Abstract:
A sales supporting system is described, a representative one of which includes a sales support system for supporting work of a salesperson of commodities, comprising: input means for entering life information regarding life of a customer; commodity selection support information generating means for generating commodity selection support information for supporting selection by the salesperson of a commodity for health of the customer on the basis of the life information entered by using the input means; and output means for outputting the commodity selection support information generated by the commodity selection support information generating means.

Description:
[0001]     This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Japanese Patent Application Nos. 2004-282916 filed Sep. 29, 2004 and 2005-171433 filed Jun. 10, 2005, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference.  
       FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The present invention relates to a sales support system, an information processor, and an adviser supporting system.  
       BACKGROUND  
       [0003]     Hitherto, a sales support apparatus (sales support system) for providing information of a commodity to be purchased by a customer is known (refer to, for example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-open (JP-A) Nos. 2003-16337 and 2004-192554).  
         [0004]     JP-A No. 2003-16337 discloses a medical treatment assisting commodity sales supporting apparatus for providing a patient with information of a medical treatment assisting commodity such as a health food suitable for a patient on the basis of medical treatment information of the patient.  
         [0005]     JP-A No. 2004-192554 discloses a sales support system for extracting information of a commodity suitable for a customer from a commodity information storage (storing means) on the basis of information answered by the customer and presenting the extracted commodity information and information indicative of the place of a shelf in which the commodity is put to the customer.  
         [0006]     A healthiness measuring apparatus for determining healthiness of an subject to measurement on the basis of information obtained from the subject to measurement is also known (refer to, for example, JP-A No. 11-318830).  
         [0007]     JP-A No. 11-318830 discloses a healthiness measurement apparatus for determining healthiness of an subject to measurement on the basis of a result of questionnaire to the subject to measurement and biological information such as blood pressure and pulse of the subject to measurement and displaying the healthiness of the object.  
         [0008]     Each of the sales support apparatus and the sales support system disclosed in JP-A Nos. 2003-16337 and 2004-192554 is constructed so that a list of commodities to be purchased by a patient or customer can be viewed by the patient or customer.  
         [0009]     Therefore, patients or customers do not have much medical knowledge or knowledge of commodities. There is consequently a problem that the patient or customer cannot determine the most effective commodity to be purchased from the list of commodities displayed.  
         [0010]     On the other hand, the healthiness measuring apparatus disclosed in JP-A No. 11-318830 displays healthiness of an subject to measurement but the subject to measurement cannot grasp which action to be taken in accordance with the displayed healthiness. For example, in the case where low healthiness is measured, the subject to measurement cannot grasp which commodity is to be taken in order to improve the healthiness. As described above, the healthiness measuring apparatus disclosed in JP-A No. 11-318830 is used to simply present the healthiness to the subject to measurement. There is a problem such that the subject to measurement cannot obtain information of a commodity to be purchased in order to recover his/her health condition.  
       SUMMARY  
       [0011]     The present invention has been done to solve the problems and an object of the present invention is to provide a sales support system, an information processor, and an adviser support system helping a salesperson or an adviser to recommend a suitable commodity.  
         [0012]     According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sales support system for supporting work of a salesperson of commodities, comprising: input means for entering life information regarding life of a customer; commodity selection support information generating means for generating commodity selection support information for supporting selection by the salesperson of a commodity for health of the customer on the basis of the life information entered by the input means; and output means for outputting the commodity selection support information generated by the commodity selection support information generating means.  
         [0013]     According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an information processor connected to a first device for entering life information regarding life of a customer and a second device for outputting commodity selection support information for supporting selection by a salesperson of commodities for health of a customer, comprising commodity selection support information generating means for generating the commodity selection support information on the basis of the life information entered to the first device.  
         [0014]     According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided an adviser support system for supporting an adviser, comprising: input means for entering life information regarding life of a person to whom a piece of advice is to be given; commodity selection support information generating means for generating commodity selection support information for supporting selection by the adviser of a commodity for health of the person to whom a piece of advice is to be given on the basis of the life information entered by the input means; and output means for outputting the commodity selection support information generated by the commodity selection support information generating means. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0015]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing a general configuration of a sales support system according to a first embodiment.  
         [0016]      FIG. 2  is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the sales support system according to the first embodiment.  
         [0017]      FIG. 3  is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a controller of an apparatus for customer in the sales support system according to the first embodiment.  
         [0018]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a controller of an apparatus for pharmacist in the sales support system according to the first embodiment.  
         [0019]      FIG. 5  is a diagram showing the outline of a process flow of the apparatus for customer in the sales support system according to the first embodiment.  
         [0020]      FIG. 6  is a diagram showing a picture in steps S 2  and S 42  in the apparatus for customer in the sales support systems according to the first embodiment and a second embodiments.  
         [0021]      FIG. 7  is a diagram showing a picture in steps S 3  and S 43  in the apparatus for customer in the sales support systems according to the first and second embodiments.  
         [0022]      FIG. 8  is a diagram showing a picture in steps S 4  and S 44  in the apparatus for customer in the sales support systems according to the first and second embodiments.  
         [0023]      FIG. 9  is a diagram showing a picture in steps S 6  and S 47  in the apparatus for customer in the sales support systems according to the first and second embodiments.  
         [0024]      FIG. 10  is a diagram showing a picture in steps S 13  and S 51  in the apparatus for customer in the sales support systems according to the first and second embodiments.  
         [0025]      FIG. 11  is a diagram showing a report to be printed in step S 15  of the apparatus for customer in the sales support system according to the first embodiment.  
         [0026]      FIG. 12  is a diagram showing the outline of the process flow of the apparatus for pharmacist in the sales support system according to the first embodiment.  
         [0027]      FIG. 13  is a diagram showing a picture in steps S 28  and S 72  in the apparatus for pharmacist in the sales support system according to the first and second embodiments.  
         [0028]      FIG. 14  is a diagram showing a picture in step S 29  in the apparatus for pharmacist in the sales support system according to the first embodiment.  
         [0029]      FIG. 15  is a diagram showing a picture in step S 32  in the apparatus for pharmacist in the sales support system according to the first embodiment.  
         [0030]      FIG. 16  is a perspective view showing a general configuration of a sales support system according to the second embodiment.  
         [0031]      FIG. 17  is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of the sales support system according to the second embodiment.  
         [0032]      FIG. 18  is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a controller of the apparatus for customer in the sales support system according to the second embodiment.  
         [0033]      FIG. 19  is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a controller of the apparatus for pharmacist in the sales support system according to the second embodiment.  
