JP2010044724A - Inventory support device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate acquisition of an identification code from a specific product to be inventoried. <P>SOLUTION: Product names associated with one or more identification codes read from wireless tags through short-range wireless communication by an RFID reader are listed on a display part (candidate list window D). By specifying a product name by an input part, selection and designation of one identification code is permitted, and the selected and designated one identification code is stored in a memory for inventory (inventory list initial window G). Among the identification codes read from the wireless tags through short-range wireless communication by the RFID reader, the number of the identification codes same as the identification code for inventory stored in the memory is obtained as the number of actual inventory (inventory list window H). <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an inventory support device that supports inventory work.

  Conventionally, with respect to articles such as merchandise, an operation called inventory is performed in order to grasp the difference between the inventory quantity on the book and the actual inventory quantity. Originally, the inventory quantity on the book must match the actual inventory quantity. However, due to various causes such as theft, loss, and book entry mistakes, a discrepancy between the book inventory and the actual inventory can occur. Therefore, it is necessary to recognize such inconsistency and adjust the inventory quantity on the book to the actual inventory quantity. This is inventory.

  In recent years, inventory using information processing technology has become common. That is, the inventory number is recorded in the form of management by recording electronic data on various information storage media (hard disk, optical media, nonvolatile memory, etc.). The electronic data to be managed includes an identification code for specifying the inventory object, its product name, the number of inventory, and the like. That is, a database that stores the product name and the inventory quantity in association with the identification code is constructed, and is managed by appropriately updating the inventory quantity. For example, the acquisition of the actual inventory quantity is performed by attaching a code symbol (bar code, two-dimensional code, etc.) obtained by symbolizing an identification code for specifying the inventory object to the inventory object. A technique of acquiring an identification code by reading with a scanner is widely used.

  Patent Document 1 describes an invention in which a code symbol attached to an inventory object is read by a data code scanner to acquire an identification code, and an inventory process is executed based on the acquired identification code (paragraph). 0064-0070).

  On the other hand, in recent years, a short-range wireless communication technique called RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) has attracted attention as a method for acquiring an actual inventory quantity. As is well known, this technology provides information by wireless communication at a short distance (several centimeters to several meters depending on the frequency band) using an electromagnetic field or radio wave with a wireless tag in which ID information (identification code) is embedded. It is a technology to communicate. Since the passive type wireless tag has an excellent feature that an internal battery is not required, troublesome maintenance work such as battery replacement and battery charging becomes unnecessary when attached to individual inventory objects. Therefore, if a passive wireless tag is attached to each inventory object, the actual inventory quantity can be easily obtained by simply reading the identification code recorded on the wireless tag with an RFID reader. Can do.

  Patent Document 2 describes an invention in which a wireless tag is attached to a product and RFID technology is used for inventory management of the product (see paragraphs 0013 to 0023), although the purpose is not inventory.

JP 2007-249276 A JP 2004-210427 A

  The RFID technology has a technical characteristic that identification codes can be collected at a time from a plurality of wireless tags in a communicable range. Strictly speaking, short-range wireless communication is established in order with a plurality of wireless tags, and an identification code is acquired serially from those wireless tags, but due to the short time required for human sense, An illusion that multiple identification codes are collected at the same time is generated. This is the superiority of the RFID technology over the code symbol reading technology in which the reading operation and the read identification code have a one-to-one correspondence. In particular, in short-range wireless communication using the UHF band, which is in practical use in Japan, the communicable distance is as long as several meters, and the number of identification codes that can be acquired simultaneously is large.

  Considering the superiority of such RFID technology, inventory using RFID technology acquires identification codes from IC cards attached to all inventory objects and transmits them to a server or the like for inventory management. It can be clearly seen that the applicability to the inventory method (see paragraphs 0067 to 0070 of Patent Document 1) is high in that the inventory is executed in comparison with the registered data in the database.

  However, when inventorying articles such as merchandise, there is a case in which it is desired not to inventory all articles but to inventory a specific article. In such a case, it is necessary for the operator to go to a warehouse or the like where goods are stored and perform an inventory work on the spot. In such a case, if code symbol reading technology is used, it is only necessary to read the code symbols one after another for only the articles to be inventoried to obtain the identification code. Even when RFID technology is used, identification codes can be obtained one after another from wireless tags attached to individual articles by using RFID technology in a frequency band with a short communication distance. In this case, since it is only necessary to hold the RFID reader antenna over the wireless tag, the work load is less than that of the data code reading work.

  However, even when reading a data code or using RFID technology, it is a very difficult task to acquire an identification code from each item, and there is a problem that the overall work load is extremely large.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and an object of the present invention is to facilitate an operation of acquiring an identification code from an article to be inventoried when taking inventory for a specific article.

  An inventory support device according to the present invention includes an RFID reader that performs short-range wireless communication between a display unit having an information display function, an input unit having an information input function, and a wireless tag that stores an identification code for identifying an article. And (1) the display unit displays a product name associated with one or more identification codes read from a wireless tag by short-range wireless communication using the RFID reader. A process of displaying a list on the display unit, allowing a selection designation of one identification code by designating a product name by the input unit, and storing the selected identification code in a memory as an inventory target, and (2) a proximity by the RFID reader Among the identification codes read from the wireless tag by distance wireless communication, the number of identification codes that are the same as the identification codes stored in the memory as the inventory object A process for obtaining as, for execution.

  Another aspect of the inventory support device of the present invention is a short-range wireless communication between a display unit having an information display function, an input unit having an information input function, and a wireless tag storing an identification code for identifying an article. An information processing unit including an RFID reader that performs communication, and an information processing unit that executes information processing stores (1) an identification code read from a wireless tag by a short-range wireless communication by the RFID reader in a memory as an inventory target (2) Among the identification codes read from the wireless tag by the short-range wireless communication by the RFID reader, a process for obtaining the number of identification codes that are the same as the identification codes to be stocked stored in the memory as the actual inventory number; Execute.

  From another aspect, the inventory support device according to the present invention is a short distance between a display unit having an information display function, an input unit having an information input function, and a wireless tag storing an identification code for identifying an article. An information processing unit that performs information processing, comprising: an RFID reader that performs wireless communication; and a data code reader that optically reads a code symbol obtained by symbolizing an identification code for identifying an article to decode the identification code. (1) a process of storing an identification code read and decoded from a code symbol by the data code reader in a memory as an inventory target; and (2) of the identification codes read from a wireless tag by short-range wireless communication by the RFID reader, A process for obtaining the number of identification codes identical to the identification codes to be stored in memory as the actual inventory quantity; To run.

