JP2014026542A - Management device, management method, control program, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To adjust the number of carts of a cart depository without needing manual adjustment work.SOLUTION: A management device 2 according to the present invention includes: a cart information storage part 30 for associating a cart with a user to store the cart; a customer information storage part 31 for storing a score in each user: a number-of-carts adjustment part 22 for specifying a cart depository in which the number of carts should be adjusted; a notification part 23 for notifying the user of the specified cart depository; and a score update part 24 for updating the score of the user having moved the cart in a case that the number of carts of the cart depository fluctuates.

Description

  The present invention relates to a management device and a management method for managing a cart.

  When a product is purchased at a store such as a supermarket or a shopping mall, a shopping cart (hereinafter referred to as a cart) may be used. In particular, a customer who visits a store by car can use the cart to easily carry the purchased product to the car, which is very convenient.

  However, there may be a problem that the customer cannot use the cart because there are not enough carts in the cart storage area. In this case, in order to use the cart, the customer must move to another cart place, so that comfortable use is impaired.

  The reason for the above problem is that the cart is left in a place other than the cart storage area. As a technique for solving this problem, the technique of Patent Document 1 can be cited. In Patent Document 1, a parking ID for identifying a parking lot user and a cart ID for identifying each cart are registered as a pair to manage the rental and collection of the cart. A technique for controlling the parking lot exit so as not to open when it is not returned is disclosed.

  Another reason for the occurrence of the above problem is that the cart is biased and returned only to a specific cart location, or the cart is biased and taken out only from a specific cart location. Usually, in order to prevent such a problem, the store clerk is adjusting the number of carts between the cart yards. As a technique related to this, Patent Document 2 below discloses a technique for notifying a store clerk when the number of carts placed on a base station installed in a parking lot exceeds a certain value. Thereby, the store clerk may move the cart from the base station to another cart place when the notification is made.

JP 2002-352286 A (released on December 6, 2002) JP 2007-054358 A (published March 8, 2007)

  However, in the technique described in Patent Document 2, in order to adjust the number of carts in each cart place, it is necessary for the store clerk to collect and transport the cart after all. There is a problem that the burden does not change.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to realize a management device and a management method for adjusting the number of carts in a cart place without requiring additional personnel for work. There is to do.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, the management device of the present invention has a cart information storage unit that stores a cart ID of a cart and a user ID of a user of the cart in association with each other, and a score. A user information storage unit that stores the user ID in association with the user ID, an adjustment target specifying unit that specifies a cart place that requires adjustment of the number of carts based on the number of carts in the cart place, and an adjustment target specifying part When the number of carts at the specified cart location fluctuates as the user moves the cart, the notification means for notifying the cart user of the information of the cart location specified by the user Of the scores stored in the information storage unit, score updating means for updating the score of the user corresponding to the moved cart is provided.

  According to the above configuration, the cart to be used and the cart user are associated with each other in the cart information storage unit. On the other hand, since the carts arranged in the cart yard are taken out or returned by the user, the number of carts in the cart yard is constantly changing. And in the cart yard where adjustment is necessary, it is thought that the cart is insufficient or excessive. Therefore, the adjustment target specifying means specifies the cart location that requires adjustment of the number of carts based on the number of carts in the monitored cart location.

  When a cart location that needs to be adjusted is identified, information about the cart location is notified to the cart user. The notification means may perform visual notification by displaying information on the display unit, or may perform auditory notification by outputting sound. Thereby, the cart user can know which cart place needs adjustment of the number of carts, and can use the cart after knowing this. That is, the user can contribute to the adjustment of the number of carts by taking out the cart from the specific cart location or returning it to the specific cart location.

  The user who contributed to the adjustment of the cart is specified by the association information between the cart and the user stored in the above-described cart information storage unit.

  The score update means updates the score associated with the user who has contributed to the cart adjustment. The score information is stored for each user in the user information storage unit. The score can be used as information that represents the property of the user who can enjoy the benefits by consuming.

  As described above, the management device informs the user of the cart location that needs to be adjusted, prompts the user to adjust the number of carts, and gives a score as compensation for the user who actually contributed to the adjustment. Can be provided.

  In this way, the use of the cart that contributes to the adjustment of the number of carts by the cart user himself is promoted.

  As a result, there is an effect that it is possible to adjust the number of carts in each cart place without allocating additional personnel to the adjustment of the number of carts in the cart place.

  The adjustment target specifying means compares the current number of carts in the current cart location acquired by the cart location monitoring device that monitors the cart location with the target cart number preset for the cart location, When the number exceeds the target number of carts, the cart number is specified as an excessive number of carts. When the current number of carts falls below the target number of carts, the number of carts is insufficient. The cart location may be specified as the existing cart location.

  According to the above-described configuration, the user is notified of information on the cart location where the number of carts is insufficient or the cart location where the number of carts is excessive. For this reason, the user can understand the shortage or excessive situation of the cart in the cart place. As a result, the use of a cart that makes up for a shortage of carts (such as returning) or the use of a cart that eliminates excessive carts (such as taking out) is promoted.

  As a result, there is an effect that it is possible to maintain the number of carts in each cart place as intended without allocating additional personnel to the adjustment of the number of carts in the cart place.

  The cart monitoring means, a communication unit that communicates with a communication device mounted on each cart, and cart monitoring means that monitors a cart based on information acquired through the communication unit, the cart monitoring means Corresponds to the cart ID from the cart location monitored by the cart location monitoring device when the cart ID and the user ID are obtained from the communication device and the cart ID is acquired from the cart location monitoring device. If the cart ID is acquired from the cart location monitoring device and the user ID is stored in the cart information storage unit in association with the cart ID, the cart location is determined. It may be determined that the cart corresponding to the cart ID has been returned to the cart yard monitored by the monitoring device.

  According to the above configuration, when the cart is taken out from the cart yard, the cart yard monitoring device reports the cart ID of the cart taken out to the management device. In addition, the cart (communication device) taken out reports its cart ID and the user ID of the user taken out to the management device.

  As a result, the cart monitor means that when the cart ID is reported from the cart location monitoring apparatus and the same cart ID is also reported from the cart, the cart corresponding to the cart ID is taken out from the cart location. Judgment can be made. Furthermore, since the user ID is also reported from the cart, it is possible to manage which cart is taken out by which user in the cart information storage unit.

  Further, according to the above configuration, when the cart is returned to the cart yard, the cart yard monitoring device reports the cart ID of the returned cart to the management device. Here, at the time of return, the cart ID and the user ID stored at the time of take-out should be stored in the cart information storage unit.

  In this way, the cart monitoring means, when the cart ID is reported from the cart location monitoring device and the reported cart ID is stored in the cart information storage unit together with the user ID, Can be determined to have been returned.

  When the cart monitoring means determines that the cart has been taken out, the cart monitoring means includes an associating means for associating the acquired cart ID with the acquired user ID and storing them in the cart information storage unit. preferable.

  This makes it possible to correctly identify the user who has taken out the cart and the user who has returned the cart.

  The score updating means determines the score of the user who has taken out the cart when the cart monitoring means determines that the cart has been taken out of the cart place where the number of carts specified by the adjustment target specifying means is excessive. It is preferable to add.

  This makes it possible to correctly give incentives (scores) to users who have contributed to eliminating the excessive number of carts. As a result, the use by the user himself / herself to eliminate the excessive number of carts (kart take-out) is further promoted.

  The score updating means determines that the user who returned the cart when the cart monitoring means determines that the cart has been returned to the cart yard where the number of carts specified by the adjustment target specifying means is insufficient. It is preferable to add scores.

  Thereby, it is possible to correctly give an incentive (score) to a user who has contributed to solving the shortage of the number of carts. Thereby, the use (return of a cart) which eliminates the shortage of the number of carts is further promoted by the user himself.

  When the cart monitoring unit determines that the cart has been returned, the score update unit calculates a score corresponding to the user ID based on the user ID corresponding to the returned cart. After the addition, the user ID is preferably deleted from the cart information storage unit.

  Thereby, after correctly identifying the user who contributed to solving the shortage of the number of carts and giving an incentive, the association between the cart and the user is canceled. Therefore, even when the cart is used by a plurality of users, it is possible to correctly specify the cart take-out person or the return person at that time.

  Furthermore, the cart monitoring means acquires a cart ID and a user ID from a cart communication device, and the cart ID storage unit stores the user ID in association with the cart ID; and When the user ID different from the cart ID is acquired from the communication device of the cart, it is determined that the user of the cart has been changed, and the score updating unit is configured so that the cart monitoring unit When it is determined that the user has been changed, a score corresponding to the acquired user ID may be added, and a score corresponding to the acquired different user ID may be added.

  According to the above configuration, even when the cart is taken out by the first user and returned to another next user in the middle of being returned, It is possible to give incentives correctly to both users.

  It is considered that the first user contributed to avoiding the inconvenience that the cart was left without being returned to the cart yard by giving the cart to the next user. On the other hand, it is considered that the next user contributed to avoiding the inconvenience that the cart was left without being returned to the cart place by taking over the cart and continuing to use it.

  Thus, by giving incentives to both users who have contributed to the reduction of abandoned carts, the reduction of abandoned carts is promoted.

  As a result, there is an effect that it is possible to reduce the number of abandoned carts without allocating additional personnel for collecting the abandoned carts.

