JP2022003563A - Shopping cart management system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a shopping cart management system capable of suppressing a shopping cart from being left stand.SOLUTION: A shopping cart management system includes a plurality of shopping carts, each being attached with an electronic tag storing different cart ID information, a detector that reads the cart ID information from the electronic tag to detect entering of the shopping cart in a storage place of the shopping carts, a reader that reads customer ID information recorded in a membership card of a customer and the cart ID information from the electric tag in association with each other, and a customer information management device that associates the cart ID information read by the reader with the customer ID information read from the membership card. The detector transmits the cart ID information read from the electronic tag of the detected shopping cart to the customer information management device when detecting entering of the shopping cart. The customer information management device provides a privilege for the customer ID information stored in association with the received cart ID information when receiving the cart ID information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a shopping cart management system used in a store such as a supermarket.

Shopping carts used in supermarkets and mass merchandisers may be left as they are outside the store or in a parking lot because even heavy luggage can be easily carried. Therefore, although these stores are trying to collect abandoned carts, the abandoned carts may still cause troubles in the parking lot.

Recently, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, a technique for mounting an RFID chip storing electronic money in a shopping cart equipped with an information processing terminal has been developed in order to solve such a problem. In this shopping cart, in order to prevent the loss of expensive carts, the lock can be unlocked and the shopping cart can be withdrawn from the storage location provided that a predetermined amount has been deducted from the electronic commerce medium (RFID) as a deposit. When the shopping cart is returned to its original location, the withdrawn amount is returned to the electronic commerce medium.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-117102

By using the technique applied to the shopping cart described in Patent Document 1, it is considered that there is a certain effect of reducing the number of shopping carts that are left unattended without being properly returned to the storage location. However, although there is a merit for the store side, there is no particular merit for the customer because the deposit deposited at the start of using the shopping cart is only returned. Rather, it has the inconvenience (disadvantage) of being inconvenient for customers because it cannot be used unless the electronic money medium and electronic money are purchased separately in advance. Furthermore, the store side also has the inconvenience (disadvantage) that it is difficult to introduce an expensive shopping cart equipped with an information processing terminal. It has not yet become widespread. However, as is conventionally done, there is an expense (labor cost of the worker) even when allocating a worker for collecting the shopping cart, so for the store side, this kind of neglected shopping cart It has been a long-standing issue how to eliminate the problem.

The present invention is intended to solve this problem, and one object of the present invention is that it is possible to suppress the neglect of a shopping cart with a small capital investment, and moreover, there are merits for both the store side and the customer side. It is to provide a shopping cart management system that can be found.

In order to achieve the above object, the shopping cart management system in one aspect of the present invention has customer ID information, a membership card used by the customer in the store, and an electronic tag in which the cart ID information is stored, respectively. Multiple shopping carts individually attached with electronic tags that store different cart ID information, and detectors that read cart ID information from the electronic tags to detect the receipt of shopping carts at the storage location of the shopping cart. In a place other than the storage place, the detector is equipped with a reader that reads the cart ID information from the electronic tag and a customer information management device that associates the cart ID information read by the reader with the customer ID information read from the membership card. When the warehousing of the shopping cart is detected, the cart ID information read from the detected electronic tag of the shopping cart is transmitted to the customer information management device, and the customer information management device sends the customer associated with the received customer ID information to the customer. It is configured to grant benefits.

As described above, in the shopping cart management system according to one aspect of the present invention, when the detector detects the warehousing of the shopping cart, the cart ID information read from the detected electronic tag of the shopping cart is used as the customer information management device. The transmission is performed, and the customer information management device grants a privilege to the customer associated with the received customer ID information. As a result, it is an incentive (merit) that the privilege is given, and it is possible to encourage the customer (the user of the shopping cart) to correctly return the used shopping cart to the storage location. That is, it is possible to prevent the shopping cart from being left unattended without being returned to the storage location. Further, for the store side, by attaching a relatively inexpensive electronic tag to the shopping cart, it is not necessary to assign a collection staff for the shopping cart that has been left unattended, which saves costs. In addition, by introducing this system, it is possible to increase the number of card members who are aiming for the benefits given by returning the shopping cart. Further, even if an expensive information terminal device is mounted on the shopping cart in the future, it can be developed based on this shopping cart management system, so that the shopping cart management system according to the present invention can be used to provide more advanced services to customers. Can be used in a developmental manner.

