JPH06149833A - Commodity ordering device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To improve the ordering job efficiency by calculating automatically the estimated ordering quantity of the commodity to be ordered and notifying an operator of this ordering quantity based on the precedent ordering quantity of the commodity and the estimated meteorological information on the delivery of the commodity. CONSTITUTION:Such master tables as a commodity table 41, a temperature table 42, and a weather table 43 are previously produced based on the hitherto sales results of commodities. Then the code of the commodity to be ordered is supplied by a key at a counter after a 'register' job mode is set by a work selection key. Thus the commodity-based records of the input commodity codes are read out of the tables 41-43. Then the estimated ordering quantity D is calculated from the precedent ordering quantity A of the corresponding commodity, the ordering quantity changing factor B corresponding to the temperature code decided from the weather forecast and set in a temperature code setting area 44a, and the ordering quantity changing factor C corresponding to the weather code set in a weather code setting area 44b. The quantity D is shown on a liquid crystal display device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

The present invention relates to a supermarket,
The present invention relates to a product ordering device used in mass retailers such as convenience stores and restaurants.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, some mass retailers such as supermarkets and convenience stores have been using portable product ordering devices. This product ordering device includes a keyboard for inputting a product code, the number of orders, etc., a liquid crystal display for displaying input information from the keyboard, a memory for storing the input information, and a host computer for storing the information stored in the memory. It is composed of an interface that outputs to a higher-level model such as.

Then, the sales clerk in charge of ordering carries the product ordering device, goes around the sales floor, and sequentially inputs the product code of each product requiring an order and the number of orders at this time. Then, the order code information and order number information of each product that has been key-entered is stored and registered in the memory, so that the store clerk connects the product ordering device to a higher-level model and issues a data transfer command. As a result, the ordering information of each product stored and registered in the memory is transferred to the higher-order model through the interface, and the order is placed outside through the higher-order model.

By the way, these mass retailers predict the number of sales for each product based on the sales results up to now, and timely place an order corresponding to the number of sales to prevent out of stock and reduce inventory as much as possible. I am trying to. In particular, products that have a limited shelf life, such as bento and fresh food,
Since it is discarded after the expiration date, it is important for management to determine an appropriate number of orders in order to eliminate waste due to disposal.

Generally, the number of orders for each product is based on the number of orders for the previous product. Since the sales of products with a relatively large inventory are poor, the number of orders for this product is small, and the sales of a product with a relatively small inventory are small. Since it is doing well, we will increase the number of orders this time. Further, depending on the product, the number of sales increases or decreases depending on weather conditions such as temperature and weather. Therefore, the store clerk in charge of ordering decides the number of orders for each product in consideration of the weather forecast when the ordered product is delivered.

[0006]

As described above, in the past, it was necessary to determine the number of orders in consideration of not only the sales of products that require ordering, but also the weather forecast when the ordered products are delivered. If we didn't accumulate, we couldn't decide the exact number of orders, and the clerk in charge of the order placed a heavy burden.

Therefore, according to the present invention, the operator can automatically notify the operator of the estimated number of ordered products by automatically determining the estimated number of ordered products from the previous number of ordered products and the weather forecast information when the ordered products are delivered. It is intended to provide a product ordering device capable of improving the efficiency of the product.

[0008]

The present invention has an input section for inputting a product code and the number of orders, and outputs the information of the product code and the number of orders input from this input section to the outside. In the product ordering device for ordering, the product table that stores the previous order number information corresponding to the product code of each product, and the weather that sets the weather forecast information such as the expected temperature and expected weather when the ordered product is delivered. Each time a product code is entered from the input section, the forecast information setting means reads out the previous order number information of the relevant product from the product table, and the previous order number information and the weather forecast information set by the setting means are used to determine the corresponding product. It is provided with an estimated order quantity acquisition means for obtaining the estimated order quantity and an estimated order quantity notification means for notifying the estimated order quantity obtained by this acquisition means.

