Patent Publication Number: US-2022225488-A1

Title: Location identification system, location identification method, and computer-readable medium

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a location identification system, a location identification method, and a computer-readable medium, and more particularly, to a location identification system, a location identification method, and a computer-readable medium for allowing a customer to identify the location of a product. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Conventionally, it has been an adopted style to display various products on shelves for sale. In a store that handles a large number of products, a problem is that the products are arranged on a plurality of store shelves, and thus customers cannot easily identify the locations of the products. 
     In this connection, for example, a search system disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is intended to project a guide image for guiding a user to a bookshelf where a target book is stored, on a floor surface of a route from the book to the bookshelf, and to guide the user to the location of the target book. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2016-169080 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     However, a problem with the search system disclosed in Patent Literature 1 is that the user cannot immediately grasp the location of the target book if the target book is in a blind spot of the user because the guide image composed of an arrow is projected on the floor surface and therefore convenience is low. Another problem is that, in the case where a plurality of users uses the search system at the same time, a plurality of routes may be projected on the floor surface, and each user cannot understand which route to follow and therefore convenience is low. 
     In view of the situations described above, an object of the present invention is to provide a location identification system, a location identification method, and a computer-readable medium that are capable of increasing convenience when customers attempt to identify the locations of products. 
     Solution to Problem 
     A location identification system according to an example aspect of the present invention includes a plurality of lighting apparatuses installed above a plurality of products displayed inside a room, a search apparatus configured to allow a customer to search for and designate the product, and a management apparatus capable of communicating with the plurality of lighting apparatuses and the search apparatus. The search apparatus transmits identification information of a target product that is designated by the customer to the management apparatus. The management apparatus changes an emission color of a lighting apparatus associated with the target product to a pre-specified emission color in a case where the management apparatus receives the identification information of the target product from the search apparatus. 
     Advantageous Effects of Invention 
     According to the present invention, there may be provided a location identification system, a location identification method, and a computer-readable medium that are capable of increasing convenience when customers attempt to identify the locations of products. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view schematically showing a location identification system according to a first example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a configuration of a management apparatus according to the first example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  is a diagram showing an example of an association table according to the first example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram showing an example of a lighting-apparatus management table according to the first example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing main components of the location identification system according to the first example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing an example of a process that is performed by the management apparatus according to the first example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing an example of a time-lapse monitoring process that is performed by the management apparatus according to the first example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing examples of GUIs that are displayed by a search apparatus according to the first example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing a location identification system according to a second example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing an example of a process that is performed by a management apparatus according to the second example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing an example of an arrival monitoring process that is performed by the management apparatus according to the second example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a diagram showing examples of GUIs that are displayed by a search apparatus according to the second example embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a diagram showing an example of a lighting-apparatus management table according to the second example embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     First Example Embodiment 
     In the following, a first example embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.  FIG. 1  is a perspective view schematically showing a location identification system  1  according to the first example embodiment of the present invention. The location identification system  1  includes a management apparatus  10 , a search apparatus  20 , a light control apparatus  30 , a router  40 , and lighting apparatuses  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3 . The management apparatus  10 , the search apparatus  20 , the light control apparatus  30 , and the router  40  are connected to a communication cable, and the management apparatus  10 , the search apparatus  20 , and the light control apparatus  30  are capable of performing data communication with each other via the router  40 . The light control apparatus  30  and the lighting apparatuses  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3  are connected to the communication cable, and are capable of performing data communication with each other. A plurality of products is displayed on store shelves  60   a , . . . ,  60   c.    
     The management apparatus  10  is an information processing apparatus that controls the search apparatus  20  and the light control apparatus  30 . Functions of the management apparatus  10  will be described later with reference to  FIG. 2 . 
     The search apparatus  20  is an apparatus that is used by a customer to grasp the location of a product, and is installed inside a room where the products are displayed. The search apparatus  20  includes a function of displaying information about a product, a function of searching for a product that is designated by the customer, and a function of providing information indicating the location of the product, and displays graphical user interfaces (GUIs) corresponding to these functions on a display device that the search apparatus is provided with. 
     The light control apparatus  30  is an apparatus that controls light emission states of the lighting apparatuses  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3 . The light control apparatus  30  transmits a control signal corresponding to a control command provided by the management apparatus  10  to the lighting apparatus  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3 , and changes an emission color of the lighting apparatus  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3 . The router  40  is a relay apparatus that relays data that is communicated between the management apparatus  10 , the search apparatus  20 , and the light control apparatus  30 . 