  According to the present invention, RFID technology that enables identification codes of articles to be inventoried to be acquired on-site and stored in a memory, and collected from a plurality of wireless tags in a communicable range at a time. When taking inventory of a specific item, the number of identification codes that are the same as the identification codes stored in the memory is obtained as the actual inventory quantity from among the identification codes that are easily collected by using the characteristics of This has the effect of facilitating the work of obtaining the identification code from the item to be inventoried and dramatically reducing the work load.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a store S (a warehouse S1 + a sales floor S2) in which an inventory management system 11 is installed. In the store S, a warehouse S1 is added to the sales floor S2. The commodity ATL as an article is first carried into the warehouse S1 and stored in the warehouse S1. And it moves to warehouse S2 from warehouse S1 as needed. The goods are moved from the warehouse S1 to the sales floor S2 through the entrance / exit GT.

  The warehouse S1 can carry in the commodity ATL from the entrance 51. The warehouse S1 is provided with a plurality of hanger racks 53 for hanging clothes hung on the hangers 52, and a plurality of storage shelves 54 for storing clothes. In addition, a server 201 is installed on a desk 55 inside the warehouse S1. The server 201 includes a main body tower 202, a liquid crystal display 203, a keyboard 204, and a pointing device 205 such as a mouse in view of its appearance. In the warehouse S1, a wireless repeater 31 is further installed on the ceiling surface near the entrance / exit GT. The wireless repeater 31 is capable of wireless communication with a handy terminal 101 (see FIG. 2) as an inventory support device used for inventory work and the like, and relays data communication between the handy terminal 101 and the server 201.

  A checkout counter 71 is installed in the vicinity of the entrance / exit GT in the sales floor S2. A POS terminal 301 is placed on the checkout counter 71. Details of the sales floor S2 are omitted.

  Here, a product tag 56 is attached to each product ATL. As an example, the product tag 56 is tied to a button attached to a cuff of clothing that is a product ATL (see Maruchi in FIG. 1). A barcode 56a is printed on such a product tag 56, and an IC chip 56b is embedded. The bar code 56a is a code symbol of an identification code for specifying the product ATL to which the product tag 56 is attached. The same identification code as the identification code symbolized by the bar code 56a is also recorded on the IC chip 56b.

Further, a partition plate 57 having a form similar to the hanger 52 is suspended from the hanger rack 53. The partition plate 57 plays a role of partitioning the clothing as the product ATL for each type. A product management tag 58 is affixed to the partition plate 57 (see Marunouchi in FIG. 1). Such a product management tag 58 is printed with a management barcode 58a, and a management IC chip 58b is embedded therein. The product management tag 58 is different from the product tag 56 attached to each product ATL to specify the product, and does not play a role of specifying each product ATL. The product management tag 58 specifies the identification code of one or more identical product ATLs partitioned by the partition plate 57. Therefore, the management bar code 58a is symbolized and the management IC chip 58b stores a management identification code for specifying one or more identical products ATL partitioned by the partition plate 57. Such management identification codes are:
It has a code system of a code indicating that it is for management and a normal identification code.

  Since the product tag 56 and the product management tag 58 described above embed an IC chip 56b and a management IC chip 58b for storing an identification code, they each constitute a radio tag RT.

  FIG. 2 is a front view of the handy terminal 101. The handy terminal 101 includes a display unit 103 and an input unit 104 in front of a portable thin rectangular housing 102. The display unit 103 is formed by a liquid crystal display panel as an example. The input unit 104 is formed by a touch panel 105 stacked on the display unit 103 and various key buttons 106 disposed below the display unit 103 on the front surface of the housing 102.

  As the key buttons 106 forming the input unit 104, a confirmation button 106a, a start button 106b, a transmission button 106c, a numeric key 106d, a function key 106e, and a command key 106f are provided.

  The handy terminal 101 functions as an RFID reader that performs short-range wireless communication between the data code reader 107 that performs the reading function of the barcode 56a and the management barcode 58a, and the IC chip 56b and the management IC chip 58b. An RFID reader / writer 108 is incorporated (see FIG. 7).

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a system overview of the inventory management system 11. The inventory management system 11 is constructed by connecting a server 201, a wireless repeater 31, and a POS terminal 301 through a local network 401 so as to allow data communication. The handy terminal 101 can transmit / receive data to / from the server 201 and the POS terminal 301 which are devices connected to the local network 401 via the wireless repeater 31.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the electrical connection of the server 201. The server 201 includes a microcomputer 251, and the microcomputer 251 drives and controls each unit. The microcomputer 251 includes a CPU 252 that centrally controls each unit, a ROM 253 that stores fixed information such as BIOS in advance via the bus line BL, and a RAM 254 that functions as a work area by storing various information in a rewritable manner. Are connected to the V-RAM 255. Therefore, the microcomputer 251 constitutes an information processing unit that executes information processing. In FIG. 4, the CPU 252, ROM 253, RAM 254, and V-RAM 255 are displayed as a single component, but these CPU 252, ROM 253, RAM 254, and V-RAM 255 are divided into a plurality of solids. May be.

  An I / O interface IF is connected to the microcomputer 251 via the bus line BL. An input controller 256, a video controller 257, an HDD 258, and a serial port 259 are connected to the I / O interface IF.

  A keyboard 204 and a pointing device 205 are connected to the input controller 256 connected to the I / O interface IF. The input controller 256 captures input signals from the keyboard 204 and the pointing device 205 into the microcomputer 251.

  A liquid crystal display 203 is connected to the video controller 257 connected to the I / O interface IF. The video controller 257 drives and controls the liquid crystal display 203 based on the image data, and displays an image corresponding to the image data.

  The HDD 258 connected to the I / O interface IF is provided with a program area PA. An OS, a computer program, and the like are installed in the program area PA. The computer program installed in the program area PA of the HDD 258 includes a computer program for inventory support.

  The OS and computer programs installed in the program area PA of the HDD 258 by the server 201 are all or partially copied to the RAM 254 and accessed by the CPU 252 when the server 201 is activated. The CPU 252 executes processing according to the copied OS and computer program while using the RAM 254 as a work area. Therefore, the RAM 254 and the HDD 258 provide a function as a storage unit.