[0009]

According to the present invention having such a configuration, when the operator inputs the product code of the product that needs to be ordered from the input unit, the number of previous orders of the product and the expected temperature at the time of delivery,
The estimated number of orders is automatically obtained from the weather forecast information such as the forecast weather, and the operator is notified. Therefore, the operator inputs the number of orders of the corresponding product from the input unit based on the estimated number of orders. As a result, ordering information including the product code of the product and the number of orders is output to the outside, and the product is ordered.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a case will be described in which the present invention is applied to a portable product ordering device used at a mass retailer to which an ordered product is delivered the next day.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the product ordering device 1. The commodity ordering apparatus 1 is provided with a keyboard 2 and a liquid crystal display 3 on the surface and a dot printer 4 on the upper end surface. Further, a scanner interface 5 to which a touch scanner used for reading a barcode is connected, and a communication interface 6 which controls data communication with a host device are provided on the lower end surface.

As shown in the figure, the keyboard 2 has a power on / off key 2a for switching the power on and off, a job selection key 2b for selecting various jobs such as "register", "setting", "send", and various jobs. End key 2 to declare the end
In addition to well-known keys such as c, a numeric key 2d for entering numerical data, a clear key 2e and a registration key 2f for clearing a numeric value or canceling an error, especially a temperature key 2g and a weather key 2h are provided. It is set up. The keyboard 2 functions as an input unit for inputting a product code and the number of orders.

The temperature key 2g is used for setting the temperature code. Here, the temperature code is assigned to the difference in temperature between today and the next day, and in this embodiment, as shown in [Table 1] below, the temperature code corresponds to the difference in maximum temperature between today and the next day. 01 to 07 shall be allocated. In addition,
This does not apply to mass retailers, where the ordered product is not delivered the next day. Further, the temperature code may be assigned to the difference between the minimum temperature and the average temperature instead of the maximum temperature.

[0014]

[Table 1] The weather key 2h is used for setting a weather code. Here, the weather code is assigned to the change in weather between today and the next day, and in the present embodiment, as shown in [Table 2] below, for the change in weather during the day between today and the next day. The weather codes 01 to 07 are assigned. This does not apply to mass retailers, where the ordered product is not delivered the next day. Further, a weather code may be assigned to a change in the weather in the morning or the night instead of the daytime weather.

[0015]

[Table 2] The liquid crystal display 3 displays the screen of the job selected by operating the job selection key 2b. By the way, if the “Registration” job is selected, FIG.
As shown in, the product code, the estimated number of orders, and the number of orders are displayed on one screen.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a control circuit of the commodity ordering apparatus 1. The commodity ordering device 1 includes a microprocessor (hereinafter abbreviated as a processor) 11 that constitutes a main body of a control unit, a ROM (read only memory) 13 and a RAM (random access memory) via a bus line 12. 14, clock circuit 1 for clocking the current date and time
5, a keyboard controller 16 to which a key signal is input from the keyboard 2, a display controller 17 for driving and controlling the liquid crystal display 3, a printer controller 18 for driving and controlling the dot printer 4, the scanner interface 5 and the communication interface 6 It is configured by connecting each.

The ROM 13 stores in advance program data for the processor 11 to control each unit, and character generator data for print characters or display characters.

In the RAM 14, as shown in FIG. 4, a commodity table 41, an air temperature table 42 and a weather table 43.
The master table area, the temperature code and weather code setting areas 44a and 44b, and the order information registration file 45 for accumulating and registering the order information input from the input unit are formed.

In the product table 41, as shown in FIG. 5 (a), a product-specific record consisting of a product code of one product, product name of the product, unit price, previous order number, etc. is registered in advance for all products. There is.

In the temperature table 42, as shown in FIG. 5B, a product-specific record including a product code of one product and information on the rate of change in the number of orders by temperature code of the product is registered in advance for all products. .

In the weather table 43, as shown in FIG. 5 (c), a product-specific record consisting of a product code of one product and information on the rate of change in the number of orders by weather code of the product is registered in advance for all products. .

Therefore, the processor 11 selects the temperature key 2 when the "setting" job is selected by the job selection key 2b.
When the key input of g is detected, it waits for the temperature code to be input by the numeral keys 2d as shown in FIG. 6A, and when the temperature code is input, the input temperature code is set. Set in area 44a.

