JPH06189842A - Sellout informing device of showcase - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To quickly and surely know generation of a sellout in one part even in a large scale store by providing a means for detecting a fact that merchandise on a shelf are sold out, and discriminating and displaying a position of the shelf on which the sellout is generated in accordance with its signal. CONSTITUTION:In a shelf 8 of each showcase, a sellout sensor 11 of an optical switch is arrayed in accordance with a display area of merchandise, and on the other hand, in an easily visible place in a store, a sellout display mechanism 12 is installed. In such a state, a sellout signal from each sellout sensor 11 is inputted to the sellout display mechanism 12 together with a signal from other showcase through a controller 13 loaded at every showcase. The is, the merchandise 9 are placed in order so as to shut off the light for reaching a light receiving device 11c from a light emitting device 11b of the sellout sensor 11, and when the merchandise 9 are sold out, the light of the light emitting device 11b reaches the light receiving device 11c, and the sellout signal is sent out of the light receiving device 11c. Subsequently, the corresponding LED lamp of a display board is turned on, and it is displayed that the sellout is generated.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a showcase in which products are frozen or refrigerated and displayed side by side on product display shelves (hereinafter, simply referred to as shelves) inside the storage, and the products on the shelves are sold out. The present invention relates to an informing device that informs that.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 16 is a longitudinal sectional view showing a general structure of a showcase of this type. In the figure, a product compartment 3 and a cool air circulation passage 4 are formed by a partition wall 2 in a showcase body 1, and a cooler 6 is blown by a blower 5 through a cooler 6 to circulate the cool air circulation passage 4 and the front opening 7 of the body 1. The inside of the product room 3 is kept cold at a predetermined temperature. Product room 3
Inside, a plurality of shelves 8 are provided vertically, and a large number of products 9 are displayed side by side on the shelves. A mirror 10 is installed at the upper corner of the product room 3 to enhance the display effect of the uppermost product 9. Ceiling of product room 3, lower surface of shelf 8, main body 1
An illuminating lamp (fluorescent lamp) 18 is provided on the front upper part of the
It illuminates the front of the product 9 and showcase. A large number of the above-mentioned showcases are arranged in a store such as a supermarket, and the product 9 of each showcase is freely taken out by the customer through the opening 7.

[0003]

In such an in-store showcase, it is necessary to appropriately replenish the products on the shelves, and conventionally, it is necessary to patrol the inside of the store on a regular basis so as not to sell out. I'm checking. However, as the number of showcases increases, it is difficult to keep an eye on it, and because there is a difference in sales depending on the product, it is difficult to immediately replenish when the product is low, and it is left in a sold-out state. There were not a few Besides, the patrol check of the showcase required a lot of manpower and was wasteful. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a sold-out notification device capable of quickly and surely knowing the occurrence of sold-out at one place even in a large-scale store having a large number of showcases.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides means for detecting that a product on a shelf of each showcase is sold out, and sold out by a signal from the sold-out detection means. And a means for discriminating and displaying the position of the shelf in which the occurrence has occurred. As the sold-out detection means, a sensor that detects whether light is blocked or whether weight is generated depending on the presence or absence of a product and sends a sold-out signal can be used.

[0005]

Operation: The occurrence of sold-out is detected by the detection means, and the shelf position is displayed on the display means. As a result, the corresponding showcase can be grasped at the same time as the sold-out occurs without checking the inside of the store.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A basic embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram. On the shelf 8 of each showcase, a large number of sold-out sensors 11 composed of optical switches are arranged in the lateral direction according to the display area of the products. Each sensor 11 is numbered. On the other hand, a sold-out display mechanism 12 is installed in an easily visible place in the store. The sold-out display mechanism 12 indicates the sold-out showcases according to the layout of the showcases in the store, and further the shelves inside the showcases by lighting, and is composed of a display board or a personal computer display as described later. A sold-out signal from each sold-out sensor 11 is input to the sold-out display mechanism 12 together with a signal from another showcase via a microcomputer-controlled controller 13 mounted on each showcase.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the sold-out sensor 11. The sold-out sensor 11 includes a light emitting device 11b and a light receiving device 11c in front of and behind a plate frame 11a which is bent in a U shape in accordance with the depth dimension of the shelf 8. Is attached. The sold-out sensor 11 is attached to the upper surface of the shelf 8 as shown in FIG. 3, and the products 9 are arranged so as to block the light from the light emitter 11b to the light receiver 11c. When the product 9 is sold out, the light from the light emitter 11b reaches the light receiver 11c, and a sold-out signal is sent from the light receiver 11c.