     The lighting apparatuses  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3  are each a lighting apparatus that includes light-emitting bodies such as LEDs, and that changes emission colors of the light-emitting bodies according to a control signal provided by the light control apparatus  30 . The lighting apparatuses  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3  are installed above a plurality of products that are displayed inside a room or around positions above the products. For example, the lighting apparatuses  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3  may be installed on a ceiling of the room where the products are present. The lighting apparatuses  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3  are each installed on the ceiling and function as an indoor lighting apparatus for illuminating the inside of the room, and as a lighting apparatus for indicating the location of a product. That is, one or some or all of the indoor lighting apparatuses that are installed on the ceiling and that illuminate the inside of the room may be used as the lighting apparatus for indicating the location of a product. Furthermore, the lighting apparatuses  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3  may be lighting apparatuses that are attached to rails installed above the store shelves  60   a , . . . ,  60   c.  Furthermore, the lighting apparatuses  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3  may be provided on the ceiling or on rails installed above the store shelves  60   a , . . . ,  60   c , separately from an indoor lighting apparatus for illuminating the inside of the room. The light-emitting bodies of the lighting apparatuses  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3  are capable of emitting light in various colors (such as red, blue, yellow, green, orange, and pink), and the lighting apparatuses  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3  may cause the light-emitting bodies to emit light in an emission pattern including one of the colors mentioned above, an emission pattern including two of the colors mentioned above (such as a checkered pattern in red and blue, a checkered pattern in red and yellow, a checkered pattern in red and green, or a checkered pattern in red and orange), or any emission pattern combining the colors mentioned above in various ways. 
       FIG. 2  is a diagram showing a configuration of the management apparatus  10  according to the first example embodiment of the present invention. The management apparatus  10  includes a central processing unit (CPU; not shown) that is an arithmetic unit, and performs a location identification method of the present invention by executing a location identification program of the present invention that is stored in a storage device  120 . The location identification program of the present invention includes a control unit  100 , a monitoring unit  101 , a lighting-apparatus control unit  102 , a timer  103 , a data-table processing unit  104 , and a display control unit  105  that are program modules. 
     The control unit  100  is a program module for performing overall control of the management apparatus  10 , and the control unit  100  executes the location identification program of the present invention by invoking other program modules as necessary. The monitoring unit  101  is a program module for monitoring reception/non-reception of identification information of a product from the search apparatus  20 . The lighting-apparatus control unit  102  is a program module for changing the emission colors of the lighting apparatuses  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3  using the light control apparatus  30 . The timer  103  is a program module for measuring an elapsed time. 
     The data-table processing unit  104  is a program module for processing an association table and a lighting-apparatus management table saved in the storage device  120 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , the association table is a data table in which identification information of a lighting apparatus, identification information of a store shelf installed below the lighting apparatus, and identification information (a product name and a product code) of a product displayed on the store shelf are registered in association with one another. 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the lighting-apparatus management table is a data table in which the identification information of a lighting apparatus, a current emission color of the lighting apparatus, and an elapsed time from start of emission by the lighting apparatus are registered in association with one another. In the present example embodiment, the lighting apparatus may emit light in two pre-specified emission colors. In this case, the elapsed time is registered in the lighting-apparatus management table in association with each of the emission colors. Furthermore, in the present example embodiment, in the case where a product is not designated, the lighting apparatus emits light in white, and thus, “0” is registered in the lighting-apparatus management table in association with white. 
     The display control unit  105  is a program module for providing, to the search apparatus  20 , configuration information of a GUI to be displayed on the search apparatus  20 , and for causing the search apparatus  20  to display the GUI. Specifically, the display control unit  105  generates configuration information of a GUI for displaying product names registered in the association table, and transmits the configuration information of the GUI to the search apparatus  20 . When a user selects a product using the GUI displayed by the search apparatus  20 , the search apparatus  20  transmits the product name of the product to the management apparatus  10 . The display control unit  105  refers to the association table and identifies the lighting apparatus and the store shelf that are associated with the product name, and provides configuration information of a GUI  800 ,  810  as shown in  FIG. 8  to the search apparatus  20 . The GUIs  800 ,  810  are examples of a GUI for indicating the location of a product designated by a customer. The GUI  800  displays information indicating the store shelf where a designated product is displayed, and information indicating the emission color of the lighting apparatus installed above the product. The GUI  810  is a GUI that is displayed in a case where the emission color of the lighting apparatus associated with the product is already changed and then a product is designated by the customer. The GUI  810  displays information indicating the store shelf where the designated product is displayed, and information indicating two emission colors of the lighting apparatus installed above the product. 