         [0034]      FIG. 20  is a schematic diagram illustrating the configuration of a controller of a server in the sales support system according to the second embodiment.  
         [0035]      FIG. 21  is a diagram showing the outline of the process flow of the apparatus for customer, a server, and an apparatus for pharmacist in the sales support system according to the second embodiment.  
         [0036]      FIG. 22  is a diagram showing a report printed by the apparatus for customer in step S 53  illustrated in  FIG. 21 .  
         [0037]      FIG. 23  is a diagram showing a picture in steps S 28  and S 72  of the apparatus for pharmacist in a sales support system according to a modification of the first and second embodiments.  
         [0038]      FIG. 24  is a diagram showing a picture in step S 32  of the apparatus for pharmacist in a sales support system according to a modification of the first embodiment. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0039]     Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.  
       First Embodiment  
       [0040]     First, the configuration of a sales support system of a first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.  1  to  4 .  
         [0041]     In the first embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a sales support system  1  is a system for supporting a work of a pharmacist and has an apparatus  10  for a customer and an apparatus  20  for a pharmacist. The apparatus  10  for customer and the apparatus  20  for pharmacist are connected to each other via a LAN (Local Area Network) cable  30 . The apparatus  10  for customer is an apparatus used by a customer and is disposed near the entrance of a pharmacy, near the side of a shelf in which health food is displayed, and the like. In an upper part of the front face of the apparatus  10  for customer, a touch panel display (hereinafter, called touch panel)  11  for displaying information on health food and the like to customers, and used to enter basic information such as sex, age, height, and weight, life information of a customer such as work, sleeping hours, and eating habits, and the like is provided. In a part below the left corner of the touch panel  11  of the apparatus  10  for customer, a measuring part  12  for measuring hemoglobin concentration (biological information) of a customer is provided. The measuring part  12  has an insertion part  12   a  to which the middle finger of the left hand of the customer is inserted. The measuring part  12  is constructed to measure hemoglobin concentration by capturing a transfer image of blood vessels without taking blood of the customer. As the method of measuring hemoglobin concentration, for example, a conventional measuring method disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,398 is used. A human sensor  13  is disposed in a center portion of the front face of the apparatus  10  for customer. The human sensor  13  is a light reflection sensor for detecting a customer who stands in front of the apparatus  10  for customer. When the human sensor  13  detects that the customer stands in front of the apparatus  10  for customer, the touch panel  11  becomes operable. Below the human sensor  13 , a printer  14  for printing information such as health conditions of the customer and components to be taken by the customer, and a report ejection port  14   a  are provided. On the right side of the report ejection port  14   a , an ID reader  15  for reading information recorded on an ID card (not shown) recording the ID (membership number) of a customer and the history of health conditions, life information, health foods taken, and the like is provided. The ID reader  15  has an insertion port  15   a  into which an ID card is inserted. The ID card has the function of a credit card. In the case where a customer purchases a commodity, payment may be completed by reading the ID card by the ID reader  15 .  
         [0042]     In the first embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the apparatus  10  for customer has there in an input/output interface  16  connected to a LAN cable  30 . A controller  17  is connected to the touch panel  11 , the measuring part  12 , the human sensor  13 , the printer  14 , the ID reader  15 , and the input/output interface  16 .  
         [0043]     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the controller  17  a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  17   a  and a memory  17   b . The memory  17   b  includes an analysis parameter DB (database)  17   c , an input/measurement result storing DB  17   d , and an advice data DB  17   e . In the analysis parameter DB  17   c , parameters used for analyzing health conditions of a customer on the basis of the life information and the biological information are stored. In the input/measurement result storing DB  17   d , the information (basic information and life information) entered by the customer and hemoglobin concentration of the customer measured by the measuring part  12  is stored, and the history of measurement results of hemoglobin concentration are stored. In the advice data DB  17   e , a plurality of pieces of advice data for the customer corresponding to the measured hemoglobin concentration and the entered life information are stored. The plurality of pieces of advice data include information for suggesting maintenance or improvement of health of a customer such as advice on nutrition to a customer, advice on exercise to a customer, advice on life rhythms to a customer, information of a component short of the customer (information of a component to be taken by the customer), and general advice.  
         [0044]     In the first embodiment, the apparatus  20  for pharmacist (refer to  FIG. 1 ) is an apparatus used by a pharmacist who sells medical care goods and health foods, and is disposed in an office of a pharmacy, near the side of a register, or the like so that display of a touch panel display (hereinafter, called touch panel)  21  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) is not seen by customers. To the apparatus  20  for pharmacist, a keyboard  22  for entering the ID (membership number) or keyword of a customer is connected as shown in  FIG. 1 . The apparatus  20  for pharmacist may be constructed by connecting a bar code reader (not shown), and the ID of a customer is read from an ID card (not shown) by using the bar code reader. The apparatus  20  for pharmacist has therein an input/output interface  23  connected to the LAN cable  30  as shown in  FIG. 2 . To the touch panel  21 , keyboard  22 , and input/output interface  23 , a controller  24  is connected.  
         [0045]     The controller  24  includes a CPU  24   a  and a memory  24   b  as shown in  FIG. 4 . The memory  24   b  includes a compatibility DB  24   c , a detailed advice DB  24   d , a customer record DB  24   e , a commodity information DB  24   f , and a recommended component DB  24   g . In the compatibility DB  24   c , a plurality of pieces of information (compatibility data) regarding the chemistry between a health food the pharmacist is to recommend to a customer and the other drugs and health foods are stored. In the detailed advice DB  24   d , data of a plurality of pieces of advice for a pharmacist is stored so that the pharmacist can give a piece of advice to maintain or improve health to a customer. The advice data for a pharmacist stored in the detailed advice DB  24   d  in the apparatus  20  for pharmacist includes information, which is more detailed than advice data for a customer, which is stored in the advice data DB  17   e  in the controller  17  shown in  FIG. 3 . In the customer record DB  24   e , results and history of measurements of hemoglobin concentration, analysis results of a health condition of a customer which will be described later, and data of health foods recommended to the same customer in the past are stored. In the commodity information DB  24   f , information of health foods recommended to a customer by a pharmacist is stored. The health foods include a health food, which is required by the law to be recommended only by a pharmacist. In the recommended component DB  24   g , a plurality of pieces of recommended component data (information of a component to be taken by the customer to maintain or improve health) are stored.  
