JP6302857B2 - Goods management device - Google Patents

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an article management apparatus.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a system for managing merchandise using IC tags (wireless tags) such as RFID attached to merchandise in stores. In such a system, inventory work can be performed by reading an IC tag. For example, the inventory work can be performed by comparing the theoretical stock obtained from the product management information with the actual stock based on the IC tag information actually read by the reader / writer. In practice, however, there may be a discrepancy between the theoretical stock and the actual stock. In the conventional system, when there is a discrepancy between the theoretical stock and the actual stock, it is not clear how to confirm the mismatched product or manage the reason for the discrepancy.

JP2009-120301A.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an article management apparatus capable of clear article management even when the theoretical stock and the actual stock are inconsistent.

According to the embodiment, the article management apparatus includes an acquisition unit, a display unit, and an input unit. The acquisition means acquires theoretical inventory information based on article management information for a plurality of articles to be inventoried. The display means displays actual stock information and theoretical stock information based on tag information read from the wireless tag attached to the article by the wireless tag reader. The input means inputs information for ending inventory for an article that is one of the plurality of articles and whose actual stock information and theoretical stock information do not match.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an article (product) management system including a mobile terminal as an article management apparatus according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tag reading device in which the portable terminal is mounted on the reader / writer according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system in the reader / writer and the portable terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of product management information according to the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining a flow of control processing of the reader / writer according to the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of inventory control in the mobile terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of inventory control in the mobile terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of inventory control in the mobile terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a display example of a store selection screen on the display unit of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 10 is a display example of a category selection screen on the display unit of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 11 is a first display example of an inventory operation screen on the display unit of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 12 is a second display example of the inventory operation screen on the display unit of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 13 is a third display example of the inventory operation screen on the display unit of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 14 is a display example of a select inventory operation screen on the display unit of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 15A is a diagram schematically illustrating a reading state in a normal processing mode in the mobile terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 15B is a diagram schematically showing a reading state in the select mode when a specific SKU is selected. FIG. 16 is a display example of a manual input screen on the display unit of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 17 is a display example of the selected inventory operation screen when inventory of the selected SKU is completed on the display unit of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment. FIG. 18 is a display example of an inventory operation screen when inventory of all SKUs is completed on the display unit of the mobile terminal according to the embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of an article (product) management system having a mobile terminal as an article management apparatus according to an embodiment.
The merchandise management system includes a tag reading device and a server S configured by a portable terminal D (D1, D2, D3, D4) and a reader / writer R (R1, R2, R3, R4). FIG. 1 shows a configuration example of a product management system having one server S and a plurality of tag reading devices. There may be a plurality of tag reading devices or a single tag reading device.

  The mobile terminal D as the article management apparatus is, for example, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant) or the like. The reader / writer R is a device that communicates with an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) as an IC tag (wireless tag) attached to a product (article). The reader / writer R wirelessly communicates with the IC tag to read information from the IC tag and write information to the IC tag. For example, the reader / writer R is a handy type RFID reader / writer. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the tag reading device is a device in which a portable terminal is mounted on a handy type RFID reader / writer.

  The server S has a database M that stores management information of products to be managed as master data. The server S has a communication function with the mobile terminal D. The server S provides merchandise management information as master data to the tag reader for inventory processing (inventory management), which will be described later. Further, the server S acquires information such as the reading result of the IC tag from the tag reading device.

  The following embodiments will be described assuming an example in which the present system is operated in an apparel shop that sells clothing and the like as an example of a store. The system according to the present embodiment is applicable as long as it is a system that manages an article (product) with an IC tag attached to the article. For example, you may operate in the store which sells goods other than clothing.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the tag reading device in which the portable terminal D is mounted on the reader / writer R according to the embodiment.
In the configuration example shown in FIG. 1, the reader / writer R includes a main body portion 2, a grip portion 4, a trigger switch 5, and a placement portion 6.
The main body unit 2 includes an antenna, a communication control unit, a control unit, a battery, and the like. The main body 2 performs wireless communication with an IC tag (RFID) as a wireless tag attached to a product. The main body 2 transmits and receives radio waves for wireless communication with the IC tag. Wireless communication with the IC tag will be described later.

  The grip part 4 is a part that an operator grips during operation. The grip part 4 is arranged on the rear side with respect to the main body part 2. The trigger switch 5 is provided in the grip part 4. When the operator turns on the trigger switch 5 while holding the grip part 4, the reader / writer R radiates radio waves from the antenna in the main body part 2. When the operator turns off the trigger switch 5, the reader / writer R stops the emission of radio waves from the antenna of the main body 2.

  The placement unit 6 holds the mobile terminal D. The mounting portion 6 is provided between the main body portion 2 and the grip portion 4. The placement unit 6 is connected to the main body unit 2. The placing portion 6 is connected to the grip portion 4. The placement unit 6 includes a pair of holding units 7 (7a, 7b). The holding unit 7 sandwiches the upper part and the lower part of the mobile terminal D placed on the placing part 6. The holding unit 7 holds the mobile terminal D in a detachable manner.