  A network card 260 is connected to the serial port 259 connected to the I / O interface IF. The network card 260 connects the microcomputer 251 of the server 201 to the local network 401 and enables mutual data communication between the wireless repeater 31 and the POS terminal 301. In this sense, the network card 260 provides the server 201 with a function as a data transmission / reception unit that enables data transmission / reception with an external device.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing recorded data in the inventory management master area 271 (inventory database) stored and saved in the HDD 258 of the server 201. The stock management master area 271 stores the stock quantity in the warehouse and the display number in the sales floor in association with the identification code. The inventory quantity in the warehouse is the inventory quantity of the corresponding product ATL stored in the warehouse S1. The number displayed in the sales floor is the stock quantity of the corresponding product ATL displayed in the sales floor S2. As an example, data on the inventory quantity in the warehouse and the inventory quantity in the sales floor in the inventory management master area 271 can be freely input by an input operation at the handy terminal 101 or an input operation at the server 201. It is. When the payment processing is executed, the POS terminal 301 transmits the identification code of the product ATL for which payment processing has been performed to the server 201 via the local network 401 as a payment report. As a result, the server 201 executes a process of decrementing the in-store inventory quantity in the inventory management master area 271 by 1 for the product ATL of the identification code for which the settlement report has been received from the POS terminal 301. In this way, records in the inventory management master area 271 are managed.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing recorded data in the inventory log area 281 stored and saved in the HDD 258 of the server 201. The stock log area 281 records the identification code of the product ATL for each date, and the theoretical stock number, the actual stock number, and the difference value for each of the stock quantity in the warehouse and the stock quantity in the sales floor (actual stock quantity-theoretical). Inventory number). The “theoretical inventory quantity” is basically the inventory quantity input to the inventory management master area 271 by an input operation at the handy terminal 101 or the server 201. In the present embodiment, the actual inventory quantity of the product ATL in the warehouse S1 or the sales floor S2 is acquired by the inventory work, and this becomes the “actual inventory quantity”. In the inventory log area 281, a log obtained by replacing the value of the theoretical inventory quantity with the value of the actual inventory quantity is recorded, and in the inventory management master area 271, the value of the inventory quantity (the inventory quantity in the warehouse or the inventory quantity in the sales floor) is recorded. Replace with the value of the actual inventory. Such an inventory process will be described in detail later with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing electrical connection of the handy terminal 101. The handy terminal 101 is provided with a microcomputer 151, and the microcomputer 151 drives and controls each part. The microcomputer 151 includes a CPU 152 that controls each unit in a centralized manner, a flash ROM 153 that pre-stores fixed information such as BIOS and computer programs via the bus line BL, and a variety of information that can be rewritten and a work area. The RAM 154 functioning as the V-RAM 155 is connected to the V-RAM 155. Therefore, the microcomputer 151 constitutes an information processing unit that executes information processing. In FIG. 7, the CPU 152, the flash ROM 153, the RAM 154, and the V-RAM 155 are each displayed as a single component, but the CPU 152, the flash ROM 153, the RAM 154, and the V-RAM 155 are divided into a plurality of solids. May be.

  The microcomputer 151 records various computer programs including a computer program for inventory support in advance in the flash ROM 153 as firmware. Therefore, the microcomputer 151 executes processes according to various computer programs recorded in advance in the flash ROM 153 while using the RAM 154 as a work area of the memory.

  An I / O interface IF is connected to the microcomputer 151 via the bus line BL. The input controller 156, the video controller 157, the data code reader 107, the RFID reader / writer 108, and the wireless communication module 158 are connected to the I / O interface IF.

  The input controller 156 is connected with a touch panel 105 and a key button 106 as the input unit 104. The input controller 156 takes input signals from the touch panel 105 and the key buttons 106 into the microcomputer 151.

  The display unit 103 is connected to the video controller 157. The video controller 157 drives and controls the display unit 103 based on the image data, and causes the display unit 103 to display an image corresponding to the image data.

  The data code reader 107 optically reads the barcode 56a attached to the product tag 56 and the product management tag 58 and the identification code symbolized by the management barcode 58a. That is, the data code reader 107 irradiates the bar code 56a and the management bar code 58a with light, receives the reflected light with a light receiving element, for example, a two-dimensional CCD array, etc., and binarizes and decodes the output of the light receiving element. The identification code is extracted from the code symbols symbolized by the bar code 56a and the management bar code 58a. The data code reader 107 outputs the extracted identification code. The microcomputer 151 recognizes the identification code output from the data code reader 107.

  The RFID reader / writer 108 performs short-range wireless communication with the product tag 56 and the product management tag 58 as the wireless tag RT attached to the product ATL, and the product tag 56 and the product management tag 58 store the information. To get the identification code. In this case, the RFID reader / writer 108 performs, for example, short-range wireless communication in the UHF band between the product tag 56 and the product management tag 58 that are wireless tags RT. The RFID reader / writer 108 outputs the acquired identification code. The microcomputer 151 recognizes the identification code output from the RFID reader / writer 108.

  FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing recorded data of the product name file 171 stored and saved in the flash ROM 153 of the handy terminal 101. The product name file 171 stores and stores the product name (text data) in association with the identification code. Therefore, the microcomputer 151 can obtain the text data of the corresponding product name by searching the product name file 171 using the identification code output from the data code reader 107 or the RFID reader / writer 108 as a search element. The product name display based on the acquired text data of the product name can be displayed on the display unit 103.

  FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing the temporary storage area 181 set in the work area of the RAM 154 of the handy terminal 101 in the inventory support process. The handy terminal 101 temporarily stores data in the temporary storage area 181 shown in FIG. 9 in the work area of the RAM 154 during the inventory support process by the CPU 152 according to the inventory support computer program recorded as firmware in the flash ROM 153. . As these temporary storage areas 181, the inventory support computer program causes the CPU 152 to set the flag 181a, the inventory target area 181b, the theoretical inventory quantity area 181c, the counter 181d, and the difference value area 181e in the work area of the RAM 154. .

  The flag 181a is used to distinguish whether the inventory target is the warehouse S1 or the sales floor S2. For details, see the flowchart of FIG. 11 (for example, steps S104 and S105).

  The inventory target area 181b is an area for storing an identification code of a product ATL to be inventoryed. For details, refer to the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 to 14 (for example, steps S109, S110, and S111 in FIG. 11).

  The theoretical inventory quantity area 181c is an area for temporarily storing the inventory quantity (theoretical inventory quantity) registered in the inventory management master area 271 managed by the server 201 for the product ATL to be inventoried. Refer to the flowchart of FIG. 11 for details (for example, steps S113 to S115).

  The counter 181d is a counter area used for obtaining the actual stock quantity of the product ATL from the identification code acquired by the RFID reader / writer 108 for the product ATL specified by the identification code stored in the inventory target area 181b. . Refer to the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 and 16 for details (for example, step S118 in FIG. 11, steps S118-1 to S118-8 in FIG. 16).

  The difference value area 181e is an area for storing a difference value between the theoretical inventory quantity stored in the theoretical inventory quantity area 181c and the actual inventory quantity that is the value of the counter 181d. Refer to the flowcharts in FIGS. 11 and 16 for details (for example, step S118 in FIG. 11, step S118-6 in FIG. 16, etc.).

  FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating a screen transition example of the handy terminal 101. As an initial screen, the handy terminal 101 displays menus “input inventory quantity”, “inventory (warehouse)”, and “inventory (sales floor)” on the display unit 103 (see screen 1 in FIG. 10). This is called a menu screen A. Menus in the menu screen A are objects that can be touch-designated by the touch panel 105. Hereinafter, the processing content started by the menu selection displayed on the display unit 103 in the handy terminal 101 will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14, 16 and 17.

