JP2001183045A - Store management system, part order method, and computer-readable record medium recorded with program for executing its method by computer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce labor required for scheduling equipment, and at the same time to efficiently carry out desired scheduling operation by the equipment such as showcases, air-conditioners, and/or lighting being provided in each store. SOLUTION: A PC218 in a store or a store head office 12 sends schedule information for carrying out desired schedule operation by equipment to an NA201. The NA201 that receives the schedule information sends the schedule information to a system controller. The system controller controls the operation of the equipment based on the schedule information.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention A store management system for managing various devices such as a showcase, an air conditioner, and a light provided in a store, a device control method, and a computer-readable recording recording a program for causing a computer to execute the method. Regarding the medium, in particular, a store management system that efficiently performs a desired scheduling operation on devices such as a showcase, an air conditioner, and lighting arranged in each store while reducing the burden of human labor on device scheduling, The present invention relates to a device control method and a recording medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a store such as a supermarket or a convenience store is provided with a plurality of showcases and refrigerators, and each showcase is separately controlled by providing a temperature controller and the like. Therefore, extremely complicated setting change work is required.

For this reason, a technique for centrally managing a showcase or the like provided in a store is known. For example,
Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-193981 discloses that data relating to operating conditions such as temperature setting of a showcase and defrosting time are transmitted to a terminal-side control device, and data relating to an operating state transmitted from the terminal control device is received. There is disclosed a centralized management device such as a showcase configured to provide a higher-level control device for displaying each group.

[0004] By using such a conventional technique, it is possible to centrally manage a showcase or the like, grasp data of an operating state for each group distinguished by operating conditions, and perform management and maintenance quickly and easily.

[0005]

However, even if this prior art is used, the temperature of the showcase and the like can be simply confirmed by the host controller, and various devices such as the showcase can be scheduled to operate. However, the operation schedule of various devices must be directly set by the administrator of the device, and there is a problem that the human labor required for the operation setting of the device becomes excessive.

[0006] In particular, when a wide variety of devices are provided in each store, such as a supermarket that has been converted into a chain store, the number of devices to be set for operation is enormous.
An enormous amount of human effort must be spent on this operation setting.

[0007] Such various devices often perform not only the same scheduling operation on a weekly basis but also different scheduling operations according to the four seasons.
In addition, different scheduling operations are often performed on weekdays and holidays, and it is an extremely important issue how to efficiently perform such scheduling operations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and reduces the burden of human labor involved in the scheduling of devices while reducing the number of showcases, air conditioners, lights, and the like provided in each store. It is an object of the present invention to provide a store management system, a device control method, and a recording medium that allow a device to efficiently perform a desired scheduling operation.

[0009]

Means for Solving the Problems To solve the above-mentioned problems,
In order to achieve the object of the present invention, a store management system according to the first aspect of the present invention includes a showcase arranged in a store,
In a store management system that manages various devices such as an air conditioner and lighting, a schedule registration unit that registers schedule information provided by a predetermined management device is provided to a plurality of system controllers that control the various devices for each device. Each system controller controls a device in accordance with schedule information registered by the schedule registration means.

According to the present invention, schedule information provided by a predetermined management device is registered in a plurality of system controllers for controlling various devices for each device, and each system controller is registered in accordance with the registered schedule information. Decided to control the equipment,
A desired scheduling operation can be efficiently performed on devices such as a showcase, an air conditioner, and a lighting provided in each store, while reducing the burden of human labor for setting the scheduling operation.

The store management system according to a second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the schedule registration means registers schedule information indicating a weekly schedule of the various devices in the system controller.

According to the present invention, the schedule information indicating the schedule of each device on a weekly basis is registered in the system controller, so that the burden of human labor for setting the scheduling operation can be reduced, and The device can be made to perform a schedule operation on a weekly basis.

Further, in the store management system according to the invention of claim 3, the schedule registration means registers schedule information indicating a seasonal schedule of the various devices in the system controller.