  When the cart monitoring means determines that the user of the cart has been changed, the score updating means corresponds to the user ID based on the user ID corresponding to the cart. After adding the score, it is preferable to store the received different user ID in the cart information storage unit in association with the cart ID instead of the user ID.

  Thereby, after the first user who contributed to the reduction of the abandoned cart and the next user are correctly identified and given an incentive, the association between the cart and the user is changed. Therefore, even when the cart is handed over in the middle, it is possible to correctly manage the actual cart user and identify the contributor in a balanced manner.

  It is preferable that the notification means notifies the score to be added when the user contributes to the adjustment of the number of carts in the cart place in addition to the specified place of the cart place.

  Thereby, the user can know not only the information (location) about the cart place that needs to be adjusted, but also the score obtained when contributing to the adjustment of the cart place.

  In this way, the use of carts that contribute to the adjustment of the number of carts is further promoted.

  The management method of the present invention is a management method executed by a management device that manages a cart in order to solve the above-described problem, and the management device includes a cart ID of a cart and a user of the user of the cart. A cart information storage unit that associates and stores an ID; and a user information storage unit that stores a score in association with the user ID of the user who owns the ID. Based on the number of carts, an adjustment target specifying step for specifying a cart place that requires adjustment of the number of carts, and an informing step for notifying cart users of information on the cart place specified in the adjustment target specifying step; When the number of carts in the identified cart storage area varies with the movement of the cart by the user, the score stored in the user information storage unit is moved. It is characterized by including the score updating step of updating the score of the user corresponding to the cart.

  The management apparatus may be realized by a computer. In this case, a control program for the management apparatus that causes the management apparatus to be realized by the computer by causing the computer to operate as the above-described means, and the program are recorded. Computer-readable recording media are also within the scope of the present invention.

  In order to solve the above-described problems, the management device of the present invention benefits from consumption by a cart information storage unit that stores the cart ID of the cart and the user ID of the user of the cart in association with each other. A user information storage unit that stores a possible score in association with a user ID of a user who owns the score, and an adjustment that specifies a cart place that requires adjustment of the number of carts based on the number of carts in the cart place Target specifying means, notification means for notifying cart users of information on the cart location specified by the adjustment target specifying means, and the number of carts specified in the cart location as the user moves the cart Of the score stored in the user information storage unit in the cart information storage unit, the score update for updating the score of the user corresponding to the moved cart is performed. It is characterized in that it comprises a means.

  The management method of the present invention is a management method executed by a management device that manages a cart in order to solve the above-described problem, and the management device includes a cart ID of a cart and a user of the user of the cart. A cart information storage unit that stores IDs in association with each other, and a user information storage unit that stores, in association with the user ID of the user who owns the score that can enjoy the benefits of consumption. The management method includes, based on the number of carts in the cart place, an adjustment target specifying step for specifying a cart place that requires adjustment of the number of carts, and information on the cart place specified in the adjustment target specifying step. When the number of carts at the specified cart location fluctuates with the notification step for notifying the user and the movement of the cart by the user, the information is stored in the user information storage unit. Of the scores are in the cart information storage unit is characterized by including the score updating step of updating the score of the user corresponding to the cart moves.

  As a result, there is an effect that it is possible to adjust the number of carts in the cart yard without requiring additional personnel for work.

It is a block diagram which shows the principal part structure of the management apparatus in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the structure of the cart management system in one Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the cart management information memorize | stored in the cart information storage part, and a specific example. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the cart place information memorize | stored in the cart place information storage part, and a specific example. It is a figure which shows the data structure of the customer management information memorize | stored in the customer information storage part, and a specific example. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of a process of each apparatus which constructs a cart management system. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a table update process, a link | linkage process, and a point update process performed by the management apparatus, when a cart is taken out from a cart place. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the cart number adjustment process performed by the management apparatus. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the table update process, the linking process, and the point update process which are performed by the management device when the cart is returned to the cart yard. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a table update process, a link | linkage process, and a point update process performed by the management apparatus, when a user is changed during the use of a cart.

Embodiment 1
One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. In this embodiment, as an example, a cart management system laid to manage each cart in the store when a plurality of carts are arranged in the store and the customer uses these carts will be described. Hereinafter, a customer who comes to the store for shopping is referred to as a “user” who uses a cart.

[Configuration of cart management system]
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of the cart management system 1 in the embodiment of the present invention.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the cart management system 1 according to the present embodiment includes at least a management device 2, a cart 3, a cart location monitoring device 4, and a display device 5.

  The management device 2 is a device that manages the cart management system 1 in an integrated manner. The management device 2 communicates with each device constituting the cart management system 1 to manage information transmitted and received. Details of the management apparatus 2 will be described later.

  The cart 3 is a transport device that can be used by a user who visits a store to transport products and the like. While the cart 3 is not used, a plurality of carts 3 are usually arranged at one or more cart locations provided in the store, and the user can freely take out from the cart location.

  In the present embodiment, the cart 3 includes a communication unit 301 that communicates with each external device, a tag unit 302 that holds a cart ID that identifies an individual cart, and a customer ID (use of a cart user). A reading unit 303 for reading the user ID). The tag unit 302 is realized by, for example, an IC tag that causes the cart storage monitoring device 4 to read a cart ID for identifying a cart. In this embodiment, the store card 6 from which the customer ID can be read is given to the user who desires. When the customer ID is realized by a barcode printed on the store card 6, the reading unit 303 is realized by a barcode reader. Alternatively, when the store card 6 is realized by a contactless IC card in which a customer ID is embedded, the reading unit 303 is realized by an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag reader or an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag reader. The Alternatively, the communication unit 301 that performs wireless communication with an external device may function as the reading unit 303. The communication unit 301 transmits the customer ID, which is detected by the reading unit 303 and identifies the user of the cart using the cart 3, to the management apparatus 2 via a communication network (not shown). Note that the wireless communication is realized by an appropriate communication technique such as Bluetooth (registered trademark) or infrared communication.

  The cart yard monitoring device 4 is installed in a cart yard provided at an arbitrary location in the store, and monitors the status of the cart yard. The cart storage monitoring device 4 includes a reading unit 401 that reads the cart ID of the cart 3 and a communication unit 402 that transmits the read cart ID to the management device 2. For example, when the tag unit 302 that holds the cart ID is realized by an IC tag, the reading unit 401 is realized by an IC tag reader. Alternatively, the communication unit 402 that performs wireless communication with an external device may function as the reading unit 401. The communication unit 402 transmits the status of the cart yard (such as the number of carts) detected by the reading unit 401 to the management apparatus 2 via a communication network (not shown).

  The display device 5 presents various information to the user who shop in the store, and is provided in an arbitrary place in the store where the user can see. In particular, the display device 5 notifies the status of each cart place among the information managed by the management device 2. The status displayed by the display device 5 will be described later.

  In the present embodiment, the status notification of each cart place to the user is visually implemented by the display device 5, but the cart management system 1 of the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the notification may be performed audibly by a speaker outputting the status information as a sound.

  As described above, the management device 2 communicates with each device to monitor the status (the number of carts) of each cart location, and controls the display device 5 to change the status of the cart location to the user who uses the cart. Is notified. As a result, the management device 2 can allow the users themselves to perform cart adjustment work. Furthermore, the management device 2 can manage the cart and the cart user in association with each other, and can manage the contribution of the users to the adjustment work. This makes it possible to pay the user who has contributed, and as a result, the work of the user can be promoted and the cart can be managed more efficiently.

[Configuration of management device]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a main configuration of the management device 2 according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  As illustrated in FIG. 1, the management device 2 according to the present embodiment includes at least a communication unit 11, a control unit 12, and a storage unit 13.

  The communication unit 11 is a communication device in which the management device 2 transmits and receives information to and from external devices. In the present embodiment, information is transmitted to and received from the cart 3, the cart storage monitoring device 4, and the display device 5 that constitute the cart management system 1.

  The storage unit 13 is (1) a control program executed by the control unit 12 of the management device 2, (2) an OS program executed by the control unit 12, and (3) the control unit 12 executes various functions of the management device 2. And (4) various data to be read when executing the application program are stored non-temporarily. For example, the above data (1) to (4) include ROM (read only memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable ROM), EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electrically EPROM), HDD (Hard Disc Drive), etc. Stored in a storage device.

  For example, the storage unit 13 of the present embodiment includes a cart information storage unit 30, a customer information storage unit 31, and a cart storage information storage unit 32. Details of these tables will be described later.

  The management device 2 may include a temporary storage unit (not shown). The temporary storage unit is a so-called working memory that temporarily stores data used for calculation, calculation results, and the like in the course of various processes executed by the management device 2, and is composed of a storage device such as a RAM (Random Access Memory). Is done.

  Which data is to be stored in which storage device is appropriately determined based on the purpose of use, convenience, cost, physical restrictions, and the like of the management device 2.

  The control unit 12 performs overall control of each unit included in the management device 2. The control unit 12 includes, as function blocks, a cart monitoring unit 20, a linking unit 21, a cart number adjusting unit 22, a notification unit 23, and a score update in order to realize the function of the management device 2 of the present invention to adjust the cart. Part 24 is included.

  Each functional block of the control unit 12 described above is stored in, for example, a storage device (storage unit 13) in which a central processing unit (CPU) is realized by a read only memory (ROM), a non-volatile random access memory (NVRAM), or the like. This can be realized by reading the stored program into a RAM (random access memory) (not shown) and executing it.