Specifically, the electronic tag is called an RF tag, an IC tag, a wireless tag, or the like, and is a medium for non-contact communication of ID information recorded in a built-in memory using radio waves (electromagnetic waves). .. This electronic tag has an active tag that has a built-in battery and communicates by itself, a passive tag that converts radio waves from the reader into electric power and communicates, and a semi that has a built-in battery and communicates with a higher-level system in a passive manner. There is an active tag. Here, any type of electronic tag can be used, but in the case of a passive tag that can communicate at a close distance, in order to bring the electronic tag attached to the shopping cart closer to the reader that reads the ID information, it is electronic. Attach the tag to the leg of the shopping cart, for example, and lay or bury the antenna of the reader on the storage place or the floor of the checkout counter. Since such electronic tags are extremely inexpensive, they can be sufficiently profitable even if they are attached to all shopping carts in the store.

The association between the cart ID information of the shopping cart and the customer ID information is configured so that the customer information management device clears the association when the shopping cart is returned to the storage location. This makes it possible to have a one-to-one correspondence between use and granting benefits (no duplicate benefits or unnecessary benefits are granted). In addition, even if the shopping cart is returned to the storage location and then taken out by children's mischief and returned to the storage location, it is distinguished from normal warehousing / delivery (duplicate benefits or useless benefits). Not granted).

From the above, the shopping cart management system of the present invention provides a management system that can suppress the neglect of the shopping cart with a small capital investment and can find merits for both the store side and the customer side. can do.

Even if the used shopping cart is returned to another storage location, it will be detected as warehousing and a privilege will be given. That is, the same operation is performed even if the shopping cart is returned to a storage location different from the storage location where the shopping cart was delivered.

In the shopping cart management system according to the above one aspect, preferably, the customer information management device is configured to associate the cart ID information read by the reader with the customer ID information when the customer clears the purchased product. With this configuration, the cart ID information and customer ID information are not associated with customers who have not purchased the product, so the shopping cart is loaded and unloaded multiple times or multiple times for the purpose of illegally acquiring benefits. It is possible to suppress the granting of duplicate benefits or unnecessary benefits to customers who do so. In addition, since the customer ID is acquired from the membership card presented by the customer at the time of payment (for example, when the membership card is held over the reader provided in the payment machine), only the cart ID information can be read when the shopping cart is received. If you can, you can give benefits. Therefore, it is not necessary for the customer to present the membership card or the like at the time of warehousing, and the convenience of the customer can be improved.

Specifically, when the customer brings the shopping cart loaded with the purchased products to the checkout counter, the reader installed at the checkout counter reads the ID information from the electronic tag of the shopping cart. This reader is called a reader / writer in the field of use of RFID (RadioFrequencyIdentification), but in the present invention, the writer function is not indispensable, so that the reader function is sufficient here. Of course, it does not matter if it has a writer function. When this reader reads the ID information from the electronic tag, it sends it to the customer information management device.

In this case, preferably, the customer information management device is configured to automatically calculate points according to the purchase amount of the customer at the time of settlement and add the calculated points to the points earned by the customer associated with the customer ID information. Has been done. Here, a device to which a card reader that reads a customer's ID from a membership card is connected has already been widely introduced in stores where the membership card can be used. For this existing device, the function to associate and store the cart ID information read from the electronic tag and the customer ID information, and to give the customer a privilege on condition that the shopping cart is returned to the storage location. Adding a function to record in is easier than building all the equipment (equipment) from scratch. Therefore, for stores that newly introduce a shopping cart management system, it is possible to install (add) a detector and reader for confirming the receipt of the shopping cart in the existing equipment (equipment), and the above functions are available. It can be dealt with only by upgrading the software so that it is added or by introducing new software. Therefore, by configuring as described above, there is an advantage that the shopping cart management system can be made with reduced capital investment. In addition, since the existing membership card (point card, etc.) can be used as it is for the customer side, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to newly carry an extra card or the like.

