JP2017182485A - Information gathering system, information gathering method, and information gathering program - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to collect information indicating how a product is used. Kind Code: A1 An information collection system according to an embodiment receives from a user terminal product information obtained by reading a bar code attached to a product and status information indicating the status of reading the bar code. A receiving unit and a registering unit for generating usage information indicating a combination of the product and the situation based on the product information and the situation information and storing the usage information in the usage database. [Selection drawing] Fig. 4

Description

  One aspect of the present invention relates to a system, a method, and a program for collecting information about products.

  Conventionally, there are various mechanisms for collecting information about products. For example, Patent Document 1 below describes a marketing information collection system. In this system, an information terminal with a camera transmits purchase information including an identification code and a graphic pattern recognized from a barcode attached to a product and attribute information of an operator to a marketing information collection server. The marketing information collection server stores the attribute information as marketing information of a product specified from the identification code and the graphic pattern.

JP, 2014-6651, A

  Although it is possible to grasp who purchased which product by using the marketing information collection system described above, it is impossible to grasp how the product was actually used. By grasping the usage mode of a product, for example, there is a possibility that an analysis that could not be performed conventionally or a more detailed analysis than before can be performed. Therefore, it is desired to collect information indicating the usage mode of the product.

  An information collection system according to an aspect of the present invention includes a receiving unit that receives product information obtained by reading a barcode attached to a product and status information indicating a status of reading the barcode from a user terminal. And a registration unit that generates usage information indicating a combination of the product and the status based on the product information and the status information, and stores the usage information in the usage database.

  An information collection method according to one aspect of the present invention is an information collection method executed by an information collection system including a processor, product information obtained by reading a barcode attached to a product, and the barcode Based on the receiving step for receiving the status information indicating the read status from the user terminal, the product information and the status information, the usage information indicating the combination of the product and the status is generated, and the usage information is stored in the usage database. Registration step.

  An information collection program according to one aspect of the present invention includes a reception step of receiving, from a user terminal, product information obtained by reading a barcode attached to a product and status information indicating a status of reading the barcode Then, based on the product information and the situation information, the computer generates a usage information indicating a combination of the product and the status and stores the usage information in the usage database.

  In such an aspect, the product information indicated by the barcode attached to the product and the status information indicating the status of reading the barcode are provided from the user terminal, and based on these information, the product And the combination of the situations is registered in the database. Information indicating the usage mode of a product can be collected by regarding the situation where the user has read the barcode of the product as a situation where the product is used and accumulating it in the database.

  According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to collect information indicating a usage mode of a product.

It is a figure showing the whole information gathering system composition concerning an embodiment. It is a figure which shows the example of a utilization database. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the computer used for the server which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the function structure of the server which concerns on embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows operation | movement of the server which concerns on embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the information collection program which concerns on embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same or equivalent elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted.

  The function and configuration of the information collection system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. The information collection system 1 is a computer system that collects information about products from a plurality of users. More specifically, the information collection system 1 collects usage information indicating in what situation the product is used.

  FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of the information collection system 1. The information collection system 1 includes a server 10, a plurality of user terminals 20, and a database group 30. The database group 30 includes a usage database 31 and may further include a store database 32 or a product database 33. These devices can transmit and receive data to and from each other through a communication network N such as the Internet or an intranet. A specific configuration of the communication network N, that is, a specific connection mode between devices is not limited at all. The administrator of the server 10 may be the same as the administrator of each database in the database group 30 or may be different from each other. The managers of the databases in the database group 30 may be the same or different from each other.

  As schematically shown in FIG. 1, a bar code 41 is given to the product 40 for the purpose of collecting usage information. The user operates the user terminal 20 to transmit the product information obtained by reading the barcode 41 and the situation information indicating the situation where the barcode is read to the server 10. The “situation in which the barcode is read” refers to the surrounding environment when the barcode is read. The server 10 generates usage information based on the product information and status information, and stores the usage information in the usage database 31. By repeating this registration process, a lot of usage information is accumulated in the information collection system 1.

