JP2022003563A5 - - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a shopping cart management system used in stores such as supermarkets.

2. Description of the Related Art Shopping carts used in supermarkets, mass retailers, and the like can be easily carried even with heavy loads, so they are often left as they are outside the store or in a parking lot. Therefore, these stores try to collect abandoned carts, but even so, abandoned carts sometimes cause trouble in parking lots.

In order to solve such a problem, recently, as shown in Patent Document 1 below, a technology has been developed in which an RFID chip storing electronic money is mounted on a shopping cart equipped with an information processing terminal. In order to prevent the loss of expensive carts, this shopping cart is unlocked and can be withdrawn from a storage location on condition that a predetermined amount of money has been withdrawn as a deposit from an electronic money medium (RFID). When the shopping cart is returned to its original place, the debited amount is returned to the electronic money medium.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2008-117102

By using the technology applied to the shopping cart described in Patent Literature 1, it is believed that there is a certain effect of reducing the number of shopping carts that are left without being properly returned to the storage location. However, although there are merits for the store side, for the customer, the deposit deposited at the time of starting to use the shopping cart is simply returned, and there is no particular merit. Rather, it is inconvenient (disadvantage) that customers cannot use it unless the electronic money medium and electronic money are separately purchased in advance.
There is Furthermore, it is disadvantageous (demerit) that it is difficult for stores to introduce expensive shopping carts equipped with information processing terminals. It has not reached the stage of widespread adoption. However, as has been done in the past, it costs money (labor costs for workers) to allocate workers to collect shopping carts, so for the store side, this type of abandoned shopping cart It has been a long-standing problem how to eliminate

The present invention is intended to solve this problem, and one of the objects of the present invention is to be able to prevent the shopping cart from being left unattended with a small capital investment, and to provide benefits to both the store side and the customer side. 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 includes:
a plurality of shopping carts each having an electronic tag storing unique cart ID information;
a customer information management device;
a reader that acquires the cart ID information of the shopping cart and transmits it to the customer information management device;
a membership card reader that acquires customer ID information from a customer's membership card or smartphone and transmits it to the customer information management device;
The customer information management device associates the received cart ID information and the customer ID information when the received cart ID information and the customer ID information are transmitted from the readers at the same location. It is characterized by storing
In this shopping cart management system, for example, since a shopping cart loaded with purchased products is brought to the checkout counter, a reader placed at the checkout counter acquires cart ID information from the electronic tag of the shopping cart and manages customer information. Send to device. Also, the customer who brought in the shopping cart shows the member's card or smartphone to the store clerk for settlement processing. A store clerk acquires customer ID information from a membership card or a smartphone using a membership card reader. The acquired customer ID information is transmitted from the membership card reader to the customer information management device. Thus, when the cart ID information and customer ID information are transmitted to the customer information management device at the checkout counter, the customer information management device associates and stores the received cart ID information and customer ID information.

On the other hand, in the storage place of the shopping carts, a detector that communicates with the electronic tags of the shopping carts and acquires the cart ID information from the electronic tags is provided. Then, when the shopping cart is returned to the storage location and the cart ID information of the shopping cart determined to be received by the detector is sent to the customer information management device, the customer information management device associates the received cart ID information with the cart ID information. A privilege is given to the customer of the customer ID information obtained. As a result, the provision of the privilege becomes an incentive (benefit), so that the customer (user of the shopping cart) can be urged to return the used shopping cart to the storage location correctly. That is, it is possible to prevent the shopping cart from being left without being returned to the storage location. Furthermore, for the store side, by attaching a relatively inexpensive electronic tag to the shopping cart, there is no need to assign personnel to collect the abandoned shopping cart, which saves costs. In addition, by introducing this system, it is possible to increase the number of cardholders who are looking for benefits provided by returning shopping carts. In the future, even if the shopping cart is equipped with an expensive information terminal device, this shopping cart management system can be deployed as a base. can be used exponentially.