  The cart monitoring unit 20 monitors the usage status of each cart and the number of carts in each cart place. Specifically, when there is a change in the number of carts in each cart place, the cart monitoring unit 20 sends information on the monitoring result (for example, cart ID) from the cart place monitoring device 4 via the communication unit 11. Accept. The cart monitoring unit 20 updates the information stored in the cart information storage unit 30 and the cart storage information storage unit 32 in order to reflect the received monitoring result.

  In addition, when the cart monitoring unit 20 changes the number of carts in each cart place due to the movement of the cart 3 by the user, the change is contributed to the adjustment of the number of carts. The score update unit 24 is notified of the occurrence.

  Here, “contributing to the adjustment of the number of carts” means that when the store side wants to reduce the number of carts placed in a certain cart place, the user takes out the cart from the cart place and the number of carts. When the user wants to increase the number, the user returns the cart to the cart storage area.

  The associating unit 21 manages each cart and each cart user by associating them.

  When the cart 3 is taken out of the cart yard, the associating unit 21 receives a cart ID and a customer ID from the cart 3 via the communication unit 11. Then, the associating unit 21 associates the cart being used with the customer ID of the user, and updates the information stored in the cart information storage unit 30.

  When the cart 3 is returned to the cart yard, the associating unit 21 receives a cart ID from the cart yard monitoring device 4. Then, the customer ID associated with the used cart is canceled.

  The cart number adjustment unit 22 adjusts the number of carts by referring to the information stored in the cart storage information storage unit 32 and grasping the current state of each cart storage. Specifically, the cart number adjusting unit 22 compares the ideal number of carts (target number of carts) set in advance for each cart place with the current number of carts arranged in the cart place. Then, the cart number adjusting unit 22 determines whether or not the number of carts needs to be adjusted in each cart place. The cart number adjustment unit 22 generates status information of the cart place based on the comparison result or the determination result, and notifies the notification unit 23 of the status information.

  The notification unit 23 notifies the status information of each cart place received from the cart number adjustment unit 22 to the user who uses the cart. The notification unit 23 transmits the status information to the display device 5 via the communication unit 11 and causes the display device 5 to display the status information. As a result, the user can check the status information displayed on the display device 5 to understand the state of each cart place (excessive number of carts, insufficient number of carts, etc.). .

  The score update unit 24 executes information processing for paying the user who has contributed to the adjustment of the number of carts. Specifically, the score update unit 24 updates the stored score for each registered user in the customer information storage unit 31.

  The score is information indicating the number of points that can be exchanged for profits. Specifically, the score is a numerical value of the amount of profit that the user can enjoy from the store. In the present embodiment, in exchange for the score, the user can enjoy various services provided by the store or money. That is, the user can enjoy a predetermined profit by consuming the score. Benefits that users can enjoy are not limited to this, but cash according to the score, discount coupons according to the score, free parking tickets for the time according to the score, goods or services according to the score, etc. It is. In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the score is a point used for a discount or the like at a store. By presenting the store card 6 described above at the cash register, the user can receive a discount for the amount of points (score) that he holds.

  That is, the score update unit 24 pays the contribution for the user who contributes to the adjustment of the number of carts by adding a predetermined amount of the user's score.

  Specifically, upon receiving information from the cart monitoring unit 20 that the contribution of cart number adjustment has occurred, the score update unit 24 refers to the cart information storage unit 30 and identifies the contributing user. Thereafter, the customer's score (here, points) stored in the customer information storage unit 31 is updated.

[Cart Management Table]
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data structure and a specific example of cart management information stored in the cart information storage unit 30. In FIG. 3, the cart management information is shown in a table format data structure as an example, and the data structure of the cart management information is not intended to be limited to the table format. Hereinafter, the same applies to other figures for explaining the data structure.

  The cart management information (hereinafter, cart management table) shown in FIG. 3 stores data indicating the status of the cart and a customer ID that identifies the current user of the cart in association with the cart ID that identifies the cart. It has a structure. Further, a customer ID for specifying a user in front of the cart may be stored. Here, the cart ID, customer ID, and cart location ID, which will be described later, are represented by alphanumeric characters, but any character string may be used, and the management device 2 uniquely identifies each cart. Any information can be used.

  The “cart status” column stores information indicating the usage status of each cart. Specifically, when the cart is not used and is placed in the cart yard, information indicating that it is unused is stored. In the example shown in FIG. 3, the cart location ID of the cart location where the cart is placed is stored in the column. Instead of this, information such as “unused” and “standby” may be stored. On the other hand, when the cart is being used by a customer, information indicating that the cart is being used, such as “in use”, is stored. It is assumed that the management device 2 determines that the cart is in use from when the cart is taken out of the cart yard until it is returned to the cart yard again.

  In the “current user” column, the customer ID of the user who is currently using the cart is stored. The user of the cart 3 is specified by the reading unit 303 reading the customer ID from the user's store card 6, but there may be a case where the customer ID cannot be read (the user does not have a store card, Such). In this case, in place of the customer ID, information indicating that the user is unknown, such as “unknown”, may be stored in this column, or this column is empty with no information stored. There may be.

  In the “pre-user” column, when the cart is returned, the customer ID of the user who used the cart until just before the return is stored. That is, the customer ID of the user who returned the cart to the cart storage is stored. The customer ID stored in this column may be the customer ID stored in the column of the current user until immediately before return. Therefore, when the returned user is not specified (in the case of “unknown”), this column may be empty without storing information.

[Cartyard management table]
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a data structure and a specific example of the cart location information stored in the cart location information storage unit 32. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the cart storage information has a data structure in a table format, and is hereinafter referred to as a cart storage management table.

  The cart storage management table shown in FIG. 4 stores the target number of carts, the current number of carts, and the status of the cart storage in association with the cart storage ID for identifying each of the cart storages (cart storage monitoring device 4). Has a data structure.

  In the “target cart number” column, the ideal number of carts to be kept in the cart storage area is stored. The numerical value stored in this column is preset by, for example, a store operator. The operator may determine the ideal number of carts for each cart site based on the size and location of each cart site, from the viewpoint of comfortable use by the user or ease of work by workers. . Needless to say, the numerical values stored in this column can be changed as appropriate.

  For example, if it is desired to eliminate the bias in the number of carts between the cart locations, the target number of carts in each cart location may be set to the same number. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 4, the preferred number of carts may be set in consideration of the size and location of each cart place.

  In the “current cart number” column, the number of carts currently arranged in each cart place is stored. Since the cart site monitoring device 4 installed in each cart site monitors taking out and returning of the cart, the number of carts in this column is updated at an appropriate timing according to the monitoring result.

  In the column “Kart Storage Status”, information indicating the status of the cart storage related to the number of carts is stored. In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, “too many” information indicating a situation where the number of carts is excessive or “insufficient” information indicating a situation where the number of carts is insufficient is stored in this column. In the example shown in FIG. 4, when the current cart number in the cart place matches or substantially matches the target cart number, no information is stored in this column, but information such as “appropriate” is stored. May be.

  In the present embodiment, when the current cart number exceeds the target cart number by a predetermined number (for example, 5) or more, information on “excess” is stored in the column. On the other hand, when the current number of carts is smaller than the target number of carts by a predetermined number (for example, 5) or more, information on “insufficient” is stored in the column. The status of the cart storage area is updated at an appropriate timing in response to the update of the target cart number or the current cart number.

  The example shown in FIG. 4 is merely an example of information stored in the “cart storage status” column. For example, a numerical value obtained by calculating (“current cart number” − “target cart number”) may be stored in this column. For example, in the example illustrated in FIG. 4, 8, 2, and -5 may be stored in order from the top of each record.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, the status is classified into three stages of “excessive”, “insufficient”, and “− (appropriate)”, but the status can be further multistaged. For example, stages such as “excessive”, “super shortage”, “slightly excessive”, “slightly insufficient” may be provided. Thereby, in the cart management system 1, it is possible to realize cart management in consideration of the necessity, importance, or priority of cart number adjustment in each cart place. In this case, the storage unit 13 is not limited to this, but it is preferable to separately hold a table that defines the correspondence between the value of “(current cart number) −“ target cart number ”) and each stage of the status. .

  Information on each cart location read from the cart location management table is supplied to the display device 5 by the notification unit 23. The display device 5 displays the information on the cart location received from the notification unit 23 on a screen (for example, the screen 501 in FIG. 2) to notify the status of the cart location. Thereby, the user of a cart can grasp | ascertain the condition of a cart place. That is, it is possible to determine in which cart place the cart is insufficient or surplus. Accordingly, the adjustment of the number of carts by the user can be promoted.

  Further, the notification unit 23 may transmit information on the value (in this case, points) to be provided to the user who has contributed to the adjustment of the number of carts to the display device 5. Thereby, the display device 5 can display the incentive information 502 on the screen 501.

  Thus, by using the points that can be used in the store as incentives and notifying the user of this information, the adjustment of the number of carts by the user can be further promoted.

[Customer management table]
FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a data structure and a specific example of customer management information stored in the customer information storage unit 31. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the customer management information has a data structure in a table format, and is hereinafter referred to as a customer management table.

  The customer management table shown in FIG. 5 has a data structure for storing a score in association with a customer ID for identifying each user who shop at a store. As described above, the score is obtained by quantifying the profit that the user can enjoy from the store. In the present embodiment, as an example, the score is a point that can be used for discount when shopping at the store. .

