JP2006202147A - Display support system, display support method, and display support program - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a display support system and display support method capable of responding to a missing article rapidly. <P>SOLUTION: When an empty place A03 for at least one article is detected in a first display region, at least one article 012 is specified from an article group held in a second display region with a priority lower than the priority of the first display region according to the order of priority. The article 012 is assigned to the empty place A03. The assigned article 012 is presented to a sales person. The sales person can arrange the article in the empty place according to presentation in an actual store. When an empty place is produced in the display region, the article can be always effectively displayed. The sales person can respond to the "empty place" rapidly. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a display support system and a display support method used for displaying and displaying merchandise.

For example, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, a display support system is widely known. In such a display support system, a priority is given to each product. In addition, a priority order is set for each display shelf. If a display shelf can easily be seen by a visitor, a high priority is set for the display shelf. In this way, products with high priority can be assigned to display shelves that are easily noticed by customers. Sales are expected to increase.
JP-A-5-342230 Japanese Patent No. 2962259 JP-A-10-338312

  However, in the display support system as described above, when a vacant place occurs in the display shelf, the display layout must be redone over the entire display shelf in order to fill the vacant place. Product movement will be caused more than necessary.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a display support system and a display support method capable of quickly responding to the occurrence of a vacant place.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first invention, a display location storage circuit for storing display location data for specifying a plurality of display areas in accordance with a priority order, and a product for storing product information data for specifying a plurality of products An information storage circuit, an inventory information storage circuit for storing inventory information data for associating products for each display area, a detection device for detecting an empty place for at least one product in any display area, and according to detection of an empty place And an arithmetic processing circuit for allocating products to the vacant place, the arithmetic processing circuit specifies a display area with a priority lower than the priority of the display area to which the vacant place belongs based on the display place data, According to the present invention, at least one product is specified according to a predetermined rule from a group of products held in the specified display area based on the information data and the product information data. Support system is provided.

  According to such a display support system, when a vacant place is generated in the display area, one product can be assigned to the vacant place. The salesperson can place the product in the empty space according to the instruction of the display support system. Therefore, even if an empty place is generated in the display area, the product can always be effectively displayed. Salespersons can respond quickly to “vacant places”.

  In particular, in such a display support system, a display space for a plurality of products is secured in each display area. Therefore, movement of goods can be avoided in the same display area. As a result, an effective display can be realized by moving only limited products.

  At this time, a recognition unit that appeals to at least one of human vision and hearing may be attached to each product according to an instruction from the arithmetic processing circuit. The salesperson can quickly find the target product based on these recognition units. The product found in this way can be moved to a vacant place.

  According to the second invention, priority is given to a procedure for detecting a vacant place for at least one commodity in the first display area, and a commodity group held in the second display area having a lower priority than the priority of the first display area. There is provided a display support method comprising a procedure for specifying at least one product according to the ranking, a procedure for assigning the one product to an empty place, and a procedure for presenting the assigned product.

  According to this display support method, as described above, when an empty place is generated in the display area, one product is allocated to the empty place. These product assignments are presented to the salesperson. The salesperson can place the product in an empty space according to the presentation. Therefore, even if an empty place is generated in the display area, the product can always be effectively displayed. Salespersons can respond quickly to “vacant places”. In particular, in this display support method, display spaces for a plurality of products are secured in the first and second display areas, respectively. When presenting a product, a recognition unit that is visually or audibly recognized by a human may be attached to each product.

  According to the third invention, a procedure for acquiring display location data for specifying a plurality of display areas according to priority, a procedure for acquiring product information data for specifying a plurality of products, and inventory information for associating products for each display area Priorities lower than the priority of the display area to which the vacant space belongs based on the procedure to acquire the data, the procedure to acquire the vacant space data for identifying the vacant space for one product in any display area, and the display place data A procedure for specifying a display area of rank, a procedure for specifying at least one product from a group of products held in the specified display area based on the inventory information data and the product information data, There is provided a display support program characterized by causing a processor to execute a procedure for assigning a product and a procedure for presenting the assigned product.