  “Commodity” is a tangible or intangible object that is traded for a fee or free of charge, and is therefore a concept that includes services. For example, the product may be food or drink. A “user” is a person who recognizes a product in some form, and includes, for example, a person who has picked up a product at a store, a person who has purchased a product, a person who has received a product from another person, and the like. Therefore, the user may be a purchaser or a consumer of goods.

  The usage information is information indicating a mode (or an estimation thereof) in which a specific product is used. “Use of product” is a concept including consumption (for example, eating, drinking, etc.). The “mode in which the product is used” is a situation or environment around the product when the product is used. For example, a place (geographical location) or date and time when a product is used, a person who uses the product, or an object that exists around the used product is a kind of “mode in which the product is used”. The usage information may indicate a fact that has actually occurred or a fact that is presumed to have occurred.

  Examples of the barcode 41 include a one-dimensional barcode and a two-dimensional barcode, but the type of the barcode 41 is not limited at all. Typical examples of the two-dimensional barcode include a QR code (registered trademark) and a color barcode, but any type of two-dimensional barcode may be adopted.

  The “bar code assigned to a product” means a bar code provided with the product when the product is unopened. For example, a barcode printed or affixed on the product packaging, a barcode placed in the packaging with the product, or a barcode printed or affixed on the product itself is one of the “barcodes attached to the product”. It is an aspect. Of course, the method of giving a barcode to a product is not limited to these.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user reads the barcode of the product after acquiring the product by purchase or transfer. Actually, a malicious user can perform an illegal act such as reading a barcode of an unpurchased product in the store, and information resulting from such an illegal act can be stored in the usage database 31. However, this embodiment does not consider the occurrence of the fraud. On the other hand, a mechanism for suppressing unauthorized reading of a barcode may be provided. For example, in order that the entire barcode can be exposed only when the product is actually used, at least a part of the barcode is not visible before the product is opened. May be added to the product. For example, the barcode may be applied to the inside of the container (for example, the back of the lid), or may be applied in a state in which at least a part of the barcode is covered with the steion tab of the can.

  The user may read the barcode 41 of the product 40 using the user terminal 20 having a barcode reading function, and transmit the product information obtained by this operation to the server 10. Alternatively, the user causes the user terminal 20 to receive and store the product information acquired by the other terminal or device (for example, a barcode reader) reading the barcode 41, and directs the product information to the server 10. May be sent to. That is, the user terminal that reads the barcode and the user terminal that transmits the product information to the server may be the same or different.

  In the present embodiment, the product information includes a product ID, serial number, lot number, and expiration date. The product ID is an identifier for uniquely identifying the product type or type for product management. The serial number is an identifier for uniquely identifying each individual. Among a plurality of products indicated by a certain product ID, there is only one product (individual) having a certain serial number. The lot number is an identifier for managing the production or inventory of goods, and a unique lot number is assigned to each production line, for example. Of course, the content of the product information indicated by the barcode is not limited at all. For example, the product information may include the production time or may include information necessary for applying for the prize. The bar code 41 may be independent from the bar code read at the checkout at the cash register in the store, or may include information necessary for the purchase procedure.

  In the present embodiment, the situation information includes at least one of a geographical position, a reading date and time (an example of reading time), a user ID, and other product information. The geographical position is the position of the user terminal 20 when the user terminal 20 transmits the product information to the server 10, and is handled as the position where the product is used. The reading date and time is information that is treated as the time when the barcode is read or the time when the product is used. The reading time may be a time when the barcode is actually read, or may be a time when it can be regarded as the time when the reading is performed. The user ID is an identifier that uniquely identifies the user of the user terminal 20 that has transmitted the product information, and is handled as the ID of the user who uses the product. The user ID is assigned or set when the user applies for the use of the information collection system 1 in advance. The other product information is information related to other products used at almost the same timing as the product whose barcode is read. “Substantially the same timing” indicates that a certain product and another product are used within a limited time (for example, within 1 hour, within 30 minutes, or within 10 minutes).