According to the present invention, the schedule information indicating the seasonal schedule of the various devices is registered in the system controller, so that the burden of human labor for setting the scheduling operation can be reduced and the various devices can be registered. Schedule operation for each season can be performed.

The store management system according to a fourth aspect of the invention is characterized in that the schedule registration means registers schedule information indicating a weekday and a holiday schedule of the various devices in the system controller.

According to the present invention, the schedule information indicating the weekday and holiday schedules of various devices is registered in the system controller, so that the burden of human labor for setting the scheduling operation can be reduced.
Different schedule operations can be performed on various devices on weekdays and holidays.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a device control method for a store management system for managing various devices such as a showcase, an air conditioner, and a lighting provided in a store. A schedule registration step of registering schedule information provided by a predetermined management device with respect to a plurality of system controllers controlled for each device, and causing each system controller to control the device according to the schedule information registered in the schedule registration step. And a control step.

According to the present invention, schedule information provided by a predetermined management device is registered in a plurality of system controllers for controlling various devices for each device, and each system controller is registered in accordance with the registered schedule information. Decided to control the equipment,
A desired scheduling operation can be efficiently performed on devices such as a showcase, an air conditioner, and a lighting provided in each store, while reducing the burden of human labor for setting the scheduling operation.

In the apparatus control method according to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the schedule registering step registers schedule information indicating a weekly schedule of the various devices in the system controller.

According to the present invention, the schedule information indicating the schedule of each device on a weekly basis is registered in the system controller, so that the burden of human labor for setting the scheduling operation can be reduced, It is possible to have the device perform a schedule operation on a weekly basis.

Further, in the device control method according to the invention of claim 7, the schedule registration step registers schedule information indicating a seasonal schedule of the various devices in the system controller.

According to the present invention, the schedule information indicating the seasonal schedule of the various devices is registered in the system controller, so that the burden of human labor for setting the scheduling operation can be reduced and the various devices can be used. Schedule operation for each season can be performed.

In the apparatus control method according to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the schedule registering step, schedule information indicating weekday and holiday schedules of the various apparatuses is registered in the system controller.

According to the present invention, the schedule information indicating the weekday and holiday schedules of various devices is registered in the system controller, so that the burden of human labor for setting the scheduling operation can be reduced.
Different schedule operations can be performed on various devices on weekdays and holidays.

The recording medium according to the ninth aspect of the present invention records a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, so that the program can be read by a machine. Item 5
8 can be realized by a computer.

[0026]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a store management system, a device control method, and a computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Will be described in detail. The present invention is not limited by the embodiment.

First, a system configuration of a store management system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a store management system according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a store A shown in FIG.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration inside. Here, for convenience of explanation, a detailed configuration of only the store A is shown,
Stores B and C have the same configuration as store A. The solid line in the figure indicates the connection relationship of signal lines or data lines between devices, and the dotted line indicates the connection relationship of piping.

The store management system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 comprises a showcase 203 and an air conditioner 2 in each of the stores A to C.
08 and devices such as lighting are provided with separate controllers, respectively, and the store headquarters 1 is provided via the NA (network adapter) 201, the router 11a, and the public network 10.
2 and the service headquarters 13 to control and manage various devices based on data exchange between them.

The NA 201 shown in the figure has a homepage function that allows the user to make settings for a connected device using a browser, and automatically operates as an administrator when a trouble occurs in the connected device. And a network adapter having an automatic mail transmission function of notifying designated persons by e-mail.

For this reason, by using the NA 201, information on various devices in the stores A to C can be displayed on a homepage, and information can be provided to the store head office 12 and the like. Acquired PC 218 in the store
The store headquarters 12 can cause the devices of the stores A to C to perform a desired schedule operation. Specifically, the in-store PC 218 or the store headquarters 12 transmits information for causing the device to perform a desired schedule operation (hereinafter, referred to as “schedule information”) to the NA 201. When transmitting the schedule information from the store headquarters 12 to the NA 201, an e-mail or the like can be used.