  When such a display support program is executed by the processor, one product is allocated to an empty place as described above. These product assignments are presented to the salesperson. The salesperson can place the product in an empty space according to the presentation. Therefore, even if an empty place is generated in the display area, the product can always be effectively displayed. Salespersons can respond quickly to “vacant places”.

  In such a display support program, display spaces for a plurality of products need only be specified for each display area in the display location data. In addition, such a display support program may cause the processor to execute a procedure of transmitting an operation command to at least one of a light source and a sound source attached to each product when presenting the product.

  As described above, according to the present invention, a display support system and a display support method capable of quickly responding to the occurrence of a vacant place are provided.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 schematically shows the structure of a motorcycle dealer. This store 11 includes a store 12. A parking space 13 for a motorcycle is secured around the store 12 and on the site of the store 11. A road 14 is adjacent to the outside of the parking space 13. The road 14 includes a sidewalk 14a adjacent to the parking space 13 and a road 14b separated from the parking space 13 by the sidewalk 14a.

  An entrance / exit 15 is defined in the store 12. You can go in and out of the store 12 from the entrance 15. For example, a cashier desk 16 is installed in the store 12. A register is installed on the cashier desk 16. The register is connected to, for example, a POS (sales point of sale) system.

  A commodity, that is, a motorcycle 17 is displayed in the store 12 and the parking space 13. For example, the store 12 is provided with a warehouse 18. A motorcycle 17 is stored in the warehouse 18.

  A wireless IC tag (RFID) is attached to each motorcycle 17, 17. Product identifiers “001” to “042” are registered in the wireless IC tag. The individual motorcycles 17, 17... Are distinguished based on such product identifiers.

  For example, three wireless transmission / reception units 19 are installed in the store 12. Such a wireless transmission / reception unit 19 may be attached to the ceiling of the store 12, for example. Each wireless transceiver unit 19 can establish communication with the wireless IC tag. In addition, such a wireless transmission / reception unit 19 may be installed at the entrance of the warehouse 18.

  FIG. 2 schematically shows the configuration of a display support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The display support system 21 includes a computer device 22 installed in the store 12, for example. For example, a central processing unit (CPU) 23 and a memory 24 are incorporated in the computer device 22. The CPU 23 executes a processing operation based on a predetermined software program. In executing such processing operations, a software program and data are temporarily stored in the memory 24.

  A large capacity storage device 25 such as a hard disk drive (HDD) is connected to the CPU 23. The mass storage device 25 stores a display support program 26. The CPU 23 executes the display support program 26. In execution, the display support program 26 is temporarily taken into the memory 24.

  In addition, the large-capacity storage device 25 stores display place data 27, product information data 28, and inventory information data 29. The CPU 23 refers to these data 27 to 29 when executing the customer service support program 26. Details of the data 27 to 29 will be described later. The mass storage device 25 functions as a display place storage circuit, a merchandise information storage circuit, and an inventory information storage circuit according to the present invention.

  A display device 31 is connected to the computer device 21. The display device 31 may be a flat panel display such as a liquid crystal display. Various texts and graphics are displayed on the screen of the display device 31 in accordance with instructions from the CPU 23.

  The above-described wireless transmission / reception unit 19 is connected to the computer device 21. The wireless transmission / reception unit 19 is connected to an interface circuit 32 incorporated in the computer device 21. For such connection, wireless communication or a wired cable may be used.

  The wireless IC tag 33 includes a storage circuit 34. The storage circuit 34 stores product identifier data. The above-described product identifiers “001” to “042” are described in the product identifier data.

  A transmission circuit 35 is connected to the memory circuit 34. The transmission circuit 35 transmits product identifier data. The product identifier data thus transmitted is received by the individual wireless transmission / reception units 19. In this way, the CPU 23 can acquire a product identifier for each motorcycle 17.