         [0046]     In the first embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 2 , by the input/output interface  16 , the LAN cable  30 , and the input/output interface  23 , biological information of the customer (the measurement result of hemoglobin concentration), life information (sex, age, height, weight, eating habits, sleeping hours, and the like), analysis results of a health condition of the customer, and the like are transmitted.  
         [0047]     Referring now to FIGS.  1  to  3  and FIGS.  5  to  11 , the process flow executed by the controller  17  of the apparatus  10  for customer in the sales support system  1  according to the first embodiment will be described. First, in step S 1  shown in  FIG. 5 , when the customer stands in front of the apparatus  10  for customer and inserts his/her ID card into the insertion port  15   a  or enters his/her ID by using the touch panel  11 , the process start. In the case where the process is started by using an ID card, the ID number (membership number) stored in the ID card is read by using the ID reader  15 . In step S 2 , basic information is entered by the customer. When the customer enters the basic information, as shown in  FIG. 6 , a basic information entry screen  40  for entering basic information such as sex, age, height, and weight of the customer is displayed on the touch panel  11  of the apparatus  10  for customer (refer to  FIG. 1 ). The customer enters the basic information by touching predetermined portions in the basic information entry screen  40  of the touch panel  11  with his/her finger and, after that, touches a “next” button  40   a  in a lower right part of the basic information entry screen  40 , thereby finishing the entry of the basic information. After that, in step S 3  shown in  FIG. 5 , the customer enters life rhythms. When the customer enters the life rhythms, a work entry screen  41  shown in  FIG. 7  and a not-shown sleeping hours entry screen are displayed on the touch panel  11 . In this case, first, the customer enters life rhythms such as his/her work, working hours, and the like in the work entry screen  41  shown in  FIG. 7  and, after that, the customer touches a “next” button  41   a  in a lower right part of the work entry screen  41 , thereby finishing the entry of the life rhythms. The customer enters his/her sleeping hours in the not-shown sleeping hours entry screen. Subsequently, in step S 4  shown in  FIG. 5 , the customer enters meal data. When the customer enters meal data, as shown in  FIG. 8 , a meal data entry screen  42  is displayed on the touch panel  11  of the apparatus  10  for customer. The customer enters meal data on the meal data entry screen  42  in the touch panel  11  and, after that, touches a “next” button  42   a  in a lower right part of the meal data entry screen  42 , thereby finishing the entry of the meal data. Subsequently, in step S 5  shown in  FIG. 5 , the basic information, life rhythms, and meal data entered in steps S 2  to S 4  are stored in the input/measurement result storing DB  17   d  (refer to  FIG. 3 ).  
         [0048]     In step S 6  shown in  FIG. 5 , the customer measures hemoglobin concentration by the measuring part  12 . At the time of measuring hemoglobin concentration, first, as shown in  FIG. 9 , a measurement screen  43  is displayed on the touch panel  11  of the apparatus  10  for customer. In accordance with the instruction of the measurement screen  43 , the customer inserts the middle finger of his/her left hand into the insertion part  12   a  of the measuring part  12  of the apparatus  10  for customer shown in  FIG. 1  and touches a “start” button  43   a  in the measurement screen  43  of the touch panel  11  shown in  FIG. 9 . In such a manner, hemoglobin concentration of the customer is measured by the measuring part  12  of the apparatus  10  for customer shown in  FIG. 1 . After that, in step S 7  shown in  FIG. 5 , the measurement result of hemoglobin concentration from the measuring part  12  (refer to  FIG. 2 ) is received by the controller  17 . In step S 8  shown in  FIG. 5 , the measurement result received by the controller  17  is stored in the input/measurement result storing DB  17   d  (refer to  FIG. 3 ). After that, in step S 9 , the basic information, life rhythms, and meal data entered in steps S 2  to S 4  and the measurement result of hemoglobin concentration measured in step S 6  are read from the input/measurement result storing DB  17   d . In step S 110 , analysis parameters are read from the analysis parameter DB  17   c  in the memory  17   b.    
         [0049]     After that, in step S 11 , based on the input data and the measurement result read in step S 9  and the analysis parameter read in step S 10 , the health conditions of the customer are analyzed by an analysis algorithm such as the Bayesian network. As a result, an analysis result based on the input data and the measurement result is determined. The analysis result is data (code) for specifying one of the pluralities of advice data stored in the advice data DB  17   e . Concretely, the analysis result is expressed by an alphabet, a numerical value, or the like and is associated with one of the plurality of pieces of advice data stored in the advice data DB  17   e . The analysis result is associated with one of a plurality of pieces of recommended component data stored in the recommended component DB  24   g . The analysis result is associated with one of a plurality of pieces of advice data for a pharmacist stored in the detailed advice DB  24   d . The analysis result is associated with one of a plurality of pieces of compatibility data stored in the compatibility DB  24   c . In step S 12 , advice data corresponding to the analysis result of the health condition of the customer determined in step S 11  is selected from the advice data DB  17   e  in the memory  17   b  and read.  
         [0050]     In step S 13 , the advice data read in step S 12  is displayed. Concretely, as shown in  FIG. 10 , an analysis result display screen  44  showing information to suggest maintenance or improvement of the health of the customer is displayed on the touch panel  11 . On the analysis result display screen  44 , the degree of self medication of the customer on nutrition, exercise, and life rhythms is displayed in an upper left part. Below the degree of self medication, a total result on nutrition, exercise, and life rhythms is displayed in a graph. Below the graph, components to be taken to improve the health conditions of the customer (“components insufficient to you”) are displayed. On the right part of the analysis result display screen  44 , advice is displayed on each of nutrition, exercise, and life rhythms. In a lower part of the analysis result display screen  44 , general advice on the nutrition, exercise, and life rhythms is displayed. Below the general advice, a “print” button  44   a  and a “transmit” button  44   b  are disposed.  
         [0051]     When the customer touches the “print” button  44   a  in step S 14 , a report  50  (refer to  FIG. 11 ) is printed in step S 15 . The printed report  50  is ejected from the report ejection port  14   a  (refer to  FIG. 1 ). In an upper part of the report  50 , the membership number, age, and sex of the customer and the date of measurement are described. In an upper half of the report  50 , items similar to those of the analysis result display screen  44  shown in  FIG. 10  are printed. In a lower part of the report  50 , “useful information” such as “recent recommended components”, “recommended vegetables”, and “recommended recipes” is printed. Below the “useful information”, notice regarding the report  50  is described.  