  The mobile terminal D includes a display unit 11 and an operation unit 12. The display unit 11 has a display screen. The operation unit 12 receives input of information by the operator. For example, the display unit 11 and the operation unit 12 are configured by a liquid crystal display device with a touch panel. The holding unit 7 holds the portable terminal D so that the display screen of the display unit 11 faces in a direction in which an operator who holds the grip unit 4 of the reader / writer R can directly view.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of a control system in the reader / writer R and the portable terminal D.
In the configuration example shown in FIG. 3, the reader / writer R includes a control unit 21, a memory unit 22, a communication control unit 23, an antenna 24, a portable terminal interface (1 / F) 25, a battery 26, a trigger switch 5, and the like. The control unit 21 is connected to the memory unit 22, the communication control unit 23, the portable terminal interface 25, and the trigger switch 5 via a data bus. The battery 26 supplies power to each part of the reader / writer R.

  The control unit 21 includes a processor 31, a program memory 32, a working memory 33, and the like. The processor 31 executes a program. The processor 31 is an arithmetic unit such as a CPU, for example. The program memory 32 is a non-volatile memory that stores various programs, control data, and the like. The program memory 32 is, for example, a read only memory (ROM). The working memory 33 is a memory for developing various data. The working memory 33 is, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The processor 31 is connected to the program memory 32, the working memory 33, and the memory unit 22 via a data bus. The control unit 21 implements various processes by the processor 31 executing programs stored in the program memory 32 or the memory unit 22 using the working memory 33.

The memory unit 22 is configured by a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The memory unit 22 can be realized by, for example, an HDD or a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 22 stores a control program or control data.
The communication control unit 23 is connected to the antenna 24. The communication control unit 23 wirelessly communicates with an RFID (wireless tag) as an IC tag via the antenna 24. The communication control unit 23 transmits and receives radio waves via the antenna. The communication control unit 23 wirelessly communicates with the RFID using a communication protocol defined by a predetermined standard. That is, the communication control unit 23 has a function of performing wireless communication with an RFID (IC tag) that conforms to a predetermined standard. For example, a standard for wireless communication with RFID is ISO / IEC 18000-6 TypeC (EPC global Class 1 Generation 2).

  In this system, an IC tag as an RFID is attached to an object (article, product) to be managed. The IC tag stores EPC data (IC tag information) including information to be described later. For example, the communication control unit 23 transmits a radio wave for transmitting a response request for requesting IC tag information to an IC tag attached to a product such as clothing via the antenna 24. The IC tag is activated by the received radio wave, and transmits the IC tag information stored in the IC tag on the response radio wave. The communication control unit 23 receives response radio waves from the IC tag through the antenna 24. The communication control unit 23 stores the IC tag information included in the received response radio wave in the working memory 33 and the memory unit 22.

The mobile terminal interface 25 is an interface for data communication with the mobile terminal D. The mobile terminal interface 25 only needs to be capable of communication connection with the interface of the mobile terminal D. For example, the mobile terminal interface 25 may be a wireless communication interface or a contact type interface. For example, the mobile terminal interface 25 may be an interface for communication connection with the mobile terminal D by NFC (Near Field Communication).
The battery 26 supplies power to each part of the reader / writer R.

  The mobile terminal D includes the display unit 11, the operation unit 12, the control unit 51, the memory unit 52, the RW interface 53, the wireless communication unit 54, the speaker 55, and the battery 56 in the configuration example illustrated in FIG. The control unit 51 is connected to the display unit 11, the operation unit 12, the memory unit 52, the RW interface 53, the wireless communication unit 54, and the speaker 55 via a data bus.

  The control unit 51 includes a processor 61, a program memory 62, and a working memory 63. The processor 61 executes a program. The processor 61 is, for example, a CPU. The program memory 62 stores various programs and control data. The program memory 62 is constituted by, for example, a read only memory (ROM). The working memory 63 is a memory for developing various data. The working memory 63 is composed of, for example, a random access memory (RAM).

  The processor 61 is connected to the program memory 62, the working memory 63, and the memory unit 52 via a data bus. The control unit 51 implements various processes by executing a program stored in the program memory 62 or the memory unit 52 by the processor 61 using the working memory 63.

  The memory unit 52 is configured by a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The memory unit 52 can be realized by, for example, an HDD or flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 52 stores a control program or control data. For example, the memory unit 52 can install a control program. The memory unit 52 can store data transferred from a server or the like.

  The display unit 11 has a display screen that displays various types of information to the operator. The display unit 11 is formed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel. The operation unit 12 is an input unit for an operator to input operation keys to be described later. The operation unit 12 is configured by a touch panel, for example. The operation unit 12 detects an input to an operation key displayed on the display unit 11 by a touch panel. That is, the display unit 11 and the operation unit 12 can be configured by a display device with a touch panel. The operation unit 12 may include a mechanical hard key.

  The RW interface 53 is connected to communicate with the portable terminal interface 25 of the reader / writer R. The control unit 51 transmits and receives various types of information including battery remaining amount information to and from the reader / writer R via the RW interface 53. The RW interface 53 inputs the IC tag information transmitted from the reader / writer R.

  The wireless communication unit 54 is a communication interface for communicating with the server S. For example, when starting the inventory work, the wireless communication unit 54 acquires management information of a product to be inventoryed from the server S. In addition, the wireless communication unit 54 transmits information indicating the result of the inventory work to the server S. For example, the wireless communication unit 54 transmits to the server S the reading result of the IC tag and the input information input by the operator as information indicating the result of the inventory work.