  The processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 to 14 and 16 is processing executed by the microcomputer 151 of the handy terminal 101 according to the computer program recorded in the flash ROM 153 with the firmware configuration. The process shown in the flowchart of FIG. 17 is a process executed by the microcomputer 251 of the server 201 in accordance with a computer program installed in the program area PA of the HDD 258. The processing contents will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 11 to 14 and 16 and the flowchart of FIG. 17, and the accompanying screen transition of the display unit 103 of the handy terminal 101 will be described with reference to FIG. 10.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of inventory support processing in the handy terminal 101. The CPU 152 of the handy terminal 101 determines that one of the menus “input stock quantity”, “inventory (warehouse)”, and “inventory (sale)” has been selected by touch designation on the touch panel 105, that is, whether or not the menu has been selected. Waiting for determination (step S101). If menu selection is determined during this standby (Y in step S101), it is determined whether or not it is “input stock quantity” (step S102). When the menu “input stock quantity” is selected (Y in step S102), stock quantity input processing is executed (step S201). Description of this process is omitted.

  On the other hand, when the selection of the stock quantity input is not determined (N in Step S102), the CPU 152 determines which menu of “inventory (warehouse)” or “inventory (sale)” is selected ( Step S103). When the CPU 152 determines that “inventory (warehouse)” is selected (Y in step S103), the CPU 152 sets F = 0 in the flag 181a (see FIG. 9) set in the temporary storage area 181 of the RAM 154. . On the other hand, when the CPU 152 determines that “inventory (sales floor)” is selected (N in step S103), the CPU 152 sets F = 1 in the flag 181a (see FIG. 9). Then, the screen of the display unit 103 is changed.

  In FIG. 10, a screen that transitions when “inventory (warehouse)” or “inventory (sales floor)” is selected from the menu screen A (screen 1) is illustrated as a pre-reading method designation screen B (screen 2). The pre-reading method designation screen B displays a menu of “candidate list”, “product number management tag”, and “product number management code” as pre-reading methods. The “pre-reading method” that can be selected and designated on the pre-reading method designation screen B means a method for acquiring an identification code of a product ATL to be inventoried.

  The pre-reading method “candidate list” means a method of selecting one product ATL as an inventory target from a product name list (candidate) specified by one or more identification codes acquired by reading with the RFID reader / writer 108. To do.

  In the pre-reading method called “article number management tag”, the product ATL specified by one identification code acquired by reading the management IC chip 58b built in the product management tag 58 by the RFID reader / writer 108 is selected as an inventory target. Means the method.

  In the pre-reading method called “product number management code”, the product ATL specified by the one identification code acquired by reading the management barcode 58a printed on the product management tag 58 by the data code reader 107 is used as an inventory target. Means the method to choose.

  The menu display of these pre-reading methods is an object that can be touch-designated by the touch panel 105. Therefore, the pre-reading method is selected by touch-designating any one of “candidate list”, “product number management tag”, and “product number management code” on the touch panel 105.

  Returning to the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. When the CPU 152 of the handy terminal 101 determines selection of the pre-reading method (Y in step S106), the CPU 152 determines whether the selected method is a candidate list (step S107) and whether it is a product number management tag (step S108). . Thereby, it is possible to determine which pre-reading method has been selected. That is, when the CPU 152 determines selection of the candidate list in step S107 (Y in step S107), the CPU 152 proceeds to the pre-reading process (candidate list) in step S109. If the selection of the product number management tag is determined in step S108 (Y in step S108), the process proceeds to the pre-read process (product number management tag) in step S110. If the selection of the product number management tag is not determined in step S108 (N in step S108), the process proceeds to the pre-read process (product number management code) in step S111.

  FIG. 12 shows details of the pre-reading process (candidate list) in step S109, FIG. 13 shows details of the pre-reading process (product number management tag) in step S110, and pre-reading process (product number management) in step S111. FIG. 14 shows details of the code). Further, FIG. 15 shows the work to be performed by the operator during the pre-reading process.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing in detail the processing contents of the pre-reading process (candidate list) in step S109 in the flowchart of FIG. The CPU 152 causes the display on the display unit 103 to transition to the instruction screen C-1 (screen 3-1 in FIG. 10) (step S109-1). As shown in FIG. 10, the instruction screen C-1 shows an instruction “Please press the start button near the target product”.

FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the operator is going to cause the handy terminal 101 to perform pre-reading processing (steps S109 to S111 in FIG. 11). As shown in FIG. 15, the operator follows the instructions shown on the instruction screen C- 1, for example, in the warehouse S <b> 1, near the commodity ATL to be inventoried, and presses the start button 106 b (see FIG. 2). Press. When determining that the start button 106b is pressed (Y in step S109-2), the CPU 152 activates the RFID reader / writer 108 (step S109-3). As a result, the RFID reader / writer 108 performs short-range wireless communication using the UHF band, and the IC chip 56b included in the product tag 56 or the product management tag 58 included in the product tag 56 that is a wireless tag RT located in the vicinity. Communication is established with the IC chip 58b. As a result, the RFID reader / writer 108 acquires the identification code from the IC chip 56b or the management IC chip 58b, and outputs the acquired identification code. Thereby, the CPU 152 determines acquisition of the identification code (Y in step S109-4), and the product name (text data) associated with the identification code output from the RFID reader / writer 108 from the product name file 171 shown in FIG. ) And displayed as a candidate list on the display unit 103 (step S109-5). At this time, the management identification code stored in the management IC chip 58b is as described above.
A code system of a code indicating that it is for management and a normal identification code is adopted. Therefore, when searching the product name file 171, only the normal identification code is extracted except for the “code indicating that it is for management”, and the extracted normal identification code is used as the basis of the search. The screen displayed on the display unit 103 in this way is a candidate list screen D (screen 4 in FIG. 10).

  As shown in FIG. 10, the candidate list screen D (screen 4) displays a list of product names of products ATL corresponding to the identification codes output from the RFID reader / writer 108, and one of the product names is designated by touch designation on the touch panel 105. Can be specified. The candidate list screen D also displays an instruction “Select a product and press the confirm button”. Therefore, the operator selects and designates a product ATL to be inventoried by touch designation on the touch panel 105 in the candidate list screen D. In response to this, on the candidate list screen D, the product name portion of the selected product ATL is highlighted. Then, the operator confirms the product name of the highlighted product ATL and presses the confirm button 106a (see FIG. 2).

  Returning to the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. When the CPU 152 determines that the confirm button 106a is pressed (Y in step S109-6), the product ATL selected on the candidate list screen D is selected on the condition that the product name of the product ATL to be preceded is selected (Y in step S109-7). Is determined as an inventory target (step S109-9). That is, the CPU 152 stores the identification code of the selected product ATL in the inventory target area 181b (see FIG. 9) set in the temporary storage area 181 of the RAM 154.

  If the product name of the product ATL that should be prior to the pressing of the confirm button 106a has not been selected (N in step S109-7), the CPU 152 displays a message to the effect that the product name of the product ATL should be selected on the display unit 103. (Step S109-8). Thus, the pre-reading process (candidate list) in step S109 in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is completed.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing in detail the processing contents of the pre-reading process (product number management tag) in step S110 in the flowchart of FIG. The CPU 152 causes the display on the display unit 103 to transition to the instruction screen C-2 (screen 3-2 in FIG. 10) (step S110-1). As shown in FIG. 10, the instruction screen C-2 shows an instruction “Please press the start button close to the target product number management tag”.