In the shopping cart management system according to the above one aspect, preferably, the customer information management device is a customer to which the newly read customer ID information is already associated when the customer ID information is already associated with the cart ID information. Linked to the newly read customer ID information on condition that the shopping cart specified by the cart ID information associated with the customer ID information that does not match and does not match has been stored in the storage location. It is configured to give extraordinary benefits to the customers who have been granted. With this configuration, unusual benefits are an incentive, so a shopping cart left unreturned to the storage location by a previously used customer can be replaced by another customer (with different customer ID information). You can encourage the associated customer to use it and return it to the storage location. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent the shopping cart from being left unattended without being returned to the storage location.

Specifically, by doubling the benefits that can be obtained for customers who bring their shopping carts left in the parking lot into the store and use them, it is possible to encourage customers to collect the abandoned shopping carts. can. For example, when the cart ID information of the electronic tag of an abandoned shopping cart is read at the checkout counter, the customer ID information of the previous customer linked to the cart ID information and the new customer read from the membership card Since the ID is different, it can be determined that the shopping cart is reused by a later customer without being returned to the storage location. In such a case, the cart ID information of the electronic tag of the cart and the customer ID information of the later customer are linked, and when the shopping cart is returned to the storage place after the settlement, for example, usually to the later customer. Process to grant twice as many special benefits. As a result, the number of shopping carts left in the parking lot is reduced, and the collection staff for such left shopping carts is not required, so that the system can find merits for both the store side and the customer side.

It is also possible to configure the shopping cart so that you can receive benefits by simply returning it to the storage location without bringing it to the checkout counter (without using it for your own shopping). In this case, for example, a reader is installed in the storage location of the shopping cart. Specifically, if you just want to return the shopping cart that was left in association with the customer ID information of another customer to the storage location, have the card reader installed in the storage location read the customer ID information of the membership card. After that, a rule is set in advance so that the abandoned shopping cart can be returned to the storage location. Further, the detector reads the cart ID information of the returned shopping cart and sends it to the customer information management device. As a result, the customer information management device includes the customer ID information of the customer after being read by the card reader at the storage location and the customer ID information of the original customer associated with the cart ID information of the shopping cart returned to the storage location. It is possible to determine whether or not the returned shopping cart has been left unattended depending on whether or not the items match. At this time, for example, a double special privilege is given to the customer after being linked to the new customer ID information read from the reader. With such a configuration, it is possible to positively encourage the customer to collect the abandoned shopping cart.

In addition, the ID information of the electronic tag that identifies the shopping cart and the customer ID associated with the ID information are associated with the customer ID information and the cart ID information when the shopping cart is returned to the storage location. Is to be cleared. As a result, if the correctly returned cart is used, the customer ID information does not match, so it is possible to identify whether or not the abandoned cart has been reused.

In the shopping cart management system according to the above one aspect, preferably, the detector is an outer reader that reads the cart ID information from the electronic tag outside the doorway of the storage place, and an inner side that reads the cart ID information from the electronic tag inside the doorway. When the outer reader reads the cart ID information including the reader and then the inner reader reads the same cart ID information, it is configured to determine that the shopping cart specified by the cart ID information has been stored in the storage location. Has been done. With this configuration, the inner reader and the outer reader can detect that the shopping cart has entered from the outside to the inside at the entrance / exit of the storage location, so that the warehousing of the shopping cart can be correctly determined. be able to.

Specifically, for example, two detectors, an inner reader and an outer reader, are provided as detectors for reading the ID information of the electronic tag, the inner reader and the outer reader at the entrance / exit of the storage location are arranged close to each other, and the reader outside the entrance / exit is the cart ID. When the inner reader reads the same cart ID information after reading the information, it is determined that the shopping cart specified by the cart ID information has been stored in the storage location. On the contrary, if the inner reader reads the cart ID information and then the outer reader reads the same cart ID information, it is determined that the shopping cart has been taken out (delivered) from the storage location. good. If a plurality of storage locations are provided, the detector detects the warehousing of the shopping cart at each storage location.

In this case, preferably, the detector is provided with a solar cell panel and is configured to be driven by the electric power generated by the solar cell panel. With this configuration, for example, the detector can be driven even when it is difficult to receive power supply from indoors because the detector is installed outdoors.