  The “Points” column stores the total number of points paid to each user from the store. In the present embodiment, when the user contributes to the adjustment of the number of carts, that is, when the user takes out the cart from the cart storage area having the excessive number of carts, or the cart is placed in the cart storage area having the insufficient number of carts. Is returned, points associated with the user ID of the user are added.

[Operation flow of management device]
Next, using FIGS. 2 to 5 as specific examples, an operation flow of each unit of the control unit 12 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing of each device that constructs the cart management system 1.

  It is assumed that the user U has taken out the cart 3 from a certain cart place. At this time, the user U holds the stored store card 6 over the reading unit 303 of the cart 3 taken out. The IC tag of the store card 6 transmits the customer U's customer ID to the reading unit 303 (S1), and the reading unit 303 acquires the customer ID (S2). The communication unit 301 of the cart 3 transmits the cart ID of the cart 3 held in the tag unit 302 and the customer ID acquired in S2 to the management apparatus 2 (S3). For example, the communication unit 301 wirelessly transmits information to the management apparatus 2 via a communication network (a local area network (LAN), the Internet, etc.) not shown. Note that a series of processing of S1 to S3 is processing that is executed when the cart 3 is taken out of the cart yard. When the cart 3 is returned to the cart yard, the customer ID of the user U of the cart 3 is known information to the management device 2 at the time of the return (because the customer ID has already been acquired when the cart 3 is taken out). Therefore, when the cart 3 is returned, the processing of S1 to S3 is omitted.

  On the other hand, when the user U moves (takes out or returns) the cart 3, the cart location monitoring device 4 that monitors the cart location detects the movement of the cart 3 (S4). When the cart 3 is moved, the reading unit 401 of the cart storage monitoring device 4 acquires the cart ID of the cart 3 from the tag unit 302 (S5). The communication unit 402 transmits the cart location ID for identifying the cart location stored in the cart location monitoring device 4 and the cart ID acquired in S5 to the management device 2 (S6). The communication unit 402 wirelessly transmits information to the management device 2 via the communication network.

  Upon receiving the cart location ID and the cart ID from the cart location monitoring device 4, the management device 2 executes a table update process based on the received information (S7). The process of S <b> 7 is a process of updating each table stored in the cart information storage unit 30 and the cart storage information storage unit 32 as the cart 3 moves. This process is executed by the cart monitoring unit 20 of the management device 2. Furthermore, the associating unit 21 of the management device 2 executes the associating process based on the update of the table in S7 (S8). The process of S8 is a process of managing the association between the cart 3 and the user who uses the cart 3 as the cart 3 is taken out or returned to the user. Note that when the cart 3 is taken out, the associating unit 21 performs the process of S8 based on the customer ID transmitted from the cart 3 in S3. Furthermore, the score update part 24 of the management apparatus 2 performs a point update process as needed with execution of the process of S7 and S8 (S9). The process of S9 is a process for paying consideration to the user who has contributed when there is a contribution to the adjustment of the number of carts as the cart 3 is taken out or returned to the user. is there. The details of each process of S7 to S9 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings when the cart 3 is taken out and when the cart 3 is returned.

  Subsequently, the management device 2 reviews the status of each cart place and executes a cart number adjustment process (S10). The process of S10 is a process for generating information to be notified about the latest situation of each cart place (hereinafter referred to as notification information) and informing the display device 5 of the information. The process of S10 is executed by the cart number adjustment unit 22 and the notification unit 23 as the cart 3 moves. The notification unit 23 supplies notification information including the status of each cart place to each display device 5 in the store, and instructs the user U to notify the notification information. Note that details of the processing of S10 will be described in detail with reference to another drawing.

  Each of the display devices 5 acquires notification information from the management device 2 (S11). The broadcast information may be transmitted and received wirelessly via the communication network. The display device 5 processes the acquired notification information and notifies the user U of the status of each cart place. Specifically, the display device 5 displays a screen for promoting cart adjustment, such as the screen 501 in FIG. 2 (S12).

  As described above, in the cart management system 1 according to the present invention, if the number of carts in each cart place varies with the movement of the cart 3, the contribution is made to the user as necessary. Points are updated, and notification information (information related to the number of carts) is updated and redisplayed.

  FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of table update processing, linking processing, and point update processing executed by the management device 2 when the cart 3 is taken out of the cart yard.

  Upon receiving the cart location ID and the cart ID from the cart location monitoring device 4 (YES in S101), the cart monitoring unit 20 detects that the number of carts has changed in the cart location. Then, it is determined whether the cart 3 has been taken out or returned (S102). Specifically, the cart monitoring unit 20 refers to the cart management table shown in FIG. 3, and the cart status of the received cart ID is in use or is in standby (the cart location ID is stored). Is determined).

  When the status of the cart 3 is waiting (cart location ID is linked), that is, the cart 3 is placed in the cart location until movement is detected in S4. If not used (A in S102), it is determined that the cart 3 has been taken out. Then, the cart monitoring unit 20 reduces the number of current carts associated with the received cart location ID by 1 in the cart location management table of FIG. 4 (S103). For example, when the cart storage ID “P001” is received in S101, the cart monitoring unit 20 updates the current cart number from 18 to 17. In this way, the fact that one cart at the cart location P001 has been taken out is reflected in the cart location management table. Further, the cart monitoring unit 20 updates the status of the cart associated with the received cart ID to “in use” in the cart management table of FIG. 3 (S104).

  On the other hand, the associating unit 21 receives the cart ID and the customer ID from the cart 3 in order to associate the taken-out cart 3 with the user. The customer ID is transmitted to the management device 2 when the cart 3 succeeds in obtaining the customer ID from the user's store card 6.

  When the association unit 21 receives the customer ID from the cart 3 having the same ID as the cart ID received in S101 (YES in S105), the associating unit 21 stores the current user's ID corresponding to the cart ID in the cart management table (FIG. 3). The received customer ID is stored in the column (S106). In this way, the cart in use and its user are linked.

  On the other hand, when the cart 3 cannot acquire the customer ID and cannot receive the customer ID (NO in S105), the associating unit 21 stores “unknown” information instead of storing the customer ID in the column. (S107).

  The cart monitoring unit 20 further determines whether or not the cart removal recognized in S102 contributes to the adjustment of the number of carts (S108). Specifically, the cart monitoring unit 20 in the cart storage management table (FIG. 4), when the cart storage status of the cart storage ID received in S101 is “excessive” (YES in S108), Then, it is determined that it contributed to the adjustment of the number of carts (that is, elimination of the excessive number of carts) (S109). If there is a contribution in this way, the score update unit 24 pays points to the user who has contributed to the elimination of the excessive number of carts (S110). Specifically, the score update unit 24 adds a predetermined point corresponding to the contribution to the point corresponding to the customer ID received in S105 in the customer management table of FIG.

  If the user is not specified (NO in S105), and if taking out the cart does not contribute to the adjustment of the number of carts (NO in S108), the point update in S110 is not executed.

  Subsequently, the management device 2 executes the cart number adjustment process according to the latest cart location status when the status of each cart location changes with the change in the number of carts.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of cart number adjustment processing executed by the management apparatus 2. In the present embodiment, the cart number adjustment process is executed when a change in the number of carts (carrying out or returning a cart) occurs in any cart place. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the management device 2 may be configured to periodically report the number of carts to the cart site monitoring device 4 of each cart site and periodically execute the cart number adjustment process.

  When the cart storage management table shown in FIG. 4 is updated by the cart monitoring unit 20, the cart number adjustment unit 22 compares the target cart number of the cart storage management table with the current cart number (S201). The cart number adjustment unit 22 may execute the comparison for all the records in the cart storage management table, but may compare at least the records updated by the cart monitoring unit 20. For example, in the example of FIG. 7, in S103, the cart monitoring unit 20 may compare the target cart number and the current cart number with respect to the record of the cart location ID obtained by subtracting the current cart number by one. In the present embodiment, as an example of comparison, the cart number adjustment unit 22 obtains the difference cart number d obtained by subtracting the target cart number from the current cart number.

  As a result of the comparison, if the difference cart number d is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold value (for example, 5) (A in S202), the cart number adjustment unit 22 sets “too many” as the status of the cart location of the cart location ID (S203). ). That is, as a result of changing the number of carts at a certain cart location, when the current cart number exceeds the target number of carts than expected, the cart number adjusting unit 22 sets the status of the cart location to the number of carts “too many”. It is determined that there is, and this value is stored in the cart storage management table shown in FIG.

  As a result of the comparison, if the difference cart number d is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold value (for example, −5) (B in S202), the cart number adjustment unit 22 sets “insufficient” as the status of the cart location of the cart location ID ( S204). That is, as a result of changing the number of carts at a certain cart location, when the current number of carts falls below the target number of carts, the cart number adjustment unit 22 sets the status of the cart location to the number of carts “insufficient”. It is determined that there is, and this value is stored in the cart storage management table shown in FIG.

  As a result of the comparison, when the difference cart number d is within a predetermined range (for example, −5 <d <5) (C in S202), the cart number adjustment unit 22 sets the status of the cart location of the cart location ID to “ If “too much” or “insufficient” is set, it is canceled (S205). If nothing was originally set for the status, leave it as it is. Alternatively, the cart number adjustment unit 22 may store a “proper” value indicating that the number of carts is within an allowable range in the status column.