Here, by setting the schedule included in the schedule information as a schedule on a weekly basis of the device, each device can execute a desired schedule operation in a weekly cycle. Further, by setting the schedule according to the four seasons, it is possible to set, for example, a defrost interval according to the four seasons. Further, by performing different schedule operations on weekdays or holidays, schedule operations can be performed according to the number of customers in the store. Then, the NA 201 having received the schedule information transmits the schedule information to the corresponding system controller, and the system controller controls the operation of the device based on the schedule information.

Next, the configurations of the store management system shown in FIG. 1 and the store A shown in FIG. 2 will be described. In FIG. 1, a store A, a store B, and a store C are stores in which a showcase, an air conditioner, a vending machine, a security system, and the like are provided. Note that, here, these stores A to C are stores that are locally distributed and arranged, such as a supermarket that is turned into a chain store.

The store headquarters 12 is a terminal device of a headquarters mechanism that supervises each of the stores A to C. The store headquarters 12 instructs each store on the type and price of the product to be provided, and also stores each store A
~ C sales status and the like. The store headquarters 12 and the like can also check the state of the product in the showcase 204 of each store on the homepage provided by the NA 201. In addition, the schedule information can be transmitted from the store headquarters 12 to the NA 201 of each of the stores A to C to perform a desired schedule operation.

The service headquarters 13 is a terminal device of a headquarters mechanism for centrally managing the services to be provided by the stores A to C to customers. The security headquarters 14 has stores A to C
It is a terminal device of the headquarters mechanism that supervises the security mechanism related to entry and exit management and fire and crime prevention in.

As described above, in this store management system,
Rather than simply managing the merchandise, services and security of each store vertically for each store, a common headquarters mechanism for each of the stores A to C called the store headquarters 12, the service headquarters 13, and the security headquarters 14 is provided. To C are managed for each function.

Further, the store owner 15 can store each of the stores A to C
Terminal device owned by the owner of
Reference numeral 6 denotes a terminal device owned by the owner of the equipment rented from each of the stores A to C from a maker or the like. The equipment maintenance company 17 includes a maintenance company that maintains and manages the devices arranged in each of the stores A to C. It is a terminal device owned. The stores A to C, the store headquarters 12, the service headquarters 13, the security headquarters 14, the store owner 15, the equipment owner 16, and the equipment maintenance company 17 are connected to the public network 10 via routers 11a to 11i, respectively. I have.

The public line network 10 is a network such as an ISDN or an ATM.
By using the protocol, file transfer (F) between the stores A to C and the store headquarters 12 or the like is performed on the Internet.
TP) and e-mail (E-mail).

Specifically, the users of the terminals of the store headquarters 12, the service headquarters 13, the security headquarters 14, the store owner 15, the equipment owner 16, and the equipment maintenance company 17 use the browser to open the respective stores A to C. NA20
1 accesses a homepage established and confirms the status of various devices such as a showcase on the homepage. The schedule information for the store headquarters 12 to schedule the devices of the stores A to C is transmitted to the NA 201 of the corresponding store using an e-mail. Further, when a security failure occurs, the NA 201 of each of the stores A to C sends an e-mail to that effect to the security headquarters 14.

Next, the configuration in each of the stores A to C shown in FIG. 1 will be described. In FIG. 2, NA 201 is a network adapter having a homepage function and an automatic mail transmission function as described above. That is, by using the NA 201, information on various devices in the store A can be transmitted as a home page to the store headquarters 12 or the like, and trouble information of various devices can be transmitted to the device maintenance company 17 or the like by mail.

When the NA 201 receives an e-mail including the schedule information from the store headquarters 12, the NA 201 transmits the schedule information to the system controller indicated by the schedule information. Further, also when the NA 201 receives the schedule information from the in-store PC 218, the NA 201 transmits the schedule information to the system controller indicated by the schedule information.