The speaker 55 functions as a notification unit. The speaker 55 has a function of sounding a buzzer sound, for example. The speaker 55 emits a buzzer sound as a sound for alerting the operator.
The battery 56 supplies power to each part of the mobile terminal D.

The server S includes a control unit 71, a memory unit 72, and a wireless communication unit 73 in the configuration example illustrated in FIG. The control unit 71 includes a processor 81, a program memory 82, and a working memory 83.
The processor 81 executes a program. The processor 81 is, for example, a CPU. The program memory 82 stores various programs and control data. The program memory 82 is constituted by, for example, a read only memory (ROM). The working memory 83 is a memory for developing various data. The working memory 83 is composed of, for example, a random access memory (RAM). The processor 81 is connected to the program memory 82, the working memory 83, and the memory unit 72 via a data bus.

The control unit 71 implements various processes by executing programs stored in the program memory 82 or the memory unit 72 by the processor 81 using the working memory 83.
The memory unit 72 is configured by a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The memory unit 72 can be realized by, for example, an HDD or a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 72 stores a control program or control data. For example, the memory unit 72 can install the control program as appropriate.

  Further, the memory unit 72 has a database M for storing product management information. The database M stores product management information as master data. The database M is updated based on information indicating the result of inventory work acquired from each mobile terminal.

  The wireless communication unit 73 is a communication interface for communicating with the mobile terminal D. For example, the wireless communication unit 73 performs wireless communication over a communication range of an area where inventory work is performed (for example, in-store and inventory storage of products (commodities)). For example, when starting the inventory work, the wireless communication unit 73 transfers the management information of the commodity to be inventoryed to the mobile terminal D. In addition, the wireless communication unit 73 acquires information indicating the result of the inventory work from the portable terminal D. For example, the control unit 71 updates the database M by performing a duplication check on the information indicating the result of the inventory work acquired from the plurality of mobile terminals D by the wireless communication unit 73.

Next, information held by the mobile terminal D will be described.
In the configuration example illustrated in FIG. 3, the memory unit 52 includes an inventory information storage unit 52a, an inventory storage unit 52b, a counter 52c, and an input information storage unit 52d.
The inventory information storage unit 52a stores product management information acquired from the server S. For example, the inventory information storage unit 52a stores product management information downloaded from the server S when inventory management is started. The product management information includes information including at least SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) as a product number as a minimum management unit for identifying a product and unique serial data provided to each product (or an IC tag attached to each product). This is information for managing each product based on. The merchandise management information is used for inventory management. The inventory process is a process for confirming the theoretical inventory quantity managed by the product management information and the actual inventory quantity. Product management information and inventory processing will be described later.

The inventory storage unit 52b stores information indicating the result of the inventory process. For example, the inventory storage unit 52b stores an inventory processing result for each product with an IC tag. For example, the inventory storage unit 52b stores information indicating a product whose IC tag is actually read by the reader / writer R or information indicating a result of manual inventory by the operator.
The counter 52c stores information (inventory completion count) counted for each SKU. The counter 52c counts the total number of IC tags actually read and the number of manual inventory counts as the inventory completion count for each SKU.
The input information storage unit 52d stores information input by the operator in the inventory process. For example, the input information storage unit 52d stores text information of the reason that the operator considers as the reason why the IC tag could not be read in the manual inventory for each product.

Next, product management information will be described.
FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of product management information.
The server S stores product management information in the database M. The product management information stored in the database M of the server S is master data of stock information indicating the stock of each product. For example, when carrying out inventory management (inventory) work, the mobile terminal D downloads management information on products to be inventoried from the server S.

  The merchandise management information (stock information) includes at least SKU and serial data. In the example shown in FIG. 4, information relating to a product includes SKU, serial data (RFID serial data), product name, color, size, category, and the like. In the example shown in FIG. 4, the inventory information includes an inventory completion flag, a tag reading flag, a manual inventory flag, a reason code, a comment, and the like.

  The product name, color, size, and category are information (product information) for classifying the product. SKU is information for identifying a product. That is, SKU is identification information for each product classified by each information of product name, color, size, and category. The SKU only needs to be able to identify each product in a unit for managing the number of stocks. For example, the SKU may be a product number including information obtained by coding each information of product name, color, size, and category. The SKU may be a JAN (Japanese Article Number) code, an EAN (European Article Number) code, a UPC (Universal Product Code), or the like.

  The serial data is identification information of an IC tag given to each product. Serial data is information unique to each IC tag. For example, when there are a plurality of the same products, even if the products are the same, each product is provided with an IC tag that holds different serial data.

  In the example shown in FIG. 4, the SKU of the product with the product name “kids pants”, the color “red”, the size “110”, and the category “kids” is “0001”. The product of SKU “0001” has four items in stock. The IC tags attached to the four products of SKU “0001” have serial data “0001001”, “0001002”, “0001003”, and “0001004”, respectively.