  Subsequently, the notification unit 23 generates notification information in accordance with the latest situation of each cart place changed in accordance with the change in the number of carts (S206). The notification information refers to information to be notified to the cart user. The generated notification information is transmitted to each display device 5 of the cart management system 1 by the notification unit 23 via the communication unit 11 (S207).

  As an example, the notification information may have the same data structure as the cart storage management table shown in FIG. Alternatively, the notification information may have a data structure including a cart storage ID and a cart storage status in the cart storage management table. Furthermore, the notification information may include information (incentive information) about incentives paid as consideration when contributing to the cart number adjustment. For example, when incentive information of “20 points” is included in the broadcast information, 20 points are provided to the user who contributed to eliminating the excessive or insufficient number of carts in each cart place. It means that. The incentive information may be set for each cart location in association with the cart location ID. Each display device 5 can display the incentive information included in the notification information together with the status of each cart place on the screen (such as the incentive information 502 in FIG. 2).

  Thereafter, the management device 2 returns to S101 in FIG. 7 (S7 in FIG. 6), and transits to a standby state for a report accompanying a change in the number of carts transmitted from the cart storage monitoring device 4.

  In S7 to S9 in FIG. 6, when the cart is returned, a process that is partially different from the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is executed.

  FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of table update processing, linking processing, and point update processing executed by the management device 2 when the cart 3 is returned to the cart yard.

  In S101 of FIG. 7, the cart monitoring unit 20 receives the cart number change report (that is, the cart storage ID and the cart ID) from the cart storage monitoring device 4. The cart monitoring unit 20 refers to the cart management table of FIG. 3 and determines whether the status of the cart with the received cart ID is in use or in standby (S102).

  If the status is being used (B in S102), the cart monitoring unit 20 determines that the cart 3 with the cart ID received in S101 has been returned to the cart storage area.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 9, in the cart storage management table (FIG. 4), the current number of carts associated with the received cart storage ID is increased by 1 (S301). In this way, the fact that one cart has been returned to the cart location with the cart ID is reflected in the cart location management table. Further, the cart monitoring unit 20 updates the status of the cart associated with the received cart ID in the cart management table of FIG. 3 during standby (S302). In the present embodiment, the cart monitoring unit 20 stores the received cart location ID in the column of the status of the cart ID received in S101.

  Here, when the customer ID of the current user is associated with the received cart ID (YES in S303), that is, when the user who returned the cart 3 is specified, the user is It is determined whether or not the return that has been made contributes to the adjustment of the number of carts (S304). Specifically, the cart monitoring unit 20 returns the above-mentioned return when the status of the cart location of the cart location ID received in S101 is “insufficient” (YES in S304) in the cart location management table (FIG. 4). It is determined that it contributed to the adjustment of the number of carts (that is, the elimination of the shortage of the number of carts) (S305). If there is a contribution in this way, the score update unit 24 pays points to the user who has contributed to the elimination of the shortage of the number of carts (S306). Specifically, the score update unit 24 makes the above contribution to the point corresponding to the customer ID confirmed to be associated with the cart ID of the cart returned in S303 in the customer management table of FIG. The predetermined point according to is added.

  If the returned user is not identified, that is, if “unknown” is associated with the current user (NO in S303), the point update in S306 is not executed. If the return does not contribute to the shortage of carts (NO in S304), the point update in S306 is not executed.

  After the points are updated as necessary, finally, the associating unit 21 uses the current user information associated with the cart ID of the returned cart in the cart management table of FIG. Is deleted from the user's column (S307). The cart ID of the cart 3 is associated with a customer ID of a user who has been used until now or a value of “unknown” indicating that the user is unknown. Therefore, when the cart 3 is returned, the associating unit 21 deletes the above value from the column of the current user and releases the association between the cart 3 and the user. As shown in FIG. 9, the timing for releasing the association is performed after the points are updated as necessary (or after it is determined that the points need not be updated).

  In addition, when the cart management table of FIG. 3 has a column of a previous user, the timing at which the association is released is not limited to the above. The association unit 21 may release the association between the cart and the user after the return of the cart is recognized in S301 and S302. In this case, the associating unit 21 saves the customer ID of the user stored in the current user in the previous user column. Therefore, even if the information of the user who has been used until just before is deleted from the column of the current user because the cart is returned, the score update unit 24 refers to the column of the previous user and returns the cart. It is possible to specify the user.

  According to the above configuration, the following inconveniences can be solved. In other words, if the current user information is not saved in the previous user column, the current user information must be recorded until the point update is completed. Here, if there is a time lag between the return of the cart 3 and the score update unit 24 updating the points, the status of the cart 3 is “standby” because the cart 3 has been returned. . However, the current user of the cart 3 remains recorded, and a contradiction occurs in the data. Therefore, if the current user's information is saved in the previous user's column and the current user's column is cleared at the same time or almost at the same time as the return, the cart status can be updated in real time according to the actual situation, The score update unit 24 can correctly execute necessary point update processing at an arbitrary timing.

  As described above, according to the configuration and the method of the management device 2 according to the present embodiment, the current state of the cart yard where the number of carts is to be adjusted is notified by the notification unit 23 and the movement of the cart by the cart user is promoted. . How to adjust the number of carts is determined by the cart number adjusting unit 22 according to the current number of carts and the target number of carts in each cart place.

  When the cart is moved in the cart place, the score update unit 24 identifies the user who has moved the cart and presents an incentive to the user. For example, points held by the user are added. Since the associating unit 21 manages the association between the cart and the cart user, the score updating unit 24 can correctly identify the user of the moved cart.

  In this way, in the cart management system 1, incentive is added to the user who moved the cart, and the user is notified of the addition, so the return or taking out of the user is promoted. The number of carts in each cart place varies so as to be the number intended by the store.

  As a result, there is an effect that the cart management system 1 that adjusts the number of carts can be realized without requiring the operator's adjustment work.

  Furthermore, the management device 2 preferably includes a cart monitoring unit 20. The cart monitoring unit 20 can determine whether the movement of the cart contributes to the adjustment of the intended number of carts. For example, the cart monitoring unit 20 determines that payment is required when the cart is returned to the cart yard where the number of carts is to be increased and when the cart is taken out of the cart yard where the number of carts is to be reduced. can do. That is, the incentive is correctly presented only to the user who has contributed to the adjustment of the number of carts.

  For this reason, it is possible to construct the cart management system 1 so that both the increase and decrease of the number of carts can be performed intentionally.

<< Embodiment 2 >>
Another embodiment relating to the cart management system 1 and the management apparatus 2 of the present invention will be described as follows based on FIG. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as those in the drawings described in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof are omitted.

  In the above-described embodiment, the management device 2 of the cart management system 1 performs the table update process, the linking process, the point update process, and the cart number adjustment process in response to the change in the number of carts in the cart yard. The execution of a series of processes has been described.

  In the present embodiment, it is assumed that the relationship between the cart and the cart user is changed before the cart that has left (used) the cart storage area is returned. The management device 2 according to the present embodiment executes a series of processes including a table update process, a linking process, and a point update process in response to the occurrence of such a situation. In addition, even if the user of the cart in use changes in the middle, this does not affect the fluctuation of the number of carts in the cart yard. Therefore, the management device 2 does not have to execute the cart number adjustment process in response to the occurrence of the above situation.

  According to the configuration of the management device 2 of the present embodiment, in addition to the effects obtained by the management device 2 of the first embodiment, the neglect that has been left without returning to the cart place without bothering the operator's hand. It becomes possible to promote the reduction of carts.

  The cart management system 1 in this embodiment is as shown in FIG. The functional configuration of the management apparatus 2 in the present embodiment is as shown in FIG.

  In the cart management system 1 of the present embodiment, the difference from the first embodiment is that when a situation occurs in which the relationship between the cart 3 and the user of the cart 3 is changed, the user before the change (of which, depending on the customer ID) When the identifiable user is hereinafter referred to as a previous user), information on the previous user is transmitted from the cart 3 to the management device 2. That is, the previous user causes the cart 3 to read the customer ID of his / her store card 6 when ending the use of the cart 3 taken out of the cart storage area.

  Another difference is that when the above situation occurs, when a changed user (a user that can be specified by the customer ID is hereinafter referred to as the current user) is specified, User information is transmitted from the same cart 3 to the management apparatus 2. That is, the current user causes the cart 3 to read the customer ID of his / her store card 6 when starting the use of the cart or the abandoned cart used by another user.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the table update process, the linking process, and the point update process executed by the management apparatus 2 when the user is changed while using the cart 3. In the present embodiment, the following pattern is assumed as a situation that can be detected by the cart management system 1 among situations in which a change of the user occurs while using the cart 3.
(1) The previous user hands over the cart 3 to the current user.
(2) The previous user hands over the cart 3 to another user (unknown).
(3) The previous user leaves the cart 3 without giving it to anyone.
(4) Another user (unknown) gives the cart 3 to the current user.
(5) The current user starts using the cart 3 that is left unattended.

  It is assumed that the management device 2 receives the customer ID (and the cart ID of the cart 3) from the cart 3 being used before the cart 3 is returned after being taken out (YES in S401). In this case, the cart monitoring unit 20 compares the information in the column (FIG. 3) of the current user of the received cart ID with the customer ID received in S401. If they match (YES in S402), the cart monitoring unit 20 determines that the previous user who first brought the cart 3 finished using the cart 3 halfway. Then, the associating unit 21 stores the customer ID stored in the column of the current user of the received cart ID in the column of the previous user (S403). In the current user column, a value indicating that the user is “unknown” is stored (S404).