By further providing a battery in addition to the solar panel, it is possible to drive the detector even on a cloudy day or after sunset.

In the shopping cart management system according to the above one aspect, preferably, the detector periodically bidirectionally communicates with the electronic tag attached to the shopping cart within a predetermined range, and sends the communication result to the customer information management device. After sending, the information management device determines from the communication result that the shopping cart specified by the electronic tag whose reply is no longer confirmed has been delivered, and identifies it by the electronic tag whose reply is confirmed again after the reply is no longer confirmed. It is configured to determine that the shopping cart to be received has been received. With this configuration, even when it is difficult to provide a dedicated doorway in the storage location of the shopping cart, it is possible to determine the warehousing (and warehousing) of the shopping cart.

Specifically, a detector (detector capable of two-way communication) that communicates with the electronic tags of all shopping carts in the storage location is provided, and the detector is used for the electronic tags of all shopping carts in the storage location. Store the cart ID information. Then, when there is no reply from any of the electronic tags due to regular communication, the shopping cart specified by the electronic tag is determined to have been shipped and is stored by associating the stored cart ID information with the shipping flag. Keep it. After that, when the shopping cart is returned to the storage location and can communicate with the electronic tag of the shopping cart, the detector confirms whether the delivery flag is associated with the cart ID information of the electronic tag. If the delivery flag is associated with the shopping cart, it may be determined that the shopping cart specified by the electronic tag has been returned to the storage location (to detect it as receipt). When the warehousing of the shopping cart is detected in this way, the detector transmits the ID information read at that time to the customer information management device.

On the other hand, the customer information management device stores the cart ID information transmitted from the detector (detector capable of two-way communication) in association with the customer ID information read from the customer's membership card. Then, after the settlement, when the detector reports that the shopping cart specified by the cart ID information has been stored in the storage location, the customer information management device uses the customer ID information associated with the cart ID information. Benefits can be given to the associated customer.

In the shopping cart management system according to the above one aspect, preferably, the granting of benefits is at least one of the granting of new points, the granting of coupons and discount coupons, or the granting of discount services that can be applied to payment. Including one. As a result, the customer can be urged to visit the store next time, and the shopping cart can be strongly urged to be returned to the storage location.

Specifically, points will be added to the point card that the customer has already acquired, coupons (paper media) and discount coupons will be issued on the spot or at the next settlement, or prescribed from the accounting at the next settlement. The amount is discounted. In addition, these points and coupons may include those issued (granted) on an application installed on a smartphone or the like, and may be confirmed on the web.

According to the present invention, as described above, the present invention provides a shopping cart management system that can suppress the neglect of shopping carts with a small capital investment and can find merits for both the store side and the customer side. be able to.

The block diagram of the 1st Embodiment of the shopping cart management system which concerns on this invention. The block diagram of the 2nd Embodiment of the shopping cart management system which concerns on this invention.

[First Embodiment] (Structure of the First Embodiment) Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings (FIG. 1). The following embodiments are merely examples, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the shopping cart management system 100 has customer ID information, and has a membership card 1 used by the customer in the store, an electronic tag 2 in which the cart ID information is stored, and different cart ID information. A plurality of shopping carts 3 to which electronic tags 2 are individually attached, a detector 4 that reads cart ID information from the electronic tag 2 and detects warehousing of the shopping cart 3 at the storage location P of the shopping cart 3, and payment. At the counter (a place other than the storage place P), the electronic tag reader 5 that reads the cart ID information from the electronic tag 2 attached to the shopping cart 3, and the customer that reads the cart ID information and the membership card 1 read by the electronic tag reader 5. It is provided with a customer information management device 6 that stores ID information in association with each other. Further, the detector 4 located outdoors is provided with a solar cell panel E1 and a battery E2. It should be noted that there are a plurality of storage locations P, each of which is provided with a detector 4.