         [0052]     When the customer touches the “transmit” button  44   b  in step S 16 , in step S 17 , ID (membership number), the input data (basic information, life rhythms, and meal data) stored in the input/measurement result DB  17   d  in step S 5 , the measurement result stored in the input/storing result DB  17   d  in step S 8 , and the analysis result determined in step S 11  are transmitted via the LAN cable  30  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) to the apparatus  20  for pharmacist (refer to  FIG. 1 ).  
         [0053]     Next, with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 4  and FIGS.  12  to  15 , the process flow of the apparatus  20  for pharmacist in the sales support system  1  according to the first embodiment will be described. The process is started when the data is transmitted from the apparatus  10  for customer.  
         [0054]     First, in step S 21  in  FIG. 12 , the input data (basic information, life rhythms, and meal data), the measurement result, and the analysis result are received via the LAN cable  30  (refer to  FIG. 1 ) by the apparatus  10  for customer (refer to  FIG. 1 ). After that, in step S 22 , the received input data, measurement result, and analysis result are stored into the customer record DB  24   e . In step S 23 , the ID received from the customer is entered by the pharmacist with the keyboard  22  (refer to  FIG. 1 ). In step S 24 , the measurement result (including history of measurement results) and the analysis result corresponding to the entered ID are read from the customer record DB  24   e  (refer to  FIG. 4 ). In step S 25 , recommended component data corresponding to the analysis result read in step S 24  is selected from the plurality of pieces of recommended component data stored in the recommended component DB  24   g  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) and read. In step S 26 , advice data for a pharmacist in correspondence with the analysis result read in step S 24  is selected from the plurality of pieces of advice data for a pharmacist stored in the detailed advice DB  24   d  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) and read. In step S 27 , compatibility data corresponding to the analysis result read in step S 24  is selected and read from a plurality of pieces of compatibility data stored in the compatibility DB  24   c  (refer to  FIG. 4 ). In step S 28  shown in  FIG. 12 , the data read in steps S 24  to S 27  is displayed on a recommendation information screen  60  (refer to  FIG. 13 ) of the touch panel  21 . In an upper left part of the recommendation information screen  60 , the ID (membership number) of the customer is displayed. In a left part of the recommendation information screen  60 , a general result on the nutrition, exercise, and life rhythms is displayed. In an upper part on the right side of the recommendation information screen  60 , history is displayed. In the case where the customer having the same membership number used the sales support system  1  in the past, health foods recommended to the customer having the same membership number last time are displayed in the history. On the right side of “history”, a “history input” button  60   a  for displaying a picture on which history of the customer is input is displayed. Below the history, advice data for a pharmacist read in step S 26  (displayed as “advice on recommendation” on the screen  60 ), recommended component data read in step S 25  (displayed as “recommended components” on the screen  60 ), and compatibility data read in step S 27  (displayed as “compatibility information” on the screen  60 ) are displayed. In the column of recommended components, the first to third recommended components are displayed. In the column of compatibility, information on deterioration and promotion of the effect of a recommended commodity, side effects, and the like in the case where the recommended components are taken with other drug, health food, and the like is displayed. In the columns of the advice on recommendation, the recommended components, and the compatibility, “search” buttons  60   b  to  60   d  for obtaining more-detailed information are provided, respectively.  
         [0055]     By displaying such an information screen  60 , the pharmacist can determine which advice to be given to maintain or improve the health to the customer on the basis of the information displayed in “advice on recommendations. The pharmacist can select a commodity including any of the components displayed in the column as a commodity to be purchased by the customer in order to maintain or improve health from the information displayed in “recommended components” and recommend the commodity to the customer.  
         [0056]     In step S 28  shown in  FIG. 12 , the pharmacist may recommend a commodity (for example, a health food) on the basis of information (for example, recommended components) displayed on the recommendation information screen  60  shown in  FIG. 13  or obtain more-detailed information on a health food including any of the recommended components or the like. For example, in the case where the pharmacist retrieves a health food including the recommended component, by touching the “search” button  60   c  of the recommended components, the process of the apparatus  20  for pharmacist advances to step S 29  shown in  FIG. 12 . In step S 29 , a commodity search screen  61  as shown in  FIG. 14  is displayed. In a center portion of the commodity search screen  61 , a plurality of kinds (15 kinds in the example of  FIG. 14 ) of health foods including the recommended components are displayed so as to be scrolled. The pharmacist may select a proper commodity from the commodities displayed, and recommend the selected one to the customer. In an upper left part of the commodity search screen  61 , a search box  61   a  for keyword search (commodity information search) is provided.  
         [0057]     When a keyword is entered in the search box  61   a  in the commodity search screen  61 , in step S 30  shown in  FIG. 12 , the apparatus  20  for pharmacist retrieves commodity information. For example, when a keyword such as “anemia”, “diet”, or “allergy” is entered in the search box  61   a , a health food containing a recommended component and effective on anemia, diet, allergy, and the like is read from the commodity information DB  24   f  (refer to  FIG. 4 ). In step S 31 , the apparatus  20  for pharmacist displays the information on the health food read from the commodity information DB  24   f  (refer to  FIG. 4 ) in the center portion of the touch panel  21 .  
         [0058]     In the case where the pharmacist recommends the commodity to the customer on the basis of the recommendation information screen  60  (refer to  FIG. 13 ) displayed in step S 28  shown in  FIG. 12  and then stores the situation (history) of the customer, the pharmacist touches the “history input” button  60   a  of the history in the recommendation information screen  60  with his/her finger. The process of the apparatus  20  for pharmacist advances to step S 32 . In step S 32  shown in  FIG. 12 , the apparatus  20  for pharmacist displays a history displays a detailed history screen  62  on the touch panel  21  as shown in  FIG. 15 . Since a history entry box  62   a  for entering the life rhythms of the customer and a history of recommended or purchased commodities is provided in an upper part of the detailed history screen  62 , the pharmacist can view the situation of the customer. In a lower right portion of the detailed history screen  62 , a plurality of buttons for displaying advice data including histories are disposed. On the left side of the plurality of buttons, a graph display portion  62   b  showing a graph of amounts of components taken by the customer is disposed. The situation of the customer entered in step S 32  is stored into the customer record DB  24   e  in step S 33 .  