The NA 201 can be formed as an option board having an interface for accommodating a serial communication line, and can be mounted on an in-store PC 218 described later.

In place of the NA 201, a personal computer having a homepage function and a mail transmission function can be provided, or the NA 201 can be directly mounted on various devices in the store A.

The store control controller 202 is a controller for performing energy saving control of the whole store, and is specifically formed by a personal computer or the like. The showcase system controller 203 is a control unit that controls each showcase controller in the refrigerator 205 and the showcase 204 that controls the temperature of products in the refrigerator using the refrigerator 206.

This showcase system controller 2
03, when receiving the digital image from the digital camera, cut out the product tag portion from the digital image using an image processing technique such as template matching, and confirm the type of the product attached to the product tag portion, A process of outputting the type of the product to the NA 201 is performed.

The air conditioner system controller 207
The heat storage system controller 211 is a control unit that controls an air conditioner controller of each air conditioner 208 that maintains the inside of the store A at a predetermined temperature using the refrigerator 209.
The controller is a controller that controls the heat storage tank 210 that stores ice based on the load states of 06 and 209.

The lighting system controller 212 is a controller that controls various lighting devices and the like disposed on the ceiling in the store and the like, and also controls the fluorescent light of the showcase 204. Specifically, the showcase 20
When dimming the fluorescent lamp of No. 4, JP-A-6-32
The dimming control corresponding to the illumination control system disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5874 is performed.

The lighting system controller 212 is a controller that controls various lighting devices and the like disposed on the ceiling in the store and the like, and also controls the fluorescent light of the showcase 204. Specifically, the showcase 20
When dimming the fluorescent lamp of No. 4, JP-A-6-32
The dimming control corresponding to the illumination control system disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5874 is performed.

The vending machine 213 is a vending machine which is disposed in the store A and which manages owners who sell beverages and foods. Note that the vending machine 213 has a controller that controls the operation as a vending machine, and this controller enables connection to a network, and stores information such as sales status and device status on the network. And a function that enables adjustment of lighting, adjustment of cooling output, and the like based on a command from the network.

The security system 214 includes the door 21
5 is a system that maintains the security of the entire store A based on the data from the sensors, the fire alarm 216, and the security device 217 provided in the store 5. The security system 214 has a controller that controls the operation of the system, and has a function of transmitting the state of the security device and the like on a network.

The power monitor 220 is a mechanism for monitoring the total amount of power consumed by the showcase 204, the air conditioner 208, the lighting, the vending machine 213, and the like provided in the store A. This power monitor 220 performs cooperative control with the showcase system controller 203, the air conditioner system controller 207, the lighting system controller 211, and the like.

The dew-proof heater controller 221 is a controller that controls a dew-proof heater for preventing dew from occurring on the air curtain blow-out portion and the handrail portion of the showcase 204. In other words, since there is a contact surface between the cold air and the in-store temperature at the outlet of the air curtain or the like, a temperature difference occurs, so that dew sticking always occurs,
Under the control of the dew-proof heater controller 221, such dew is prevented. Note that the dew-proof heater controller 221 is connected to the showcase system controller 20.
3 and the like.

The in-store PC 218 is a personal computer provided in the store A, and manages the types and prices of the products sold in the store A, counts sales, and the like. The in-store PC 218 can also display a homepage provided by the NA 201 on a display.

Further, the in-store PC 218 has the N
By transmitting the schedule information to A201, a desired device can perform a desired schedule operation. In addition, NA which received this schedule information
201 transmits schedule information to the corresponding system controller. In addition, this store PC218
Through a PHS adapter 219 attached to the server, a store owner, a device owner, or the like can be contacted using a voice message or mail.

In this store management system, the store control controller 202, showcase system controller 203, air conditioner system controller 207, heat storage system controller 211, lighting system controller 212, vending machine 213, security system 214, power monitor 220, The anti-dew heater controller 221 is connected to the NA 201 in a multi-drop manner,
It notifies and instructs information on the status of each device.

