JP2009205481A - Commodity position management system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a system wherein a store side can take a collection measure about a commodity placed in a position different from a regular storefront position. <P>SOLUTION: This commodity position management system is provided with: wireless tags 13 each attached to each commodity 12, and each recorded with commodity identification information of the commodity; tag information reception means 14 each provided in each storefront position, each receiving the commodity identification information from the wireless tag of each commodity disposed in the storefront position, adding information corresponding to the storefront position, and outputting it as commodity position information; an erroneous arrangement decision means 19 deciding whether the commodity is erroneously arranged in the storefront position different from the predetermined regular storefront position about each commodity inside the commodity position information based on the commodity position information outputted by each tag information reception means; and an instruction output means 20 outputting collection instruction information showing a rapidness degree by which the commodity has to be collected about an erroneously disposed commodity 12a decided that it is erroneously disposed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2009,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a merchandise location management system and a merchandise location management method for managing the storefront position of merchandise.

  In recent years, it has become possible to easily manage inventory and settlement by recognizing individual commodities using RFID tags or the like. In addition, by arranging RFID readers at various locations, the position of each product can be grasped. As an example of using this, in Patent Document 1, for example, position management of a product is performed, and when a customer returns the product to an unauthorized place, a warning is output in the shopping basket and the product is returned to the original position. A device that prompts the user is described.

  FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of this apparatus. In this configuration, the RFID reader 121 provided in the shopping basket 122 detects RFID tags attached to products in the shopping basket 122 at predetermined time intervals. When the customer detects the RFID tag 125 of the product 123 by placing the product 123 into the shopping basket 122 from the display shelf 124, the shopping cart RFID reader 121 stores the product location information via the network 127 via the wireless communication point 126. The identification ID of the shopping basket RFID reader 121 is entered in the first column in the information format of the product 123 stored in the section 128. Thereafter, when the customer cancels the purchase of the product 123 and returns it to the display shelf 124, the RFID reader 129 provided on the display shelf 124 detects the RFID tag 125 of the product 123 and transmits the product 123 via the network 127. The identification ID of the RFID reader 129 is recorded in the second column in the information format. In the third column of the information format of the product 123, the identification ID of the RFID reader of the display shelf defined for the product 123 is recorded.

  When the identification ID of the RFID reader 129 is recorded in the second column in the information format of the product 123, the product position information storage unit 128 compares the contents of the second column and the third column of the format and matches them. If not, it is determined that the returned position of the product 123 is different from the specified position. Then, in order to return the product 123 to the specified place, the shopping basket 122 is identified based on the identification ID of the RFID reader 121 recorded in the first column of the format, and the shopping basket notification unit 130 of the shopping basket 122 is identified. , A message prompting the user to return to the location of the RFID reader on the specified display shelf is output.

JP 2005-352725 A

  However, according to this conventional technology, the customer is prompted to respond to a product that has been returned to an out-of-regulation position, and the customer ignores the output of that message and does not respond. The product is left as it is, and the store clerk or the like cannot take appropriate measures for the product. Some products require freezing or refrigeration, and if such products are left in the wrong position, if it takes time for the clerk to take appropriate measures, the value of the product will be reduced and sales will become impossible. There is a risk. In addition, a product that is located under the returned product may be damaged by individual packaging due to the influence of condensation or the like, and even the product may become unsaleable.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a system in which a dealer can take a recovery measure for a product placed at a position different from a regular storefront position in view of the problems of the prior art. It is in.

  In order to achieve this object, a product position management system according to a first aspect of the present invention is a wireless tag that is attached to each product to be managed and records product identification information corresponding to the product name of the product, The product identification information is received from the wireless tag of each product placed at each storefront location, and the information corresponding to the storefront location is added to the product identification information and output as product location information. Based on the tag information receiving means and the product position information output by each tag information receiving means, for each product in the product position information, the product is erroneously arranged at a storefront position different from a predetermined regular storefront position. A misplacement determination unit that determines whether or not the product has been misplaced, and a speed indicating how quickly the product should be collected for the misplacement product that has been determined to be misplaced by the misplacement determination unit. Characterized by comprising an instruction information output means for outputting the instruction information.