         [0059]     In the first embodiment, as described above, the apparatus  20  for pharmacist has the controller  24  for obtaining information for supporting selection by the pharmacist of a commodity to be purchased by the customer to maintain or improve health (information stored in the commodity information DB  24   f  and the recommendation component DB  24   g ) on the basis of life information entered by the touch panel  11  of the apparatus  10  for customer and the hemoglobin concentration (biological information) measured by the measuring part  12 , and the touch panel  21  for displaying the information for supporting selection by the pharmacist of a commodity to be purchased by the customer, which is obtained by the controller  24 . With the configuration, the pharmacist can view information for supporting selection by the pharmacist of a commodity to be purchased by the customer, which is determined on the basis of the life information entered by the customer and the measured biological information and displayed on the touch panel  21  of the apparatus  20  for pharmacist. Therefore, it becomes easier for the pharmacist to select a commodity suitable for the customer on the basis of the information for supporting selection by the pharmacist of the commodity to be purchased by the customer and recommend the commodity to the customer. On the other hand, when the pharmacist recommends a commodity on the basis of the life information and the biological information of the customer himself/herself, the customer can understand and purchase the commodity.  
         [0060]     In the first embodiment, the apparatus  10  for customer is provided with the controller  17  for obtaining advice data to the customer in correspondence with the measured hemoglobin concentration (biological information) and the entered life information, and is constructed so that the advice data obtained by the controller  17  can be displayed or printed. With the configuration, the customer can determine whether he/she buys the commodity recommended by the pharmacist or not on the basis of the displayed or printed advice data. Thus, different from the case where a commodity is simply recommended by a pharmacist, the customer can understand why the commodity is necessary for the customer, so that the customer is convinced to purchase the commodity.  
         [0061]     In the first embodiment, the controller  24  for obtaining advice data for a pharmacist, which is used by a pharmacist to advise the method of maintaining or improving the health of the customer is provided, and the touch panel  21  of the apparatus  20  for pharmacist is constructed so as to display the advice data for a pharmacist, which is obtained by the controller  24 . With the configuration, the pharmacist can determine how to advise the customer to maintain or improve health on the basis of the advice data for the pharmacist.  
       Second Embodiment  
       [0062]     The configuration of a sales support system of a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.  16  to  20 . In the second embodiment, different from the first embodiment, a plurality of apparatuses for customers and a plurality of apparatuses for pharmacists are connected to a single server, and data collected from the plurality of apparatuses for customers is managed by the single server.  
         [0063]     In the second embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 16 , a sales support system  1   a  is a system for supporting work of a pharmacist, and includes an apparatus  10   a  for customer, another apparatus  10   b  for customer, an apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist, another apparatus  20   b  for pharmacist, and one server  70 . The sales support system  1   a  has a plurality of other apparatuses  10   b  for customer and a plurality of other apparatuses  20   b  for pharmacist. However, for simplification of the drawing, in the second embodiment, only one apparatus  10   b  for customer and one apparatus  20   b  for pharmacist are shown. The apparatuses  10   a  and  10   b  for customer and the apparatuses  20   a  and  20   b  for pharmacist are connected to the server  70  via the LAN cables  30  and a hub  31 .  
         [0064]     In the second embodiment, the apparatus  10   a  for customer and the apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist are established in a predetermined pharmacy, and the another apparatus  10   b  for customer and the another apparatus  20   b  for pharmacist are established in another pharmacy belonging to the same group company to which the predetermined pharmacy also belongs. The server  70  is established in a headquarter controlling the group company, a data center centrally handling various data, or the like. With the configuration, data collected from all of the apparatuses  10   a  and  10   b  established in pharmacies belonging to the group company can be managed by the single server  70 . The apparatuses  10   a  and  10   b  for customer have the same configuration, and the apparatuses  20   a  and  20   b  for pharmacist have the same configuration. As components designated with the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, the same functions as those in the first embodiment can be used.  
         [0065]     In the second embodiment, the apparatus  10   a  for customer has, as shown in  FIG. 17 , the touch panel  11 , the human sensor  13 , the printer  14 , the ID reader  15 , the input/output interface  16  connected to the LAN cable  30 , and a controller  17   f . The touch panel  11 , human sensor  13 , printer  14 , ID reader  15 , and input/output interface  16  are connected to the controller  17   f.    
         [0066]     In the second embodiment, to the input/output interface  16  of the apparatus  10   a  for customer, a hemoglobin concentration measuring apparatus  80 , a body fat monitor  81 , a blood flow meter  82 , and a blood pressure gauge  83  for measuring biological information of the customer are connected, and measurement results of hemoglobin concentration, percentage of body fat, blood flow, and a blood pressure value are transmitted. As shown in  FIG. 18 , the controller  17   f  of the apparatus  10   a  for customer includes the CPU  17   a  and a memory  17   g.    
         [0067]     In the second embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 17 , the apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist includes the touch panel  21 , keyboard  22 , input/output interface  23  connected to the LAN cable  30 , a controller  24   h , and a bar code reader  25  connected to the input/output interface  23 . The touch panel  21 , keyboard  22 , and input/output interface  23  are connected to the controller  24   h . The controller  24   h  in the apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist includes, as shown in  FIG. 19 , the CPU  24   a  and a memory  24   i.    
         [0068]     In the second embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 17 , the server  70  includes a touch panel display (hereinafter, referred to as a touch panel)  71  and a keyboard  72 . The server  70  has therein an input/output interface  73  connected to the LAN cable  30 . To the touch panel  71 , keyboard  72 , and input/output interface  73 , a controller  74  is connected. As shown in  FIG. 20 , the controller  74  includes a CPU  74   a  and a memory  74   b . The memory  74   b  includes an analysis parameter DB  74   c , an input/measurement result storing DB  74   d , an advice data DB  74   e , a compatibility DB  74   f , a detailed advice DB  74   g , a customer record DB  74   h , and a recommendation component DB  74   i.    