At this time, the store controller 202 to the security system 2 connected in a multi-drop manner
For example, a dedicated protocol such as no procedure is used as a protocol between
At a higher level, the TCP / IP protocol is used.

Next, a control procedure of the schedule operation by the store head office 12 shown in FIG. 1 or the in-store PC 218 shown in FIG. 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a schedule operation by the store headquarters 12 shown in FIG. 1 or the in-store PC 218 shown in FIG.

As shown in the figure, the in-store PC 218 or the store headquarters 12 checks the state of the equipment at each store on the homepage provided by the NA 201 of each of the stores A to C (step S301). The administrator determines whether the schedule of the device should be updated (step S302).

When the schedule of the device is updated (Yes at step S302), schedule information for controlling the corresponding device is created (step S30).
3), the schedule information is stored in the NA20 of the corresponding store.
1 (step S304).

After that, the NA 201 having received the schedule information transmits the schedule information to the corresponding system controller (step S305).
The system controller controls the operation of the corresponding device based on the schedule information (step S3).
06).

As described above, in the present embodiment,
The in-store PC 218 or the store headquarters 12 sends the schedule information for causing the device to perform the desired schedule operation to N
The NA 201 that has transmitted the schedule information to the A 201 transmits the schedule information to the corresponding system controller, and the system controller is configured to control the operation of the device based on the schedule information. A desired scheduling operation can be efficiently performed on devices such as a showcase, an air conditioner, and a lighting device arranged in each store, while reducing the burden of human labor for scheduling.

In this embodiment, for convenience of explanation,
The case where only the schedule operation set in the device is performed has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and an operation contrary to the schedule information may be performed by performing an interrupt process or the like.

Further, in the present embodiment, various devices such as the showcase system controller 203 and the air conditioner system controller 207 are connected in a multi-drop manner, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the present invention is not limited to this. Various network topologies such as types can also be used.

Further, various devices such as the showcase system controller 203 and the air conditioner system controller 207 can be connected using wireless communication. In this case, for example, IrDA (Infrared Data Associ
)) Infrared ports of the standard are arranged in various devices such as the showcase system controller 203 and the air conditioner system controller 207, and communication between the controllers using infrared communication is performed. When such wireless communication is used, there is a great advantage that it is possible to carry out, move, and add various devices in the store very easily.

In this embodiment, the public network 10
The stores A to C are connected to the store headquarters 12 and the like via the Internet, but the present invention is not limited to this, and they may be connected via a satellite communication or a wireless communication system.

[0065]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, schedule information provided by a predetermined management device is registered in a plurality of system controllers which control various devices for each device. Since each system controller is configured to control the device according to the registered schedule information, the showcase, the air conditioner, and the air conditioner arranged in each store can be reduced while reducing the burden of human labor for setting the scheduling operation. This has the effect of providing a store management system that allows a device such as lighting to efficiently perform a desired scheduling operation.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the schedule information indicating the schedule of each device on a weekly basis is registered in the system controller, so that the burden of human labor for setting the scheduling operation is set. It is possible to obtain a store management system capable of causing various devices to perform a schedule operation on a weekly basis while reducing the number of devices.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the schedule information indicating the seasonal schedule of various devices is registered in the system controller, so that the burden of human labor for setting the scheduling operation is reduced. In addition, there is an effect that a store management system capable of causing various devices to perform a schedule operation for each season is obtained.