  Here, for example, an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag corresponds to the wireless tag. The product identification information corresponds to, for example, a product code or a product number. The information corresponding to the storefront position corresponds to, for example, identification information of tag information receiving means provided at the storefront position. As the merchandise position information, for example, information having the format of FIG. The collection instruction information corresponds to, for example, information displayed as a misplacement collection instruction status shown in FIG. 2 or information displayed as a collection message as shown in FIG. As the instruction information output means, for example, a personal computer or a wireless device is applicable. How quickly it should be collected is, for example, the indication of “refrigeration required”, “required freezing”, “general”, etc. related to the speed of collection, “urgent” This is indicated by a display such as “Emergency” or a display of a grace time remaining for collection.

  In this configuration, after the customer puts the product into the shopping basket, if the product is returned to a non-genuine storefront position that is different from the regular storefront location in which the product existed, the RFID tag attached to the product The product identification information is received by the tag information receiving means at the non-regular storefront position. The received product identification information is added with information corresponding to the non-regular storefront position by the tag information receiving means of the non-regular storefront location, and is output as product location information. When receiving the product position information, the misplacement determining means determines that the product is misplaced. When this determination is made, the instruction information output means outputs collection instruction information indicating how quickly the product should be collected. Based on this output, a predetermined manager or worker can recognize how quickly the product should be collected and can take measures for collecting the product with a corresponding speed.

  The product location management system according to a second invention is characterized in that, in the first invention, the collection instruction information for the misplaced product includes a remaining collection time remaining for collecting the misplaced product. And

  In the merchandise location management system according to the third invention, in the second invention, the output of the collection instruction information for the misplaced product is performed continuously or periodically while the misplaced product is not collected. The remaining collection time for the misplaced product is updated as time passes while the misplaced product has not been collected.

  The product location management system according to a fourth invention is characterized in that, in the second or third invention, the initial value of the remaining collection time for the misplaced product differs according to the attribute of the misplaced product.

  The product position management system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is the product position management system according to any one of the second to fourth aspects, wherein the instruction output means for outputting the collection instruction information is configured such that the collection remaining time included in the collection instruction information is zero. In such a case, a warning to that effect is given in the output of the collection instruction information.

  The product location management system according to a sixth aspect of the invention is the first to fifth aspects of the invention, in the collection instruction information for the misplaced product, the misplaced product is a refrigerated product, a refrigerated product, or Information indicating whether the product is other than these is included.

  In any one of the first to sixth inventions, the merchandise location management system according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is directed to an instruction output means for outputting collection instruction information about the misplaced goods, wherein the instruction output means outputs a collection message as the collection instruction information. A message creating means for creating, a wireless transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting the collected message created by the message creating means, and a wireless receiving means for receiving and displaying the collected message transmitted by the wireless transmitting means. It is characterized by.

  The merchandise location management system according to an eighth aspect of the present invention is the seventh aspect of the invention, comprising a person-in-charge specifying means for specifying a person in charge of the misplaced product, and a wireless transmission means for sending a collection message concerning the misplaced product, The collection message is transmitted to the wireless receiving means corresponding to the person in charge of the misplaced product specified by the person-in-charge specifying means.

  The product position management system according to a ninth invention is the eighth invention, wherein the person-in-charge specifying means for specifying the person in charge of the misplaced product is when the remaining collection time for the misplaced product is not zero. The person in charge of the first type is specified as the person in charge, and when the remaining collection time becomes zero, the person in charge of the second type is specified as the person in charge.

  In the merchandise location management method according to the tenth invention, tag information receiving means provided at each predetermined storefront position corresponds to the product name of the merchandise from the wireless tag attached to each product placed at the storefront position. The product identification information is received, the information corresponding to the storefront position is added thereto, and the location information output step for outputting the product location information and the misplacement determining means are added to the product location information output by each tag information receiving means. On the basis of each of the products in the product position information, a misplacement determining step for determining whether or not the product is erroneously placed at a storefront position different from a predetermined regular storefront position, and an instruction output means And a collection instruction output step for outputting collection instruction information indicating how quickly the commodity should be collected for the misplaced commodity determined to be misplaced by the misplacement determination means. This The features.