FIG. 4 shows a display plate 1 used as the display mechanism 12.
4, a figure 15 showing a showcase is drawn according to the layout in the store, and the inside thereof is divided into product display areas of each shelf 8 as shown in FIG. It is filled in. Therefore, when a certain product 9 is sold out, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the corresponding LED lamp of the display plate 14 is turned on to indicate that the product is sold out. From this display, the clerk can judge which exhibition area (product) of which showcase has been sold out while staying there. When the sold-out product 9 is replenished, the LED lamp is turned off.

FIG. 6 shows an example in which the display 17 of the personal computer 16 is used as the display mechanism 12. On the screen of the display 17, a graphic 15 showing a showcase is drawn according to the layout similarly to that shown in FIG. 4, and the showcase that has been sold out is shown in color. A detailed product management system is registered in the personal computer 16, and when the screen is automatically or manually switched from the screen in FIG. 6 to the next screen, as shown in FIG. 7, product names by sensor number for each showcase, A list of manufacturers, replenishment dates, etc. is displayed. Therefore, when a sold-out showcase occurs, when the screen of the showcase is viewed, the sold-out product (sensor number 6 in the figure) is displayed in color as shown in FIG. 7, and the sold-out date and time are also displayed.

In the sold-out sensor 11 in the above-mentioned embodiment, a dedicated light emitter 11b is provided as a light source for emitting light toward the light receiver 11c. It is also possible to use the illumination lamp 18 of the showcase as it is. Below, FIG.
~ Such an embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 15. First,
FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram. On the shelf 8, a large number of sold-out sensors 19 composed of light receivers are arranged according to the display area of the products 9, and each of them is numbered similarly to the embodiment of FIG. There is. As the light receiver, general ones such as a photocell, a photodiode and a phototransistor can be used.

The sold-out sensor 19 is an illumination lamp 1 of the showcase.
8 (Fig. 16) receives the light, but the light is the product 9
While it is blocked by, it is off as shown. And
When the product 9 is sold out and the light from the illumination lamp 18 is received, it is turned on and a sold-out signal is transmitted. This sold-out signal is sent to the sold-out display mechanism 12 similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1 via the controller 20, and the sold-out display is performed in the same manner as described above. The figure shows one of the shelves 8, and one showcase is provided with a plurality of systems of the illustrated circuits. The changeover switch 21 is for switching the entire circuit. For example, if it is turned off during maintenance such as shelf washing, the maintenance display is displayed instead of the sold-out display.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the shelf 8 showing the arrangement of the sold-out sensor 19, FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the wiring on the back surface of the shelf 8, and FIG.
1 is a cross-sectional view of the shelf 8. A large number of small holes 22 (FIG. 11) are formed on the shelf 8 in accordance with the arrangement of the sold-out sensor 19, and the sold-out sensor 19 is arranged on the back surface of the shelf 8 so that the light receiving surface can be seen through the small holes 22 and the metal fitting 23. (Fig. 11). The changeover switch 21 is attached to the front surface of the shelf 8. The wiring from each sold-out sensor 19 and the changeover switch 21 is put together in a connector 24 (FIG. 10) and connected to the controller 20 (FIG. 8).

FIG. 12 shows an embodiment in which the sold-out sensor 19 is held on a synthetic resin sheet 25 without being directly attached to the shelf 8. The sold-out sensor 19 is embedded together with the wiring by insert molding in a sheet 25 having a thickness of about 10 to 20 mm, and the wiring is integrated into a connector 24 on the back surface of the sheet 25 to be unitized. The sheet 25 is fixed to the upper surface of the shelf 8 by adhesion or the like.

In FIG. 12, the entire shelf 8 is a single sheet 25.
13 shows an example in which the sheet 25 is subdivided for each sold-out sensor 19, and FIG. In this embodiment, the sheet 25 is a rectangular sheet 25A, 25B, 2 of various sizes.
It is subdivided into 5C ..., and one sold-out sensor 19 is held for each. In that case, as shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 14, each of the sheets 25A, 25B, 25C, ...
0).