     The storage device  120  stores various data including the association table, the lighting-apparatus management table, the configuration information of the GUI to be provided to the search apparatus  20 , the location identification program of the present invention, and the like. 
       FIG. 5  is a block diagram showing main components of the location identification system  1  according to the first example embodiment. As the main components, the location identification system  1  includes the management apparatus  10 , the search apparatus  20 , and the lighting apparatuses  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3 . 
       FIG. 6  is a flowchart showing an example of a process that is performed by the management apparatus  10  according to the first example embodiment of the present invention. In step S 101 , the control unit  100  initializes a variable N to one. In step S 102 , the monitoring unit  101  determines whether the identification information of a product designated by a customer is received from the search apparatus  20 . In the case where the identification information of a product is not received (NO), the process in step S 102  is performed again. On the other hand, in the case where the identification information of a product is received (YES), the process proceeds to step S 103 . 
     In step S 103 , the lighting-apparatus control unit  102  refers to the association table and identifies the lighting apparatus and the store shelf that are associated with the identification information of the product. In step S 104 , the display control unit  105  transmits, to the search apparatus  20 , the configuration information of the GUI for indicating the location of the product designated by the customer. Information indicating the store shelf where the product is displayed and information indicating that the lighting apparatus will be lighted in the emission color specified by the variable N are to be displayed on the GUI. 
     In step S 105 , the lighting-apparatus control unit  102  transmits, to the light control apparatus  30 , a control command for causing the lighting apparatus to emit light in the emission color specified by the variable N, and changes the emission color of the lighting apparatus. Here, in the case where the emission color of the lighting apparatus is already changed, the lighting-apparatus control unit  102  transmits a control command for causing the lighting apparatus to emit light in both the current emission color and the emission color specified by the variable N. The lighting apparatus  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3  thus emits light in both the current emission color and the emission color specified by the variable N. In this case, the lighting apparatus  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3  may cause some of the light-emitting bodies of the lighting apparatus to emit light in the current emission color and other light-emitting bodies to emit light in the emission color specified by the variable N. Alternatively, the lighting apparatus  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3  may cause the light-emitting bodies to emit light alternately in the current emission color and the emission color specified by the variable N. 
     In step S 106 , the data-table processing unit  104  updates the lighting-apparatus management table by changing the emission color of the lighting apparatus registered in the lighting-apparatus management table to information indicating the emission color specified by the variable N. In step S 107 , the control unit  100  activates the timer  103 . The timer  103  registers an elapsed time from a transmission time of the control command in the lighting-apparatus management table in association with the identification information of the lighting apparatus. In step S 108 , the control unit  100  increments the variable N. In step S 109 , the control unit  100  determines whether the variable N is a predetermined value (such as “11”). The predetermined value depends on the number of colors in which the lighting apparatus  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3  can emit light and the emission pattern. In the case where the variable N is not the predetermined value (NO), the process returns to step S 101 . On the other hand, in the case where the variable N is the same as the predetermined value (YES), the process proceeds to step S 110 . In step S 110 , the control unit  100  performs a time-lapse monitoring process shown in  FIG. 7 . 
       FIG. 7  is a flowchart showing an example of the time-lapse monitoring process for determining whether the elapsed time registered in the lighting-apparatus management table reached a threshold. In step S 201 , the control unit  100  determines whether the threshold is reached by the elapsed time registered in the lighting-apparatus management table. In the case where the threshold is not reached by the elapsed time (NO), the process returns to step S 102 . On the other hand, in the case where the threshold is reached by the elapsed time (YES), the process proceeds to step S 202 . 