  According to the present invention, for the misplaced product, the collection instruction information indicating how quickly the product should be collected is output. Based on this output, the administrator or the operator can It is possible to recognize how quickly the placed product should be collected, and to take measures for collecting the product with a corresponding speed.

  FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a product management system according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in the figure, this system is attached to each product 12 arranged on the product shelf 11, receives the RFID tag 13 in which the product number of the product is recorded, and the product number of each RFID tag 13, RFID receiver 14 to which its own receiver number is added and output as product / receiver correspondence information, data transfer radio 15 for transferring product / receiver correspondence information output by each RFID receiver 14, and in-store worker 16 possess The wireless device for workers 17, the management wireless device 18 that receives the product / receiver correspondence information transferred from the data transfer wireless device 15, the product / receiver correspondence information received from the management wireless device 18, and the storefront In-store inventory status based on instructions from the management PC 19 and the management PC 19 for displaying the stock status and the collection instruction status of misplaced products The recovery indication state of beauty misplacement product comprising a product status display device 20 which displays in real time.

  The management wireless device 18, the management personal computer 19, and the product status display device 20 are installed in the office 21. The management wireless device 18 includes a microphone 18 a and has a function for making a call with the worker wireless device 17. Therefore, the manager 22 in the office 21 can make a call with the in-store worker 16 who owns the worker radio 17 via the microphone 18a.

  The merchandise number recorded on the RFID tag 13 of the merchandise 12 is used for inventory management of the merchandise 12 and efficient settlement of the merchandise 12 purchased by the customer. The management personal computer 19 displays the over-the-counter stock status on the product status display device 20 based on the product number from the RFID tag 13 obtained via the RFID receiver 14, the data transfer radio 15, and the management radio 18. be able to. By this display, the manager 22 in the office 21 can easily check the store inventory. Further, in the case of stock replenishment or problem occurrence, the manager 22 and the in-store worker 16 can quickly communicate with each other by the management radio 18 and the worker radio 17.

  FIG. 2 shows a display screen in the product status display device 20. In this display screen, as shown in the figure, the store inventory status is displayed in the display area 25, and the misplacement collection instruction status is displayed in the display area 26. As the over-the-counter stock status, the product number, product name, and remaining number of products in stock at the store are displayed in the item columns of “product code”, “product name”, and “remaining store”, respectively. In the misplacement collection instruction status, an instruction is given to collect a product that is incorrectly placed at another non-genuine storefront position that is not a predetermined regular storefront position for each product to the regular storefront position. It shows the situation. The product misplacement occurs when the customer stops purchasing the product once put in the shopping basket and returns the product to a position different from the original position when returning the product shelf. As the misplacement collection instruction status, the product number, the product name, the attribute, the remaining time for collection, and the non-regular storefront position of each product misplaced at the unauthorized storefront position are “product code”, “ It is displayed in each item column of “item name”, “attribute”, “remaining collection time limit”, and “store location”.

  As an attribute of a product, for example, an item indicating whether the product is a general product, a refrigerated product, or a frozen product is applicable. In the figure, 27 is a display indicating a warning, and the product of the product number for which the display is performed is collected after the “recovery limit time remaining” is zero, that is, after being misplaced at a non-regular position. This indicates that a predetermined collection time has passed for the product.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main configuration of the management personal computer 19. As shown in the figure, the management personal computer 19 includes a control unit 31 that displays the above-described FIG. 2 by the product status display device 20 according to a predetermined program, and the control unit 31 communicates various data with the management wireless device 18. Data transmission / reception means 32 functioning as an interface for transmitting / receiving data, display data creation means 33 for creating display data based on an instruction from the control unit 31, and output the created display data to the product status display device 20 Display data output means 34, inventory totaling management means 35 configured by the control unit 31 and a predetermined program, RFID receiver No. -Position definition management means 36, product number-product name definition management means 37, product number-product position definition management means 38, product number-product attribute definition management means 39, and product number-collection time definition management means 40.