According to the fourth aspect of the invention, the schedule information indicating the weekday and holiday schedules of various devices is registered in the system controller, so that the burden of human labor for setting the scheduling operation is reduced. It is possible to obtain a store management system capable of causing various devices to perform different schedule operations on weekdays and holidays while reducing the number of devices.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, schedule information provided by a predetermined management device is registered in a plurality of system controllers for controlling various devices for each device, and the registered schedule is registered. Since each system controller is configured to control the equipment according to the information, it is possible to reduce the burden of human labor for setting the scheduling operation, and to set the equipment such as the showcase, air conditioner, and lighting installed in each store. There is an effect that an apparatus management method capable of efficiently performing the scheduling operation of the above is obtained.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, since schedule information indicating a schedule of each device on a weekly basis is registered in the system controller, a burden of human labor for setting the scheduling operation is set. This makes it possible to obtain a device management method capable of causing various devices to perform a schedule operation on a weekly basis while reducing the number of devices.

According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the schedule information indicating the seasonal schedule of various devices is registered in the system controller, so that the burden of human labor for setting the scheduling operation is reduced. In addition, there is an effect that a device management method capable of causing various devices to perform a seasonal schedule operation can be obtained.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the schedule information indicating the weekday and holiday schedules of various devices is registered in the system controller, so that the burden of human labor for setting the scheduling operation is reduced. An effect is obtained that a device management method that allows various devices to perform different schedule operations on weekdays and holidays while reducing the number of devices can be obtained.

The recording medium according to the ninth aspect of the present invention records a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to any one of the fifth to eighth aspects, so that the program becomes machine-readable. Item 5
8 can be realized by a computer.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a store management system according to the present embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration inside a store A shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a device control procedure by a store headquarter shown in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 A, B, C Stores 11a to 11i Router 12 Store Headquarters 13 Service Headquarters 14 Security Headquarters 15 Store Owner 16 Equipment Owner 17 Equipment Maintenance Company 201 NA (Network Adapter) 202 Store Control Controller 203 Showcase System Controller 204 Showcase 205 Refrigerator 206 Refrigerator (for showcase) 207 Air conditioner system controller 208 Air conditioner 209 Refrigerator (for air conditioner) 210 Thermal storage tank 211 Thermal storage system controller 212 Lighting system controller 213 Vending machine 214 Security system 215 Door 216 Fire alarm 217 Security device 218 Store PC 219 PHS adapter

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Kishiro Kusano 1-1-1 Tanabe-Nitta, Kawasaki-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa F-term in Fuji Electric Co., Ltd. 3L045 AA02 BA01 CA02 LA16 NA19 PA02 PA03

Claims (9)

[Claims] 1. A store management system for managing various devices such as a showcase, an air conditioner, and lighting provided in a store, wherein a plurality of system controllers for controlling the various devices on a device-by-device basis have predetermined management. A store management system comprising schedule registration means for registering schedule information provided by an apparatus, wherein each system controller controls a device according to the schedule information registered by the schedule registration means. 2. The store management system according to claim 1, wherein the schedule registration unit registers schedule information indicating a schedule of the various devices on a weekly basis in the system controller. 3. The store management system according to claim 1, wherein the schedule registration unit registers schedule information indicating a seasonal schedule of the various devices in the system controller. 4. The store management system according to claim 1, wherein the schedule registration unit registers schedule information indicating a weekday and a holiday schedule of the various devices in the system controller. 5. A device control method for a store management system that manages various devices such as a showcase, an air conditioner, and lighting disposed in a store, comprising: a plurality of system controllers that control the various devices for each device; A schedule registration step of registering schedule information provided by a predetermined management device; and a control step of causing each system controller to control a device according to the schedule information registered in the schedule registration step. Equipment control method. 6. The device control method according to claim 5, wherein in the schedule registration step, schedule information indicating a schedule of the various devices on a weekly basis is registered in the system controller. 7. The device control method according to claim 5, wherein in the schedule registration step, schedule information indicating a seasonal schedule of the various devices is registered in the system controller. 8. The apparatus control method according to claim 5, wherein in the schedule registration step, schedule information indicating a weekday and a holiday schedule of the various apparatuses is registered in the system controller. 9. A computer-readable recording medium on which a program for causing a computer to execute the method according to claim 5 is recorded.