     In step S 202 , the lighting-apparatus control unit  102  refers to the lighting-apparatus management table and identifies the lighting apparatus corresponding to the elapsed time, and transmits, to the light control apparatus  30 , a control command for returning the emission color of the lighting apparatus to an original color. Here, in the case where the lighting apparatus is emitting light in two emission colors, the lighting-apparatus control unit  102  transmits a control command for causing the lighting apparatus to emit light in the emission color corresponding to the elapsed time that has not reached the threshold. In step S 203 , the data-table processing unit  104  updates the lighting-apparatus management table, and the process returns to step S 102 . Specifically, the data-table processing unit  104  updates the lighting-apparatus management table by changing the emission color, of the lighting apparatus, corresponding to the elapsed time registered in the lighting-apparatus management table to the original color (such as white). In the case where the lighting apparatus is emitting light in two emission colors, the lighting-apparatus control unit  102  updates the lighting-apparatus management table by deleting information corresponding to the elapsed time that reached the threshold from the lighting-apparatus management table. 
     In the first example embodiment, when the management apparatus  10  receives the identification information of a target product designated by a customer from the search apparatus  20 , the management apparatus  10  refers to the association data table and identifies the lighting apparatus  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3  that is installed above the product, and changes the emission color of the lighting apparatus in question to a predetermined emission color. The customer may thus immediately grasp the location of the product that he/she designated, and convenience of the customer may be increased. 
     Furthermore, in the case where the management apparatus  10  receives the identification information of a product that is associated with the lighting apparatus  50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3  whose emission color is already changed, the management apparatus  10  changes the emission color of the lighting apparatus in question to the current emission color and an emission color that is different from the afore-mentioned emission color. Accordingly, in the case where a plurality of customers uses the location identification system  1  at the same time, even when products designated by the customers are associated with the same lighting apparatus or the same product is designated by the customers, each customer may accurately grasp the location of the product that he/she designated, and convenience of the customers may be increased. 
     Second Example Embodiment 
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing the location identification system  1  according to a second example embodiment of the present invention. In the second example embodiment, a mobile terminal apparatus, such as a smartphone, carried by a customer is used as the search apparatus  20 . In the second example embodiment, the router  40  includes a wireless local area network (LAN) communication function, and the search apparatus  20  may perform data communication with the management apparatus  10  by wireless LAN communication via the router  40 . In the following, description of aspects that are the same as those in the first example embodiment will be omitted. 
       FIG. 10  is a flowchart showing an example of a process that is performed by the management apparatus  10  according to the second example embodiment. In step S 301 , the control unit  100  initializes the variable N to one. In step S 302 , the monitoring unit  101  determines whether the identification information of a product designated by a customer and identification information of the search apparatus  20  of the customer are received. In the case where this identification information is not received (NO), the process in step S 302  is performed again. On the other hand, in the case where this identification information is received (YES), the process proceeds to step S 303 . 
     In step S 303 , the lighting-apparatus control unit  102  refers to the association table and identifies the lighting apparatus and the store shelf that are associated with the product designated by the customer. In step S 304 , the display control unit  105  transmits, to the search apparatus  20 , the configuration information of the GUI for indicating the location of the product designated by the customer. Information indicating the store shelf where the product is displayed and information indicating that the lighting apparatus will be lighted in the emission color specified by the variable N are displayed in the GUI. 
       FIG. 12  shows examples of the GUIs that are displayed when a product is designated by a customer. A GUI  1200  displays information indicating the store shelf where the designated product is displayed, information indicating the emission color of the lighting apparatus installed above the product, and an arrival key. When the customer presses the arrival key on the GUI  1200 , the search apparatus  20  transmits, to the management apparatus  10 , a notification indicating arrival of the customer (hereinafter “arrival notification”) and the identification information of the search apparatus. 
     A GUI  1210  is a GUI that is displayed in a case where the emission color of the lighting apparatus associated with the product is already changed and then a product is designated by the customer. The GUI  1210  displays information indicating the store shelf where the designated product is displayed, information indicating two emission colors of the lighting apparatus installed above the product, and the arrival key. 
     In step S 305 , the lighting-apparatus control unit  102  transmits, to the light control apparatus  30 , a control command for causing the lighting apparatus to emit light in the emission color specified by the variable N, and changes the emission color of the lighting apparatus. In step S 306 , the data-table processing unit  104  updates the lighting-apparatus management table. Specifically, the data-table processing unit  104  changes the emission color of the lighting apparatus registered in the lighting-apparatus management table to information indicating the emission color specified by the variable N, and also, registers the identification information of the mobile terminal apparatus as the search apparatus  20  in association with the identification information of the lighting apparatus. 