  Here, if a predetermined time has passed without receiving another customer ID from the cart 3 with the same cart ID (NO in S405), the cart monitoring unit 20 is a person whose previous user cannot identify the cart 3. Judged to have left or left. Here, the associating unit 21 deletes the customer ID of the previous user stored in S403 (S406). Then, the management device 2 is returned to the cart location and receives a report of return from the cart location monitoring device 4 (YES in S101 in FIG. 7) or receives a report of another customer ID from the cart 3 (NO in S101, Until YES in S401, the management of the cart 3 shifts to a standby state. In this case, it is preferable that the score update unit 24 does not give an incentive to the previous user.

  On the other hand, if the cart monitoring unit 20 receives another customer ID from the cart 3 with the same cart ID before the predetermined time elapses from the time point of S401 (YES in S405), the previous user determines that the cart 3 Is transferred to another user (current user).

  Therefore, the score update unit 24 identifies the previous user of the cart 3 according to the cart management table (FIG. 3) updated in S403 and S404, and updates the points of the previous user (S407). That is, the score update unit 24 gives an incentive to a previous user who has contributed to abandoned cart reduction. When the point update process is executed for the previous user, the associating unit 21 may delete the previous user's customer ID from the record in the cart 3 (S408).

  Subsequently, the associating unit 21 stores the other customer ID received in S405 in the column of the current user in the record of the cart 3 (S409). Then, the score update unit 24 updates the point corresponding to the customer ID of the current user stored in S409 (S410). That is, the score update unit 24 gives an incentive to the current user who has contributed to the abandoned cart reduction.

  On the other hand, in S402, the cart monitoring unit 20 may determine that the information in the column (FIG. 3) of the current user of the cart ID received in S401 does not match the customer ID received in S401 (in S402). NO). In this case, the cart monitoring unit 20 determines that the current user has received the cart 3 from an unspecified unknown user or has started using the cart 3 that has been left unattended. If the customer ID is stored in the column of the previous user in the record of the cart 3, the associating unit 21 deletes the customer ID (S408). Then, the associating unit 21 overwrites the column of the current user in the cart 3 with another customer ID received in S401 (S409). Then, the score update unit 24 updates the point corresponding to the customer ID of the current user stored in S409 (S410). In other words, the score update unit 24 gives the current user an incentive as a price for reducing the neglected cart. Here, it can be said that the current user is a user who has started taking over the cart 3 from someone, or has started collecting and using the abandoned cart and has contributed to the reduction of the abandoned cart.

  When the point of the current user is updated, the management device 2 returns the cart 3 to the cart location and receives a report of return from the cart location monitoring device 4 (YES in S101 of FIG. 7) or separates from the cart 3. Until the customer ID report is received (NO in S101, YES in S401), the management of the cart 3 shifts to a standby state.

  According to the above method, when the transfer occurs for the cart 3 away from the cart place, the linking unit 21 correctly updates the linking of the user of the cart 3. Furthermore, the score update unit 24 can appropriately present incentives to the previous user and the current user in accordance with the actual change of the user of the cart 3. More specifically, the previous user can obtain points when the current user gives the user a chance to use it. The cart management system 1 of the present invention can use the points for motivating the act of the previous user giving up the cart 3 to someone else without leaving it, or returning the cart 3 to the cart place. it can. Furthermore, the above points are for the act of collecting the abandoned cart 3 or the act of actively using the cart 3 just before the end that may be left for the user who is going to use the cart. Can be used for motivation. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the cart from being left in a place other than the cart storage place, and to reduce the load of the worker's collection work of the left cart. Furthermore, according to the above method, the user who wants to finish the use of the cart 3 can save the trouble of returning to the cart storage area, and the user who takes over can save the trouble of going to the cart storage area. There are merits other than incentives for both parties.

  Further, according to the above method, the cart monitoring unit 20 confirms the customer ID of the previous user when the use of the cart 3 by the previous user is completed, and also when the current user starts using the cart 3. The customer's customer ID can be confirmed. And when both can be confirmed continuously within a predetermined time, the score update unit 24 presents an incentive to the previous user. For this reason, it is possible to avoid giving an incentive to the previous user who left the cart 3 while taking the procedure for terminating the use.

  According to the above method, if the start of use by another user is confirmed without confirming the end of use of the cart 3 by the previous user (YES in S401, NO in S402), the associating unit 21 Deletes the previous user information and the current user information, and links the other user information to the cart 3. Therefore, the score update unit 24 can present the incentive only to the current user who collected the cart 3 without presenting the incentive to the previous user. For this reason, when the previous user leaves the cart 3 as it is, it is possible to avoid giving an incentive by mistake.

<Supplement>
The display device 5 is installed in an arbitrary place in the store that is noticed by the user. For example, the display device 5 is a signage, and the signage is preferably installed near a cash register in the store. The user returns the used cart after accounting and packing the goods at the cash register. Therefore, if a signage is installed in the vicinity of the cash register, it is possible to immediately confirm at which point the user wants to return the cart to which cart location to receive the points. As a result, the return of the cart is further promoted. Alternatively, the signage may be set in a passage through which a user often passes from a parking lot outside the store until entering the store. The user can immediately confirm at which point the cart is to be picked up when the cart is taken out before starting shopping.

  The cart management system 1 according to the present invention can be used not only to eliminate the bias in the number of carts between the carts but also to reduce or increase the number of carts at a specific cart as intended by the store. . For example, if you want to collect carts in one specific cart place, set the most points to be added when the cart is returned to the cart, and inform the user of this incentive information. . In this way, it is possible to increase the efficiency of workers who intentionally collect in one cart place closest to the warehouse and collect and store all carts after the store is closed.

  The incentive provided to the user in exchange for the contribution relating to the adjustment of the number of carts by the store side is not limited to the points that can be used for the discount stored in the store card 6. An extended parking time service may be used as an incentive for users who come to the store by car. Or you may use the coupon for using the cash register for contributors with little waiting time as an incentive.

  Furthermore, when the user returns the cart left in the parking lot or the like in addition to the cart used by the user, the management device 2 responds to the above user who has contributed to the reduction of the cart leaving. In addition, a configuration in which double points as usual may be provided.

  Each cart 3 is considered to be returned correctly only if the cart is not neatly returned to the cart yard (returned close to being left) but only neatly returned to the cart row. May be provided with a contact sensor or a switch.

[Modification 1]
In the example shown in FIG. 2, the display device 5 is configured to express the status of each cart place in three patterns. That is, when adjustment of the number of carts is necessary, the display device 5 displays information on (1) excessive cart number or (2) insufficient cart number in association with each cart place. The display device 5 does not particularly provide information regarding the cart place where adjustment is not required and the number of carts is appropriate.

  However, the notification unit 23 of the management device 2 may supply the display device 5 with the current number of carts in each cart place as notification information. In this case, the display device 5 can display the number of carts as the status, not the words “excessive” or “insufficient”, and notify the user.

[Modification 2]
In the above-described embodiment, the consideration for the contribution relating to the adjustment of the number of carts is set to be common to each cart place with a fixed number of points. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the management device 2 may individually set the number of points to be paid as the price for each cart place, or may dynamically determine the number depending on the changing conditions of the cart place. .

  For example, an operator of the management device 2 on the store side may select a cart place with a remarkably small number of carts among the cart places where the number of carts is insufficient, in order to preferentially return them to a cart place with a particularly small number of carts. Set priority "1". For example, the priority is 1 to 5 grades, and 1 indicates the highest priority (the place where the cart is most desired to be collected). The operator may set an arbitrary priority for each of the cart locations depending on the cart location where the cart is desired to be collected or difficult to collect. The priority may be stored in a priority column further provided in the cart storage management table of FIG.

  Then, the score update unit 24 specifies points to be added by applying to a predetermined rule (such as a calculation formula) based on the set priority. For example, when the cart is returned to the cart place with the priority “1”, 50 points are added, and when the priority is “3”, 30 points are added, or the priority is “5”. In the case of, 10 points can be added.

  Depending on the current number of carts, the cart yard where the carts are to be collected frequently changes. Therefore, the cart number adjusting unit 22 may dynamically set the number of points to be added when the cart is returned based on the current number of carts and the set priority.

For example, the cart number adjustment unit 22 reads the priority and the current cart number set in the cart storage management table,
Point addition index = "priority" x "current cart number"
And the point addition index is applied to a predetermined rule (calculation formula) to determine the number of points to be added.

For example, in the cart storage management table of FIG. 4, the cart storage ID: P001, the number of current carts: 2, priority: 2 in each column.
Cart location ID: P002, current cart number: 10, priority: 2
Cart location ID: P003, current number of carts: 2, priority: 1
If the value of is stored,
The cart number adjusting unit 22 obtains the point addition index of each cart place as 4, 20, and 2, respectively. Then, the cart number adjusting unit 22 uses a predetermined calculation formula addition point = 100 ÷ point addition index to calculate the number of points when a return occurs in each cart place, 25 points, 5 points, and Ask for 50 points.

  The cart number adjustment unit 22 notifies the score update unit 24 of the obtained number of points.