Specifically, an electronic tag is called an RF tag, an IC tag, a wireless tag, etc., and is a medium that uses radio waves (electromagnetic waves) to communicate ID information recorded in a built-in memory without contact. . This electronic tag consists of an active tag that has a built-in battery and communicates by itself, a passive tag that converts radio waves from the reader into power and communicates, and a semi-tag that has a built-in battery and communicates with the host system in a passive manner. There is an active tag and a . Any type of electronic tag can be used here, but in the case of a passive tag that can communicate at close range, an electronic For example, the tag is attached to the leg of a shopping cart, and the reader antenna is laid or buried in a storage area, the floor of the checkout counter, or the like. Since such an electronic tag is extremely inexpensive, even if it is attached to all the shopping carts in the store, it will be sufficiently profitable.

The association between the cart ID information of the shopping cart and the customer ID information is configured to be cleared by the customer information management device when the shopping cart is returned to the storage location. This allows a one- to -one correspondence between the use of the shopping cart and the granting of benefits (no duplicate or unnecessary benefits are granted). In addition, even if the shopping cart is taken out by a child's mischief after being returned to the storage location and is returned to the storage location again, it will be distinguished from normal entry and exit (duplicate benefits or unnecessary benefits will not be granted) not).

From the above, the shopping cart management system of the present invention is: To provide a management system capable of suppressing neglect of a shopping cart with a small capital investment and capable of finding merits for both the store side and the customer side.

Even if the used shopping cart is returned to another storage location, it is detected as being in stock and a privilege is given. That is, the same operation is performed even if the shopping cart is returned to a storage location different from the storage location from which it was taken out.

In the shopping cart management system according to the above aspect, the customer information management device is preferably configured to associate the cart ID information read by the reader with the customer ID information when the customer checks out the purchased product. With this configuration, since the cart ID information and the customer ID information are not associated with a customer who has not purchased a product, the shopping cart may be used multiple times or multiple times for the purpose of fraudulently obtaining benefits. It is possible to suppress giving redundant benefits or useless benefits to customers who enter and leave the machine. 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 at the payment machine), only the cart ID information can be read when the shopping cart is stored. For example, a privilege can be given to the customer whose customer ID information is associated with the cart ID information . Therefore, the customer does not have to present his/her membership card or the like when entering the warehouse, and the customer's convenience can be improved.

Specifically, when a customer brings a shopping cart loaded with purchased products to the checkout counter, a 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 RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) application field, but since the writer function is not essential in the present invention, it is sufficient here to have a reader function. Of course, it does not matter if there is a writer function. When this reader reads the ID information from the electronic tag, it transmits it to the customer information management device.

In this case, preferably, the customer information management device automatically calculates points according to the customer's purchase amount at the time of payment, and adds the calculated points to the customer's earned points linked to the customer ID information. It is Here, a device connected to a card reader for reading a customer's ID from a membership card has already been widely introduced in stores where the membership card can be used. This existing device has a function of associating and storing the cart ID information read from the electronic tag and the customer ID information, and providing a benefit to the customer on the condition that the shopping cart is returned to the storage location. Adding the ability to record to is easier than building an entire device (equipment) from scratch. Therefore, for a store that newly introduces a shopping cart management system, it is necessary to install (add) detectors and readers for confirming the receipt of shopping carts in existing equipment (facilities), or to add the above functions. It can be dealt with only by upgrading the software to be added or by introducing new software. Therefore, by configuring as described above, there is an advantage that a shopping cart management system can be realized with reduced equipment investment. In addition, since the customer can use the existing membership card (point card, etc.) as it is, there is an advantage that there is no need to carry an extra card or the like.

In the shopping cart management system according to the above one aspect, preferably, when the customer ID information is already associated with the cart ID information, the customer information management device provides information about the customer to whom the newly read customer ID information is already associated. On the condition that the ID information does not match and the shopping cart specified by the cart ID information associated with the non-matching customer ID information is stored in the storage location, it is linked to the newly read customer ID information. It is configured to grant unusual privileges to customers who have been identified. With such a configuration, since a privilege different from usual becomes an incentive, the shopping cart left unreturned to the storage location by the previous customer can be transferred to another customer (with different customer ID information). linked customer) to use it and return it to the storage location. Therefore, it is possible to further prevent the shopping cart from being left without being returned to the storage location.

