JPH04181466A - Commodity showcase management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To not only accurately manage commodities in a shop but also improve the image of the shop for customers and to prompt sales by using a shop controller to control individual showcase controllers connected through a transmission line. CONSTITUTION:A commodity master file 11 is attached to a shop controller 1, and various data such as bar codes of commodities, commodity codes, sales prices, and quantities of stocking are stored in this file 11. A shop controller 1 is connected to plural POS registers 12 and manages commodity sales in real time. A showcase controller 2 is installed in each proper block of a commodity showcase, and terminal equipments such as a display device, an input device, and a reader are connected in accordance with control and management purposes. Thus, the inventory work is accurately and efficiently executed to accurately recognize commodities in real time, and sales are prompted, and the reliability of customers is acquired.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Summary] The present invention relates to a product display shelf management system at Supermarket and other retail stores that performs unique management for each product display shelf from a store controller via a transmission line, The purpose of the present invention is to provide a product display shelf management system that performs economical management, and that can not only accurately manage products within a store but also improve the store's image to customers and promote sales. The store controller is equipped with a product master file for storing required data of the products handled, and has a store controller connected to a POS register, and a display shelf side control device connected to the store controller via a transmission line. , is configured to exchange desired management data and perform corresponding processing between each of the display shelf side control devices and the store controller.

Field of Industrial Application: The present invention relates to a product display shelf management system in supermarkets and other retail stores that performs unique management for each product display shelf from a store controller via a transmission line.

In retail stores, necessary product information is communicated to customers using paper or plastic display tags that list the names and prices of products displayed on product display shelves.
Examples of price display using electronic display means are becoming increasingly common.

Furthermore, we have developed a POS (Point of 5ale) that efficiently manages products by utilizing barcodes with product markings.
s5ys-telI: Point of Sale Information Management System) A system has been adopted in which registers are installed to comprehensively monitor sales activities such as inventory and sales status.

Such a POS register is connected to a store controller, which is mainly a computer, and executes sales management for the entire store.

However, as sales competition intensifies and labor costs soar, there is a need for highly efficient and accurate in-store management.
Furthermore, there is a need for a product display shelf management system that can effectively transmit product information from retail stores to customers and promote sales.

[Conventional technology]

In supermarkets and other retail stores, not only the selling price is attached to the product itself, but also sales information such as the selling price and unit price per unit weight is displayed on the product display shelves. In addition, additional necessary information is added, such as displaying the day's special sale items, displaying products for sale at a discount by combining two or more types, that is, bundled products, and displaying price changes depending on time of day. Ta.

However, most of the preparation and pasting of these various display tags was done manually, which increased labor costs and required a lot of time to change the display throughout the store.

Eventually, for example, changing the selling price for a limited time,
It was not easy to deal with cases such as so-called time service. Additionally, devices using electrical display devices have appeared, but the display is simple and has not yet been able to attract customer attention and improve sales promotion effects.

In addition, trends in product sales were checked by staff members patrolling the store or by reading data from POS registers. However, due to rising labor costs, it cannot be expected that staff will make patrols very frequently, and POS
Although the type and total amount of products sold can be grasped using the register, it does not reliably represent the display status of the product display shelves.

For example, if there is a shortage or imbalance of certain products on display shelves, and some display shelves become empty, it may not be possible to replenish the products in a timely manner, resulting in missed sales opportunities. Situations were likely to occur.

Inventory taking at such conventional retail stores is carried out by staff members walking around the store and recording the number of products on display shelves for each product, or by using a hand belt terminal (HHT), which is a small counting input terminal.
), and the stored contents were transferred to the store controller for final aggregation.

Since the hand belt terminal is connected to the store controller and data is transferred and aggregated, it is easier than manual bookkeeping. However, the process of individually reading barcodes and inputting product quantities using a barcode league connected to a hand belt terminal, and then transmitting the information to the store controller is complicated and prone to errors. . Furthermore, it required a large amount of time and manpower to complete the entire inventory work.

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and is a product display shelf management system for accurately and economically managing products in a retail store. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a product display shelf management system capable of improving store image for customers and promoting sales in addition to product management.