The inventory completion flag, tag reading flag, manual inventory flag, reason code, and comment are information indicating the result of the inventory work for each product.
The inventory completion flag is information indicating whether inventory for the corresponding product (SKU) is completed or not completed. For example, for an SKU for which inventory has been completed, the inventory completion flag is set to “1”. For an SKU for which inventory has not been completed, the inventory completion flag is set to “0”.

  The tag reading flag is information indicating whether or not the IC tag of each product identified by the serial code has been read. For example, in a stocktaking operation, the tag reading flag is set to “1” for a product (product) from which the corresponding serial code IC tag (RFID) is read. Further, in the inventory work, the tag reading flag is set to “0” for a product whose IC tag (RFID) corresponding serial code is not read.

  The manual inventory flag is information indicating whether or not manual inventory (hereinafter referred to as manual inventory) has been performed for each product identified by the serial code. In manual inventory, the operator manually checks the product. In manual inventory, for example, an operator visually confirms the product. For example, a manual inventory flag is set to “1” for a product that has been manually inventoried. For products that are not manually inventoried, the manual inventory flag is set to “0”.

  The reason code is information indicating the reason for the inventory result for the corresponding product. For example, the reason code is code information indicating the result of manual inventory, the reason for performing manual inventory, or the state of the product. As the reason code, predetermined code information is held. In the example of FIG. 4, “0” is set as the reason code without confirmation, “1” when there is an untagged product, “2” in other cases, and “3” as the hold (later confirmation) is set as the reason code. The

  The comment is information input by the operator. For example, the comment is text information such as a memo that is input by the operator who has performed the stock inventory on the portable terminal D. As the comment, for example, text information such as “Incorrect tagging”, “Lost tag”, “Suspected shoplifting”, or the like can be stored. The comment is not limited to text information. The comment may be information that can be saved as another data file. For example, the comment may be image information captured by a camera, or image information drawn by an operator using a touch panel.

  The mobile terminal D stores product information such as product number, serial data, product name, color, size, and category in the inventory information storage unit 52a. The portable terminal D acquires product information by downloading it from the server S. The portable terminal D stores information such as an inventory completion flag, a tag reading flag, a manual inventory flag, a reason code, and a comment in the inventory storage unit 52b in association with the SKU and serial data. In addition, the portable terminal D stores the number of theoretical stocks for each SKU and the number of completed inventory processing (the number of IC tag reads and the number of manual inventory) in the counter 52c. Moreover, the portable terminal D memorize | stores the information input as a comment in the input information storage part 52d.

Next, an IC tag reading process by the reader / writer R will be described.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the flow of reading processing of the reader / writer R.
The reader / writer R can transmit and receive radio waves for communication with the IC tag (RFID) in a state where the portable terminal D is mounted. In this state, the control unit 21 detects whether or not the trigger switch 5 is turned on (ACT 11).

  When it is determined that the trigger switch 5 is turned on (ACT 11, Yes), the control unit 21 transmits a radio wave including a response request to the IC tag attached to the product via the antenna 24 by the communication control unit 23. Radiate (ACT12). On the other hand, when each IC tag receives a radio wave including a response request from the reader / writer R, each IC tag returns a response radio wave including the IC tag information stored in the IC tag.

  In a state where a radio wave including a response request is emitted, the reader / writer R can receive a response including IC tag information from the IC tag. When receiving the response radio wave from the IC tag (ACT13, Yes), the control unit 21 transmits the IC tag information received via the mobile terminal interface 25 to the mobile terminal D (ACT14). After transferring the received IC tag information to the portable terminal D, the control unit 21 returns to ACT11. If the control unit 21 has not received a response radio wave including IC tag information (ACT13, No), the control unit 21 returns to ACT11.

  When it is determined that the trigger switch 5 is not turned on (ACT 11, No), the control unit 21 stops the emission of radio waves from the antenna 3 by the communication control unit 23 (ACT 15). When the emission of radio waves is stopped, the control unit 21 returns to ACT 11 and detects again whether the trigger switch 5 is turned on.

Next, an inventory process using the mobile terminal D will be described.
6 to 8 are flowcharts for explaining the flow of the inventory process in the mobile terminal D. 9 to 17 are examples of display screens displayed on the display unit 11 of the mobile terminal D. 6 to 8 is realized by the processor 31 of the control unit 51 executing an application program for inventory processing for a portable terminal. For example, the application program for inventory processing is provided as a program executed on an OS (Operation System) implemented by the control unit 51 of the portable terminal.
That is, the operator who performs the inventory work attaches the portable terminal D in which the application program for inventory processing is installed to the reader / writer R. The operator instructs the start of inventory using the operation unit 12 of the portable terminal D attached to the reader / writer R.

  When the start of inventory is instructed (ACT21, YES), the control unit 51 of the portable terminal D displays a selection screen for selecting product management information to be inventoried on the display unit 11 (ACT22). For example, assuming an operation in which inventory is executed for each store, a store is selected as the selection of product management information to be inventoried. In this case, the portable terminal D causes the display unit 11 to display a store selection screen for selecting a store, thereby selecting management information for the product to be inventoried.

  FIG. 9 is a display example of a store selection screen displayed by the display unit 11. In the display example shown in FIG. 9, the display unit 11 displays a list of selectable stores. The display fields 91a to 91d of each store are displayed in a state that can be selected by the touch panel as the operation unit 12. For example, when selecting the store “A store”, the operator touches the display column 91a of the A store. The control unit 51 highlights the display column of the selected store, and displays the download button 92 in a selectable state. In this state, the control unit 51 enters a download instruction waiting state. Further, on the store selection screen, a plurality of stores may be selected.