The membership card 1 is a dedicated IC card issued by the store to the customer, and the point service can be received by presenting the membership card 1 at the time of purchasing the product. Therefore, the settlement counter is provided with a membership card reader / writer 8 for reading customer ID information from the membership card 1 and writing earned points, together with the settlement POS register 7 (payment machine). Then, the customer ID read from the membership card reader / writer 8 is transmitted to and stored in the customer information management device 6. In addition to the dedicated card, the membership card 1 may be a membership card 1 that identifies a customer by an IC, magnetism, barcode, QR code (registered trademark), a point card common to all companies, a My Number card, a smartphone application, or the like.

The electronic tag 2 is composed of a semi-active tag incorporated in a case of a leg of a shopping cart 3. When the electronic tag 2 enters a predetermined communication area, the detector 4 and the cart ID information registered in the built-in memory react to radio waves from the detector 4 and the electronic tag reader 5 provided in the area. It is designed to be transmitted from the electronic tag reader 5.

The cart ID information of the electronic tag 2 is a unique code assigned individually. Therefore, by attaching this to the shopping cart 3, each shopping cart 3 is identified by the cart ID information of the electronic tag 2.

The detector 4 reads the cart ID information from the electronic tag 2 and detects whether the shopping cart 3 has been stored in or discharged from the storage location P. Specifically, the detector 4 includes an outer reader 40 that communicates with the electronic tag 2 outside the doorway of the storage location P, an inner reader 41 that communicates with the electronic tag 2 inside the doorway, and each detector (outer reader). 40, it is composed of a controller 42 that communicates with the inner reader 41).

The antenna of the outer reader 40 is arranged in the communication area R1 surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line outside the doorway.
When the electronic tag 2 invades the communication area R1, the outer reader 40 reads the cart ID information from the electronic tag 2 and transmits it to the controller 42. Further, the antenna of the inner reader 41 is arranged in the communication area R2 surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line inside the doorway, and when the electronic tag 2 invades the communication area R2, the inner reader 41 reads the cart ID information from the electronic tag 2. Is transmitted to the controller 42. The antenna of each detector (outer reader 40, inner reader 41) can be embedded in the floor of the communication areas R1 and R2 surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line, or can be installed by being incorporated in a mat.

When the controller 42 receives the same cart ID information (with the same identification number and the like) from the inner reader 41 after receiving the cart ID information read by the outer reader 40, the shopping cart 3 specified by the cart ID information is displayed. It is determined that the item has been stored in the storage location P. Further, when the outer reader 40 reads the same ID information after the inner reader 41 reads the cart ID information, it is determined that the shopping cart 3 specified by the cart ID information has been taken out from the storage location P. When the detector 4 detects the warehousing of the shopping cart 3 in this way, the read ID information is transmitted from the controller 42 to the customer information management device 6.

Further, the solar cell panel E1 converts sunlight into electric power and drives the detector 4. Further, the battery E2 stores the surplus electric power generated from the solar cell panel E1 and drives the detector 4 after sunset or in the rain.

An electronic tag reader 5 that reads the cart ID information of the electronic tag 2 is installed at the checkout counter. The area surrounded by the alternate long and short dash line shown on the floor of the passage of the checkout counter is the area where the antenna of the electronic tag reader 5 is embedded. A mat with a built-in antenna may be laid in this area. When the electronic tag 2 of the shopping cart 3 invades this area, the cart ID information of the electronic tag 2 is read by the electronic tag reader 5, and the read cart ID information is transmitted to the customer information management device 6 as it is. It has become like.

The customer information management device 6 is composed of a server, automatically calculates points according to the purchase amount of the customer at the time of payment, and adds the points to the points earned by the customer specified by the customer ID information of the membership card 1. It has become. In addition to that, the cart ID information transmitted from the electronic tag reader 5 and the customer ID information read from the membership card reader / writer 8 are stored in association with each other, and the shopping cart 3 specified by the cart ID information after payment is made. When the detector 4 reports that the information has been returned to the storage location P, the customer information management device 6 records that the customer associated with the customer ID information associated with the cart ID information is given a privilege. do. As a result, the awarded privilege points will be recorded on the customer's membership card 1 (or on the cloud) the next time they visit the store. When the shopping cart 3 specified by the cart ID information is returned to the storage location P, the association between the cart ID information and the customer ID information is cleared.