  The server 10 is a computer that receives product information and status information from one or more user terminals 20 and registers usage information based on the information in the usage database 31. The server 10 may be composed of a single computer or a plurality of computers. When a plurality of computers are used, one computer 10 is logically constructed by connecting these computers via a communication network such as the Internet or an intranet.

  The user terminal 20 is a computer owned or used by a user. Examples of the user terminal 20 include a portable terminal such as a tablet terminal and a high-function mobile phone (smart phone), and a stationary or portable personal computer, but a specific type of the user terminal 20 is not limited. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the user terminal 20 can execute an application program (registration application) for causing the server 10 to register product information and status information.

  The database group 30 is a set of one or more databases. A “database” is a functional element (storage unit) that stores a data set so that it can cope with any data operation (for example, extraction, addition, deletion, overwriting, etc.) from a processor or an external computer. The database mounting method is not limited. For example, a database management system or a text file may be used. As described above, in this embodiment, the database group 30 includes the usage database 31 and may further include the store database 32 or the product database 33.

  The usage database 31 is a device that stores usage information. FIG. 2 shows an example of usage information stored in the usage database 31. In the present embodiment, each record of usage information includes product information (serial number, lot number, product ID, and expiration date) and status information (geographical position, reading date, user ID, and other product information (products of other products). ID)) combination. That is, the usage information indicates a combination of a product from which the barcode is read and a situation in which the barcode is read. In FIG. 2, for example, a user “U001” has a product with a geographical position (x1, y1) at 19:45 on March 20, 2016, a serial number “102340567”, and a product ID “P1230”. It shows that it used together with other goods "P3405".

  Note that the configuration and expression method of the usage information is not limited to the example in FIG. In the two records shown in FIG. 2, values are set for all the data items, but some data items may be null values. The product information may include arbitrary information (for example, a product name) indicating product attributes. The geographical location may be represented by an address instead of latitude and longitude. The usage information may include arbitrary information (for example, a user name) indicating the user instead of or in addition to the user ID. In the present embodiment, the reading date and time is exemplified as the reading time, but only the date may be processed as the reading time without acquiring the time. The usage information may include information other than the product ID (for example, a serial number or a product name) regarding other products.

  The store database 32 is a device that stores store information related to actual stores. The “actual store” is a store that actually displays and sells products. Each record of store information is distinguished by store ID and may include various attributes related to the store (eg, store name, location (eg, address, geographic location, or geographic range), telephone number).

  The product database 33 is a device that stores basic product information (product basic information). Each record of the product basic information is distinguished by the product ID, and may include various attributes related to the product (for example, product name, model number, manufacturer name, and consumable period).

  The configuration of each database and each record in the database group 30 is not limited to the above, and any normalization or redundancy may be performed on each database.

  FIG. 3 shows a general hardware configuration of the computer 100 functioning as the server 10. The computer 100 includes a processor (for example, CPU) 101 that executes an operating system, application programs, and the like, a main storage unit 102 that includes a ROM and a RAM, an auxiliary storage unit 103 that includes a hard disk, a flash memory, and the like. A communication control unit 104 configured by a network card or a wireless communication module, an input device 105 such as a keyboard and a mouse, and an output device 106 such as a monitor are provided.

  Each functional element of the server 10 is realized by reading predetermined software (for example, an information collection program P1 described later) on the processor 101 or the main storage unit 102 and executing the software. The processor 101 operates the communication control unit 104, the input device 105, or the output device 106 in accordance with the software, and reads and writes data in the main storage unit 102 or the auxiliary storage unit 103. Data or a database necessary for processing is stored in the main storage unit 102 or the auxiliary storage unit 103.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a functional configuration of the server 10. As shown in FIG. 4, the server 10 includes a receiving unit 11 and a registration unit 12 as functional components.