  A reception circuit 36 is connected to the memory circuit 34. The reception circuit 36 receives a transmission command signal transmitted from the wireless transmission / reception unit 19. When the transmission command signal is received in this way, the transmission circuit 35 transmits product identifier data based on the transmission command signal.

  A comparison circuit 37 is connected to the reception circuit 36. The comparison circuit 37 compares the product identifier in the product identifier data delivered from the receiving circuit 36 with the product identifier in the product identifier data stored in the storage circuit 34 in advance. When the receiving circuit 36 receives the product identifier data from the wireless transmission / reception unit 19, the product identifier data is transferred to the comparison circuit 37. The comparison circuit 37 may access the storage circuit 34 in response to the delivery of the product identifier data.

  A light source 38 is connected to the comparison circuit 37. Such a light source may be composed of, for example, an LED (light emitting diode). For example, the light source blinks based on an operation command signal supplied from the comparison circuit 37. If the two product identifiers match in the comparison circuit 37 based on the above comparison, the comparison circuit 37 supplies an operation command signal to the light source 38. The light source 38 blinks in response to receiving the operation command signal. Flashing appeals to human vision. Thus, the wireless IC tag 33 functions as a recognition unit that is visually recognized by a human. However, other light emitters may be used as the light source, and the light source may be lit continuously.

  Such a wireless IC tag 33 may be a so-called active tag or a passive tag. In the case of an active tag, power is supplied to the memory circuit 34, the transmission circuit 35, the reception circuit 36, the comparison circuit 37, and the light source 38 from a battery (not shown) incorporated in the wireless IC tag 33. Based on the electric power thus supplied, the memory circuit 34, the transmission circuit 35, the reception circuit 36, the comparison circuit 37, and the light source 38 operate. In the case of a passive tag, power is generated by the receiving circuit 36 based on radio waves received by an antenna (not shown). The generated power may be supplied to the storage circuit 34, the transmission circuit 35, the comparison circuit 37, and the light source 38. Based on the power supplied in this way, the memory circuit 34, the transmission circuit 35, the comparison circuit 37, and the light source 38 can operate.

  As shown in FIG. 3, in the store 12 and the parking space 13, place identifiers (place IDs) “A01”, “A02”... “F03”, “F04” are assigned for each display space for one motorcycle. Here, a display area is established for each alphabet included in the place identifier. The display spaces “A01” to “A08” belong to the first display area 41. The display spaces “B01” to “B09” belong to the second display area 42. The display spaces “C01” to “C07” belong to the third display area 43. The display spaces “D01” to “D06” belong to the fourth display area 44. The display spaces “E01” to “E04” and “F01” to “F04” belong to the fifth and sixth display areas 45 and 46, respectively. Priorities, that is, priorities are set in the display areas 41 to 46. A higher priority is assigned to the display area 41 where the product to be sold is to be placed. Here, a relatively high priority is assigned to the display areas 41 and 42 on the parking space 13. Moreover, the highest priority is assigned to the display area 41 on the front side near the entrance 15 of the store 12. In the store 12, a relatively high priority is similarly assigned to the display areas 43 and 44 near the entrance 15. Priorities are expressed in alphabetical order. The warehouse 18 “storage” is given the lowest priority.

  As shown in FIG. 4, in the display place data, items such as “priority” and “restriction condition” are described for each place identifier, that is, for each display space. The above-mentioned priority is described in “Priority”. A common “priority” is written for each of the display areas 41 to 46. Therefore, according to such display place data, the display areas 41 to 46 are specified according to the priority order. In the “constraint condition”, the size of the motorcycle that can be stored in the display space, that is, “full length”, “full width”, and “full height” is written.

