symbol, or other identifying indicator. This display allows the administrator to later check the status of the POP advertisement and see at a glance which POP advertisement needs to be replaced and in what condition. Furthermore, because the status of the POP advertisement is represented using symbols and diagrams, it is possible to notify the user of the status of the POP advertisement in an easily viewable format, even on a device with a small display 230, for example. Note that in this embodiment, the information on the POP advertisement to be notified is displayed using a diagram, but it may also be displayed in list format. Additionally, even if a notification has been sent once about an unprinted or replaced POP advertisement, if the POP advertisement has not been replaced, the same notification may be sent again. In such cases, a flag may be set for the POP advertisement information, and a message such as "Previously checked" may be displayed on the screen in the advertisement information display 1401 to indicate that a notification has been sent once but the advertisement has not yet been replaced.

In addition to the POP advertisements used in the explanation of this embodiment, information regarding the replacement of flyers and posters may also be displayed on the display 230 of the mobile terminal 102, as in the advertisement image 1500 in Figure 15. Furthermore, the code containing information about the advertisement to be imaged may not only be a color code, but may be any identification information from which the advertisement information can be read, such as a two-dimensional barcode. In Figure 15, for example, a code containing publication period information is printed on a poster or flyer, and the code is imaged with the mobile terminal 102. This determines whether the publication period is still in progress, whether the advertisement in question is unprinted or has not been replaced, and displays information about the poster or flyer.

This concludes the explanation of the process for displaying a screen showing the status of a POP advertisement located at a specific location within a store in the third embodiment.

As described above, the present invention has the effect of making it easy to recognize the status of advertisements that need to be replaced when advertising products whose information changes.

The present invention can be embodied, for example, as a system, device, method, program, or storage medium, and specifically may be applied to a system consisting of multiple devices, or to an apparatus consisting of a single device.

The present invention also includes the direct or remote supply of software programs that realize the functions of the above-described embodiments to a system or device. The present invention also includes cases where the functions are achieved by the information processing device of the system or device reading and executing the supplied program code.

Therefore, the program code itself that is installed (can be installed) on an information processing device to realize the functional processing of the present invention in the information processing device also realizes the present invention. In other words, the present invention also includes the computer program itself for realizing the functional processing of the present invention.

In this case, as long as it has the functionality of a program, it may be in the form of object code, a program executed by an interpreter, script data supplied to the OS, etc.

Storage media for supplying programs include, for example, flexible disks, hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, MO, CD-ROM, CD-R, and CD-RW. Other storage media include magnetic tape, non-volatile memory cards, ROM, and DVDs (DVD-ROM, DVD-R).

Another method of providing the program is to connect to an Internet homepage using the client computer's browser. The computer program of the present invention itself, or a compressed file with an automatic installation function, can then be downloaded from the homepage to a recording medium such as a hard disk.

It is also possible to realize the program of the present invention by dividing the program code that constitutes the program into multiple files and downloading each file from a different homepage. In other words, the present invention also includes a WWW server that allows multiple users to download program files that implement the functional processing of the present invention on an information processing device.

Alternatively, the program of the present invention can be encrypted, stored on a storage medium such as a CD-ROM, and distributed to users. Users who meet certain conditions can then download key information to decrypt the program from a website via the Internet. The downloaded key information can then be used to execute the encrypted program and install it on an information processing device, thereby achieving the program.

Furthermore, the functions of the aforementioned embodiments are realized when the information processing device executes the read program. Alternatively, the OS running on the information processing device may perform some or all of the actual processing based on the instructions of the program, and the functions of the aforementioned embodiments may also be realized through this processing.

Furthermore, the program read from the recording medium is written to memory provided on a function expansion board inserted into the information processing device or a function expansion unit connected to the information processing device. Then, based on the instructions of the program, a CPU or other device provided on the function expansion board or function expansion unit performs some or all of the actual processing, and this processing also realizes the functions of the above-mentioned embodiments.