  The receiving unit 11 is a functional element that receives product information and status information from the user terminal 20. In the present embodiment, the reception unit 11 receives a registration request including product information and situation information from the user terminal 20. However, it is not essential for the receiving unit 11 to receive the product information and the situation information at the same time, and the receiving unit 11 may receive these information at different timings. In any case, the receiving unit 11 outputs the received product information and status information to the registration unit 12.

  The user terminal 20 acquires product information obtained by reading a barcode, or product information received from another terminal or device. Thereafter, when the user instructs the user terminal 20 to transmit a registration request, the user terminal 20 acquires status information.

  The user terminal 20 may acquire the geographical position (current position) of the user terminal 20. When the user terminal 20 includes a GPS (global positioning system), the user terminal 20 can acquire a geographical position (for example, latitude and longitude) obtained by the GPS. Alternatively, the user terminal 20 may estimate the geographical position of the user terminal 20 based on the position of the access point of the wireless communication network. The user terminal 20 may acquire the date and time when the barcode is read or the current date and time as the reading date and time. Further, the user terminal 20 may acquire a user ID. For example, the user terminal 20 acquires the user ID used when a predetermined process (for example, login to the information collection system 1) is performed on the user terminal 20 before the user uses the information collection system 1. The user terminal 20 may acquire a user ID via the registration application. Regarding the other product information, the user terminal 20 may acquire the product information of the other product obtained by reading the barcode as the other product information, or information input by the user on the user terminal 20 as the other product information. You may get it. The user terminal 20 acquires at least one of the geographical position, reading date / time, user ID, and other product information as the situation information.

  When the product information and the situation information are acquired, the user terminal 20 generates a registration request including these pieces of information and transmits the registration request to the server 10. The receiving unit 11 receives the registration request and outputs it to the registration unit 12.

  The registration unit 12 is a functional element that generates usage information based on a registration request (that is, product information and status information) and stores the usage information in the usage database 31. The registration unit 12 extracts product information and status information from the registration request. Subsequently, the registration unit 12 determines whether to store the usage information based on at least one of the product information and the situation information. Then, only when it is determined to register, the registration unit generates usage information based on the product information and the situation information, and stores the usage information in the usage database 31.

  The method for determining whether or not to register is not limited. For example, the registration unit 12 refers to the store database 32 and compares the geographical position indicated by the situation information with the position of each store. If the geographical location does not correspond to the location of any actual store, the registration unit 12 determines to store usage information, and generates and stores usage information. On the other hand, when the geographical position corresponds to the position of any real store, the registration unit 12 determines that the usage information is not stored, and ends the process. Here, “the geographical location corresponds to the location of the actual store” means that both locations are close enough to say that the geographic location indicates the location of the actual store. For example, if the geographical location matches the location of the store or is included in the geographic range of the store, it can be said that the geographic location corresponds to the location of the store. This determination process intends not to register the usage information when it is estimated that the user has read the barcode before purchasing the product in the actual store.

  Alternatively, the registration unit 12 compares the expiration date indicated by the product information with the reading date. Alternatively, the registration unit 12 may estimate the expiration date of the product based on the manufacturing time indicated by the product information and the barcode information obtained from the product database 33. If the expiration date is after the present time, the registration unit 12 determines to store the usage information, and generates and stores the usage information. On the other hand, if the expiration date is a point in time before the reading date and time, the registration unit 12 determines that the usage information is not stored, and ends the process. This determination processing intends not to register the usage information when it is estimated that the user has read a barcode of a product that can no longer be used.