By the way, the shopping cart 3 left in the parking lot or the like may be brought into the store as it is and used. In such a case, since the association between the cart ID information of the abandoned shopping cart 3 and the customer ID information of the customer who used the cart ID information is not cleared, the customer ID information of the original customer and the abandoned shopping cart are not cleared. It will not match the customer ID information of the customer after bringing in 3. In such a case, since it can be determined that the later customer is using the abandoned shopping cart 3 at the time of payment, the later customer ID information and the cart ID information of the abandoned shopping cart 3 are associated with each other, and after the payment is made. When the shopping cart 3 is returned to the storage location P, it is recorded to give double points to a later customer, for example. As a result, if the shopping cart 3 that has been left unattended is used, the customer can be made aware that an unusual (special) privilege can be obtained, so that the number of shopping carts 3 left in the parking lot can be reduced. be able to. In addition to the usual points, discount coupons may be given as a special benefit.

Further, in this shopping cart management system 100, a membership card reader / writer 9 that reads the ID of the customer's membership card 1 is placed near the storage location P in case the abandoned shopping cart 3 is returned to the storage location P as it is. It is placed in. The membership card reader / writer 9 is provided with a communication function, and when the customer ID information is read from the customer membership card 1, the customer ID information is transmitted to the receiver 10 of the customer information management device 6. ..

On the other hand, when the customer information management device 6 is connected to the receiver 10, receives the customer ID information from the receiver 10, and then receives the customer ID information of the shopping cart 3 returned to the storage location from the detector 4, the customer information management device 6 receives the customer ID information. The difference between the customer ID information associated with the customer ID information and the received customer ID information is checked, and if they do not match, the shopping cart 3 returned to the storage location P is left unattended. Since it can be determined that the shopping cart 3 is used, in that case, it is recorded so that the customer associated with the newly received customer ID information is given a privilege different from the usual one. At that time, when a plurality of shopping carts 3 are collectively returned to the storage location P, it is natural that a privilege corresponding to the number of returned shopping carts 3 is given. In this way, by encouraging the customer to return the shopping cart 3, it is possible to suppress the shopping cart 3 that is left unattended.

(Effects of the First Embodiment) In the first embodiment, the following effects can be obtained.

In the first embodiment, as described above, when the detector 4 detects the warehousing of the shopping cart 3, the cart ID information read from the detected electronic tag 2 of the shopping cart 3 is transmitted to the customer information management device 6. , The customer information management device 6 is configured to give a privilege to a customer associated with the received customer ID information. As a result, since it is an incentive (merit) that the privilege is given, it is possible to encourage the customer (the user of the shopping cart) to correctly return the used shopping cart 3 to the storage location P. That is, it is possible to prevent the shopping cart 3 from being left unattended without being returned to the storage location P. Further, for the store side, by attaching the relatively inexpensive electronic tag 2 to the shopping cart 3, it is not necessary to allocate the collection staff of the shopping cart 3 that has been left unattended, which saves costs. In addition, by introducing this system, it is possible to increase the number of card members aiming at the benefits given by returning the shopping cart 3. Further, even if an expensive information terminal device is mounted on the shopping cart 3 in the future, it can be developed based on the customer information management device 6, so that the shopping cart according to the present invention can be used even when providing a more advanced service to the customer. The management system 100 (customer information management device 6) can be used in an advanced manner.

Further, in the first embodiment, as described above, the customer information management device 6 is configured to associate the cart ID information read by the detector 4 with the customer ID information when the customer clears the purchased product. .. As a result, the cart ID information and the customer ID information are not associated with the customer who has not purchased the product, so that the customer who moves in and out of the shopping cart 3 multiple times or multiple times for the purpose of illegally acquiring the privilege On the other hand, it is possible to suppress the granting of duplicate benefits or unnecessary benefits. In addition, since the customer ID is acquired from the membership card 1 presented by the customer at the time of payment (for example, when the membership card 1 is held over the membership card reader / writer 8 provided in the payment machine), the shopping cart 3 is used. At the time of warehousing, benefits can be granted by reading only the cart ID information. Therefore, it is not necessary for the customer to present the membership card 1 and the like at the time of warehousing, and the convenience of the customer can be improved.