Further, when the processor 11 also detects the key input of the weather key 2h in the state where the "setting" job is selected, the weather code is input by the numerical key 2d as shown in FIG. 6 (b). When the weather code is input, the input weather code is set in the weather code setting area 44b.

Here, the processor 11 uses the task selection key 2
When the "setting" task is selected by b, the weather forecast information such as the expected temperature and forecast weather at the time of delivery of the ordered product, that is, the expected temperature of the next day, by the key input of the numeric key 2d, the temperature key 2g and the weather key 2h The temperature code setting area 44a
And a weather forecast information setting means to be set in the weather code setting area 44b.

Further, the processor 11 uses the task selection key 2b.
When the “Register” operation is selected by, the product code of the ordered product is input or the end key 2 as shown in FIG.
Wait for c to be keyed in.

Then, when the product code is entered by the numeric key 2d and then the registration key 2f is keyed in,
The product-specific records of the input product code are read from the product table 41, the temperature table 42, and the weather table 43, respectively.

Next, the order number change rate A corresponding to the product order number A in the record read from the product table 41 and the temperature code set in the temperature code setting area 44a in the record read from the temperature table 42. B and the order number change rate C corresponding to the weather code set in the weather code setting area 44b in the record read from the weather table 43 are extracted, and the estimated order of the corresponding product is obtained from the following equation (1). Calculate the number D. (ST1) D = A + A × [(B + C) / 100] (1) Then, the estimated order quantity D is displayed on the liquid crystal display 3 to notify the operator. (ST2) After that, the system waits for the number of orders to be entered, and the numeric key 2d
When the number of orders is entered by, and the registration key 2f is subsequently keyed in, the order information including the product code and the number of orders is registered in the order information registration file 45. Also,
The dot printer 4 prints the order information on the recording paper and waits for the input of the product code of the next ordered product.

In the input standby state of this product code,
When the key input of the end key 2c is detected, since the end of the "registration" work is declared, this process is ended.

Here, the processor 11 uses the task selection key 2
In the state where the "registration" job is selected by b, every time the product code is entered by the numerical key 2d and the registration key 2f, the previous order number information of the corresponding product is read from the product table 41 and the previous order number information is read. The estimated order quantity acquisition means (ST1) for obtaining the estimated order quantity of the corresponding product from the weather forecast information set by the forecast information setting means, and the estimated order quantity obtained by the obtaining means are displayed on the liquid crystal display 3. Estimated order quantity notification means (ST2) for outputting and notifying is provided.

Further, the processor 11 uses the task selection key 2b.
With the "Send" job selected, click the registration key 2f
When the key is input, all order information registered in the order information registration file 45 is transmitted and output to the host device through the communication interface 6 to place an order for the product.

In this embodiment having such a configuration, each master table of the product table 41, the temperature table 42, and the weather table 43 is created based on the sales record up to now. The tables 41 to 43 are automatically created through the communication interface 6 by downloading from the host device.

The store clerk in charge of ordering is in each of the tables 41 to 43.
If the product ordering apparatus 1 of the present embodiment having been created is carried, the power key 2a is pressed to turn on the power, and the "setting" job is selected by the job selection key 2b.

Next, the difference between the maximum temperature of today and the expected maximum temperature of the next day is checked based on the weather forecast announced by the Japan Meteorological Agency, etc., and the temperature code corresponding to the temperature difference is referred to by referring to [Table 1]. Then, the temperature code is set to the temperature code setting area 44 by operating the temperature key 2g and the numeric key 2d.
Set to a.

Further, the change between today's daytime weather and the next day's expected daytime weather is checked, the weather code corresponding to the change is determined by referring to [Table 2], and the weather code is used as the weather key. The weather code setting area 44b is set by operating the keys 2h and the numeral key 2d.

For example, when the temperature difference is +2.5 degrees and the weather change is from cloudy to sunny, the temperature code "03" is set and the weather code "02" is set.