  The method of generating usage information is not limited. For example, the registration unit 12 may generate one record of usage information by associating product information and status information with each other. Alternatively, the registration unit 12 generates a value of at least one data item of the usage information based on the product information or the status information, and generates one usage information record using the product information, the status information, or the generated information. May be. For example, when the other product information extracted from the registration request is a value that is not a product ID, the registration unit 12 refers to the product database 33 to identify the product ID of the other product, and uses the product ID as the other product information. It may be used to generate usage information. Alternatively, when the status information extracted from the registration request does not include the reading date and time, the registration unit 12 may obtain the current date and time by referring to its own timer and set the current date and time as the reading date and time. . Alternatively, the registration unit 12 may set the date and time when the reception unit 11 receives the registration request as the reading date and time.

  Next, the operation of the information collection system 1 (server 10) will be described with reference to FIG. 5, and the information collection method according to the present embodiment will be described.

  First, the receiving unit 11 receives a registration request from the user terminal 20 (step S11, receiving step). Subsequently, the registration unit 12 determines whether to store the usage information in response to the registration request (step S12). Only when it is determined that the usage information is to be stored (YES in step S12), the registration unit 12 generates usage information based on the registration request (that is, product information and status information), and uses the usage information as the usage database 31. (Step S13, registration step).

  Next, an information collection program P1 for causing a computer to function as the server 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

  The information collection program P1 includes a main module P10, a reception module P11, and a registration module P12. The main module P10 is a part that centrally collects information from each user. The functions realized by executing the reception module P11 and the registration module P12 are the same as the functions of the reception unit 11 and the registration unit 12, respectively.

  The information collection program P1 may be provided after being fixedly recorded on a tangible recording medium such as a CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, or semiconductor memory. Alternatively, the information collection program P1 may be provided via a communication network as a data signal superimposed on a carrier wave.

  As described above, the information collection system according to one aspect of the present invention provides the product information obtained by reading the barcode attached to the product and the situation information indicating the situation where the barcode is read. A receiving unit that receives from the terminal, and a registration unit that generates usage information indicating a combination of the product and the status based on the product information and the status information, and stores the usage information in the usage database.

  An information collection method according to one aspect of the present invention is an information collection method executed by an information collection system including a processor, product information obtained by reading a barcode attached to a product, and the barcode Based on the receiving step for receiving the status information indicating the read status from the user terminal, the product information and the status information, the usage information indicating the combination of the product and the status is generated, and the usage information is stored in the usage database. Registration step.

  An information collection program according to one aspect of the present invention includes a reception step of receiving, from a user terminal, product information obtained by reading a barcode attached to a product and status information indicating a status of reading the barcode Then, based on the product information and the situation information, the computer generates a usage information indicating a combination of the product and the status and stores the usage information in the usage database.

  In such an aspect, the product information indicated by the barcode attached to the product and the status information indicating the status of reading the barcode are provided from the user terminal, and based on these information, the product And the combination of the situations is registered in the database. Information indicating the usage mode of a product can be collected by regarding the situation where the user has read the barcode of the product as a situation where the product is used and accumulating it in the database. In the POS (Point Of Sales) system, information at the time when a product is purchased can be obtained, but information on how the product is actually used cannot be obtained. That is, one aspect of the present invention can realize information collection that is impossible with a POS system.

  In the information collection system according to another aspect, the registration unit determines whether to store the usage information based on at least one of the product information and the situation information, and generates the usage information when it is determined to store the usage information. And storage may be performed. By determining in advance whether or not registration is necessary, it is possible to avoid accumulation of usage information that is estimated to be unnecessary. It also contributes to reducing the amount of database usage.

  In the information collection system according to another aspect, the situation information includes the geographical position of the user terminal, the reading time of the barcode, the user ID for uniquely identifying the user, and another product related to the product different from the product. And at least one of the information may be included. By using such situation information, it is possible to know where the product was used, when the product was used, who used the product, and what the product was used with.