:Means to solve the problem: FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining the principle of the present invention.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a store controller, which comprehensively manages and controls various devices installed within the store based on data from the attached product master file 11.

2 is a product display shelf side control device, which is connected to the store controller 1 via a coaxial cable or other transmission line 3;
Transfers data between the two parties and performs corresponding processing. This display shelf side control device 2 is installed on each display shelf, or installed in each appropriate display shelf unit.

(Function) In the product display shelf management system of the present invention, a store controller 1 that controls and manages the entire store controls each display shelf side control device 2 connected via a transmission line 3.

The store controller 1 is attached with a product master file 11 that stores various data related to sales products. This product master file 11 stores various data such as product barcodes, product codes, sales prices, and purchase quantities. In addition, the store controller 1 usually has a plurality of P
It is connected to the OS register 12 and can perform real-time management of sold products.

A large number of product display shelves exist in the store, and a display shelf-side control device 2 is installed for each column or appropriate block.

Various terminal devices such as a display device, an input device, and a reading device are connected to the display shelf side control device 2 depending on the purpose of control and management.

Data can be exchanged between these various terminal devices and the store controller 1, and information regarding sales products, management of product inventory on product shelves, input of inventory information, etc. are executed. Such a store controller 1 is usually installed in a store management office, and is connected to a POS register 12.
It is equipped with functions to perform product sales management for the entire store, such as control, output of various forms, and analysis of sales data.

[Embodiment] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a first embodiment of the product display shelf management system according to the present invention, and is similar to FIG. 1.
Or corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals.

In the figure, a store controller 1 is connected to a product master file 11 and a POS register 12. The store controller 1 is configured to be able to set different modes: a normal product sales mode and an inventory mode after sales are completed.

In the product sales mode, the store controller 1 issues product information for customers and promotes sales of the products. On the other hand, the inventory mode is a state in which data related to inventory can be input from the display shelf side control device 2 side.

The display shelf side control device 2 is provided with a display section 21 as a display means for displaying product prices and other data. This display section 21 can use a thin display device such as a liquid crystal display or a plasma display. A human power section 22 as a human power means is combined with this display section 2I.

This human power unit 22 can utilize a small input device such as a touch panel that allows input by touching the numerical values on the display screen, for example.

The display shelf side control device 2 includes an arithmetic control section 23 as a control means.
It also has a memory 24 as a storage means, and controls connected terminal devices. The operation of the display shelf side control device 2 is controlled by the store controller 1 via a line control section 25 as a line control means. In addition, each display shelf side control device 2
Data is transferred from the store controller 1 to the store controller 1.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the display section 21 in the first embodiment. This figure shows the display section 21 in sales mode.
This shows the display status of the product, and product data such as the product name and price of the corresponding product are displayed. Other additional product information (commercials) such as “special sale items” or “emergency price reduction items”
can also be displayed.

FIGS. 4(a) to 4(c) show examples of display states of the display unit 21 and input unit 22 when the store controller I is switched to the inventory mode.

[ffi (In al, product name required for inventory mode,
Product data such as the product code is displayed, and inventory data from the display shelf side is also displayed to indicate that it is unmanaged. The person in charge of inventory inputs the required quantity using the input unit 22, which is a numeric keypad for input that shares a part of the area within the display unit 21, as shown in FIG. 2(b).

The contents input at this time are displayed at a predetermined position within the display section 21.

In this way, after the data on the actual quantity of products on the display shelves is input and the store controller reads the results, the display changes to indicate that the inventory has been completed, as shown in Figure (C).

It should be noted that the distinction between data readiness and input completion in the inventory mode can also be displayed by changing the color, such as red for non-input and white or blue for completed input. In addition, by providing a higher-level display device for each shelf row or group and displaying the completed or uncompleted status of the inventory in the shelf row or group so that it can be confirmed from a distance, it is possible for many people to take inventory. It is convenient for implementation.

In addition, the in-store display shelf layout is displayed on the display of one example of the store controller, and the distinction between data not entered and data entry completed in the inventory mode is comprehensively displayed by changing the color on the layout, and the inventory is It can also be configured so that the progress of the status can be checked.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment of the display shelf, in which a display section 21 and an input section 22 are arranged at the bottom of the display shelf. Note that the control section 23 and other components can be grouped together for each function as appropriate, and only the display section 21 and the human power section 22 can be arranged for each display shelf.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart when inventory is taken according to this embodiment.