Further, in the first embodiment, as described above, the customer information management device automatically calculates points according to the purchase amount of the customer at the time of settlement, and the calculated points are linked to the customer ID information to acquire the customer. It is configured to add to the points. Here, a device to which a card reader (membership card reader / writer 8 or the like) for reading a customer's ID from the membership card 1 is connected has already been widely introduced in stores where the membership card 1 can be used. For this existing device, a function to associate and store the cart ID information read from the electronic tag 2 and the customer ID information, and a privilege to the customer on condition that the shopping cart 3 is returned to the storage location P Adding a function to record to give is easier than building all the equipment (equipment) from scratch. Therefore, for the store side that newly introduces the shopping cart management system 100, a detector 4 and an electronic tag reader 5 for confirming the warehousing of the shopping cart 3 may be installed (expanded) in the existing device (equipment). , It can be dealt with only by upgrading the software so that the above functions are added, or by introducing new software. Therefore, there is an advantage that the shopping cart management system 100 can be obtained with reduced capital investment. Further, for the customer side, since the existing membership card 1 (point card or the like) can be used as it is, there is an advantage that it is not necessary to newly carry an extra card or the like.

Further, in the first embodiment, as described above, when the customer ID information is already associated with the cart ID information in the customer information management device 6, the customer who is already associated with the newly read customer ID information. The newly read customer ID information is provided on condition that the shopping cart 3 specified by the cart ID information that does not match the ID information and is associated with the customer ID information that does not match is stored in the storage location P. It is configured to give unusual benefits to the associated customer. As a result, an unusual privilege becomes an incentive, so the shopping cart 3 left unreturned to the storage location P by the customer who used it before is linked to another customer (different customer ID information). It can be encouraged to have the customer use it and return it to the storage location P. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent the shopping cart 3 from being left unattended without being returned to the storage location P.

Further, in the first embodiment, as described above, the detector 4 has the outer reader 40 that reads the cart ID information from the electronic tag 2 outside the doorway of the storage location P, and the cart ID from the electronic tag 2 inside the doorway. When the outer reader 40 reads the cart ID information and then the inner reader 41 reads the same cart ID information including the inner reader 41 that reads the information, the shopping cart 3 specified by the cart ID information is the storage location P. It is configured to judge that it has been received in. As a result, the inner reader 41 and the outer reader 40 can detect that the shopping cart 3 has entered from the outside to the inside at the entrance / exit of the storage location P, so that the warehousing of the shopping cart 3 can be correctly determined. can do.

Further, in the first embodiment, as described above, the (outdoor) detector 4 is provided with a solar cell panel and is configured to be driven by using the electric power generated by the solar cell panel. As a result, the detector 4 can be driven even when it is difficult to receive power supply from indoors because the detector 4 is installed outdoors.

Further, in the first embodiment, as described above, the granting of benefits includes the granting of new points, the granting of coupons and discount coupons, or the granting of discount services that can be applied to payment. As a result, it is possible to urge the customer to visit the store next time and strongly urge the customer to return the shopping cart 3 to the storage location P.

[Second Embodiment] (Structure of the Second Embodiment) Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the shopping cart management system 200 of the second embodiment, the detector 43 and the customer information management device 61 are provided in place of the detector 4 and the customer information management device 6 of the first embodiment. The same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

Here, the detector 43 periodically bidirectionally communicates with the electronic tag 2 attached to the shopping cart 3 within a predetermined range, and also transmits the communication result to the customer information management device 61 to send the communication result to the customer information management device 61. From the communication result, 61 determines that the shopping cart 3 specified by the electronic tag 2 whose reply is no longer confirmed has been discharged, and is specified by the electronic tag 2 whose reply is confirmed again after the reply is no longer confirmed. It is configured to determine that the shopping cart 3 has been received.

Specifically, the detector 43 is configured to enable bidirectional communication only with the electronic tag 2 of the shopping cart 3 that is inside the communication area R3, which is a range substantially matching the size of the storage location P. This may be done, for example, by matching the reach of radio waves (electromagnetic waves) with the storage location P. As a result, the shopping cart 3 receives the communication from the detector 43 and replies (transmits) only when the shopping cart 3 is in the storage location P. Then, the detector 43 transmits the communication result to the customer information management device 61. Based on the received communication result, the customer information management device 61 determines that the shopping cart 3 has been taken out when it is not within the communicable range (taken out), and the shopping cart 3 is returned to the communicable range. If it enters (returned to the communicable range), it is judged that it has been received.