         [0069]     The process flow of the sales support system  1   a  according to the second embodiment will now be described. First, with reference to FIGS.  6  to  10 , and  FIGS. 16, 21 , and  22 , the process flow executed by the controller  17   f  in the apparatus  10   a  for customer in the sales support system  1   a  according to the second embodiment will be described. Processes in steps S 41  to S 44  shown in  FIG. 21  are similar to those in steps S 1  to S 4  in the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 5 . Specifically, in step S 41  shown in  FIG. 21 , when the customer stands in front of the apparatus  10   a  for customer and inserts his/her ID card into the insertion port  15   a  or enters the ID by using the touch panel  11 , the process is started. In the case where the process is started by using an ID card, the ID number (membership number) stored in the ID card is read by the ID reader  15 . Then, in step S 42 , basic information is entered by the customer. When the customer enters the basic information, as shown in  FIG. 6 , the basic information entry screen  40  for entering basic information such as sex, age, height, and weight of the customer is displayed on the touch panel  11  of the apparatus  10   a  for customer (refer to  FIG. 16 ). The customer enters the basic information by touching predetermined portions in the basic information entry screen  40  of the touch panel  11  with his/her finger and, after that, touches a “next” button  40   a  in a lower right part of the basic information entry screen  40 . At this time, information by which the customer can be specified, such as the name and address of the customer is not entered. The entry of the basic information completes. After that, in step S 43  shown in  FIG. 21 , the customer enters life rhythms. When the customer enters the life rhythms, the work entry screen  41  shown in  FIG. 7  and a not-shown sleeping hours entry screen are displayed on the touch panel  11 . In this case, first, the customer enters life rhythms such as his/her work, working hours, and the like in the work entry screen  41  shown in  FIG. 7  and, after that, touches the “next” button  41   a  in the lower right part of the work entry screen  41 , thereby finishing the entry of the life rhythms. The customer enters his/her sleeping hours in the not-shown sleeping hours entry screen. Subsequently, in step S 44 , the customer enters meal data. When the customer enters meal data, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the meal data entry screen  42  is displayed on the touch panel  11  of the apparatus  10   a  for customer. The customer enters meal data on the meal data entry screen  42  in the touch panel  11  and, after that, touches the “next” button  42   a  in the lower right part of the meal data entry screen  42 , thereby finishing the entry of the meal data.  
         [0070]     After that, in the second embodiment, different from the first embodiment, in step S 45  shown in  FIG. 21 , a plurality of questions regarding signs (indefinite complaint) of the customer are displayed on the touch panel  11  as information related to the life of the customer, and the customer enters answers to the plurality of questions related to indefinite complaint. As questions related to the signs (indefinite complaint) of the customer, “cold in hands, feet, and the back”, “sleepiness”, and the like ca be mentioned. Subsequently, in step S 46 , the ID of the customer, basic information, life rhythms, meal data, and indefinite complaint entered in steps S 41  to S 45  are transmitted to the server  70  (refer to  FIG. 16 ). In step S 46 , the identification number indicative of the analysis of this time is determined and transmitted to the server  70 .  
         [0071]     In step S 47  shown in  FIG. 21 , screens for encouraging the customer to perform measurement by the hemoglobin concentration measuring apparatus  80 , body fat monitor  81 , blood flow meter  82 , and blood pressure gauge  83  are sequentially displayed on the touch panel  11 . In accordance with the screens, the customer measures hemoglobin concentration, percentage of body fat, blood flow, and blood pressure value by the hemoglobin concentration measuring apparatus  80  (refer to the  FIG. 16 ), body fat monitor  81 , blood flow meter  82 , and blood pressure gauge  83 , respectively. At the time of measuring hemoglobin concentration, first, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the measurement screen  43  is displayed on the touch panel  11  of the apparatus  10   a  for customer. In accordance with the instruction of the measurement screen  43 , the customer inserts the middle finger of his/her left hand into an insertion part (not shown) of the hemoglobin concentration measuring apparatus  80  of the apparatus  10   a  for customer and touches the “start” button  43   a  in the measurement screen  43  of the touch panel  11  shown in  FIG. 9 . In such a manner, hemoglobin concentration of the customer is measured by the hemoglobin concentration measuring apparatus  80 . The percentage of body fat, blood flow, and blood pressure value are also sequentially measured in accordance with instructions in the measurement screens on the touch panel  11  in a manner similar to the measurement of hemoglobin concentration. After that, in step S 48  shown in  FIG. 21 , the measurement results of the hemoglobin concentration, percentage of body fat, blood flow, and blood pressure value from the hemoglobin measuring apparatus  80 , body fat monitor  81 , blood flow meter  82 , and blood pressure gauge  83  are received by the controller  17   f . In step S 49  shown in  FIG. 21 , the measurement results received by the controller  17   f  are transmitted to the server  70 .  
         [0072]     After that, in step S 50 , whether advice data is received from the server  70  or not is determined. In the case where it is determined in step S 50  that no advice data is received from the server  70 , the determination repeats. In the case where it is determined in step S 50  that advice data is received from the server  70 , the received advice data is displayed in step S 51 . Concretely, as shown in  FIG. 10 , the analysis result display screen  44  similar to that of the first embodiment, which shows information for suggesting maintenance or improvement in the health of the customer, is displayed on the touch panel  11 .  
         [0073]     When the customer touches the “print” button  44   a  in the analysis result screen  44  shown in  FIG. 10  in step S 52 , a report  50   a  (refer to  FIG. 22 ) is printed in step S 53 . The printed report  50   a  is ejected from the report ejection port  14   a  (refer to  FIG. 16 ). In the report  50   a  according to the second embodiment shown in  FIG. 16 , different from the report  50  according to the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 11 , a bar code  50   b  including the identification number indicative of the analysis of this time determined in step S 46  is displayed below the membership number of the customer. In the other portion of the report  50   a  of the second embodiment, information similar to that of the report  50  according to the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 11  is printed.  
         [0074]     Next, with reference to  FIGS. 16, 20 , and  21 , the process flow of the server  70  in the sales support system  1   a  according to the second embodiment will be described. The process is started when the ID of the customer, basic information, life rhythms, meal data, and indefinite complaint entered in steps S 41  to S 45  (refer to  FIG. 21 ) from the apparatus  10   a  for customer and the identification number determined in step S 46  are transmitted. The process is a process for a set of the apparatus  10   a  for customer and the apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist. When input data from the another apparatus  10   b  for customer or the apparatus  20   b  for pharmacist is transmitted, the process on the apparatus  10   b  for customer and the apparatus  20   b  for pharmacist are performed in parallel with the above process.  
         [0075]     First, in step S 54 , the input data (the ID of the customer, basic information, life rhythms, meal data, and indefinite complaint) and the identification number are received via the LAN cable  30  (refer to  FIG. 16 ) and the hub  31  from the apparatus  10   a  for customer (refer to  FIG. 16 ), thereby starting the process in the server  70 . In step S 55 , the received input data is stored so as to be associated with the identification number into the input/measurement result storing DB  74   d  and the customer record DB  74   h  in the memory  74   b  of the server  70  (refer to  FIG. 20 ). In step S 56 , whether the measurement result is received from the apparatus  10   a  for customer or not is determined. When it is determined in step S 56  that the measurement result has not been received from the apparatus  10   a  for customer, the determination is repeated. When it is determined in step S 56  that the measurement result is received from the apparatus  10   a  for customer, in step S 57 , the received measurement result is stored so as to be associated with the identification number in the input/measurement result storing DB  74   d  and the customer record DB  74   h  in the memory  74   b  of the server  70 .  