  The cart number adjusting unit 22 may be configured to recalculate the number of added points and notify the score updating unit 24 each time when the current cart number or priority changes. Alternatively, the cart number adjusting unit 22 calculates the added points according to the current situation only for the requested cart place when requested by the score updating unit 24 when points are to be awarded to the user. There may be.

  In addition, the notification unit 23 includes the addition point calculated by the cart number adjustment unit 22 in the notification information as incentive information, and supplies it to the display device 5. The user can check the return place where the most points are obtained and return the cart. Thereby, the cart collection at the cart storage place desired by the store side is further promoted.

[Modification 3]
In the above-described embodiment, there is one type of cart, but it is also assumed that there are a plurality of types of carts (for example, a cart for carrying a child, a normal cart, etc.). Therefore, in the cart management table of FIG. 3, a “type” column may be further provided, and the management apparatus 2 may manage the type of cart.

  In this variation, the cart storage management table of FIG. 4 has a data structure for managing the number of current carts, the number of target carts, and the status of the cart storage for each type of cart for each cart storage. .

  Thereby, the alerting | reporting part 23 can produce | generate alerting information so that a cart of a required kind may be returned for every cart place.

  In addition, when the cart number adjustment unit 22 wants to collect a specific type of cart in a specific cart place, the cart number adjustment unit 22 may determine the number of addition points so that the number of addition points in that case becomes large. For example, the cart number adjusting unit 22 adds points when returning a cart for placing a child in the cart place so that a cart for placing a child is preferentially returned to the cart place closest to the parking lot. Can be set higher.

[Modification 4]
For example, it is assumed that the user does not return immediately after recognizing the return place and before actually visiting for return, such as by detouring in the store. In this case, it may not be returned in a timely manner during the shortage period, and there may be an inconvenience that the number of carts has already been appropriate when it is returned. In order to avoid such inconvenience, when the cart number adjusting unit 22 determines the cart place where the number of carts needs to be adjusted and decides to prompt the return of the cart in the cart place, the cart number adjusting unit 22 returns with an incentive. There may be a limit on the time for accepting.

  The cart number adjusting unit 22 may be able to set the time limit longer as the difference between the current cart number and the target cart number is larger. For example, the cart number adjusting unit 22 may set the time limit to 30 minutes when the difference cart number d is 10, and may set the time limit to 1 hour when the difference cart number d is 20.

  In this modification, a column for a time limit is further provided in the cart storage management table of FIG. The cart number adjusting unit 22 determines the time limit according to the difference cart number d for the record of the cart place determined to be “too many” or “insufficient” and sets it in the column.

  The notification unit 23 generates notification information including the cart storage ID, the status of the cart storage, the time limit (and the number of current carts, the priority, and the number of points as incentive information as necessary).

  The display device 5 displays the location of the cart yard, the status, the time limit, and the incentive information on the screen based on the notification information. It is possible to notify the user in advance that there is a limit to the time for which the cart storage information is valid. The user visits in return within the time limit to get points. Therefore, the immediate effect of the change in the number of carts is enhanced, and the adjustment of the number of carts corresponding to the actual situation of the cart storage can be realized.

[Modification 5]
The cart number adjustment unit 22 is configured to receive a display of intention of return from the user after determining a cart place where the number of carts needs to be adjusted and deciding to prompt the return of the cart at the cart place. Also good. And the score update part 24 may be the structure which adds a point irrespective of a time limit with respect to the return from the user by whom the intention of return was made.

  That is, the user can make a reservation with the management device 2 to return the cart within a predetermined time when he / she wants to return the cart to the recommended cart yard by looking at the display device 5.

  For example, it is conceivable to make a return reservation via the display device 5 (signage or the like) provided with an operation unit such as a touch panel.

  The display device 5 includes an operation unit that functions as a cart storage designation unit and a reading unit that reads the customer ID of the user's store card 6. The user confirms the screen 501 of the display device 5 and touches the cart place to be returned. Then, the user inputs a return reservation time such as “after 5 minutes” or “after 10 minutes” and causes the display device 5 to read the customer ID of the store card 6.

  The display device 5 transmits the cart storage ID, the return reservation time, and the customer ID to the management device 2. The cart number adjusting unit 22 of the management device 2 that has received these stores the cart storage ID, the return reservation time, and the customer ID in a reservation table (not shown).

  When the cart is actually returned by the user of the customer ID to the cart yard of the cart yard ID within the return reservation time, the score update unit 24 determines a point corresponding to the customer ID. Add a number. Note that the score update unit 24 may gradually reduce the number of points to be added according to the elapsed time from the return reservation time. For example, if it is returned after 10 minutes from the reserved time, it is conceivable to add MAX addition points × 0.8.

  For example, when the display device 5 is installed for each cart place, this return reservation function has the following merits. When the reservation is registered, the notification unit 23 can display a message such as “The cart will be returned in 5 minutes” on the display device 5 of the cart storage area where the return is reserved. Even if there is no cart in the cart yard where a new user stops, the waiting time until the cart returns is displayed. Therefore, a new user can correctly determine whether it is faster to go to another cart place to pick up a cart or to wait on the spot.

  Note that the above return reservation may be performed using a mobile communication terminal device such as a smartphone held by each user, or using a touch panel provided on each of the carts 3, other operation units, or the like. It may be done. In this case, the smartphone or the touch panel may function as the display device 5.

[Modification 6]
In the above-described embodiment, the management device 2 holds the customer information storage unit 31 (customer management table), and the management device 2 manages the user's possession points. However, the present invention is not limited to this configuration, and the information on the user's possession points may be stored in the store card 6 possessed by the user. In this case, the store card 6 is realized by a non-contact IC card, and the tag portion of the store card 6 stores the customer ID and information on the number of points owned by the user.

  In this case, the communication unit 301 or the communication unit 402 included in each cart 3 or each cart storage monitoring device 4 functions as a reader / writer unit that performs both reading and writing of the tag unit of the store card 6 when the cart is returned or taken out. To do. For example, the cart 3 is provided with a case for inserting the store card 6, and the user inserts his store card 6 into the case while using the cart 3 (or for a certain period). Build a usage pattern to do. When the store card 6 is inserted into the case, the reader / writer unit of the cart 3 can read and write information on the tag unit of the store card 6.

  When the cart is returned or taken out, the management device 2 determines that it contributed to the adjustment of the number of carts as described in the above-described embodiment. In this case, the score update unit 24 of the management device 2 can instruct the cart 3 or the cart storage monitoring device 4 to add points. The reader / writer unit of the cart 3 or the cart storage monitoring device 4 adds points to the tag unit of the store card 6 according to the instruction of the score update unit 24.

  Alternatively, an IC tag reader / writer device for reading and writing information on the tag portion of the store card 6 is installed in the store. The score update unit 24 notifies the IC tag reader / writer device of the customer ID of the contributing user and the number of points to be added via the communication unit 11. The user causes the nearest IC tag reader / writer device to read his / her store card 6 and update the point information. Thereby, the part which the point of the store card 6 contributed is added.

  Alternatively, the points may be updated at the timing when the store card 6 is read at the cash register at the time of shopping settlement. In this case, information on how much points (point addition number) are added to which user (customer ID) is notified from the score update unit 24 of the management device 2 to each cash register of the store.

  Alternatively, based on the information read from the store card 6 when the cart 3 is returned to the cart place and the instruction from the management device 2, the cart place monitoring device 4 or the IC tag reader installed in the cart place The writer device may be configured to issue a discount ticket or a discount stamp.

  Note that the point management may be performed by a mobile communication terminal device such as a smartphone possessed by a user registered in advance by the user. In this case, the score update unit 24 corresponds to the corresponding user via the communication unit 11. You can communicate with your smartphone and supply additional points. Note that the smartphone also functions as the display device 5.

[Modification 7]
In the above-described embodiment, the display device 5 has been described as a signage or the like installed at an arbitrary location in a store. However, the display device 5 is not limited to the above example, and may be realized as, for example, a small display device (touch panel, liquid crystal display device, etc.) installed in each cart 3. Alternatively, a mobile communication terminal device such as a smartphone possessed by the user may be used as the display device 5.

  Since it is difficult to mount a large display like a signage on a cart or a smartphone, it is difficult to display a store map or the like. Therefore, it is conceivable to display the latest situation (status, number of carts, number of provided points, etc.) as text or a symbol or mark for the updated cart yard. Thereby, even if there is a change in the information after checking with the signage, the user can always grasp the latest information wherever the user is shopping.

  Further, the display device 5 mounted on the cart or the smartphone can display information unique to the user who uses the display device 5. Therefore, the display device 5 can display information on the parking position of the parked car or information on the cart place where points can be obtained on the way from the cash register (current position) to the parking lot.

[Modification 8]
The timing at which the score update unit 24 provides points for contribution is not limited to the above example. The score update unit 24 is preferably configured to provide points on the condition that the cart 3 has passed the cash register or that the store card 6 has been read at the cash register. Thereby, it is possible to prevent the point from being unfairly paid by an action such as taking out the cart and returning it immediately without shopping (without using the cart properly).

[Modification 9]
You may provide the reading part which reads cart ID of the cart 3 in some places in the goods shelf installed in the store. When a user who is shopping using the cart 3 approaches the product shelf, the cart ID is read by the reading unit. The read cart ID is transmitted to the management device 2 together with the product shelf ID by the same communication unit provided on the product shelf.