  When download is instructed (ACT 23, YES), the control unit 51 downloads the product management information of the selected store from the server S as product management information for inventory (ACT 24). The control unit 51 requests the server S to download product management information to be inventoried by the wireless communication unit 54. The server S receives a request for downloading product management information from the portable terminal D by the wireless communication unit 73. The control unit 71 of the server S downloads the product management information stored in the database M to the mobile terminal D in response to the download request.

  When the download is completed, the control unit 51 of the mobile terminal D displays a category selection screen on the display unit 11 (ACT 25). Based on the category selected by the operator, the control unit 51 determines a product group that is actually an inventory target. The product group to be inventoried may be selected by another classification. For example, the product group to be inventoried may be selected by a product name or the like. The inventory target may be all products (all products in the store) included in the downloaded product management information. In this case, the processing of ACTs 25 and 26 may be omitted.

  FIG. 10 is a display example of a category selection screen displayed by the display unit 11. In the display example illustrated in FIG. 10, a list of selectable categories is displayed on the display unit 11, and each category can be selected with a touch panel as the operation unit 12. For example, when the category “kids” is selected, the operator touches the display column of kids. The control unit 51 highlights the display column of the selected category and displays the determination button in a selectable state. In this state, the control unit 51 waits for a category determination instruction. A plurality of categories may be selected.

  When the category determination button is instructed (ACT 26, YES), the control unit 51 of the mobile terminal D displays an operation screen for inventory work on the display unit 11 (ACT 27). In the operation screen displayed on the display unit 11, the control unit 51 displays the number of stocks and the number of reading (inventory) for each product number of products to be inventoried and various operation buttons.

FIG. 11 is a first display example of the inventory operation screen displayed by the display unit 11. FIG. 11 is a display example of the inventory operation screen in the initial state.
In the display example shown in FIG. 11, the display unit 11 displays the product name / color / size (product information), the quantity, and the like for each product number as an inventory status guide. The product information is information such as a product name, color, and size managed in association with SKU in the product management information. The quantity indicates the number of theoretical stocks and the number of readings for each SKU.

  The theoretical stock quantity is the total number of the SKUs in the product management information downloaded from the server S. That is, the theoretical inventory quantity is a value managed as the number of SKUs in the store. The number of readings indicates the number of IC tags read by the reading process using the reader / writer R among the products of the SKU. The product whose IC tag has been read by the reader / writer R is recognized as the number of completed inventory. Therefore, the quantity display is information indicating the progress status of the inventory work for each SKU. For example, in the quantity display, an SKU whose read number has reached the theoretical inventory number can be recognized as an inventory completed.

  In the inventory operation screen shown in FIG. 11, various operation buttons that can be selected on the touch panel as the operation unit 12 are displayed together with the above-described guidance. In the inventory operation screen shown in FIG. 11, a reading start button 111, a reading stop button 112, a select mode button 113, a display switching button 114, and a return button are displayed. In addition, the inventory display screen shown in FIG. 11 also displays select display fields 115 (115a to 115d) for each product number.

  The reading start button 111 is a button for instructing reading start of the IC tag. The reading stop button 112 is a button for instructing to stop the reading process of the IC tag. The select mode button 113 is a button for instructing transition to the select mode. The display switching button 114 is a button for instructing switching of display. The return button is a button for instructing to return to the previous display screen. The select display fields 115a to 115d are displayed in association with each SKU (product number). The select display columns 115a to 1115d are columns (buttons) for designating SKUs to be read (SKUs to be selected read) in the select mode described later.

  When the reading start button 111 is instructed on the inventory operation screen (ACT28, YES), the control unit 51 of the portable terminal D starts a reading process using the reader / writer R (ACT29). The control unit 51 instructs the reader / writer R to start reading the IC tag. The reader / writer R executes an IC tag reading process in response to an instruction to start reading the IC tag from the portable terminal D. For example, the reader / writer R performs the IC tag reading process by the process shown in the flowchart shown in FIG. After starting the reading process, the control unit 51 of the portable terminal D acquires information read by the reader / writer R from the IC tag, and executes a process according to an instruction to each operation button.

  For example, when the reading stop button is instructed (ACT30, YES), the control unit 51 stops the reading process of the IC tag by the reader / writer R (ACT31). In this case, the control unit 51 of the portable terminal D instructs the reader / writer R to stop reading. The reader / writer R stops the IC tag reading process in accordance with the reading stop instruction of the portable terminal D. When the reading process of the IC tag is stopped, the control unit 51 of the portable terminal D returns to the ACT 28 and accepts the resumption of the reading process.

  When the select mode button 113 is instructed (ACT 32, YES), the control unit 51 shifts the processing mode of the inventory process to the select mode. The select mode is a processing mode in which processing for preferentially reading the IC tag of the SKU designated as the reading target is performed. The processing in this select mode will be described later.

  When the display switching button 114 is instructed (ACT 33, YES), the control unit 51 switches the display screen displayed on the display unit 11 (ACT 34). For example, the control unit 51 switches between displaying and hiding the SKU (part number) that has been completely read.