(Effect of the Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment, as described above, the detector 43 is periodically bidirectionally communicated with the electronic tag 2 attached to the shopping cart 3 within a predetermined range, and is also used. The communication result is transmitted to the customer information management device 61, and the customer information management device 61 determines from the communication result that the shopping cart 3 specified by the electronic tag 2 whose reply is no longer confirmed has been delivered, and the reply is confirmed. It is configured to determine that the shopping cart 3 specified by the electronic tag 2 whose reply has been confirmed again after it has disappeared has been received. As a result, even when it is difficult to provide a dedicated doorway in the storage location of the shopping cart 3, it is possible to determine the warehousing (and warehousing) of the shopping cart 3.

The other effects of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[Modified Examples] Although the first and second embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these, and other embodiments (modified examples) can also be adopted.

For example, in the first embodiment, an example including a detector (4) having an outer reader (40) and an inner reader (41), and in the second embodiment, an electronic tag (2) existing in a predetermined range. Although examples of providing a detector (43) that periodically performs bidirectional communication with the above are shown, the present invention is not limited to this. Of the plurality of detectors in the shopping cart management system, a part may be configured as the detector shown in the first embodiment, and a part may be configured as the detector shown in the second embodiment. Further, it may be used as a detector having another configuration.

Further, in the first and second embodiments, an example in which the outer reader and the inner reader are arranged close to each other is shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. The outer reader may be installed at the doorway of the room where the storage location is located, and the inner reader may be installed at the doorway of the storage location (away from the doorway of the room).

Further, in the first and second embodiments, the semi-active tag is used, but a passive tag or an active tag can be used instead. In the case of passive tags, it is possible to detect warehousing in the storage location by installing a detector at the entrance / exit of the storage location. Also, when using the active tag, it is possible to communicate with multiple shopping carts in the storage location in order, so it can be determined that the cart that can no longer be contacted is out of the warehouse, and then when communication becomes possible, It can be determined that the shopping cart has been received. Therefore, in a large store in the suburbs, the active tag is effective when the storage location is designated as the entire area.

Further, in the first and second embodiments described above, the customer is given a privilege on the condition that the detector installed in the storage location detects the arrival of the shopping cart, but the storage location is stationed. Install it in a section of the parking lot and install a detector there. Even if the detector detects the arrival of a shopping cart, it can be introduced even in a large suburban store with a large parking lot if the customer is given a privilege. In addition, if you bring the shopping cart in the storage area provided in the parking lot into the store and use it, and then return it to the storage area in the store, you can give a special benefit to the customer. It is also possible to reduce the number of workers who collect the shopping carts that accumulate in the parking lot and return them to the storage location in the store.

Further, the solar cell panel (and the battery) may be configured to supply power to the card reader / writer of the membership card, the electric lamp, etc. arranged in the vicinity in addition to the detector.

1 Membership card 2 Electronic tag 3 Shopping cart 40 Outer reader 41 Inner reader 4,43 Detector 5 Electronic tag reader (reader)
6,61 Customer information management device 7 POS register for settlement 8 Membership card reader / writer 9 Membership card reader / writer E1 Solar cell panel

Claims (1)

An electronic tag that stores cart ID information and
A plurality of shopping carts to which the electronic tags in which different cart ID information is stored are individually attached, and
A detector that reads the cart ID information from the electronic tag and detects the warehousing of the shopping cart at the storage location of the shopping cart.
A reader that associates and reads the customer ID information recorded on the membership card used by the customer in the store with the cart ID information from the electronic tag.
A customer information management device for associating the cart ID information read by the reader with the customer ID information read from the membership card is provided.
When the detector detects the warehousing of the shopping cart, the detector transmits the cart ID information read from the electronic tag of the detected shopping cart to the customer information management device.
When the customer information management device receives the cart ID information, the shopping cart management system is characterized in that a privilege is given to the customer ID information stored in association with the received cart ID information.

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