  As shown in FIG. 5, in the product information data, “vehicle type”, “model”, “type”, “option”, “color”, “body size”, “arrival date”, “stock date” for each product identifier “001” to “042”. "Is described. “Car body size” is expressed by “full length”, “full width”, and “height”. The “inventory days” is calculated from the current date and time and the “arrival date”. The current date and time may be acquired from the OS (operating system) of the computer device 21, for example. In the sale of the motorcycle 17, so-called “selling goods” can be statistically specified based on items such as “vehicle type”, “model”, “type”, “option”, and “color”. The priority order of the products can be determined based on such “selling goods”. The priority order may be directly written in the product information data.

  As shown in FIG. 6, in the inventory information data, a product identifier is associated with each location identifier, that is, each display space. One commodity identifier is assigned to one place identifier. However, a plurality of product identifiers may be assigned to the warehouse 18 “storage”. At the same time, location information is associated with each location identifier. Details of the position information will be described later.

  Next, the display support method according to the present invention will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 7, when the display support program is executed by the CPU 23, the CPU 23 acquires inventory information data in step S1. As described above, a product identifier is associated with each stock location identifier in the inventory information data. In step S <b> 2, the CPU 23 determines whether there is a “vacant place”. When a blank is found in the “product identifier” field in the inventory information data, the CPU 23 recognizes the display space specified by the corresponding place identifier as “empty place”.

  In finding such a free space, the CPU 23 periodically checks the position of each wireless IC tag 33, for example. In the confirmation, the CPU 23 transmits a transmission command signal from each wireless transmission / reception unit 19. The transmitted transmission command signal is received by each wireless IC tag 33. In each wireless IC tag 33, as described above, the transmission circuit 35 transmits the product identifier data based on the transmission command signal. In each wireless transmission / reception unit 19, the elapsed time from the transmission of the transmission command signal to the reception of the commodity identifier data is measured for each commodity identifier data, that is, the wireless IC tag 33. Based on the measured elapsed time, the distance between each wireless IC tag 33 and the wireless transmission / reception unit 19 is calculated. In this way, the position of the wireless IC tag 33 is specified by the CPU 23 based on the principle of triangulation. Thus, position information is generated. The generated position information is checked against position information in the inventory information data. If there is a shift in the position information, the CPU 23 cancels the association between the location identifier and the product identifier. Accordingly, a blank field is generated in the “product identifier” field in the inventory information data. Here, the wireless transmission / reception unit 19 functions as a detection device according to the present invention.

  In addition, when finding a vacant place, the CPU 23 may acquire product identifier data from the wireless transmission / reception unit 19 installed at the entrance of the warehouse 18, for example. The wireless transmission / reception unit 19 acquires product identifier data from, for example, the motorcycle 17 carried into the warehouse 18. If the product identifier specified by the product identifier data is found in the inventory information data, the display space specified by the place identifier associated with the product identifier can be determined as an “empty place”. In addition, the CPU 23 may acquire product identifier data from a register. The salesperson may input the product identifier data into the register when the motorcycle 17 moves.

  When a vacant place is found, the CPU 23 acquires display place data in step S3. In subsequent step S4, the CPU 23 specifies the display area based on the priority. In specifying, the CPU 23 confirms the priority of the empty place based on the place identifier of the empty place. Subsequently, the CPU 23 specifies all priorities lower than the specified priority. In this way, the target display area is specified. For example, when a vacant place is found with the place identifier “A03”, place identifiers “B01” to “F04” with priority “2” or lower, that is, the display areas 42 to 46 and the warehouse 18 can be specified. The CPU 23 reads all the product identifiers held in the display areas 42 to 46 and the warehouse 18, that is, the place identifiers “B01” to “F04” and “storage” based on the inventory information data.

  In subsequent step S6, the CPU 23 selects one product identifier from the read product identifiers. In this way, one product is specified. Details of the specifying method will be described later. In subsequent step S <b> 7, the CPU 23 confirms whether or not one product is specified. If the identification of one product is confirmed, the CPU 23 transmits the corresponding product identifier data from the wireless transmission / reception unit 19 in step S8. In the corresponding wireless IC tag 33, when the product identifier in the transmitted product identifier data matches the product identifier in the storage circuit 34, an operation command signal is supplied from the comparison circuit 37 to the light source 38. As a result, the wireless IC tag 33 blinks. The salesperson can find the target motorcycle 17 based on the blinking of the wireless IC tag 33. At the same time, the CPU 23 may clearly indicate a movement instruction on the screen of the display device 31 as shown in FIG. The salesperson may move the target motorcycle 17 to the designated display space.