  The inventory tabulation management unit 35 manages an inventory tabulation table in which the product number of the product stocked at the store is associated with the number of store stock of the product. That is, based on the product number of each product in the product / receiver correspondence information periodically output by each RFID receiver 14, the product stocked in the store is grasped, and the total value of the store inventory for each product number in the table Update regularly. RFID receiver no. The position definition managing means 36 is an RFID receiver No. that defines the storefront position of each RFID receiver 14. It is for managing the position definition table, and accepts the addition, change and deletion of records to the table, and maintains and updates the table. The product number-product name definition managing means 37 is for managing a product number-product name definition table that defines the correspondence between the product number and the product name, and accepts addition, change, and deletion of records to the table. The table is maintained / updated. The product number-product position definition managing means 38 is for managing a product number-product position definition table that defines the correspondence between the product number and the regular storefront position where the product of the product number should be located. Accepts additions, changes, and deletions of records to the table and maintains / updates the table. The product number-product attribute definition management means 39 is for managing a product number-product attribute definition table that defines the correspondence between the product number and the product attribute of the product number, and adds records to the table. Accept changes and deletions and maintain / update the table. The merchandise number-collection time definition managing means 40 is for managing a merchandise number-collection time definition table that defines the correspondence between the merchandise number and the collection time for the merchandise of the merchandise number. The table is maintained / updated by accepting additions, changes and deletions. The collection time for a product means that if the product is placed in a non-regular position, the product should be collected in the regular position before the collection time elapses from the time when the product is found. It is shown.

  FIG. 4 shows the format of the product / receiver correspondence information output by the RFID receiver 14. As shown in the figure, the product / receiver correspondence information is an area of “RFID receiver No.” in which the receiver number of the RFID receiver 14 that outputs it is stored, and each product number read by the RFID receiver 14 from the RFID tag 13. “Product number 1”, “product number 2”, “product number 3”... And a “data end” region where a code indicating the end of RFID information is stored. For example, “0001”, “12345678”, “192238530”, “123323159”,..., “99999999” are stored in each area, as shown in FIG.

  FIG. -RFID receiver No. managed by the location definition managing means 36. -Indicates the format of the location definition table. As shown in the figure, each record in this table is recorded for each RFID receiver 14. Each record is provided with “RFID receiver No.” in which the receiver number of the RFID receiver 14 is stored, “floor section” in which the floor section of the floor on which the RFID receiver 14 exists is stored, and the RFID receiver 14 Each item of “shelf area category” in which the shelf area category of the product shelf is stored, “shelf category” in which the shelf category of the product shelf is stored, and “store location” in which the store location of the RFID receiver 14 is stored Consists of.

  In normal business operations, the manager 22 can manage wireless devices for management based on the store inventory status displayed in the display area 25 of the product status display device 20 according to the inventory tabulation table and the product number-product name definition table. 18 and an in-store worker 16 are instructed to replenish inventory through the operator radio 17. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, when the customer returns the product 12a to a storefront position different from the regular storefront position defined by the product number-product position definition table, it is recorded on the RFID tag 13a of the product 12a. The product number of the current product 12a is received by the RFID receiver 14a in the vicinity of the RFID tag 13a. The product number of the received product 12a is converted into the product / receiver correspondence information of FIG. 4 accompanied by the receiver number by the RFID receiver 14a together with the product number of the other product 12 received at the same time. Then, the data is sent to the management personal computer 19 via the management wireless device 18.

  The management personal computer 19 always has a product / receiver correspondence information, an RFID receiver No. -Position definition table and product number-Based on the product location definition table, a storefront position corresponding to the receiver number of each RFID receiver 14 and a regular storefront position corresponding to each product number obtained through the RFID receiver 14 Are comparing. Therefore, the management personal computer 19 uses the fact that the regular storefront position corresponding to the product number of the product 12a does not match the storefront position corresponding to the receiver number for the product / receiver correspondence information including the product number of the product 12a. It can be recognized that the merchandise 12a is misplaced at an unauthorized shop front position.

  When a predetermined time elapses from the time when it is determined that the product 12a is misplaced, the product 12a is left at an unauthorized storefront position, and the misplacement is considered to be confirmed. In the display area 26 of the display device 20, a record display for the product 12a is added. That is, with reference to each definition table described above, the product number, product name, attribute, collection time, and storefront position of the product 12a are respectively “product code”, “product name”, “attribute”, “collection restriction” in the record. It is displayed in each item column of “Remaining time” and “Store position”. The collection time displayed in the “remaining collection time limit” column is periodically updated by subtracting the elapsed time from the start of the display.