  FIG. 12 is a second display example of the inventory operation screen displayed by the display unit 11. FIG. 12 shows a state in which a part of SKUs has been read. In the example shown in FIG. 12, the SKU (SKU for which inventory has been completed) whose theoretical stock number and read number are the same is displayed in a different background color from the other SKUs. For example, when the display switching button is instructed, the control unit 51 hides the SKU (inventory has been completed) of which the theoretical stock number and the read number coincide with each other.

  When the SKU to be read in the select mode is instructed (ACT 35, YES), the control unit 51 selects the instructed SKU as the read object in the select mode (ACT 36). For example, when any of the select display fields is instructed by the operation unit 12, the control unit 51 displays a mark indicating that the selected state is in the instructed select display field. FIG. 13 shows a third display example of the inventory operation screen. The inventory operation screen shown in FIG. 13 shows a state where the SKU to be read in the select mode is selected. In the example shown in FIG. 13, the product numbers “0001” and “0003” are displayed in the select display column with marks (points) indicating that they are selected.

  During the reading process, the reader / writer R supplies the IC tag information read from the IC tag to the mobile terminal D via the mobile terminal interface 25. When acquiring the IC tag information read by the reader / writer R, the control unit 51 of the portable terminal D determines whether or not the acquired IC tag information is newly read information (ACT 37). When it is determined that the acquired IC tag information is newly read information (ACT 37, YES), the control unit 51 updates information indicating an inventory (read) result with the IC tag information (ACT 38). For example, the control unit 51 counts up the number of SKUs read corresponding to the serial data included in the read IC tag information.

  When the information indicating the inventory result (the reading result of the IC tag information) is updated, the control unit 51 determines whether the inventory is completed (ACT39). The control unit 51 determines that inventory has been completed when the number of readings for all SKUs to be inventoried matches the theoretical inventory number. The control unit 51 also determines that the inventory is complete when the sum of the number of readings and the number of manual inventory described below matches the theoretical inventory number for all SKUs to be inventoried.

  When it is determined that the inventory has not been completed (ACT 39, NO), the control unit 51 returns to the ACT 30 and repeatedly executes the above-described processing. If it is determined that the inventory has been completed (ACT 39, YES), the control unit 51 enables the inventory confirmation button on the inventory operation screen (ACT 40). For example, when determining that the inventory has been completed, the control unit 51 displays an inventory confirmation button (see FIGS. 17 and 18) on the inventory operation screen. Until the inventory is completed, the inventory confirmation button is displayed in a non-displayed or grayed-out state on the inventory operation screen. Thereby, the operator can recognize that the inventory has been completed by displaying the inventory confirmation button.

  When the inventory confirmation button is instructed (ACT41, YES), the control unit 51 uploads information indicating the inventory (reading) result to the server S (ACT42). For example, the control unit 51 transfers information stored in the inventory storage unit 52b and the input information storage unit 52d of the memory unit 52 as information indicating the inventory result to the server S. When there is an instruction other than the inventory confirmation button (ACT41, NO), the control unit 51 returns to the process corresponding to the instructed operation button and performs the process.

Next, processing in the select mode will be described.
When the select mode button 113 is instructed, the control unit 51 issues a select command and shifts to the select mode. The select mode is an operation mode in which only the selected SKU is read and an IC tag reading process is executed. When shifting to the select mode, the control unit 51 causes the display unit 11 to display a select inventory operation screen (ACT 51). The selected inventory operation screen displays inventory status guidance and various operation buttons for only the selected SKU.

FIG. 14 is a display example of a select inventory operation screen displayed by the display unit 11.
In the display example shown in FIG. 14, the display unit 11 displays product information and quantity for the selected SKU as the inventory status guidance. The product information is information such as the product name, color, and size, and the quantity indicates the theoretical inventory number and the read number.

  Further, on the select inventory operation screen, as various selectable operation buttons, a reading start button 111, a reading stop button 112, a manual mode button 141, a display switching button 114, and a return button are displayed. Further, in the select inventory operation screen shown in FIG. 14, manual display columns 142 (142a to 142d) for each SKU (product number) are also displayed.

  The manual mode button 141 is a button for instructing transition to the manual mode. The manual display fields 142a and 142b are displayed in association with each SKU (product number). The manual display fields 142a and 142b are fields (buttons) for designating SKUs that are targets of manual inventory in the manual mode described later.

  When the reading start button 111 is instructed on the select inventory operation screen (ACT 52, YES), the control unit 51 of the mobile terminal D issues a select command. The control unit 51 of the portable terminal D starts the reading process in the select mode using the reader / writer R by instructing the select command (ACT 53). In the reading process (select read) in the select mode, only the selected SKU is read with the output increased. For example, a communication processing method defined in “EPC global Class 1 Generation 2” can be applied to the function of reading only what is selected in the select mode.

  FIGS. 15A and 15B are schematic diagrams for explaining the reading function in the select mode. FIG. 15A schematically shows a reading situation in the normal reading processing mode. FIG. 15B schematically shows a reading state in the select mode when SKU2 is selected. As shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B, in the select mode, the selected output is executed with a larger output than that in the normal reading processing mode. That is, the select mode is a mode in which only the IC tag of the selected SKU is read with higher accuracy.