  When the transmission of the product identifier data is completed, the processing operation of the CPU 23 returns to step S1. Now, for example, as shown in FIG. 8, a situation is assumed in which the motorcycle 17 with the product identifier “012” is moved from the display space “B04” to the display space “A03”. Here, since a vacant place is newly found in the display space “B04”, that is, the place identifier “B04”, the display spaces “C01” to “F04”, that is, the display areas 43 to 46 having the priority “3” or lower are specified. Is done. Thus, the movement of the motorcycle 17 is realized again in step S8.

  In step S7, for example, if the identification of one product fails based on the constraint condition, the CPU 23 instructs the salesperson to replenish the stock in step S9. For example, the CPU 23 may display “instructions” on the screen of the display device 31. Thereafter, the CPU 23 deletes the corresponding location identifier from the inventory information data in step S10. Subsequently, the processing operation of the CPU 23 returns to step S2. The CPU 23 again monitors the occurrence of a vacant place. In this way, a series of processing operations are repeated until none of the motorcycles 17 satisfies the constraint condition in the display area with a priority lower than the priority of the empty space. In addition, since the place identifier of the empty place is deleted from the inventory information data, even if the motorcycle 17 satisfying the constraint condition is not found, a series of processing operations will not be repeated thereafter. The inventory information data may be rewritten by the salesperson when the motorcycle 17 is newly replenished. If the processing operation is performed from step S1 based on the rewritten inventory information data, the motorcycle 17 can be assigned to the empty space again.

  Now, for example, assume a scene in which the inventory in the warehouse 18 is completely removed. In this case, a vacant place is detected in the place identifier “storage” in the inventory information data. In this case, however, the CPU 23 cannot detect a priority lower than the priority of “storage” in step S4. Therefore, the processing operation of the CPU 23 proceeds to step S9. In this way, the salesperson is instructed to replenish the stock.

  Here, a method for identifying one product will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 9, in step T1, the CPU 23 specifies a target product group in the product information data based on the read product identifier. In subsequent step T2, the CPU 23 specifies the highest-order product based on the priority of the product. The priority of the product may be determined based on factors such as “vehicle type”, “model”, “type”, “option”, “color”, and “inventory days”. In addition, the priorities may take into account factors such as sales profits, sales results, new and old products, regionality, and seasonality.

  When the top product is identified in this way, the CPU 23 confirms the “constraint condition” of the display space in step T3. In checking, the CPU 23 refers to the display place data based on the place identifier. The CPU 23 adds the “full length”, “full width”, and “full height” in the “constraint condition” specified by the display place data to the “full length”, “full width”, and “full height” in the “body size” specified by the product information data, for example. Illuminate. As a result, if the “body size” matches the “restriction condition”, the processing operation of the CPU 23 proceeds to step T4. The product is determined. In addition to the “body size”, “vehicle type”, “option”, “color”, and the like may be set in the “constraint condition”.

  On the other hand, if the “body size” deviates from the “restriction condition”, the processing operation of the CPU 23 proceeds to step T5. In step T5, the CPU 23 deletes the highest-order product at the current stage from the target product group. Thereafter, the processing operation of the CPU 23 returns to step T2. The CPU 23 searches for the highest item again. Thus, finally one product is determined in step T4.

  According to the display support system 21 as described above, even if a vacant place is generated in the display areas 41 to 46 based on the sales of the product or a missing item, the product can always be effectively displayed. In addition, an effective display can be realized by moving only limited products. Salespersons can respond quickly to “vacant places”.