  The management device 2 can analyze which cart has moved by collecting the above-described information. Further, since the customer ID is specified from the cart ID, it is possible to analyze which user follows which route and uses the store. By analyzing the information obtained in this way together with the purchase history for each user, it can be used for marketing.

  Furthermore, when the cart 3 or the smartphone functions as the display device 5, it is possible to individually distribute advertising information effective for the user to the display device 5 according to the past analysis results.

[Modification 10]
In each of the above-described embodiments, the cart number adjusting unit 22 is configured to compare a predetermined target cart number with the current cart number in order to identify a cart place that requires adjustment of the cart number. However, the configuration of the cart number adjusting unit 22 is not limited to this.

  The cart number adjusting unit 22 may obtain an average value of the number of carts in each cart place. Then, the cart number adjusting unit 22 determines that the number of carts where the number of carts is lower than the average value is “insufficient” and the number of carts where the number of carts is higher than the number of carts “excess”. Good.

  According to the said structure, the alerting | reporting part 23 can prompt a user to move a cart so that the number of carts of each cart place may become substantially the same number. Therefore, it is possible to construct the cart management system 1 that can eliminate the deviation of the number of carts between the cart places without performing the adjustment work of the workers.

  In each of the above-described modifications, the process at the time of returning the cart has been described. Needless to say, the same modification can be applied to the process at the time of taking out the cart.

  As described above, the information processing apparatus (the management apparatus 2 or the like) or the information processing system (the cart management system 1) described here is a logical function module or a plurality of apparatuses that realize a specific function. It does not matter whether each functional module or each device is in a single housing.

  That is, in each of the above-described embodiments, various devices such as the management device 2, the cart 3, the cart storage monitoring device 4, the display device 5, and the store card 6 that constitute the cart management system 1, and cart information storage. Various storage units such as the unit 30, the customer information storage unit 31, and the cart storage information storage unit 32 may be realized by cloud computing.

  The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims, and embodiments obtained by appropriately combining technical means disclosed in different embodiments. Is also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[Example of software implementation]
Finally, each block of the management device 2, in particular, the cart monitoring unit 20, the associating unit 21, the cart number adjusting unit 22, the notification unit 23, and the score updating unit 24 are formed on an integrated circuit (IC chip). It may be realized by hardware using a logic circuit, or may be realized by software using a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

  In the latter case, the management device 2 includes a CPU that executes instructions of a program that realizes each function, a ROM (Read Only Memory) that stores the program, a RAM (Random Access Memory) that expands the program, the program, and various types of programs. A storage device (recording medium) such as a memory for storing data is provided. An object of the present invention is to provide a recording medium in which a program code (execution format program, intermediate code program, source program) of a control program of the management apparatus 2 that is software that realizes the above-described functions is recorded so as to be readable by a computer. This can also be achieved by supplying the management device 2 and reading and executing the program code recorded on the recording medium by the computer (or CPU or MPU).

  Examples of the recording medium include non-transitory tangible medium, such as magnetic tape and cassette tape, magnetic disk such as floppy (registered trademark) disk / hard disk, and CD-ROM / MO. Discs including optical discs such as / MD / DVD / CD-R, cards such as IC cards (including memory cards) / optical cards, semiconductor memories such as mask ROM / EPROM / EEPROM (registered trademark) / flash ROM Alternatively, logic circuits such as PLD (Programmable Logic Device) and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) can be used.

  Further, the management device 2 may be configured to be connectable to a communication network, and the program code may be supplied via the communication network. The communication network is not particularly limited as long as it can transmit the program code. For example, the Internet, intranet, extranet, LAN, ISDN, VAN, CATV communication network, virtual private network, telephone line network, mobile communication network, satellite communication network, and the like can be used. The transmission medium constituting the communication network may be any medium that can transmit the program code, and is not limited to a specific configuration or type. For example, even with wired lines such as IEEE 1394, USB, power line carrier, cable TV line, telephone line, ADSL (Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line) line, infrared rays such as IrDA and remote control, Bluetooth (registered trademark), IEEE 802.11 wireless, HDR ( It can also be used by radio such as High Data Rate (NFC), Near Field Communication (NFC), Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA), mobile phone network, satellite line, and digital terrestrial network. The present invention can also be realized in the form of a computer data signal embedded in a carrier wave in which the program code is embodied by electronic transmission.

  According to the cart management system of the present invention, the number of carts in the cart place can be adjusted without requiring an operator for adjusting the number of carts. Therefore, the cart management system of the present invention can be suitably used in facilities where many users use carts, for example, in commercial facilities such as supermarkets and shopping malls.

1 Cart Management System 2 Management Device 3 Cart 4 Cart Place Monitoring Device 5 Display Device 6 Store Card 11 Communication Unit 12 Control Unit 13 Storage Unit 20 Cart Monitoring Unit (Cart Monitoring Unit)
21 Pegging part (Pegging means)
22 Cart Number Adjustment Unit (Adjustment Target Identification Unit)
23 Notification section (notification means)
24 score update unit (score update means)
30 Cart information storage unit 31 Customer information storage unit (user information storage unit)
32 Cart storage information storage unit 301 Communication unit (cart communication device)
302 Tag part (cart communication device)
303 Reading unit (cart communication device)
401 Reading unit 402 Communication unit 501 Screen 502 Incentive information

Claims (13)

A cart information storage unit that stores the cart ID of the cart and the user ID of the user of the cart in association with each other;
A user information storage unit for storing the score in association with the user ID of the user who owns the score;
Based on the number of carts in the cart storage area, an adjustment target specifying means for specifying a cart storage area that requires adjustment of the number of carts;
Informing means for informing the cart user of information on the cart storage area specified by the adjustment target specifying means;
The user corresponding to the moved cart among the scores stored in the user information storage unit when the number of carts in the specified cart storage area varies with the movement of the cart by the user. And a score updating means for updating the score. The adjustment target specifying means compares the current cart number in the current cart location acquired by the cart location monitoring device that monitors the cart location with the target cart number preset for the cart location,
When the current number of carts exceeds the target number of carts by more than a predetermined number, specify the cart location as a cart location with an excessive number of carts,
2. The management apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the current cart number falls below a predetermined number of carts, the cart place is specified as a cart place where the number of carts is insufficient. A communication unit that communicates with the cart storage monitoring device and a communication device mounted on each cart;
And cart monitoring means for monitoring the cart based on the information acquired via the communication unit,
The cart monitoring means is:
When the cart ID is acquired from the cart location monitoring device and the cart ID and the user ID are acquired from the communication device, the cart corresponding to the cart ID is monitored from the cart location monitored by the cart location monitoring device. Is taken out,
When a cart ID is acquired from the cart location monitoring device and a user ID is stored in the cart information storage unit in association with the cart ID, the cart location monitoring device monitors the cart ID. The management apparatus according to claim 2, wherein it is determined that the cart corresponding to the cart ID has been returned.   When the cart monitoring means determines that the cart has been taken out, the cart monitoring means includes an association means for associating the acquired cart ID with the acquired user ID and storing them in the cart information storage unit. The management device according to claim 3, wherein The score update means
When the cart monitoring means determines that the cart has been taken out from the cart place where the number of carts specified by the adjustment target specifying means is excessive, the score of the user who has taken out the cart is added. The management device according to claim 4. The score update means
When the cart monitoring means determines that the cart has been returned to the cart yard where the number of carts specified by the adjustment target specifying means is insufficient, the score of the user who returned the cart is added. The management apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that: The linking means is
When the cart monitoring means determines that the cart has been returned, the score update means adds the score corresponding to the user ID based on the user ID corresponding to the returned cart, The management apparatus according to claim 6, wherein a user ID is deleted from the cart information storage unit. The cart monitoring means is:
When a cart ID and a user ID are acquired from a cart communication device, and the user ID is stored in the cart information storage unit in association with the cart ID, and
When a user ID different from the cart ID is acquired from the communication device of the cart, it is determined that the user of the cart has been changed,
The score update means
When the cart monitoring means determines that the user of the cart has been changed, the score corresponding to the acquired user ID is added and the score corresponding to the acquired different user ID is added The management apparatus according to any one of claims 4 to 7, wherein The linking means is
When the cart monitoring means determines that the user of the cart has been changed, the score update means adds the score corresponding to the user ID based on the user ID corresponding to the cart. 9. The management apparatus according to claim 8, wherein, instead of the user ID, the received different user ID is stored in the cart information storage unit in association with the cart ID. The notification means is
The score to be added is notified when a user contributes to the adjustment of the number of carts in the cart place in addition to the specified place of the cart place. The management device according to item 1. A management method executed by a management device that manages a cart,
The management device
A cart information storage unit that stores the cart ID of the cart and the user ID of the user of the cart in association with each other;
A user information storage unit that stores the score in association with the user ID of the user who owns the score;
The above management method is
Based on the number of carts in the cart yard, an adjustment target identifying step for identifying a cart yard that requires adjustment of the number of carts;
An informing step for informing the cart user of the information on the cart location identified in the adjustment target identifying step;
The user corresponding to the moved cart among the scores stored in the user information storage unit when the number of carts in the specified cart storage area varies with the movement of the cart by the user. And a score updating step of updating the score of the management method.   The control program for functioning a computer as each means of the management apparatus of any one of Claim 1-10.   A computer-readable recording medium on which the control program according to claim 12 is recorded.

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