Next, the clerk switches to the "registration" job by using the job selection key 2b, and then inputs the product code of the product that needs to be ordered at the sales floor. Then, each table 4
The product-specific records of the input product code are read from 1, 42, and 43, respectively. And the previous order number A of the relevant product
And the order number change rate C corresponding to the temperature code set in the temperature code setting area 44a and the order number change rate C corresponding to the weather code set in the weather code setting area 44b. ), The estimated order quantity D is calculated, and the estimated order quantity D is displayed on the liquid crystal display 3.

For example, the previous order quantity A is 100,
Order change rate B corresponding to temperature code "03" is + 5%
And the rate of change in the number of orders C corresponding to the weather code "02"
If is + 5%, the estimated order quantity D is 110.

Therefore, the clerk uses the estimated order quantity D as a reference,
Decide a small number for products with a relatively large inventory and a large number for ordered products with a relatively small inventory, and enter by key input.

After that, when the sales ordering device 1 is connected to the host device, the clerk selects the "send" job by using the job selection key 2b, and then inputs the registration key 2f. Then, the ordering information of each product registered in the ordering information registration file 45 is transferred to the host device, and the product is ordered through this host device.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the weather forecast information at the time of delivery of ordered products obtained from the weather forecast or the like is set in advance, so that the weather can be compared with the previous ordered number of the products requiring the order. Since the estimated number of orders in consideration of the forecast information is automatically calculated and displayed, the clerk in charge of order does not need to determine the number of orders in consideration of the weather forecast information.
As a result, the burden on the order clerk can be reduced, and the work efficiency can be improved.

Further, even a relatively inexperienced store clerk can determine the number of orders in accordance with the change in weather, so that an increase in inventory or out of stock due to miscalculation of sales forecast rarely occurs. It is difficult to know the estimated number of orders as in this example, because products such as fresh food that have a expiration date have a significant change in sales due to weather conditions and must be disposed of after the expiration date. It is valid.

The present invention can also be used when determining the stocking amount of food materials at restaurants such as restaurants other than mass retailers. Further, the present invention is not limited to a portable product ordering device, and can be applied to, for example, a stationary product ordering device that also functions as a POS (point of sale) terminal.

Further, in the present invention, the weather forecast information may be humidity, etc. in addition to temperature and weather. Further, the arithmetic expression for obtaining the estimated order quantity D is not limited to the above embodiment, and the estimated order quantity D may be obtained by an arithmetic expression incorporating the inventory quantity, the sales quantity, and the like.

The product code may be input using a touch scanner. Further, the means for notifying the estimated number of orders is not limited to display, but may be printing, voice output, or the like. Of course, various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0045]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, the operator automatically obtains the estimated ordering number of the corresponding product from the previous ordering number of the product requiring the ordering and the weather forecast information when the ordered product is delivered. It is possible to provide a merchandise ordering device capable of improving the efficiency of ordering work.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing one display example of a display device in the apparatus of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a main area of a RAM in the device of the embodiment.

5 is a diagram showing a record structure of each table shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 shows that the processor in the apparatus of the embodiment has “setting”.
The flowchart which shows the main key processes performed at the time of business selection.

FIG. 7 shows that the processor in the apparatus of the embodiment is “register”.
The flowchart which shows the order registration process performed at the time of business selection.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 ... Portable product ordering device, 2 ... Keyboard, 3 ... Liquid crystal display, 4 ... Dot printer, 5 ... Scanner interface, 6 ... Communication interface, 11 ... Microprocessor (processor), 41 ... Product table, 42 ... Temperature table , 43 ... Weather table, 45 ... Ordering information registration file.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A product ordering apparatus which has an input unit for inputting a product code and the number of orders, and outputs the information of the product code and the number of orders input from the input unit to the outside to place an order for the product. A product table that stores information on the number of previous orders corresponding to the product code of each product, weather forecast information setting means that sets weather forecast information such as expected temperature and expected weather when the ordered product is delivered, and the input Every time a product code is input from the department, the previous order number information of the corresponding product is read from the product table, and the estimated order number of the corresponding product is obtained from the previous order number information and the weather forecast information set by the setting means. A product ordering device comprising: an estimated order quantity acquisition means; and an estimated order quantity notification means for notifying the estimated order quantity obtained by the acquisition means.