  In the display support system 21 as described above, for example, the wireless IC tag 33 and the wireless transmission / reception unit 19 may be used for generating the above-described inventory information data. If the relative positional relationship between the wireless transmission / reception units 19 is specified in advance, the position of each wireless IC tag 33 can be specified based on the principle of triangulation as described above. “Position information” is acquired. In this way, inventory information data can be generated based on the actual arrangement of the motorcycle 17. For example, it is possible to omit the labor of inputting the salesperson.

  In addition, for example, a sound source may be used instead of the light source 37 as described above. The salesperson can specify the position of the motorcycle 17 based on the sound emitted from the sound source. Thus, the wireless IC tag 33 functions as a recognition unit that is audibly recognized by humans.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram schematically showing a state of a motorcycle dealer. It is a block diagram showing roughly the composition of the display support system concerning one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a conceptual diagram schematically showing a concept of a motorcycle, that is, a display area and a display space of a product. It is a conceptual diagram which shows roughly the structure of display place data. It is a conceptual diagram which shows roughly the structure of merchandise information data. It is a conceptual diagram which shows roughly the structure of inventory information data. It is a flowchart which shows the processing operation of CPU in execution of a display assistance program. It is a conceptual diagram which shows an example of an image roughly. It is a flowchart which shows the identification method of 1 goods roughly.

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 19 Radio | wireless transmission / reception unit as a detection apparatus, 21 Display support system, 23 Arithmetic processing circuit (CPU), 25 Mass storage device (Display place storage circuit, Goods information storage circuit, and inventory information storage circuit), 26 Display support program, 27 Display location data, 28 product information data, 29 inventory information data, 38 light source as recognition unit, 41-46 display area.

Claims (9)

  Display location storage circuit for storing display location data for specifying a plurality of display areas according to priority, product information storage circuit for storing product information data for specifying a plurality of products, and inventory information data for associating products for each display area An inventory information storage circuit for storing information, a detection device for detecting an empty space for at least one product in any display area, and an arithmetic processing circuit for allocating products to the empty space in response to detection of the empty space The arithmetic processing circuit identifies a display area having a priority lower than the priority of the display area to which the empty space belongs based on the display place data, and within the specified display area based on the inventory information data and the product information data. A display support system characterized in that at least one product is specified from a held product group according to a predetermined rule.   2. The display support system according to claim 1, wherein a display space for a plurality of products is secured in each display area.   3. The display support system according to claim 1, wherein a recognition unit that appeals to at least one of human vision and hearing is attached to each product according to an instruction from the arithmetic processing circuit. Display support system.   Identify at least one product according to priority from the procedure for detecting an empty space for at least one product in the first display area and the product group held in the second display area having a lower priority than the priority of the first display area A display support method, comprising: a procedure for performing the operation, a procedure for allocating the one product to an empty space, and a procedure for presenting the allocated product.   5. The display support method according to claim 4, wherein a display space for a plurality of products is secured in each of the first and second display areas.   6. The display support method according to claim 4, wherein a recognition unit that is visually or audibly recognized by a human being is attached to each product when presenting the product.   A procedure for acquiring display location data for specifying a plurality of display areas according to priority, a procedure for acquiring product information data for specifying a plurality of products, a procedure for acquiring inventory information data for associating products for each display area, Based on the procedure for acquiring the vacant place data for specifying the vacant place for one product in any display area and the display place data, the display area having a priority lower than the priority of the display area to which the vacant place belongs is specified. A procedure, a procedure for identifying at least one product from a group of products held in the specified display area based on inventory information data and product information data, according to a predetermined rule, a procedure for assigning the one product to a vacant place, and an allocation A display support program for causing a processor to execute a procedure for presenting a displayed product.   8. The display support program according to claim 7, wherein a display space for a plurality of commodities is specified for each display area in the display place data.   9. The display support program according to claim 7, further comprising causing the processor to execute a procedure of transmitting an operation command to at least one of a light source and a sound source attached to each product when presenting the product. Display support program.

Images