The above-described embodiments are merely examples of specific ways of implementing the present invention, and should not be interpreted as limiting the technical scope of the present invention. In other words, the present invention can be implemented in various forms without departing from its technical concept or main features.

100 Information processing device 101 Server device 102 Mobile terminal 103 Printing device 201 CPU
230 Display 211 External memory 221 CPU
231 External memory 232 Camera

Claims (14)

an output control means for controlling the output of information relating to the printing status of a second advertisement to replace the first advertisement, based on second selling price information acquired from the first advertisement for the commodity and the first selling price information for the commodity stored in the storage means;
The information processing system is characterized in that the output control means controls the output information so as to be associated with the position of the first advertisement. an output control means for controlling the output of at least one of information relating to the printing status of a second advertisement to replace the first advertisement or information indicating that the first advertisement has not been replaced, based on second selling price information acquired from the first advertisement for the commodity and the first selling price information for the commodity stored in the storage means;
The information processing system is characterized in that the output control means controls the output of information regarding the printing status of the second advertisement and information indicating that the first advertisement has not been replaced, in such a manner that they are each associated with the position of the first advertisement so that they can be identified. an output control means for controlling the output of at least one of information relating to the printing status of a second advertisement to replace the first advertisement or information indicating that the first advertisement has not been replaced, based on second selling price information acquired from the first advertisement for the commodity and the first selling price information for the commodity stored in the storage means;
the output control means controls the output of the information to be output in association with the position of the first advertisement ;
An information processing system characterized by controlling the output of information relating to the position of the first advertisement in a form different from information relating to the printing status of a second advertisement replacing the first advertisement and information indicating that the first advertisement has not been replaced, if the second selling price information and the first selling price information do not match after the information relating to the position of the first advertisement is output . 4. The information processing system according to claim 2 , wherein the output control means controls the output so as to be identifiable using colors or symbols. The information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , characterized in that the output control means controls the position of the first advertisement associated with the information to be output so as to be superimposed on a store interior map. The information processing system described in any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the output control means controls the information related to the position of the first advertisement to be output again if the second selling price information and the first selling price information do not match after outputting the information related to the position of the first advertisement. An information processing system as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising an acquisition means for acquiring the second selling price information based on identification information for each printed advertisement, the information being obtained from a code having identification information of the first advertisement printed on the first advertisement. 8. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the second selling price information is acquired by capturing an image of the first advertisement with an image capturing device. 9. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the second selling price information is information at the time when the first advertisement was printed. 10. The information processing system according to claim 1, wherein the second advertisement corresponds to the first selling price information. an output control step of controlling to output information relating to a printing status of a second advertisement to replace the first advertisement, based on second selling price information acquired from the first advertisement for the commodity and the first selling price information for the commodity stored in the storage means;
The control method for an information processing system, wherein the output control step controls the information to be output in association with the position of the first advertisement. an output control step of controlling the output of at least one of information relating to the printing status of a second advertisement to replace the first advertisement or information indicating that the first advertisement has not been replaced, based on second selling price information acquired from the first advertisement for the commodity and the first selling price information for the commodity stored in the storage means;
A control method for an information processing system, characterized in that the output control step controls to output information regarding the printing status of the second advertisement and information indicating that the first advertisement has not been replaced in association with the position of the first advertisement so that they can be identified. an output control step of controlling the output of at least one of information relating to the printing status of a second advertisement to replace the first advertisement or information indicating that the first advertisement has not been replaced, based on second selling price information acquired from the first advertisement for the commodity and the first selling price information for the commodity stored in the storage means;
the output control step controls the output information to be output in association with a position of the first advertisement;
A control method for an information processing system characterized by controlling to output information regarding the position of the first advertisement in a form different from information regarding the printing status of a second advertisement that will replace the first advertisement and information indicating that the first advertisement has not been replaced, if the second selling price information and the first selling price information do not match after the information regarding the position of the first advertisement is output. A program for causing at least one computer to function as each of the means of the information processing system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 .