First, after confirming that the process does not end in step Sll, it is determined whether the mode is inventory mode (step 312). Here, if it is determined that the mode is not the inventory mode but the normal sales mode, step S1.
3), return to step S11.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S12 that the mode is the inventory mode, a display is displayed for the inventory worker (FIG. 4(a)) to notify that no input has been made (step 514).

Next, the system waits until the inventory worker performs inventory work (step 515), and when performing the work, a display for inputting inventory information is displayed (step 316).
. The display is shown in Figure 4).

Next, it is checked whether the inventory information has been manually completed (Step 7 517), and if it has not been completed, the process returns to step S16 and the same process is repeated.

On the other hand, if the inventory has been completed, an inventory completion display (FIG. 4(C)) is displayed (step 31B).

Next, it is determined whether the inventory has been completed (step 51).
9) If not completed, return to step 514 and repeat the same process. On the other hand, if it is determined that the process has ended, the process returns to step Sll and the same process is repeated. If it is determined in step Sll that the process has ended, this means that the business is closed due to the end of business hours, etc., so the display is turned off as in step S20, and the series of processes is ended.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a second embodiment of the present invention, in which an electronic weighing means 32 is added to the display shelf side control device 2.

This electronic weighing means 31 measures the total weight of the products placed on the display shelf 32, as in the embodiment of the display shelf shown in FIG. Therefore, when the customer takes out the product, a measurement result in which the weight is reduced by the unit weight of the product x the number of products is obtained. The measurement results are transmitted to the store controller I via the transmission line 3. Upon receiving this weight data, the store controller 1 calculates the product quantity determined from the product data held in the built-in product master file, particularly the product unit weight data. Based on this calculation result, the display of the store controller 1 displays contents such as ``sufficient'', ``slightly insufficient 7'', and 1 (-immediate replenishment if no item is available).

By managing products based on this display, prompt product replenishment becomes possible, and the situation where sales opportunities are missed due to product shortages that tend to occur when staff members patrol visually to check can be avoided. can.

In addition, instead of displaying the status of the products on the display shelves, or simultaneously with displaying them on the display of the store controller 1, the status of the products on the display shelves may be displayed on the display section of the display shelf side control device by a sign or a change in color. You can also do it. Furthermore, when the electronic weighing section 31 detects a decrease in the number of products, the display section 21 of the display shelf side control device displays messages such as "Mido Arigashi Ugozaimas" or "Kono○xha, Yakimono ni Mono) Nisaitekidesu." It is also possible to display additional information similar to services such as recommended cooking methods or usage instructions.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the third embodiment,
A color display section 41 is provided as a color display means.

This color display section 41 has the function of emphasizing and conveying product information from the store side to the customer. For example, it is possible to display multiple colors to emphasize that it is a special sale item on the day, a combination sale spanning two or more products, a so-called handle product, etc.

This color display section 41 can be configured by arbitrarily changing the background color of the display section 41 provided below the display shelf as shown in FIG.
For example, it is possible to display that the product is a bundled product. Here, it is shown that product B and product C are bundled products and are arbitrarily combined for a total of three items for 200 yen.

Furthermore, this color display uses so-called gradation, in which a group of colors whose shading changes in stages moves regularly.
It is possible to use the movement of color band groups, etc. These displays are performed under the control of the store controller 1, so
Depending on the state of the display shelves in the store, the display can be displayed all at once or for each group of display shelves as appropriate. For example, it is possible to accurately display a service sale for a group of products for a limited time, or to strongly emphasize a featured product.

FIG. 11 shows an example of the format of a parameter block transmitted from the store controller 1 to the color display unit 41 of the display shelf side control device 2. In this example, the display method number, the handle product flag indicating whether there is a handle product, the timer flag indicating whether it is necessary to change over time, the combination number if there is a handle product, and the sales price. , includes items such as color scheme specification and screen operation specification for specifying color scheme and screen operation, display start time, display end time, etc. Other items that satisfy various requirements can be arbitrarily set and included.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of this third embodiment.