         [0076]     In step S 58 , the ID of the customer, basic information, life rhythms, meal data, and indefinite complaint entered in steps S 41  to S 45  and the measurement result (including history of measurement results) measured in step S 47  are read from the input/measurement result storing DB  74   d  (refer to  FIG. 20 ) in the memory  74   b . After that, in step S 59 , the analysis parameter is read from the analysis parameter DB  74   c  in the memory  74   b . In step S 60 , based on the input data and the measurement result read in step S 58  and the analysis parameter read in step S 59 , the health conditions of the customer are analyzed by an analysis algorithm such as the Bayesian network. As a result, an analysis result based on the input data and the measurement result is determined. The analysis result is data (code) for specifying one from the plurality of pieces of advice data stored in the advice data DB  74   e  (refer to  FIG. 20 ). Concretely, the analysis result is expressed by an alphabet, a numerical value, or the like and is associated with one of the plurality of pieces of advice data stored in the advice data DB  74   e . The analysis result is associated with one of a plurality of pieces of recommended component data stored in the recommended component DB  74   i  (refer to  FIG. 20 ). The analysis result is associated with one of a plurality of pieces of advice data for a pharmacist stored in the detailed advice DB  74   g  (refer to  FIG. 20 ). The analysis result is associated with one of a plurality of pieces of compatibility data stored in the compatibility DB  74   f  (refer to  FIG. 20 ). The analysis result is associated with the identification number received in step S 54 .  
         [0077]     In step S 61 , advice data corresponding to the analysis result of the health condition of the customer determined in step S 60  is selected from the advice data DB  74   e  (refer to  FIG. 20 ) and read. After that, in step S 62 , the advice data read in step S 61  is transmitted to the apparatus  10   a  for customer. In step S 63 , whether data requesting for transmission of data from the apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist is received or not is determined. The data requesting for transmission of data is included in the identification number indicative of analysis of this time entered to the apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist. The identification number is used for identifying the input data, measurement result, advice data for pharmacist, recommended component data, and compatibility data steps S 64  to S 67 . In the case where it is determined in step S 63  that data requesting for transmission of data from the apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist is not received, the determining operation repeats. In the case where it is determined in step S 63  that data requesting for transmission of data from the apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist is received, in step S 64 , input data and the measurement result (including history of measurement results) corresponding to the identification number transmitted from the apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist are read from the customer record DB  74   h  (refer to  FIG. 20 ).  
         [0078]     In step S 65 , advice data for a pharmacist corresponding to the analysis result corresponding to the identification number transmitted from the apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist is selected and read from a plurality of pieces of advice data for pharmacist stored in the detailed advice DB  24   d  (refer to  FIG. 20 ). In step S 66 , recommended component data corresponding to the analysis result corresponding to the identification number transmitted from the apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist is selected and read from a plurality of pieces of recommended component data stored in the recommended component DB  74   i  (refer to  FIG. 20 ). After that, in step S 67 , compatibility data corresponding to the analysis result corresponding to the identification number transmitted from the apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist is selected and read from a plurality of pieces of compatibility data stored in the compatibility DB  74   f  (refer to  FIG. 20 ). In step S 68 , the data read in steps S 64  to S 67  is transmitted to the apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist.  
         [0079]     With reference to  FIGS. 13, 16 ,  21 , and  22 , the process flow of the apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist of the sales support system  1   a  according to the second embodiment will be described.  
         [0080]     First, the pharmacist enters the identification number to the apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist in step S 69 , thereby starting the process flow of the apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist. The identification number may be entered by using the keyboard  22  (refer to  FIG. 16 ) or by reading the bar code  50   b  (refer to  FIG. 22 ) printed on the report  50   a  printed in step S 53  by the bar code reader  25 . In step S 70 , data requesting for transmission of data is transmitted to the server  70 . The data requesting for transmission of data includes the identification number entered in step S 69 . In step S 71 , if the data read in steps S 64  to S 67  is received from the server  70  or not is determined. When it is determined in step S 71  that data read in steps S 64  to S 67  is not received from the server  70 , the determining operation repeats.  
         [0081]     After that, when it is determined in step S 71  that the data read in steps S 64  to S 67  is received, in step S 72 , the data received in step S 71  is displayed on a screen similar to the recommendation information screen  60  (refer to  FIG. 13 ) of the first embodiment shown in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0082]     When such an information screen  60  is displayed, thereby, the pharmacist can determine advice to give in order to maintain or improve the health of the customer on the basis of the information displayed in “advice on how to recommend”. On the basis of the information displayed in “recommended components”, the pharmacist selects a commodity containing the component displayed in the column as a commodity to be purchased by the customer to maintain or improve his/her health, and can recommend the commodity to the customer.  
         [0083]     In the second embodiment, as described above, the apparatus  10   a  for customer and the server  70  are connected to each other via the LAN cable  30  and the hub  31 , and the apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist and the server  70  are connected to each other via the LAN cable  30  and the hub  31 . With the configuration, information for supporting selection by the pharmacist of a commodity to be purchased by the customer to maintain or improve his/her health (information stored in the recommend component DB  74   i ) determined by the controller  4  in the server  70  on the basis of the life information entered by the customer in the apparatus  10   a  for customer and the biological information measured is transmitted from the server  70  to the apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist and can be easily displayed on the touch panel  21  of the apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist. Consequently, the pharmacist can view the information for supporting selection by the pharmacist of the commodity to be purchased by the customer displayed on the touch panel  21  of the apparatus  20   a  for pharmacist. Therefore, the pharmacist can easily select a commodity suitable for the customer and recommend it to the customer on the basis of the information for supporting the selection by the pharmacist of the commodity to be purchased by the customer. On the other hand, when the pharmacist recommends a commodity on the basis of the life information and biological information of the customer himself/herself, the customer is convinced to purchase the commodity.  
         [0084]     In the second embodiment, the server  70  is connected to the plurality of apparatuses  10   a  and  10   b  for customer and the plurality of apparatuses  20   a  and  20   b  corresponding to the plurality of apparatuses  10   a  and  10   b  for customer, respectively, so that communications can be performed. With the configuration, life information collected from all of the apparatuses  10   a  and  10   b  for customer disposed in pharmacies belonging to a group company can be managed by a single server  70 .  