Specifically, by doubling the benefits that can be obtained for customers who bring shopping carts left in parking lots, etc. into the store and use them, it is possible to encourage customers to collect abandoned shopping carts. can. For example, when the cart ID information of the electronic tag of the 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's information read from the membership card Since the shopping cart is different from the ID, it can be determined that the shopping cart was 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 subsequent customer are associated with each other, and when the shopping cart is returned to the storage location after payment, the following information is provided to the subsequent customer, for example: Process so as to give a special privilege twice as much as usual. This reduces the number of shopping carts left in the parking lot and eliminates the need for personnel to collect such carts, resulting in a system that benefits both the store and the customer.

Note that it is also possible to configure such that the privilege can be obtained simply by returning the abandoned shopping cart to the storage location without bringing it to the checkout counter (without using it for shopping). In this case, for example, the reader is installed in the storage area of the shopping cart. Specifically, in the case of simply returning a shopping cart left in a state associated with another customer's customer ID information to the storage location, the customer ID of the membership card is inserted into the card reader installed at the storage location.
A rule is established in advance so that after the information is read, the abandoned shopping cart is returned to the storage location. The detector also reads the cart ID information of the returned shopping cart and transmits it to the customer information management device. As a result, the customer information management device stores the customer's customer ID information read by the card reader at the storage location and the original customer's customer ID information associated with the cart ID information of the shopping cart returned to the storage location. , match, it is possible to determine whether or not the returned shopping cart has been left unattended. At this time, for example, a double special benefit is given to the subsequent customer who is linked to the new customer ID information read from the reader. With such a configuration, it is possible to positively encourage customers to collect abandoned shopping carts.

Also, the ID information of the electronic tag that identifies the shopping cart and the customer ID information that is linked to the ID information will be combined with the customer ID information and the cart ID information when the shopping cart is returned to the storage location. Associations are now 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 aspect, preferably, the detectors are an outer reader that reads the cart ID information from the electronic tag outside the entrance/exit of the storage area, and an inner reader that reads the cart ID information from the electronic tag inside the entrance/exit. and a reader to determine that the shopping cart identified by the cart ID information has been stored in the storage location when the outer reader reads the cart ID information and the inner reader subsequently reads the same cart ID information. It is configured. With this configuration, it is possible to detect that the shopping cart has entered from the outside to the inside at the doorway of the storage location by the inside reader and the outside reader, so that the entry 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. After reading the information, if the inner reader reads the same cart ID information, it is determined that the shopping cart identified by the cart ID information has been stored in the storage location. Conversely, after the inner reader reads the cart ID information,
If the outer reader reads the same cart ID information, it may be determined that the shopping cart has been taken out of storage (taken out). If a plurality of storage locations are provided, the detector detects the arrival of the shopping cart at each storage location.

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

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

In the shopping cart management system according to the above aspect, preferably, the detector periodically performs two-way communication with the electronic tag attached to the shopping cart within a predetermined range, and sends the communication result to the customer information management device. From the communication result, the information management device determines that the shopping cart identified by the electronic tag whose reply is no longer confirmed has been taken out, and after the reply is no longer confirmed, it is identified by the electronic tag whose reply is confirmed again. It is configured to determine that a shopping cart that has been purchased has been stocked. With this configuration, it is possible to determine whether the shopping cart is in (and out of) the warehouse even when it is difficult to provide a dedicated entrance to the storage location 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 installed, and the detector detects the electronic tags of all shopping carts in the storage location. Store the cart ID information. When there is no reply from one of the electronic tags due to periodic communication, the shopping cart identified by that electronic tag is determined to have been taken out, and the stored cart ID information is associated with a delivery flag and stored. back. After that, when the shopping cart is returned to the storage location and it becomes possible to communicate with the electronic tag of the shopping cart, the detector checks whether the cart ID information of the electronic tag is linked with the shipping flag. , it may be determined that the shopping cart identified by the electronic tag has been returned to the storage location (detected as warehousing) if the shipping flag is associated with the shopping cart. When the shopping cart is thus detected, 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 associates and stores the cart ID information transmitted from the detector (detector capable of two-way communication) and the customer ID information read from the customer's membership card. After payment, 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 stores the customer ID information associated with the cart ID information. Benefits can be given to linked customers.