  Based on the display of the record of the product 12a, the manager 22 collects the product 12a left at an unauthorized shop front position for the in-store worker 16 through the management radio 18 and the worker radio 17. An instruction to move to a regular storefront position can be given. When the product 12a is returned to the regular storefront position, the product number from the RFID tag 13a of the product 12a is obtained through the RFID receiver 14 at the regular storefront position. Thereby, the management personal computer 19 recognizes that the product 12a has been returned to the regular storefront position, and deletes the display of the record of the product 12a from the display area 26.

  On the other hand, when the collection time defined for the product 12a by the product number-collection time definition table has passed without the product 12a being returned to the regular storefront position, the management personal computer 19 displays the record of the product 12a. , The warning display 27 is changed. The manager 22 who has seen this confirms whether or not the collection / transfer instruction for the product 12a is transmitted, and prompts the store worker 16 to execute the collection / transfer instruction immediately. This can be done through the radio 18 and the operator radio 17. In this way, the manager 22 grasps each product left at the unauthorized shop front position based on the display of the misplacement collection instruction status, and refers to the “recovery limit time remaining” display and the warning display 27. Thus, it is possible to take measures for efficient collection while recognizing the collection priority order of each product and maintaining the product value.

  FIG. 6 shows the processing in the management personal computer 19 of the product management system described above. This process is performed according to a predetermined management routine. When the processing is started, the control unit 31 of the management personal computer 19 first sends the product / receiver correspondence information of FIG. 4 to each RFID receiver 14 via the management wireless device 18 and the data transfer wireless device 15 in step 60. Request output. In response to this, when the product / receiver correspondence information output by each RFID receiver 14 is transmitted to the management personal computer 19 via the data transfer radio 15 and the management radio 18, the control unit 31 Receive in step 61.

  Next, based on the received product / receiver correspondence information, the control unit 31 updates the display of the store inventory status in the product status display device 20 in step 62. That is, based on each product number in the product / receiver correspondence information, the inventory tabulation management means 35 updates the inventory tabulation table and reflects the update result in the display of the store inventory status. Next, in step 63, it is confirmed whether the storefront position of each product is a regular storefront position. That is, the product number-product position definition table and the RFID receiver No. -With reference to the position definition table, for each product / receiver correspondence information received in step 61, the regular storefront location corresponding to each product number in the product / receiver correspondence information matches the storefront location corresponding to the receiver number. Find out if you want to. If there is a product number that does not match, it can be seen that the product with that product number is misplaced at an irregular store location.

  Next, in step 64, it is determined whether or not there is a misplaced product as a result of the confirmation in step 63. If it is determined that it exists, the process proceeds to step 68, and whether or not the misplaced product is a new misplaced product that was not misplaced according to the product / receiver correspondence information acquired in the previous step 61. Determine. If it is determined that the product is a new misplaced product, in step 69, the time for the misplaced product is started by the misplacement determination timer, and the process returns to step 60. Thereafter, when a certain period of time elapses, the process of step 60 is performed, and the next output request of the product / receiver correspondence information is performed.

  If it is determined in step 68 that the product is not a new misplaced product, the process proceeds to step 70 to determine whether or not the time measured by the misplacement determining timer for the misplaced product has passed a predetermined time. If it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, it is considered that the misplacement of the misplaced product is not confirmed, and the process returns to Step 60. If it is determined that the predetermined time has passed, it is considered that the misplacement has been confirmed, and the process proceeds to step 71. Based on the previously acquired product / receiver correspondence information, the display of the record for the misplaced product is displayed in the display area 26. It is determined whether or not the display is added to the display of the misplacement collection instruction status in FIG. If it is determined that neither the display is added nor the display is continued, the display is added. That is, the process proceeds to step 72, the misplacement determination timer for the misplaced product is initialized, and in step 73, the product attribute of the misplaced product is checked based on the product number-product attribute definition table.

  Next, in step 74, it is determined whether the product attribute of the misplaced product is a refrigerated product or a frozen product. If it is determined that the product is neither a refrigerated product nor a frozen product, in step 75, the collection time defined in the product number-collection time definition table is set as the normal collection deadline time for the misplaced product. . Next, in step 76, the display of the record about the misplaced product is added to the display area 26. At this time, the set normal collection time limit is displayed in the item column “Remaining collection time limit”. This display is linked to the progress of time counting by the collection restriction timer for the misplaced product, and after that, the remaining time obtained by subtracting the time measured by the collection restriction timer from the normal collection deadline time is displayed. Will be updated regularly. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 79.