As shown in FIG. 15, the operator follows the instruction shown on the instruction screen C-2, for example, in the warehouse S1, near the commodity ATL to be inventoried. Then, the handy terminal 101 is brought close to the vicinity of the product management tag 58 attached to the partition plate 57 that separates the product ATL from other products ATL, and the start button 106b (see FIG. 2) is pressed. When determining that the start button 106b is pressed (Y in step S110-2), the CPU 152 activates the RFID reader / writer 108 (step S110-3). At this time, the CPU 152 instructs the RFID reader / writer 108 to execute RFID reading by short-range wireless communication with low power. As a result, the RFID reader / writer 108 executes short-range wireless communication using the UHF band with low power, and the management IC chip 58b built in the product management tag 58, which is the radio tag RT facing the handy terminal 101. Establish communication with the. As a result, the RFID reader / writer 108 acquires the management identification code from the management IC chip 58b, and outputs the acquired identification code. Thereby, the CPU 152 determines acquisition of the identification code (Y in step S110-4), and the product name (text data) associated with the identification code output from the RFID reader / writer 108 from the product name file 171 shown in FIG. ) And is displayed on the display unit 103 (step S110-5). At this time, the management identification code is as described above.
A code system of a code indicating that it is for management and a normal identification code is adopted. Therefore, when searching the product name file 171, only the normal identification code is extracted except for the “code indicating that it is for management”, and the extracted normal identification code is used as the basis of the search. The screen displayed on the display unit 103 in this way is the product name confirmation screen E (screen 5 in FIG. 10).

  As shown in FIG. 10, the product name confirmation screen E displays the product name of the product ATL corresponding to the identification code output from the RFID reader / writer 108 as “is the selected product XXX?” If it is OK, press the confirm button. " Therefore, if the operator confirms that the selected product is correct, the operator presses the confirm button 106a (see FIG. 2).

  Returning to the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. When determining that the confirm button 106a is pressed (Y in step S110-6), the CPU 152 determines the product ATL confirmed and displayed on the product name confirmation screen E as an inventory target (step S110-7). That is, the CPU 152 stores the identification code of the product ATL in the inventory target area 181b (see FIG. 9) set in the temporary storage area 181 of the RAM 154. Thus, the pre-read process (product number management tag) in step S110 in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is completed.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing in detail the processing contents of the pre-reading process (product number management code) in step S111 in the flowchart of FIG. The CPU 152 changes the display on the display unit 103 to the instruction screen C-3 (screen 3-3 in FIG. 10) (step S111-1). As shown in FIG. 10, an instruction “Please press the start button according to the target product number management code” is shown on the instruction screen C-3.

As shown in FIG. 15, the operator follows the instruction illustrated on the instruction screen C-3, for example, in the warehouse S1, near the commodity ATL to be inventoried. Then, the handy terminal 101 is made to face the management bar code 58a printed on the product management tag 58 attached to the partition plate 57 that separates the product ATL from other products ATL, and the start button 106b ( Press (see FIG. 2). When determining that the start button 106b is pressed (Y in step S111-2), the CPU 152 activates the data code reader 107 (step S111-3). Then, the data code reader 107 reads the management bar code 58a printed on the product management tag 58 facing the handy terminal 101, decodes the read data, extracts the identification code, and extracts the extracted identification code. Output. Thereby, the CPU 152 determines acquisition of the identification code (Y in step S111-4), and the product name (text data) associated with the identification code output by the data code reader 107 from the product name file 171 shown in FIG. ) And is displayed on the display unit 103 (step S111-5). At this time, the management identification code is as described above.
A code system of a code indicating that it is for management and a normal identification code is adopted. Therefore, when searching the product name file 171, only the normal identification code is extracted except for the “code indicating that it is for management”, and the extracted normal identification code is used as the basis of the search. The screen displayed on the display unit 103 in this way is the product name confirmation screen E (screen 5 in FIG. 10).

  As shown in FIG. 10, the product name confirmation screen E displays the product name of the product ATL corresponding to the identification code output by the data code reader 107 as “is the selected product XXX?” If it is OK, press the confirm button. " Therefore, if the operator confirms that the selected product is correct, the operator presses the confirm button 106a (see FIG. 2).

  Returning to the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. When determining that the confirm button 106a is pressed (Y in step S111-6), the CPU 152 determines the product ATL confirmed and displayed on the product name confirmation screen E as an inventory target (step S111-7). That is, the CPU 152 stores the identification code of the product ATL in the inventory target area 181b (see FIG. 9) set in the temporary storage area 181 of the RAM 154. Thus, the pre-reading process (product number management code) in step S111 in the flowchart of FIG. 11 is completed.

Returning to the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. When the CPU 152 determines the confirmation of the inventory target (step S109-9 in FIG. 12, step S110-7 in FIG. 13, and step S111-7 in FIG. 14) (Y in step S112), the inventory target is directed to the server 201. An inquiry is made regarding the number of products ATL in stock (step S113). This processing is performed by creating a stock inquiry message for the product ATL that is the inventory target designated with the IP address of the server 201 as the destination, and causing the wireless communication module 158 to wirelessly transmit this message. The stock inquiry message includes the flag value of F = 0 or F = 1 set in step S104 or step S105. In other words, the message for inventory inquiry includes
-IP address of server 201-IP address of own machine-Flag value stored in flag 181a of temporary storage area 181-Includes identification code of product ATL stored in inventory target area 181b of temporary storage area 181 ing.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the handy terminal 101 displays a data acquisition waiting screen F (screen 6 in FIG. 10) on the display unit 103 while inquiring about the inventory quantity of the product ATL to be inventoried. give.

  A message wirelessly transmitted by the handy terminal 101 by the wireless communication module 158 is received by the wireless repeater 31. Then, it is transmitted from the wireless repeater 31 via the local network 401 to the server 201 that is the destination specified in the message. When the server 201 receives the inventory inquiry message (see Y in step S202 in FIG. 17), the server 201 searches the inventory management master area 271 shown in FIG. 5 and acquires the inventory quantity of the inquired product ATL. Then, the acquired inventory quantity is returned by designating the IP address of the handy terminal 101 that is the inquiry source as a destination (see steps S205 to S207 in FIG. 17). This process will be described later in detail with reference to FIG. A reply from the server 201 is transmitted to the wireless repeater 31 via the local network 401. The wireless repeater 31 wirelessly transmits a reply from the server 201. The wirelessly transmitted reply from the server 201 is received by the wireless communication module 158 of the handy terminal 101 that is the inquiry source, because the IP address of the handy terminal 101 that is the inquiry source is designated as the destination. The wireless communication module 158 outputs the inventory quantity of the product ATL included in the reply from the server 201. As a result, the CPU 152 of the handy terminal 101 acquires the inventory quantity of the product ATL.