         [0085]     In the second embodiment, by providing the memory  74   b  for storing information on a commodity to be purchased by the customer to maintain or improve his/her health (information stored in the recommended component DB  74   i ) in the server  70 , a predetermined recommended component can be selected from the recommended component DB  74   i  without performing communications with another apparatus on the basis of the life information received from the apparatus  10   a  for customer and the measured biological information. Thus, the process can be performed at high speed. [ 00851  In the second embodiment, the pharmacist can display the recommendation information screen  60  only by reading the bar code  50   b  printed on the report  50   a , so that the process becomes easy. In addition, the pharmacist does not obtain personal data for specifying the name, address, and the like of the customer, so that it is unnecessary to manage the personal data.  
         [0086]     The other effects of the second embodiment are similar to those of the foregoing first embodiment.  
         [0087]     The embodiments disclosed here are therefore to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description of the embodiments, and all changes, which come within the meaning, and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.  
         [0088]     For example, the case of using hemoglobin concentration as biological information of the customer in the first embodiment and using hemoglobin concentration, percentage of body fat, blood flow amount, and blood pressure value as biological information of the customer in the second embodiment has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to the case. As biological information, a blood sugar value, a body temperature, pulse, and the like other than the hemoglobin concentration, percentage of body fat, blood flow amount, and blood pressure value may be used.  
         [0089]     In the first and second embodiments, the example of using the Bayesian network as an analysis algorithm for analyzing the health condition of a customer on the basis of input data, measurement data, and analysis parameter in the apparatus for customer has been described. The present invention however is not limited to the example. The health condition of a customer may be analyzed by using an analysis algorithm other than the Bayesian network.  
         [0090]     In the first and second embodiments, the example of mounting the sales support system in a pharmacy has been described. However, the invention is not limited to the example. The sales support system may be established in a convenience store, a sports gym, a hospital, a supermarket, and the like. In the case of using the sales support system in a convenience store or a supermarket, the apparatus for pharmacist is used as an apparatus for a clerk. In the case of using the sales support system in a sports gym, the apparatus for pharmacist is used as an apparatus for an instructor. In the case of using the sales support system in a hospital, the apparatus for pharmacist is used as an apparatus for doctor. In this case, a commodity like food such as vegetables other than the health food, drug, fitness equipment, or the like may be sold.  
         [0091]     Although the example where a pharmacist as a sales person recommends health food is described in the first and second embodiments, the invention is not limited to the example. A doctor in a hospital or the like may recommend health food.  
         [0092]     Although the example of retrieving health food in the apparatus for pharmacist has been described in the first embodiment, the present invention is not limited to the example. Other than the health food, food such as vegetables or drugs may be retrieved.  
         [0093]     In the foregoing first embodiment, the process of determining recommended component data from an analysis result determined on the basis of input data (sex, age, height, weight, eating habits, work, sleeping hours, and the like) and the measurement result is performed in the apparatus for pharmacist. In the second embodiment, the example of performing the process by the server has been described. The present invention is not limited to the examples. The process of determining recommended component data from the analysis result determined on the basis of the input data and the measurement result may be performed by the apparatus for customer.  
         [0094]     In the foregoing first embodiment, the process of determining an analysis result on the basis of input data (sex, age, height, weight, eating habits, work, sleeping hours, and the like) and the measurement result is performed in the apparatus for customer. In the second embodiment, the example of performing the process by the server has been described. The present invention is not limited to the examples. The process of determining analysis result on the basis of the input data and the measurement result may be performed by the apparatus for pharmacist. In this case, the apparatus for customer may receive an analysis result from the apparatus for pharmacist and, on the basis of the analysis result, may select advice data from the advice data DB or, on the basis of the analysis result, may receive a recommended component selected by the apparatus for pharmacist from the apparatus for pharmacist.  
         [0095]     In the first embodiment, the example in which the apparatus for customer analyzes the health condition of a customer on the basis of the biological information (hemoglobin concentration, percentage of body fat, blood flow amount, and blood pressure value) as measurement data and life information (sex, age, height, weight, eating habits, sleeping hours, and the like) as input data has been described. The invention is not limited to the example but the health condition of a customer may be analyzed on the basis of only life information.  
         [0096]     In the first embodiment, the example in which a pharmacist retrieves (extracts) health food to be recommended to a customer on the commodity search screen of the apparatus for pharmacist has been described. The invention is not limited to the example. Alternately, health food to be recommended to a customer may be automatically retrieved (extracted) on the basis of the measurement data and the analysis result and displayed.  
         [0097]     In the first embodiment, the case where a new customer uses the sales support system has been described as an example. Consequently, no history is displayed on the recommendation information screen  60  shown in  FIG. 13 , and the analysis result of last time and that of two times before are not shown in the graph of analysis results on the detailed history screen  62  shown in  FIG. 15 . However, in the case where a customer used the sales support system before, in step S 24  shown in  FIG. 12 , measurement data in the past of the customer, analysis results, information of health food recommended to the customer, and the like are read from the customer record DB  24   e . As shown in  FIGS. 23 and 24 , the health food recommended to the customer last time is displayed in the history on the recommendation information screen  70  (refer to  FIG. 23 ) and analysis results of two times before, last time, and this time are displayed in a graph on the detailed history screen  72  (refer to  FIG. 24 ). By the display, a change with time in the health condition of the customer can be grasped.  
         [0098]     Although the example of retrieving health food containing a recommended component has been described in the first embodiment, the invention is not limited to the example. Alternately, advice for a pharmacist or compatibility information may be retrieved. In this case, it is sufficient to display a search screen by using the “search” button  60   b  or  60   d  shown in  FIG. 13 .  
         [0099]     The second embodiment has been described with respect to the example in which data collected from a plurality of apparatuses for customer is managed by a single server and the process flow of the apparatus for pharmacist is finished by displaying the data received in step S 71  onto the touch panel  21  in step S 72  (refer to  FIG. 21 ). The invention is not limited to the example. Also in the case where data collected from a plurality of apparatuses for customer is managed by a single server, the process flow of the apparatus for pharmacist may include steps corresponding to the steps S 29  to S 33  of the first embodiment after displaying the data received in step S 71  onto the touch panel  21  in step S 72 . Concretely, health food containing a recommended component may be further retrieved or commodity information may be retrieved. In this case, it is sufficient to provide the controller of the server with commodity information DB corresponding to the commodity information DB  24   f  of the first embodiment.