  If it is determined in step 74 that the product attribute of the misplaced product is a refrigerated product or a frozen product, the process proceeds to step 77, and a short-term collection deadline time shorter than the normal collection deadline time is set for the misplaced product. Set. Next, in step 78, the display of the record about the misplaced product is added to the display area 26. At this time, the set short-term collection deadline time is displayed in the item column “Remaining collection time limit”. This display is also periodically updated in the same manner as time passes thereafter. Thereafter, the process proceeds to step 79.

  When the routine proceeds to step 79, the time counting by the collection limit timer is started, and the routine returns to step 60. The manager 22 who has seen the display of the record for the misplaced product added in the display area 26 in step 76 or 78 uses the management radio 18 to send the misplaced product to the in-store worker 16. It can be instructed to collect and return to the regular storefront (step 80).

  On the other hand, if it is determined in step 71 that the display of the record for the misplaced product is added or the display is continued based on the previously acquired product / receiver correspondence information, the process proceeds to step 81 and the misplacement is performed. It is determined whether the time measured by the collection limit timer for the product has passed the set normal collection deadline time or short-term collection deadline time. If it is determined that the time has not elapsed, the process returns to step 60. In this case, the display of the misplacement collection instruction status for the misplaced product is continued as it is.

  If it is determined in step 81 that the normal collection deadline time or the short-term collection deadline time has passed, the record display mode for the misplaced product in the display area 26 is switched to the warning display 27 in step 82. Thereafter, the process returns to step 60. The manager 22 who has seen the display of the record regarding the misplaced product switched to the warning display 27 uses the management radio 18 to prompt the store worker 16 to collect the misplaced product as soon as possible. (Step 83).

  If it is determined in step 64 that there is no misplaced product, the process proceeds to step 65, and any of the misplacement collection instruction status displays in the display area 26 based on the previously acquired product / receiver correspondence information. It is determined whether the display of the record is continued without adding the display of the record or canceling the display. If it is determined that neither the display of the record is added nor the display is continued, the process returns to step 60. If it is determined that the display of the record has been added or the display has been continued, the process proceeds to step 66, the display of the record is canceled, and in step 67, the collection limit timer for the product is initialized, Return to 60.

  According to the present embodiment, in the display area 26, the product attributes, the remaining collection time limit, and the like of misplaced products are displayed, and the display mode of the product for which the remaining collection time limit is zero is displayed as a warning 27 Therefore, the manager 22 can easily determine the priority for performing the collection / transfer operation for each misplaced product based on the product attributes and the remaining collection time limit, You can give instructions about. Therefore, it is possible to perform the collection / transfer operation for the misplaced products without deteriorating the product value.

  In addition, since the in-store worker 16 can receive instructions regarding the collection / moving work by the portable radio 17 for the worker during the collection / moving work, it is possible to efficiently start collecting the misplaced products. Can do. Further, the manager 22 can use the management radio 18 to instruct the collection / moving work and receive the product / receiver correspondence information, so that the equipment in the office 21 can be used efficiently. it can. Further, since the manager 22 can confirm the store inventory status and the misplacement collection instruction status on the same screen of the product status display device 20, work efficiency can be improved.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a product management system according to another embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 1 denote the same elements as in FIG. That is, this system is provided with a management radio 41 having a message function in place of the management radio 18 in the system of FIG. 1, and a work manager radio having a message function instead of the administrator 22. An in-store work manager 43 carrying the machine 42 is arranged, and a management personal computer 44 for creating a predetermined message is provided in place of the management personal computer 19. Other configurations are the same as those of the system of FIG.