In the above-mentioned embodiment in which the sold-out sensor 19 is composed only of the light receiver, the light source of the showcase illuminating lamp 18 is used as the light source, so that the light emitter is not required and the energy loss due to the constant power supply to the light emitter. Disappears,
Since it is not necessary to arrange the sold-out sensor on the shelf so as to face it, the space on the shelf surface is not obstructed. In that case, if the sold-out sensor 19 is held by the sheet 25 as shown in FIG. 12, the sold-out sensor 19 can be installed by using the existing shelf 8 as it is. Further, if the sheet 25 is subdivided as shown in FIG. 13, it is possible to deal with shelves of various sizes by combining these, and the sold-out sensor 19 is partially arranged to manage the sold-out of only important products. It becomes possible to do.

As a sold-out sensor using the illumination lamp 18 as a light source, it is possible to use a solar cell in place of the light receiver in FIG. FIG. 15 shows a circuit diagram of an embodiment using such a sold-out sensor 27. No electromotive force is generated in the sold-out sensor 27 while the light from the illumination lamp 18 for the sold-out sensor 27 made of a solar cell is blocked by the product 9.
When the product 9 is sold out and is exposed to light, an electromotive force is generated. By processing this as a sold-out signal, the sold-out display mechanism 1
Sold-out information can be displayed on the 2nd screen. Since the arrangement and wiring on the shelf 8 can be configured in the same manner as the embodiment of FIG. 8, the description thereof will be omitted.

The sold-out sensor using an illumination lamp as a light source cannot be used in a showcase without an illumination lamp. In such a case, it is preferable to use a pressure-sensitive element that senses the weight of the product as the sold-out sensor, and detect the presence or absence of the sold-out item from the change in the output signal of the pressure-sensitive element depending on the presence or absence of the product. As the pressure sensitive element, a piezoelectric element that outputs a voltage when it receives weight, a semiconductor element such as a diode whose current-voltage characteristic changes depending on the weight, or a mechanical switch element such as a microswitch can be used. These sold-out sensors are arranged on the shelf 8 with the pressure sensitive portion slightly protruding from the shelf surface. The layout, the manner of holding, the circuit diagram, etc. are shown in FIG.
The illustration is omitted because it is substantially the same as the embodiment of FIG. It should be noted that the sold-out sensor of all the above-described embodiments is the shelf 8
Besides, it is also possible to arrange it on the deck pan 28 (FIG. 16).

[0018]

As described above, according to the present invention, the occurrence of sold-out can be detected immediately by the detection means and displayed on the display means, so that the occurrence of sold-out can be immediately grasped without patrol in the store. , Labor saving can be achieved and sales opportunities will not be missed due to sold out.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a sold-out sensor in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a shelf including the sold-out sensor of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a sold-out display plate.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a part of the display in the sold-out display plate of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a personal computer.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing in detail a display screen of the personal computer shown in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a circuit diagram of another embodiment of the present invention.

9 is a perspective view of the shelf in the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing wiring on the back surface of the shelf shown in FIG. 9.

11 is a cross-sectional view of the shelf of FIG.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a shelf and a sheet showing an embodiment in which the sold-out sensor in FIG. 9 is held on the sheet.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a shelf and a sheet showing an embodiment in which the sheet in FIG. 12 is subdivided for each sold-out sensor.

14 is a circuit diagram of the embodiment of FIG. 13.

15 is a circuit diagram showing an example in which a solar cell is used as the sold-out sensor in the example of FIG. 8.

FIG. 16 is a vertical sectional view showing a general configuration of a showcase.

[Explanation of symbols]

 8 product display shelves 9 products 11 sold-out sensor 12 display mechanism 14 display board 17 personal computer display 18 lighting 19 sold-out sensor 25 sheet 27 sold-out sensor 28 deck pan

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. In a showcase in which products are displayed side by side on a product display shelf in a warehouse, a means for detecting that the products on the shelf are sold out, and a signal from the sold-out detection means are sold out. A showcase sold-out notification device, which is provided with means for determining and displaying the position of a shelf.