When the operation starts, the store controller 1 first creates a parameter block according to desired conditions in step 5.
21), this content is transferred to the display shelf side control device 2 (step 523). The display shelf side control device 2 receives the parameter block (step 3.23) and analyzes the contents of this data (step 524).

As a result of this analysis, it is determined whether a time service is included or not (step 525), and if a time service is necessary, color highlighting is started at the specified time (step 525).
step 526). On the other hand, if it is determined that there is no time service, color highlighting is performed (step 527).
.

Next, the store controller 1 determines whether or not the store controller 1 has received sold-out information of the product from the POS register or the electronic weighing device (step 328).

Here, if sold-out information has been received, the store controller 1 transmits the sold-out information to the display shelf-side control bags W2 (step 529).

The display shelf-side control device 2 that has received this information ends the display because it is inconvenient to continue highlighting the product price and color (step 530). If sold-out information has not occurred, the display section 21 and color display section 41 of the display shelf side control device 2 continue to display until other information occurs or the shop closes (step 531).

[Effect of the invention] According to the product display shelf management system according to the present invention, the P.O.
Each display shelf side control device is controlled by a store controller linked to the S register.

Each display shelf side control device can include various terminal devices such as a display section, an input section, an electronic weighing device, and a color display section. By activating these terminal devices, inventory work can be carried out accurately and efficiently, and it is possible to accurately and in real time grasp the number or amount of products on display shelves.

Furthermore, by utilizing the display device and color display device in the display shelf side control device, it is possible to achieve the effect that time services, special sales items, bundled products, etc. can be carried out appropriately and at the same time in the store.

By integrating these functions, it becomes possible to promote sales and gain customer trust.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a diagram explaining the principle of the product display shelf management system according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the principle of the product display shelf management system according to the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the display state of the display unit in the product sales mode of the first embodiment of the product display shelf management system according to the present invention; FIG. 4(a) to (C) are explanatory diagrams showing the display states of the display unit in the inventory mode of the first embodiment, and FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of the display shelf of the first embodiment of the product display shelf management system according to the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the operation of the first embodiment of the product display shelf management system according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the operation of the product display shelf management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the display shelf of the second embodiment of the product display shelf management system according to the present invention, and FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the product display shelf according to the present invention. A block diagram showing the configuration of the third embodiment of the management system, No. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the display shelf of the third embodiment of the product display shelf management system according to the present invention, and FIG. An explanatory diagram showing an example of the format of the parameter block of the third embodiment of the product display shelf management system according to the invention, FIG. 12 is a flowchart diagram showing the operation of the third embodiment of the product display shelf management system according to the present invention It is. In the figure, 1... store controller, 2... display shelf side control device, 3... transmission line, 11... product master file, 12... POS register.

Claims (4)

[Claims] (1) A store controller (1) equipped with a product master file (11) that stores required data of handled products and connected to a POS register (12), and a transmission line (3) for the store controller (1). and a display shelf-side control device (2) connected via the display shelf-side control device (2), and exchange of desired management data and corresponding processing between each of the display shelf-side control devices (2) and the store controller (1). A product display shelf management system characterized by implementing the following. (2) The product display shelf management system according to claim 1, wherein the display shelf side control device (2) includes a display means (21);
input means (22) combined with said display means (21);
and a control means (23), a storage means (24) for storing required data, and a line control means (25) for connecting to the transmission line (3), the store controller (1) comprising: When the inventory mode is selected, the input means (22) of the display shelf side control device (2)
), enter the status of the display shelf, and enter the POS register (12).
A product display shelf management system characterized by performing inventory processing in conjunction with input from. (3) In the product display shelf management system according to claim 1 or claim 2, the display shelf side control device (2) is provided with an electronic weighing means (31) for measuring the weight of the product on the display shelf, and A product display shelf management system characterized by transmitting product information based on the results to the store controller (1). (4) In the product display shelf management system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the display shelf side control device (2) includes colored display means (4).
A product display shelf management system characterized in that 1) is provided, and it is possible to display products individually and time-specifically.