  Returning to the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. When the CPU 152 determines the acquisition of the inventory quantity of the inquired product ATL (Y in step S114), the CPU 152 stores the acquired value in the theoretical inventory quantity area 181c set in the temporary storage area 181 of the RAM 154 shown in FIG. (Step S115). That is, the acquired inventory quantity value of the product ATL is stored in the theoretical inventory quantity area 181c. Then, the inventory list reflecting the value of the theoretical inventory quantity area 181c set in the temporary storage area 181 is displayed on the display unit 103 (step S116). This screen is an inventory list initial screen G (screen 7 in FIG. 10).

  As shown in FIG. 10, the inventory list initial screen G displays a list having display columns for “theoretical inventory”, “actual inventory”, and “difference”, and displays a message “Please press the start button”. is doing. “Theoretical inventory” is the value of the inventory quantity of the product ATL transmitted from the server 201 and stored in the theoretical inventory quantity area 181c of the temporary storage area 181. In the example shown in FIG. 10, “theoretical inventory” is displayed as “18”. In the stock list initial screen G, “real stock” and “difference” are displayed as blanks.

  The operator presses the start button 106b (see FIG. 2) according to the message displayed on the stock list initial screen G. Then, while holding the handy terminal 101, he / she picks a place where there is an inventory target.

  Returning to the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. When determining that the start button 106b is pressed (Y in step S117), the CPU 152 executes an inventory book process (step S118). The details of the inventory book processing are shown in FIG.

  FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing in detail the processing contents of the inventory book processing in step S118 in the flowchart of FIG. The CPU 152 sets the value of the counter 181d set in the temporary storage area 181 of the RAM 154 to “0” (step S181-1). Then, the RFID reader / writer 108 is activated (step S181-2). Accordingly, the RFID reader / writer 108 performs short-range wireless communication with the IC chip 56b and the management IC chip 58b built in the product tag 56 and the product management tag 58, which are the radio tags RT, and the IC chip 56b stores the information. The identification code and the management identification code stored in the management IC chip 58b are acquired and output. When the CPU 152 determines to acquire the identification code output from the RFID reader / writer 108 (Y in step S118-3), the CPU 152 uses the identification code temporarily stored in the inventory target area 181b (see FIG. 9) in the temporary storage area 181. A match / mismatch is determined (step S118-4). If the acquired identification code matches the temporarily stored identification code (Y in step S118-4), the value of the counter 181d set to “0” in step S118-1 is incremented by 1, and step S118 is performed. Proceed to -6. On the other hand, if they do not match (N in step S118-4), the process directly proceeds to step S118-6.

  Here, in the determination process in step S118-4, the CPU 152 determines whether the acquired identification code matches the identification code temporarily stored in the inventory target area 181b (see FIG. 9). In this case, what is stored in the inventory target area 181b is not the management identification code acquired from the product management tag 58 attached to the partition plate 57 but acquired from the product tag 56 attached to the product ATL. The normal identification code. Therefore, if the identification code determined to be acquired in step S118-3 is a management identification code, a mismatch determination is always made in step S118-4. Therefore, the value of the counter 181d (see FIG. 9) in the temporary storage area 181 is incremented because the normal code acquired from the product tag 56 to which the identification code determined to be acquired in step S118-3 is attached to the product ATL. Only if it is an identification code.

  In the subsequent step S118-6, the CPU 152 refers to the temporary storage area 181 and subtracts the value of the inventory target area 181b from the value of the counter 181d to obtain the difference value. Then, the obtained difference value is stored in the difference value area 181e of the temporary storage area 181.

  Next, the CPU 152 updates the inventory list initial screen G shown in FIG. 10 to the inventory list screen H (screen 8 in FIG. 10) (step S118-7). That is, on the inventory list initial screen G, as described above, the value of the inventory quantity of the product ATL transmitted from the server 201 to the “theoretical inventory” and stored in the theoretical inventory quantity area 181c of the temporary storage area 181 is displayed. , “Actual inventory” and “Difference” are displayed as blanks. On the other hand, on the inventory list screen H, the value of the counter 181d is reflected on the “real inventory”, and the value of the difference value area 181e is reflected on the “difference”.

  Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, in the inventory list screen H, numerical values are displayed in any of the columns “theoretical inventory”, “actual inventory”, and “difference”. Such a stock list screen H displays a message “Please press the send button when finished” in addition to a list having display columns for “theoretical stock”, “actual stock” and “difference”. Thus, the operator presses the transmission button 106c (see FIG. 2) when he / she has held the handy terminal 101 and hesitated a place where there is an inventory target.

  Returning to the description of the flowchart shown in FIG. The CPU 152 repeats the processing of step S118-3 to step S118-8 until it is determined in step S118-8 that the transmission button 106c is pressed. As a result, when the operator finishes all the places where there is an inventory object while holding the handy terminal 101, the actual inventory quantity of the commodity ATL as the inventory object is counted in the counter 181d of the temporary storage area 181 (FIG. 9). Reference) is stored. In the example shown in FIG. 10, “theoretical inventory” is “18”, “real inventory” is “17”, and “difference” is “−1”.

  Here, the RFID reader / writer 108 performs short-range wireless communication at a frequency in the UHF band. For this reason, there is a possibility that the identification code is read many times from the same wireless tag RT during the repetition of the processing of step S118-3 to step S118-8. Cannot be obtained. Therefore, for the wireless tag RT in which communication is once established by the RFID reader / writer 108 and the identification code is read, the CPU 152 stores read data indicating that the identification code has been read in a storage area (not shown) of the wireless tag RT. The RFID reader / writer 108 is driven and controlled so as to record. In this way, it is possible to accurately grasp the actual stock quantity by not performing the increment of the counter 181d (step S118-5) for the wireless tag RT in which the read data is recorded in the storage area. . In addition, when the read data is recorded on the wireless tag RT, the counter 181d can be obtained by attaching an inventory identification code that can identify the current inventory process, for example, a date code or a date code with a branch number to the read code. The read data that should not be incremented (step S118-5) can be specified. Thus, the read data does not affect the next inventory process, and the inventory process can be accurately performed any number of times.

When determining that the transmission button 106c is pressed (Y in step S118-8), the CPU 152 creates an inventory result transmission message and transmits it to the server 201 to repair the process (step S118-9). This processing is performed by designating the IP address of the server 201 as a destination to create an inventory result transmission message and causing the wireless communication module 158 to wirelessly transmit this message. The inventory result transmission message includes the flag value of F = 0 or F = 1 set in step S104 or step S105. In other words, in the inventory result transmission message,
-IP address of server 201-IP address of own machine-Flag value stored in flag 181a of temporary storage area 181-Theoretical inventory number of commodity ATL stored in area 181c of temporary storage area 181-Temporary storage area The actual inventory number of the product ATL stored in the counter 181d of 181. The difference value stored in the difference value area 181e of the temporary storage area 181 is included.