  When the reading stop button is instructed after starting reading (ACT 55, YES), the control unit 51 stops the reading process of the IC tag by the reader / writer R (ACT 54). In this case, the control unit 51 of the portable terminal D instructs the reader / writer R to stop reading. The reader / writer R stops the IC tag reading process in accordance with the reading stop instruction of the portable terminal D. When the IC tag reading process is stopped, the control unit 51 of the portable terminal D returns to the ACT 52 and accepts the resumption of the reading process.

  When the display switching button 114 is instructed (ACT 56, YES), the control unit 51 switches the display screen displayed on the display unit 11 (ACT 57). For example, the control unit 51 switches between displaying and hiding the SKU (part number) that has been read.

  When the SKU to be manually invented is selected (when any of the manual display fields is instructed) (ACT 58, YES), the control unit 51 displays a mark in the manual display field of the selected SKU ( ACT 59). For example, the select inventory operation screen shown in FIG. 14 shows a state where an SKU that is a target of manual inventory is selected. In the example shown in FIG. 14, a mark “0001” indicating that the product number is “0001” is selected in the manual display field.

  When the manual mode button 141 is instructed (ACT 60, YES), the control unit 51 shifts the processing mode to the manual mode. The manual mode is a processing mode that accepts input of information by an operator as information on a product designated as a manual inventory target. The information input by the operator is, for example, information related to the manual inventory for the product. The manual mode process will be described later.

  During the reading process in the select mode, the reader / writer R supplies the IC tag information read from the IC tag selected through the portable terminal interface 25 to the portable terminal D. The control unit 51 of the portable terminal D determines whether or not the IC tag information read by the reader / writer R is newly read information (ACT 67). When it is determined that the acquired IC tag information is newly read information (ACT 67, YES), the control unit 51 updates the information indicating the inventory (read) result with the newly read IC tag (ACT 68).

  When the information indicating the inventory result (IC tag reading result) is updated, the control unit 51 determines whether the inventory has been completed (ACT 69). The control unit 51 determines that the inventory has been completed when the sum of the number of readings and the manual inventory number of all the selected SKUs to be inspected matches the theoretical inventory number.

  If it is determined that the inventory has not been completed (ACT 69, NO), the control unit 51 returns to ACT 55 and repeatedly executes the above-described processing. If it is determined that the inventory has been completed (ACT 69, YES), the control unit 51 enables the inventory confirmation button on the inventory operation screen (ACT 70). For example, when the control unit 51 determines that the inventory has been completed, the control unit 51 displays an inventory confirmation button (see FIG. 17) on the select inventory operation screen. Until the inventory is completed, the inventory confirmation button is displayed in a non-displayed or grayed-out state.

  When the manual mode button is instructed (ACT 60, YES), the control unit 51 displays a manual input screen on which the operator inputs information on the display unit 11 (ACT 61). That is, the control unit 51 displays a manual input screen including various information input fields that can be input by the operator on the display unit 11. The control unit 51 accepts input of information relating to manual inventory on the manual input screen (ACT 62).

  For example, FIG. 16 is a display example of a manual input screen. The manual input screen shown in FIG. 16 has a manual quantity input field, a reason code input field, and a comment input field. That is, in the display example shown in FIG. 16, it is possible to input a manual quantity, a reason code, and a comment for the selected SKU. On the manual input screen, the operator inputs the result of manual inventory (inventory visually performed by the operator) using the operation unit 12.

  The manual quantity is an inventory quantity that can be entered by the operator. The operator inputs the total number of the inventory processed, including the number of manual inventory, in the manual quantity column. For example, in a state where three IC tags have been read and one item of the SKU is manually inventoried, “4” can be input as the manual quantity of the SKU.

  As the reason code, a code indicating the reason for manual inventory is input. For example, the information input as the reason code may be anything as long as it is a predetermined code. For example, the reason code is “0” if no confirmation is required, “1” if there is a untagged product, “2” in other cases, and “3” in case of holding (confirmed later). Also good.

  The comment is information input by the operator. In the display example shown in FIG. 16, an operator can input free text information (memo) in the comment input field. For example, as the comment, the reason why the IC tag considered by the operator who carried out inventory in the mumuel could not be read is input. As a specific example, text information such as “Incorrect tagging”, “Lost tag”, “Suspected shoplifting”, or the like can be input as a comment. Note that the comment is not limited to text information. A data file such as image information used as a comment may be attached to the comment input field.

In the manual input screen shown in FIG. 16, an edit end button 165 is displayed. When the input to each input field is completed, the operator instructs the edit end button 165. The edit end button is a button for instructing the end of manual input.
When the edit end button 165 is instructed (ACT 63, YES), the control unit 51 updates the information indicating the inventory result with the information input on the manual input screen (ACT 64). When the information indicating the inventory result is updated by the input information, the control unit 51 ends the manual mode (ACT 65). When the manual mode is ended, the control unit 51 shifts to the select mode and proceeds to the ACT 69.