  The management personal computer 44 collects a product misplaced at a storefront position different from the regular storefront position, and sends a collection message for instructing the operator to return to the regular storefront position via the management radio 41. It has the function to transmit with respect to the radio | wireless machine 17 and the radio | wireless machine 42 for work managers. The management wireless device 41 has a function of transmitting a collection message from the management personal computer 44 to the worker wireless device 17 and the work management wireless device 42. The worker radio 17 and the work manager radio 42 have a function of receiving and displaying a collection message from the management radio 41.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B show an example of a collection message. FIG. 5A shows an example of a collection / movement instruction message displayed on the worker radio 17 as the collection message. This example message indicates that the product “steak meat” should be collected. This message is accompanied by an indication of the remaining collection time limit “2:30” for the product and the store location “A-10-1111” where the product is misplaced. The remaining collection time limit has the same contents as the item “Remaining collection time limit” in the display area 26 of FIG. 2, and indicates a grace time remaining for collecting the product. The store location is also the same as the content of the “store location” in the display area 26. FIG. 5B shows an example of a collection / movement prompting message displayed on the work manager radio 42 as the collection message. This message indicates that the product “steak meat” should be collected immediately. This message is accompanied by an indication of the remaining collection time limit “0:00” and the storefront position “A-10-1111” for the product. That is, the collection / movement prompting message is transmitted to the work manager radio 42 when there is no remaining collection time limit.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a part of the configuration of the management personal computer 44. In the figure, the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 3 denote the same elements as in FIG. That is, the configuration of FIG. 9 is a configuration in which a collection message creation / transmission unit 96 and a product number-worker / work manager definition management unit 97 are added to the configuration of FIG. The collection message creation / transmission means 96 performs a process of creating a collection message as illustrated in FIG. 8 and transmitting the collection message to the worker radio 17 or the work manager radio 42. The product number-worker / work manager definition managing means 97 manages the product number-worker / work manager definition table that defines the correspondence between the product number of each product and the worker and the work manager. It accepts record additions, changes, and deletions to the table, and maintains and updates the table.

  FIG. 10 shows a part of processing in the management personal computer 44. Steps in which processing similar to that in FIG. 6 is performed are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG. That is, the process of FIG. 10 is the same as the process of FIG. 6 except that steps 91 and 92 are provided instead of step 80, and steps 93 and 94 are provided instead of step 83.

  In other words, in the above-described embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, the manager 22 instructs the in-store worker 16 to collect and move the misplaced product (step 80 or 83). In the embodiment, the management personal computer 44 creates a collection message as illustrated in FIG. 8 for the misplaced product (step 91 or 93), and the in-store worker 16 or the in-store work manager in charge of the product. 43 is specified based on the product number-worker / work manager definition table and transmitted to the worker radio 17 or the work manager radio 42 owned by these persons (step 92). Or 94). At that time, the collection / movement instruction message (FIG. 8A) is transmitted to the operator radio 17 immediately after it is determined that the product has been left for the product (steps 70 to 79, 91). 92), the collection / movement prompting message (FIG. 8B) is transmitted to the work manager radio 42 when the collection time limit for the product has passed (steps 81 and 82). 93, 94). The in-store work manager 43 who has received the collection / movement prompting message can responsibly terminate the collection / movement of the product.

  According to this embodiment, the management personal computer 44 creates a collection / movement instruction message or a collection / movement prompting message for a misplaced product, and the in-store worker 16 or in-store work that is in charge of the misplaced product Since the manager 43 is specified and transmitted to the worker radio 17 or the work manager radio 42 carried by these persons, even if the manager of the office 21 is absent, The movement instruction can be surely performed.

  Note that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be implemented with appropriate modifications. For example, in the above description, a misplaced collection instruction status display (FIG. 2) or a collection message (FIG. 8) indicating how quickly misplaced products should be collected is left for collection. In addition to this, other terminology such as “emergency collection” is displayed instead of or in addition to this. Alternatively, values or terms that express the speed in stages may be displayed.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the merchandise management system which concerns on one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the display screen in the goods status display apparatus of the goods management system of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the main structures in the management personal computer of the merchandise management system of FIG. It is a figure which shows the format of the goods and receiver corresponding | compatible information which the RFID receiver outputs in the goods management system of FIG. RFID receiver No. in the management personal computer of the product management system of FIG. -It is a figure which shows the format of a position definition table. It is a flowchart which shows the process in the management personal computer of the merchandise management system of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the merchandise management system which concerns on other embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the collection | recovery message produced in the management personal computer of the merchandise management system of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows a part of structure of the management personal computer in the merchandise management system of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows a part of process in the management personal computer in the merchandise management system of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