In the shopping cart management system according to the above aspect, preferably, the granting of benefits is at least one of the granting of new points, the granting of coupons or 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 to strongly urge the customer to return the shopping cart to the storage location.

Specifically, points are added to the point card that the customer has already acquired, or (
Paper media) coupons and discount tickets are issued on the spot or at the next payment, and a predetermined amount is discounted from the next payment. Note that these points and coupons may include those issued (given) on an application installed on a smartphone or the like, or may be confirmed on the web.

According to the present invention, as described above, there is provided a shopping cart management system that can prevent shopping carts from being left unattended with a small capital investment and that can find merits for both the store side and the customer side. be able to.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first embodiment of a shopping cart management system according to the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a shopping cart management system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

[First Embodiment] (Structure of First Embodiment) Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings (Fig. 1).
will be explained based on In addition, the following embodiments are examples, and do not limit the technical scope of the present invention.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the shopping cart management system 100 has customer ID information, a membership card 1 that the customer uses in the store,
An electronic tag 2 storing cart ID information, a plurality of shopping carts 3 individually attached with electronic tags 2 having different cart ID information, and a cart ID from the electronic tag 2 at a storage location P of the shopping carts 3. A detector 4 that reads information and detects the arrival of the shopping cart 3, an electronic tag reader 5 that reads the cart ID information from the electronic tag 2 attached to the shopping cart 3 at the checkout counter (place other than the storage location P), A customer information management device 6 stores the cart ID information read by the electronic tag reader 5 and the customer ID information read from the membership card 1 in association with each other. Moreover, the detector 4 located outdoors is provided with a solar battery panel E1 and a battery E2. 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 to the customer by the store side, and by presenting it when purchasing a product, the customer can receive a point service. Accordingly, a membership card reader/writer 8 for reading customer ID information from the membership card 1 and writing acquired points is installed at the payment counter, along with a payment POS register 7 (payment machine). The customer ID read from the membership card reader/writer 8 is transmitted to the customer information management device 6 and stored. The membership card 1 may be a membership card 1 that identifies a customer by means of an IC, magnetism, bar code, QR code (registered trademark), etc., a point card common to each company, a My Number card, a smartphone application, etc., other than a dedicated card.

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

The cart ID information of the electronic tag 2 is a unique code assigned to each individual. 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 entered or left the storage location P. - 特許庁Specifically, detector 4
communicates with an outer reader 40 that communicates with the electronic tag 2 outside the entrance/exit of the storage location P, an inner reader 41 that communicates with the electronic tag 2 inside the entrance/exit, and each detector (outer reader 40, inner reader 41). It is composed of a controller 42 that

The antenna of the outer reader 40 is arranged in a communication area R1 surrounded by a dashed line outside the entrance,
When the electronic tag 2 enters the communication area R 1 , the outer reader 40 reads the cart ID information from the electronic tag 2 and transmits it to the controller 42 . In addition, the antenna of the inner reader 41 is arranged in a communication area R2 surrounded by a dashed line inside the entrance. is transmitted to the controller 42. Antenna of each detector (outer reader 40, inner reader 41) can be embedded in the floor of communication areas R1 and R2 enclosed by dashed lines, or can be installed by being incorporated into a mat.

After receiving the cart ID information read by the outer reader 40, the controller 42, upon receiving the same cart ID information (with the same identification number, etc.) from the inner reader 41, reads the cart ID information.
It is determined that the shopping cart 3 specified by the D information has been stored in the storage location P. again,
After the inner reader 41 reads the cart ID information, when the outer reader 40 reads the same 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 that the shopping cart 3 has entered the warehouse, the read ID information is transmitted from the controller 42 to the customer information management device 6 .

Moreover, the solar cell panel E1 converts sunlight into electric power to drive the detector 4 . Moreover, the battery E2 stores surplus electric power generated from the solar panel E1, and drives the detector 4 after sunset or in rainy weather.