     In step S 307 , the control unit  100  increments the variable N. In step S 308 , the control unit  100  determines whether the variable N is a predetermined value (such as “11”). In the case where the variable N is not the predetermined value (NO), the process returns to step S 301 . On the other hand, in the case where the variable N is the same as the predetermined value (YES), the process proceeds to step S 309 . In step S 309 , the control unit  100  performs an arrival monitoring process shown in  FIG. 11 . 
       FIG. 11  is a flowchart showing an example of the arrival monitoring process for determining whether a customer has arrived close to the location where a designated product is displayed. In step S 401 , the control unit  100  determines whether a customer has arrived close to the location where a designated product is displayed. In the present example embodiment, the control unit  100  is capable of determining whether the customer has arrived or not by determined whether the arrival notification is received from the search apparatus  20 . In the case where the customer has not yet arrived (NO), the process returns to step S 302 . On the other hand, in the case where the customer has arrived (YES), the process proceeds to step S 402 . 
     In step S 402 , the lighting-apparatus control unit  102  refers to the lighting-apparatus management table and identifies the lighting apparatus corresponding to the identification information of the mobile terminal apparatus, and transmits, to the light control apparatus  30 , a control command for returning the emission color of the lighting apparatus to the original color. In step S 403 , the data-table processing unit  104  updates the lighting-apparatus management table by changing the emission color of the lighting apparatus registered in the lighting-apparatus management table to information indicating the original color (such as white), and the process returns to step S 302 . 
     In the second example embodiment, the mobile terminal apparatus, such as a smartphone, carried by a customer functions as the search apparatus  20 . Accordingly, a customer may search for and designate a product using the mobile terminal apparatus that he/she possesses, and also, information indicating the location of the product is displayed on the mobile terminal apparatus, thus, convenience of the customer may be increased. Furthermore, the emission color of the lighting apparatus that is installed above the designated product may be maintained in the emission color after change, until the customer operates the mobile terminal apparatus and transmits the arrival notification to the management apparatus  10 . Accordingly, convenience of the customer may be even more increased because the emission color of the lighting apparatus is not changed until the customer arrives close to the product. 
     Other Example Embodiments 
     In the second example embodiment, the control unit  100  determines whether a customer has arrived close to the location where a designated product is displayed, by determining whether the arrival notification is received from the search apparatus  20 . In another example embodiment, however, the control unit  100  may determine whether the customer has arrived or not using location information of the search apparatus  20 . In this case, a plurality of wireless LAN access points is installed in the room where products are displayed. And the search apparatus  20  transmits, to the management apparatus  10 , intensities of radio waves received from the wireless LAN access points and identification information of the wireless LAN access points. The management apparatus  10  calculates distances between the search apparatus  20  and each wireless LAN access point by using the intensities of radio waves and the identification information of the wireless LAN access point received from the search apparatus  20 , and identifies a location of the search apparatus  20  based on the distances and already-known location information of the wireless LAN access points. Then, the management apparatus  10  may determine whether the customer has arrived or not by determining whether the location of the search apparatus  20  is within a certain range of distance from the product that is designated by the customer. In this case, the management apparatus  10  holds location information of products in advance. 
     Furthermore, in the example embodiments described above, the management apparatus  10  and the light control apparatus  30  are configured as separate apparatuses. In another example embodiment, however, the management apparatus  10  and the light control apparatus  30  may be integrated with each other. 
     In the examples described above, programs may be provided to a computer by being stored in various types of computer-readable media (non-transitory computer readable media). The computer-readable media include various types of tangible storage media. Examples of the computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (such as flexible disks, magnetic tapes, and hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (such as magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs, CD-Rs, CD-R/Ws, and semiconductor memories (such as mask ROMs, programmable ROMs (PROMs), erasable PROMs (EPROMs), flash ROMs, and RAMs). Furthermore, the programs may be provided to a computer by various types of transitory computer-readable media. Examples of the transitory computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The transitory computer-readable medium may supply the programs to a computer by a cable communication channel such as an electrical line or an optical fiber, or by a wireless communication channel. 
     The present invention is not limited to the example embodiments described above, and may be changed as appropriate within the scope of the present invention. 
     This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-37460, filed on Mar. 1, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           1  LOCATION IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM 
           10  MANAGEMENT APPARATUS 
           20  SEARCH APPARATUS 
           30  LIGHT CONTROL APPARATUS 
           40  ROUTER 
           50   a   1 , . . . ,  50   c   3  LIGHTING APPARATUS 
           60   a , . . . ,  60   c  STORE SHELF