  11: Product shelf, 12: Product, 12a: Product, 13: RFID tag, 13a: RFID tag, 14: RFID receiver, 14a: RFID receiver, 15: Radio device for data transfer, 16: In-store worker, 17: Work 18: Radio for management, 18: Radio for management, 19: PC for management, 20: Product status display device, 21: Office, 22: Administrator, 25: Display area, 26: Display area, 27: Warning display, 31: Control unit, 32: Data transmission / reception means, 33: Display data creation means, 34: Display data output means, 35: Inventory tabulation management means, 36: RFID receiver No. -Position definition management means, 37: product number-product name definition management means, 38: product number-product position definition management means, 39: product number-product attribute definition management means, 40: product number-collection time definition management means, 41: Radio for management, 42: Radio for work manager, 43: In-store work manager, 44: PC for management, 96: Collection message creation / transmission means, 97: Product number-worker / work manager definition Management means, 121: RFID reader, 122: shopping basket, 123: product, 124: display shelf, 125: RFID tag, 126: wireless communication point, 127: network, 128: product position information storage unit, 129: RFID reader, 130: Shopping basket notification department.

Claims (10)

A wireless tag that is attached to each product to be managed and in which product identification information corresponding to the product name of the product is recorded,
Product location information is provided at each store location where the product is placed, receives the product identification information from the radio tag of each product placed at the store location, and adds information corresponding to the store location to this product location information Tag information receiving means for outputting as
Based on the product location information output by each tag information receiving means, for each product in the product location information, whether or not the product is erroneously arranged at a storefront position different from a predetermined regular storefront position Misplacement determining means for determining;
An instruction output unit that outputs collection instruction information indicating how quickly the product should be collected with respect to the misplaced product determined to be misplaced by the misplacement determination unit; A product location management system.   2. The product position management system according to claim 1, wherein the collection instruction information for the misplaced product includes a remaining collection time remaining for collecting the misplaced product. The output of the collection instruction information for the misplaced product is performed continuously or periodically while the misplaced product has not been collected,
3. The product position management system according to claim 2, wherein the remaining collection time for the misplaced product is updated as time passes while the misplaced product is not collected.   The product position management system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein an initial value of a remaining collection time for the misplaced product differs according to an attribute of the misplaced product.   The instruction output means for outputting the collection instruction information, when the remaining collection time included in the collection instruction information becomes zero, gives a warning to that effect in outputting the collection instruction information. The product position management system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein   The collection instruction information on the misplaced product includes information indicating whether the misplaced product is a refrigerated product, a frozen product, or a product other than these. The product position management system according to any one of the above. Instruction output means for outputting collection instruction information about the misplaced product,
Message creating means for creating a collection message as the collection instruction information;
Wireless transmission means for wirelessly transmitting the collection message created by the message creation means;
The commodity position management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a wireless reception unit that receives and displays the collection message transmitted by the wireless transmission unit. Comprising a person-in-charge identifying means for identifying a person in charge of the misplaced product,
The wireless transmission means for transmitting the collection message relating to the misplaced product transmits the collection message to the wireless reception means corresponding to the person in charge of the misplaced product specified by the person-in-charge specifying means. The product position management system according to claim 7, wherein   The person-in-charge identifying means for identifying the person in charge of the misplaced product identifies the first type person in charge as the person in charge when the remaining collection time for the misplaced product is not zero, and the collection 9. The merchandise management system according to claim 8, wherein when the remaining time becomes zero, the person in charge of the second type is specified as the person in charge. Tag information receiving means provided at each predetermined storefront position receives product identification information corresponding to the product name of the product from a wireless tag attached to each product placed at the storefront position, and the storefront position Position information output step of adding information corresponding to and outputting as product position information;
Based on the product position information output from each tag information receiving means, the misplacement determining means erroneously places the product in a storefront position different from a predetermined regular storefront position for each product in the product position information. A misplacement determination step of determining whether or not
A collection instruction output step for outputting collection instruction information indicating how quickly the product should be collected for the misplaced product determined to be misplaced by the misplacement determination unit. A product location management method comprising:

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