An electronic tag reader 5 for reading the cart ID information of the electronic tag 2 is installed at the checkout counter. The area surrounded by the dashed line shown on the floor of the passage of the checkout counter is the area in which the antenna of the electronic tag reader 5 is embedded. A mat with an integrated antenna may be laid in this area. When the electronic tag 2 of the shopping cart 3 enters 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's like

The customer information management device 6 is composed of a server, automatically calculates points according to the customer's purchase amount at the time of payment, and adds the points to the points acquired by the customer specified by the customer ID information of the membership card 1. It's becoming In addition, 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. is returned to the storage location P, the customer information management device 6 records so as to give a benefit to the customer linked to the customer ID information associated with the cart ID information. do. As a result, when you visit the store next time, the privilege points granted will be
recorded in 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, there are cases where the shopping cart 3 left in a parking lot or the like is brought into the store as it is and used. In such a case, the cart ID of abandoned shopping cart 3
Since the relationship between the information and the customer ID information of the customer who used the information is not cleared, the customer ID information of the original customer and the customer ID information of the customer after bringing in the abandoned shopping cart 3 are stored. will not match. In such a case, it can be determined that the later customer is using the abandoned shopping cart 3 at the time of payment. When the shopping cart 3 is returned to the storage location P, the subsequent customer is recorded so as to be given, for example, double points. As a result, the number of shopping carts 3 left in the parking lot can be reduced because customers can be made aware that they can receive a special (special) benefit if they use the shopping carts 3 left unattended. be able to. It should be noted that, as a privilege different from usual, a discount coupon may be given separately from the usual point giving.

In addition, in this shopping cart management system 100, the membership card reader/writer 9 for reading the ID of the customer's membership card 1 is placed near the storage location P in preparation for the case where the abandoned shopping cart 3 is returned to the storage location P as it is. are placed in This membership card reader/writer 9
has a communication function, and when customer ID information is read from the customer's membership card 1, the customer ID
Information is transmitted to the receiver 10 of the customer information management device 6 .

On the other hand, 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 cart ID information of the shopping cart 3 returned to the storage location from the detector 4. Differences between the customer ID information linked to the cart ID information and the received customer ID information are 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 to be the shopping cart 3, in that case, the customer linked to the newly received customer ID information is recorded so as to give a privilege different from usual. At that time, when a plurality of shopping carts 3 are collectively returned to the storage location P, it is a matter of course that a privilege corresponding to the number of returned carts is given. In this way, by urging the customer to return the shopping cart 3, it is possible to suppress the shopping cart 3 left unattended.

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

In the first embodiment, as described above, when the detector 4 detects that the shopping cart 3 has entered the warehouse, the cart ID information read from the electronic tag 2 of the detected shopping cart 3 is sent to the customer information management device 6. , the customer information management device 6 is configured to give a privilege to the customer associated with the received customer ID information. As a result, the provision of the privilege serves as an incentive (benefit), so that the customer (the user of the shopping cart) can be urged to return the used shopping cart 3 to the storage location P correctly. That is, it is possible to prevent the shopping cart 3 from being left without being returned to the storage location P. Furthermore, for the store side, by attaching the relatively inexpensive electronic tag 2 to the shopping cart 3 , there is no need to assign personnel to collect the shopping cart 3 left unattended, thereby saving costs. Also, by introducing this system, it is possible to increase the number of card members who aim at the privilege given by returning the shopping cart 3.例文帳に追加In the future, even if an expensive information terminal device is installed in the shopping cart 3, the customer information management device 6 can be used as a base. The management system 100 (customer information management device 6) can be used expansively.

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 pays for the purchased product. . As a result, the cart ID information and customer ID information for customers who have not purchased products
Since the information is not associated with the information, it is possible to suppress giving duplicate benefits or unnecessary benefits to customers who enter and leave the shopping cart 3 multiple times or multiple units for the purpose of illegally obtaining benefits. can. Also, from the membership card 1 presented by the customer at the time of payment (for example,
Since the customer ID is obtained when the membership card 1 is held over the membership card reader/writer 8 or the like provided in the payment machine, when the shopping cart 3 is stored, the privilege can be granted by reading only the cart ID information. . Therefore, the customer does not have to present the membership card 1 or the like when entering the warehouse, and convenience for the customer can be improved.