  In the information collection system according to another aspect, the situation information includes at least the geographical position, and the registration unit compares the geographical position with the position of a predetermined actual store, and the geographical position corresponds to the position of any actual store. If not, the usage information may be generated and stored. The fact that the barcode has been read at the actual store may mean that the user has illegally read the barcode of the product before purchase. By comparing the geographical location of the user terminal with the location of the actual store, it is possible to avoid the accumulation of usage information due to such fraud. This can also contribute to improving the accuracy of usage information and reducing the amount of database usage.

  In the information collection system according to another aspect, the status information includes at least the reading time, the registration unit determines the expiration date of the product based on the product information, compares the expiration date with the reading time, and reads the expiration date. The generation and storage of the usage information may be executed after the time. The fact that the barcode of a product whose expiration date has passed is read may mean that the user has illegally read the barcode of a product that cannot be used originally. By comparing the expiration date and the reading time, it is possible to avoid the accumulation of usage information due to such an illegal act. This can also contribute to improving the accuracy of usage information and reducing the amount of database usage.

  In the information collection system according to another aspect, the barcode may be attached to the product in such a manner that at least a part of the barcode is not visible before the product is opened. In this case, it is difficult to read the barcode before the product is opened. Therefore, it can be expected to increase the accuracy of the usage information by avoiding the accumulation of usage information due to fraud.

  The present invention has been described in detail based on the embodiments. However, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. The present invention can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.

  In the above embodiment, the registration unit 12 determines whether or not to store the usage information, but the registration unit 12 unconditionally executes generation and storage of the usage information without performing such a determination process. Also good.

  The server 10 and at least one database in the database group 30 may be integrated. In the above embodiment, the information collection system 1 includes the database group 30, but the installation location of each database is not limited. For example, the database group 30 or at least one of the databases in the database group 30 may exist in a computer system different from the information collection system 1.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Information collection system, 10 ... Server, 11 ... Receiving part, 12 ... Registration part, 20 ... User terminal, 30 ... Database group, 31 ... Usage database, 32 ... Store database, 33 ... Merchandise database, 40 ... Merchandise, 41 ... Barcode, P1 ... Information collection program, P10 ... Main module, P11 ... Reception module, P12 ... Registration module.

Claims (8)

A receiving unit that receives product information obtained by reading a barcode attached to a product and status information indicating a status of reading the barcode from a user terminal;
An information collection system comprising: a registration unit that generates usage information indicating a combination of the product and the status based on the product information and the status information, and stores the usage information in a usage database. The registration unit determines whether to store the usage information based on at least one of the product information and the situation information, and generates and stores the usage information when it is determined to store the usage information To
The information collection system according to claim 1. The status information includes at least one of a geographical position of the user terminal, a reading time of the barcode, a user ID for uniquely identifying a user, and other product information related to a product different from the product. Including one,
The information collection system according to claim 1 or 2. The situation information includes at least the geographical location;
The registration unit compares the geographical location with a predetermined actual store location, and generates and stores the usage information when the geographical location does not correspond to any actual store location;
The information collection system according to claim 3. The status information includes at least the reading time;
The registration unit
Determining the expiration date of the product based on the product information;
Comparing the expiration date with the reading time, and generating and storing the usage information when the expiration date is after the reading time,
The information collection system according to claim 3. At the time before the product is opened, the barcode is attached to the product in a manner in which at least a part of the barcode is invisible,
The information collection system as described in any one of Claims 1-5. An information collection method executed by an information collection system including a processor,
A receiving step of receiving, from the user terminal, product information obtained by reading a barcode attached to the product, and status information indicating a status of reading the barcode;
A registration method for generating usage information indicating a combination of the product and the status based on the product information and the status information, and storing the usage information in a usage database. A receiving step of receiving, from the user terminal, product information obtained by reading a barcode attached to the product, and status information indicating a status of reading the barcode;
An information collection program for causing a computer to execute a registration step of generating usage information indicating a combination of the product and the status based on the product information and the status information and storing the usage information in a usage database.

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