  A message wirelessly transmitted by the handy terminal 101 by the wireless communication module 158 is received by the wireless repeater 31. Then, it is transmitted from the wireless repeater 31 via the local network 401 to the server 201 that is the destination specified in the message.

  As shown in FIG. 10, after the transmission process of the inventory result transmission message (step S118-9), the display on the display unit 103 of the handy terminal 101 is changed from the inventory list screen H to the inventory processing end screen I (screen in FIG. 10). Transition to 9). On the inventory processing end screen I, a message “Inventory (warehouse) work is completed.” Is displayed, and further, “Menu” is displayed. The “menu” is an object that can be touched by the touch panel 105. Therefore, when “Menu” is specified by touching the touch panel 105, the screen display of the display unit 103 returns to the menu screen A.

  As described above, according to the handy terminal 101 of the present embodiment, the identification code of the commodity ATL, which is an article to be inventoried, is acquired on site and the RAM 154 (inventory object area 181b of the temporary storage area 181) is obtained. ) And the identification code can be easily collected by a technique utilizing the characteristic of the RFID technology that the identification code can be collected at once from a plurality of wireless tags RT in the communicable range. Since the number of identification codes identical to the identification code stored in the RAM 154 (inventory target area 181b of the temporary storage area 181) is obtained from the collected identification codes as the actual inventory quantity, a specific product ATL is obtained. In the case of taking inventory, it is possible to facilitate the operation of obtaining the identification code from the product ATL to be inventoried, and to dramatically reduce the work load.

  Further, according to the handy terminal 101 of the present embodiment, the inventory management master area 271 (inventory database) shown in FIG. 5 stores and stores the identification code of each product ATL and the theoretical stock quantity of the product ATL in association with each other. ), The theoretical stock quantity linked to the identification code that is the inventory target stored in the RAM 154 (the inventory target area 181b of the temporary storage area 181) can be acquired (see steps S113 to S115 in FIG. 11). Since the obtained theoretical inventory quantity, the obtained actual inventory quantity, and the value of the difference between the two are displayed on the display unit 103 (see the inventory list screen H in FIG. 10 and step S118-7 in FIG. 16), The operator can be shown in real time whether or not the theoretical stock quantity and the actual stock quantity match. In addition, since the display on the display unit 103 also indicates the progress of the inventory work, the operator can be given a sense of security by indicating the progress of the work, and can understand the guideline for the end of the work. Can do.

  Furthermore, according to the handy terminal 101 of the present embodiment, the obtained actual inventory quantity is transmitted and output to the server 201 which is the host machine (see step S118-9 in FIG. 16). Can be used for inventory management processing. Hereinafter, the processing content in the server 201 including the case where the actual inventory quantity of the commodity ATL that is the inventory target is received will be described.

  FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the processing contents when an event occurs in the server 201. The CPU 252 of the server 201 stands by for determining whether or not an event has occurred (step S201). Therefore, when the CPU 252 determines the occurrence of an event (Y in step S201), whether it is an inventory inquiry (see step S113 in FIG. 11) (step S202), an inventory result transmission message (step S118-9 in FIG. 16). Reference) is received (step S203), and if not, other processing is executed (step S204).

  When the CPU 252 of the server 201 determines that the generated event is an inventory inquiry (Y in step S202), the CPU 252 refers to the flag value (the value of the flag 181a in FIG. 9) included in the inventory inquiry message. (Step S205). If F = 0 (Y in step S205), the inventory in the warehouse S1 should be specified (see step S103 in FIG. 11, step S104), so the inventory management master area 271 shown in FIG. 5 is searched. Then, the inventory quantity in the warehouse is acquired and returned to the handy terminal 101 (step S206). The inventory quantity in the warehouse in this case is the inventory quantity in the warehouse corresponding to the identification code of the product ATL included in the inventory inquiry message (identification code stored in the inventory target area 181b in FIG. 9). . Thereafter, the CPU 252 ends the process. On the other hand, if F = 0 is not satisfied (N in step S205), the inventory in the sales floor S2 should be designated (see N in step S103 in FIG. 11, step S105), so that the inventory management shown in FIG. The master area 271 is searched, the inventory quantity in the sales floor is acquired and returned to the handy terminal 101 (step S207). The in-sale inventory quantity in this case is the in-sale inventory quantity corresponding to the identification code of the product ATL included in the inventory inquiry message (identification code stored in the inventory target area 181b in FIG. 9). . Thereafter, the CPU 252 ends the process.

  As described above, the inventory quantity in the warehouse or the inventory quantity in the sales floor sent back by the server 201 designates the IP address of the handy terminal 101 as the inquiry source as the destination as described above. It is transmitted to the repeater 31 and sent back from the wireless repeater 31 to the handy terminal 101 that is the inquiry source.

  When the CPU 252 of the server 201 determines that the generated event is reception of an inventory result transmission message (Y in step S203), the flag value (the value of the flag 181a in FIG. 9) included in the inventory result transmission message ) Is referred to (step S208).

  If F = 0 as a result of the reference in step S208 (Y in step S208), the inventory in the warehouse S1 should be designated (see Y in step S103 in FIG. 11, step S104). Therefore, in this case, the CPU 252 executes log recording in the warehouse of the inventory log area 281 shown in FIG. In other words, the CPU 252 logs the current date and time that can be measured by its own clock circuit (not shown) in the “date and time” of the inventory log area 281, and in response to this, the “identification code” and “inventory inventory” Log "theoretical inventory quantity", "actual inventory quantity" and "difference".

  The “identification code” in the inventory log area 281 reflects the identification code of the product ATL included in the inventory result transmission message (the identification code stored in the inventory target area 181b in FIG. 9).

  The “theoretical inventory quantity” in the inventory log area 281 reflects the value of the theoretical inventory quantity (theoretical inventory quantity of the product ATL stored in the area 181c of the temporary storage area 181) included in the inventory result transmission message. Let

  The “real inventory quantity” in the inventory log area 281 reflects the value of the actual inventory quantity (the actual inventory quantity of the product ATL stored in the counter 181d of the temporary storage area 181) included in the inventory result transmission message. Let

  The “difference” in the temporary storage area 181 reflects the difference value included in the inventory result transmission message (the difference value stored in the difference value area 181e of the temporary storage area 181).

  Then, the CPU 252 determines whether or not the difference value included in the inventory result transmission message is “0” (step S210). If it is “0” (Y in step S210), the theoretical inventory number registered in the inventory management master area 271 shown in FIG. 5 matches the actual inventory number obtained as a result of the inventory work. Therefore, the process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if it is not “0” (N in step S210), the theoretical stock number registered in the stock management master area 271 shown in FIG. 5 and the actual stock number obtained as a result of the inventory work are equal. This is not done, so it is necessary to match this. Therefore, the inventory quantity in the warehouse of the inventory management master area 271 shown in FIG. 5 is updated to the actual inventory quantity included in the inventory result transmission message (step S211), and the process ends. In this case, the inventory quantity in the warehouse is the inventory quantity in the warehouse corresponding to the identification code of the product ATL included in the inventory result transmission message (identification code stored in the inventory target area 181b in FIG. 9).