  When the inventory of all SKUs is completed by manual input (ACT 69, YES), the control unit 51 displays an inventory confirmation button on the operation screen (ACT 70). For example, FIG. 17 is a display example of the select inventory operation screen when inventory of all SKUs is completed by manual inventory. FIG. 18 is a display example of an inventory operation screen when inventory of all SKUs is completed. When the inventory confirmation button 171 shown in FIG. 17 or 18 is instructed, the control unit 51 uploads information indicating the inventory result to the server S, and ends the inventory process.

  As described above, according to the embodiment, the mobile terminal acquires the merchandise management information in which the serial data of the IC tag (RFID) and the SKU are linked, and holds them in the storage unit. The portable terminal displays the actual inventory information based on the IC tag information read from the IC tag by the reader / writer and the theoretical inventory information based on the product management information for each SKU. The mobile terminal accepts input of information related to the result of manual confirmation (inventory) by the operator regarding the SKU in which the displayed actual stock and theoretical stock are different. The portable terminal adds the input information to the inventory result information as information related to the manual inventory.

  According to the above-described embodiment, the inventory process can be completed by the information input by the operator even for SKUs in which the actual stock and the theoretical stock do not match. As a result, even when the theoretical stock and the actual stock do not match, the timing for ending the stocktaking process becomes clear and the stocktaking can be realized efficiently. Information relating to manual inventory input by the operator can be stored as difference information or information indicating a situation or reason for the difference.

  For example, in actual operation, there may be a difference between actual stock and theoretical stock due to reading of IC tags due to loss of goods due to theft, forgetting to attach IC tags, abnormal operation of IC tags, erroneous writing to IC tags, etc. . For these reasons, even if the theoretical stock and the actual stock do not match, the inventory can be terminated by the information entered as the operator's confirmation result (difference filling work), and the efficiency of the stock can be improved.

  Further, according to the above embodiment, it is possible to perform a select read process in which only the selected SKU is selectively read by selecting an SKU whose theoretical stock and actual stock do not match. This makes it easy to read an IC tag that is difficult to read even if the directivity of the tags, the overlapping of the tags, the fixtures or objects to which the tags are attached may affect the communication performance.

  In the above-described embodiment, various processes performed by the control unit of the mobile terminal may be partially or entirely performed by the control unit of the reader / writer. That is, a reader / writer equipped with a portable terminal may perform the above processing as a tag reading device. In addition, some or all of the inventory storage unit, the inventory storage unit, the counter, and the input information storage unit may be provided in the memory unit of the reader / writer R.

  In the above embodiment, the reader / writer may be a reader / writer other than the handy type. For example, a read-only reader may be used instead of the RFID reader / writer. A reader / writer or reader that reads IC tag information other than RFID may be used.

  The program executed in the portable terminal according to the above-described embodiment is an installable or executable file and can be read by a computer such as a CD-ROM, flexible disk, CD-R, DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). It is recorded on a storage medium and provided. Further, the program executed on the mobile terminal of the embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalents thereof.
The invention described in the scope of the claims at the beginning of the present application is added below.
[C1]
An acquisition means for acquiring theoretical inventory information based on article management information for an article to be inventoried;
Display means for displaying actual stock information based on tag information read from a wireless tag attached to an article by a wireless tag reader and the theoretical stock information;
An input unit for inputting information for ending inventory for an article for which the actual stock information and the theoretical stock information do not match;
An article management apparatus.
[C2]
The input means inputs information indicating that confirmation has been performed on an article for which the actual stock information and the theoretical stock information do not match.
The article management apparatus according to C1.
[C3]
The input means inputs information indicating a reason why the actual stock information and the theoretical stock information do not match with respect to an article.
The article management apparatus according to C1 or 2.
[C4]
The input means inputs a memo associated with an article for which the actual stock information and the theoretical stock information do not match.
The article management apparatus according to any one of C1 to C3.
[C5]
A selection unit for designating an article to be read;
Control means for causing the wireless tag reader to read only the wireless tag attached to the article selected by the selecting means;
The article management apparatus according to any one of C1 to C4.

  D: Portable terminal (article management device), R ... Reader / writer, S ... Server, M ... Database, 11 ... Display unit (display unit), 12 ... Operation unit (input unit, selection unit), 21 ... Control unit, 23 ... Communication control unit, 24 ... Antenna, 25 ... Mobile terminal interface, 51 ... Control unit (control means), 52 ... Memory unit, 53 ... RW interface, 54 ... Wireless communication unit (acquisition means).

Claims (5)

An acquisition means for acquiring theoretical inventory information based on article management information for a plurality of articles to be inventoried;
Display means for displaying actual stock information based on tag information read from a wireless tag attached to an article by a wireless tag reader and the theoretical stock information;
Input means for inputting information for ending inventory for an article that is one of the plurality of articles and the actual stock information and the theoretical stock information do not match;
An article management apparatus. The input means inputs information indicating that confirmation has been performed on an article for which the actual stock information and the theoretical stock information do not match.
The article management apparatus according to claim 1. The input means inputs information indicating a reason why the actual stock information and the theoretical stock information do not match with respect to an article.
The article management apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The input means inputs a memo associated with an article for which the actual stock information and the theoretical stock information do not match.
The article management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3. A selection unit for designating an article to be read;
Control means for causing the wireless tag reader to read only the wireless tag attached to the article selected by the selecting means;
The article management apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.