In addition, in the first embodiment, as described above, the customer information management device automatically calculates points according to the customer's purchase amount at the time of settlement, and the calculated points are used to acquire the customer linked to the customer ID information. Configure to add to points. Here, a device connected to a card reader (membership card reader/writer 8 or the like) for reading the customer's ID from the membership card 1 has already been widely introduced in shops where the membership card 1 can be used. This existing device has a function of associating and storing the cart ID information read from the electronic tag 2 and the customer ID information, and providing benefits to the customer on the condition that the shopping cart 3 is returned to the storage location P. It is easier to add the function of recording as if it were given, compared to constructing all devices (facilities) from scratch. Therefore, for a store that newly introduces the shopping cart management system 100,
Installing (adding) a detector 4 or an electronic tag reader 5 to an existing device (equipment) for confirming the receipt of the shopping cart 3, upgrading the software so that the above functions are added, or , can be dealt with only by introducing new software. Therefore, there is an advantage that the shopping cart management system 100 can be made with reduced equipment investment. In addition, since the customer can use the existing membership card 1 (point card, etc.) as it is, there is an advantage that there is no need to carry an extra card or the like.

In addition, in the first embodiment, as described above, the customer information management device 6 can be used to identify a customer to whom the newly read customer ID information has already been associated when the customer ID information has already been associated with the cart ID information. On the condition that the shopping cart 3 specified by the cart ID information that does not match the ID information and is associated with the non-matching customer ID information is stored in the storage location P, the newly read customer ID information A privilege different from usual is given to the linked customer. As a result, since a privilege different from usual becomes an incentive, the shopping cart 3 left unreturned to the storage location P by the customer who used it before can be transferred to another customer (associated with different customer ID information). customers) to use it and return it to the storage location P. Therefore, shopping cart 3
is left without being returned to the storage location P.

Further, in the first embodiment, as described above, the detector 4 is composed of the outer reader 40 that reads the cart ID information from the electronic tag 2 outside the entrance of the storage location P, and the cart ID from the electronic tag 2 inside the entrance. and an inner reader 41 for reading information such that when the outer reader 40 reads the cart ID information and the inner reader 41 subsequently reads the same cart ID information, the shopping cart 3 identified by the cart ID information is the storage location. The configuration is such that it is determined that the product is stored in P. As a result, it is possible to detect that the shopping cart 3 has entered from the outside to the inside at the entrance of the storage location P by the inside reader 41 and the outside reader 40, so that the entry of the shopping cart 3 can be correctly determined. can do.

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

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

[Second Embodiment] (Configuration of Second Embodiment) Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. In the shopping cart management system 200 of the second embodiment, a detector 43 and a customer information management device 61 are provided instead of the detector 4 and the customer information management device 6 of the first embodiment. In addition, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as in the first embodiment,
Description is omitted.

Here, the detector 43 periodically carries out two-way communication 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. 61 determines that the shopping cart 3 specified by the electronic tag 2 whose reply is no longer confirmed is taken out from the communication result, 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 stored.

Specifically, the detector 43 detects the communication area R3, which is a range that approximately matches the size of the storage location P.
Two-way communication is possible only with the electronic tag 2 of the shopping cart 3 inside. This can be done, for example, by matching the reachable range of radio waves (electromagnetic waves) with the storage location P. Thereby , only when the shopping cart 3 is in the storage location P, the shopping cart 3
receives communication from detector 43 and replies (transmits). The detector 43 then 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 is out of the communicable range (taken out), and determines that the shopping cart 3 is within the communicable range again. When it enters (returns to the communicable range), it is determined that it has been stocked.