  As a result of the reference in step S208, if F = 0 is not satisfied (N in step S208), the inventory in the sales floor S2 should be designated (see step S103 in FIG. 11, step S105). Therefore, in this case, the CPU 252 executes log recording in the sales floor of the inventory log area 281 shown in FIG. In other words, the CPU 252 logs the current date and time that can be measured by its own clock circuit (not shown) in the “date and time” of the inventory log area 281, and in response to this, the “identification code” and “ Log "theoretical inventory quantity", "actual inventory quantity" and "difference".

  The “identification code” in the inventory log area 281 reflects the identification code of the product ATL included in the inventory result transmission message (the identification code stored in the inventory target area 181b in FIG. 9).

  The “theoretical inventory quantity” in the inventory log area 281 reflects the value of the theoretical inventory quantity (theoretical inventory quantity of the product ATL stored in the area 181c of the temporary storage area 181) included in the inventory result transmission message. Let

  The “real inventory quantity” in the inventory log area 281 reflects the value of the actual inventory quantity (the actual inventory quantity of the product ATL stored in the counter 181d of the temporary storage area 181) included in the inventory result transmission message. Let

  The “difference” in the temporary storage area 181 reflects the difference value included in the inventory result transmission message (the difference value stored in the difference value area 181e of the temporary storage area 181).

  Then, the CPU 252 determines whether or not the difference value included in the inventory result transmission message is “0” (step S213). If it is “0” (Y in step S213), the theoretical inventory number registered in the inventory management master area 271 shown in FIG. 5 matches the actual inventory number obtained as a result of the inventory work. Therefore, the process is terminated as it is. On the other hand, if it is not “0” (N in step S213), the number of theoretical stocks registered in the stock management master area 271 shown in FIG. 5 and the number of actual stocks obtained as a result of the inventory work are one. This is not done, so it is necessary to match this. Therefore, the inventory quantity in the warehouse of the inventory management master area 271 shown in FIG. 5 is updated to the actual inventory quantity included in the inventory result transmission message (step S214), and the process ends. In this case, the inventory quantity in the warehouse is the inventory quantity in the warehouse corresponding to the identification code of the product ATL included in the inventory result transmission message (identification code stored in the inventory target area 181b in FIG. 9).

  As described above, according to the server 201 of the present embodiment, when the inventory result transmission message is received from the handy terminal 101, the inventory management master area 271 shown in FIG. A log can be left in the inventory log area 281 shown in FIG.

1 is a schematic diagram of a store (warehouse + sales floor) in which an inventory management system is installed as an embodiment of the present invention. It is a front view of a handy terminal (inventory support device). It is a block diagram which shows the system outline | summary of an inventory management system. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical connection of a server. It is a schematic diagram which shows the recording data of the inventory management master area (inventory database) memorize | stored and stored in HDD of the server. It is a schematic diagram which shows the recording data of the inventory log area memorize | stored and preserve | saved at HDD of the server. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical connection of a handy terminal (inventory support apparatus). It is a schematic diagram which shows the recording data of the product name file memorize | stored and preserve | saved at the flash ROM of the handy terminal (inventory support device). It is a schematic diagram which shows the temporary storage area set to the work area of RAM of a handy terminal (inventory support apparatus) at the time of inventory support processing. It is a schematic diagram which shows the example of a screen transition of a handy terminal (inventory support apparatus). It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the inventory support process in a handy terminal (inventory support apparatus). 12 is a flowchart showing in detail the processing content of a pre-reading process in step S109 in the flowchart of FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing in detail the processing content of a pre-reading process in step S110 in the flowchart of FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing in detail the processing content of a pre-reading process in step S111 in the flowchart of FIG. It is a schematic diagram which shows a mode that the operator is going to perform a pre-reading process (step S109-111 of FIG. 11) by the handy terminal (inventory support apparatus). 12 is a flowchart showing in detail the processing contents of the inventory book processing in step S118 in the flowchart of FIG. It is a flowchart which shows the processing content at the time of the event generation in a server.

Explanation of symbols

  56a ... Bar code (code symbol), 103 ... Display unit, 104 ... Input unit, 107 ... Data code reader, 108 ... RFID reader / writer (RFID reader), 152 ... CPU (information processing unit), 154 ... RAM (memory) 201: Server (host machine), 271 ... Inventory management master area (inventory database), ATL ... Product (article), RT ... Wireless tag

Claims (6)

An information processing unit for executing information processing;
A display unit having an information display function;
An input unit having an information input function;
An RFID reader that performs short-range wireless communication with a wireless tag that stores an identification code for identifying an article;
The information processing unit includes:
A list of product names associated with one or more identification codes read from a wireless tag by short-range wireless communication by the RFID reader is displayed on the display unit, and one identification code is selected by designating the product name by the input unit A process of allowing specification and storing one selected identification code in a memory as an inventory target;
Among the identification codes read from the wireless tag by short-range wireless communication by the RFID reader, a process for obtaining the number of identification codes identical to the identification code that is the inventory object stored in the memory as the actual inventory number;
Inventory support device that executes. An information processing unit for executing information processing;
A display unit having an information display function;
An input unit having an information input function;
An RFID reader that performs short-range wireless communication with a wireless tag that stores an identification code for identifying an article;
The information processing unit includes:
A process of storing an identification code read from a wireless tag by short-range wireless communication by the RFID reader in a memory as an inventory target;
Among the identification codes read from the wireless tag by short-range wireless communication by the RFID reader, a process for obtaining the number of identification codes identical to the identification code that is the inventory object stored in the memory as the actual inventory number;
Inventory support device that executes. An information processing unit for executing information processing;
A display unit having an information display function;
An input unit having an information input function;
An RFID reader that performs short-range wireless communication with a wireless tag that stores an identification code for identifying an article;
A data code reader that optically reads a code symbol obtained by symbolizing an identification code for identifying an article and decodes the identification code;
The information processing unit includes:
A process of storing an identification code read and decoded from a code symbol by the data code reader in a memory as an inventory target;
Among the identification codes read from the wireless tag by short-range wireless communication by the RFID reader, a process for obtaining the number of identification codes identical to the identification code that is the inventory object stored in the memory as the actual inventory number;
Inventory support device that executes. The information processing unit
Processing for obtaining the theoretical inventory number linked to the identification code stored in the memory from the inventory database in which the identification code of each article and the theoretical inventory quantity of the article are linked and stored. When,
Processing for displaying the acquired theoretical inventory quantity and the obtained actual inventory quantity on the display unit;
The inventory support device according to claim 1, 2, or 3. The information processing unit
Processing for obtaining a value of a difference between the obtained theoretical inventory quantity and the obtained actual inventory quantity;
Processing for displaying the obtained difference value on the display unit;
The inventory support device according to claim 4, wherein:   The inventory support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the information processing unit executes a process of transmitting and outputting the determined actual stock quantity to a host machine.

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