(Effects of Second Embodiment) In the second embodiment, as described above, the detector 43 periodically communicates two-way with the electronic tag 2 attached to the shopping cart 3 within a predetermined range. 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 has not been confirmed has been taken out, and the reply is confirmed. A shopping cart 3 specified by an electronic tag 2 whose reply is confirmed again after it is gone is determined to be stocked. This makes it possible to determine whether the shopping cart 3 is in (and out of) the warehouse even when it is difficult to provide a dedicated entrance to the storage location of the shopping cart 3 .

Other effects of the second embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[Modifications] 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 (modifications) can also be adopted.

For example, in the above-described first embodiment, the detector (4) having the outer reader (40) and the inner reader (41) is provided; Although the example provided with the detector (43) which periodically communicates with the detector (43) is shown, the present invention is not limited to this. Of the plurality of detectors in the shopping cart management system, some may be configured as the detectors shown in the first embodiment and some may be configured as the detectors shown in the second embodiment. Moreover, it is good also as a detector of another structure.

Also, in the above-described first and second embodiments, an example in which the outer reader and the inner reader are arranged close to each other has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this. An outer reader may be placed at the doorway of the room in which the storage location exists, and an inner reader may be placed at the doorway of the storage location (separate from the doorway of the room).

Also, in the first and second embodiments, semi-active tags are used, but passive tags or active tags can be used instead. In the case of passive tags, it is possible to detect entry into the storage location by installing a detector at the entrance/exit of the storage location. Also, when using an active tag, it is possible to communicate with multiple shopping carts in the storage area in order. The shopping cart can be determined to be stocked. Therefore, in a large suburban store or the like, if the entire area is designated as the storage location, the active tag is effective.

In addition, in the first and second embodiments described above, a privilege is given to the customer on the condition that the detector installed in the storage location detects the arrival of the shopping cart. Set up in one section of the car park and install a detector there. Even if the detector detects that a shopping cart has entered the warehouse, if a privilege is given to the customer, the system can be introduced even in a large suburban store with a large parking lot. In addition, if a special privilege is given to a customer who brings a shopping cart stored in a storage area provided in a parking lot into the store and uses it and then returns it to the storage area in the store, It can also reduce the number of workers who collect shopping carts that are piling up in the parking lot and put them back in the store storage area.

In addition to the detector, the solar panel (and battery) may be configured to supply power to a card reader/writer for a membership card, an electric light, etc., which are placed nearby.

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 battery panel

Claims (7)

a plurality of shopping carts each having an electronic tag storing unique cart ID information;
a customer information management device;
a reader that acquires the cart ID information of the shopping cart and transmits it to the customer information management device;
a membership card reader that acquires customer ID information from a customer's membership card or smartphone and transmits it to the customer information management device;
The customer information management device associates the received cart ID information and the customer ID information when the received cart ID information and the customer ID information are transmitted from the readers at the same location. to remember
Shopping cart management system. a detector that communicates with each of the electronic tags and acquires the cart ID information from each of the electronic tags at a storage location where a plurality of the shopping carts are stored;
The detector identifies the shopping cart that has entered the storage location based on the cart ID information received from the electronic tag.
The shopping cart management system according to claim 1. The customer information management device records that a privilege is given to the customer of the customer ID information associated with the cart ID information of the shopping cart that has been stored by the detector.
The shopping cart management system according to claim 1 or 2. When the new customer ID information transmitted from the membership card reader at the storage location is different from the customer ID information associated with the cart ID information of the shopping cart that has been stored by the detector, the customer information management device records that a privilege is given to the customer of the new customer ID information,
The shopping cart management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The privilege includes at least one of the granting of new points, the granting of coupons or discount coupons, or the granting of discount services that can be applied to payment,
The shopping cart management system according to claim 3 or 4. a plurality of shopping carts each having an electronic tag storing unique cart ID information;
a detector that communicates with each of the electronic tags and acquires the cart ID information from each of the electronic tags at a storage location for a plurality of the shopping carts;
The detector stores cart ID information of each shopping cart, and determines which shopping cart has entered or left the storage location based on the cart ID information received from the electronic tag. ,
Shopping cart management system. wherein the detector is powered by a solar cell;
The shopping cart management system according to any one of claims 2 to 4 or according to claim 6.