JPH09160993A - Shelf assignment table preparing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily prepare a shelf assignment table just like a commodity shelf which is easy to visually understandable based on the photographed image of the commodity shelf photographed by a digital camera. SOLUTION: When a commodity shelf is photographed by a digital camera 1, this photographed image is transferred to a portable terminal equipment 2. Then, a control part 11 displays and outputs this photographed image on a display part 16. At this stage, when the touch panel 15 overlapping the display part 16 is touched along the contour of a commodity, the control part 11 segments a commodity image from the photographed image. The control part 11 displays and outputs the table format read from a shelf assignment format storage part 18, sticks the commodity image within this format, displays and outputs the image and stores the image in a shelf assignment storage part 21.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a shelf allocation table creating apparatus for creating a shelf allocation table based on products allocated to product display shelves in a store.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a supervisor of a retail store,
When managing the shelf status of product display shelves, the sales staff of manufacturers and wholesalers record the product name and the number of products (inventory) displayed using a writing instrument at the storefront in a memo pad, This is taken back to a business office or the like, and the recorded contents of the memo pad are keyed in from a terminal device such as a personal computer, and a shelving allocation table is created based on this input data.

[0003]

As described above, the conventional shelving allocation management requires time-consuming work at the storefront, is extremely inefficient in working efficiency, and may cause a description error. Besides having to enter the key twice,
There was a risk of input mistakes due to incorrect reading. In addition, if data is directly input at the storefront using a portable terminal device, it will take a long time to perform on-site work, which not only disturbs the customer but also causes data to stand up while standing in a crowded environment. It has been extremely difficult to enter exactly. An object of the present invention is to make it possible to easily create a shelf allocation table for a product shelf that is visually easy to understand based on a captured image of a product shelf captured by a digital camera.

[0004]

The means of the present invention are as follows. (1), the photographing means is a digital camera that converts a subject image received by the solid-state image sensor into a digital image. (2) The image cutout unit cuts out a product image for each product from the captured image of the product shelf when the product shelf is imaged by the imaging unit. (3) The form storage means stores the table form of the shelving allocation table corresponding to the product shelves. (4) The shelving allocation table creating means creates the shelving allocation table by allocating each product image cut out by the image cutting means to the corresponding product-specific area in the table form. The modified application of the present invention may be as follows. (1) When a contour of a product is touch-input on a touch panel overlaid on the display screen while a captured image of the product shelf captured by the image capturing unit is displayed and output on the display screen. The image cutout unit may cut out a product image from the captured image of the product shelf along the contour of the product that is touch-input. (2) The shelf allocation table creating means may create the shelf allocation table by assigning each product image to a corresponding position on the table form and assigning the product information to each product image. (3) When allocating each product image to a corresponding position on the table form, the shelf allocation table creating means may change the size of the product image so that the product image fits within this allocation area. . (4) When an arbitrary shelf position is touch-designated on the touch panel overlaid on the display screen while the shelf allocation table created by the shelf allocation table creating means is output on the display screen. Is provided with product designation means for designating a product-specific area in the shelving allocation table allocated corresponding to this shelf position, and the input product concerned is entered in the product-specific area specified by the product designating means. The number of stocks may be stored. (5) An ordering slip issuing means for issuing an ordering slip by obtaining the ordering quantity based on the stock quantity stored in the product area of the shelf allocation table and the preset proper stock quantity of the product. It may be provided. Now, when you take a picture of the front of the product shelf,
A product image is cut out for each product from this photographed image, a table form of a shelf allocation table corresponding to the product shelf is read, and each product image is assigned to a corresponding product-specific area in the table form. . Therefore, it is possible to easily create a shelf table according to the product shelf that is visually easy to understand based on the captured image of the product shelf captured by the digital camera.

[0005]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an external view of a portable terminal device with a digital camera. The digital camera 1 is a fixed image sensor (for example, CCD image sensor)
This is an electronic still camera that photoelectrically converts a subject image received by the fixed image sensor and also performs analog / digital conversion, and is detachably connected to the mobile terminal device 2 by a cord. 1 is a digital camera 1.
The liquid crystal display section 1-1 functions as a finder screen or an image reproduction screen in a view of the back side of FIG. The mobile terminal device 2 is a small terminal device that is entirely formed in a flat plate shape and uses a battery as a power source, and a liquid crystal display device 2-1 with a touch panel is provided on the upper surface thereof in addition to a keyboard. Here, while the digital camera 1 is connected, the mobile terminal device 2 captures the captured image transferred from the digital camera 1, records and saves the captured image, and the captured image is attached to the liquid crystal display device 2-1 with a touch panel. Display output on.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a portable terminal device with a digital camera. The control unit 11 controls various operations of the mobile terminal device 2 in accordance with various programs stored in the ROM 12. The control unit 11 includes the digital camera 1 as a peripheral input / output device, a keyboard 13, a printing unit. 14, touch panel 15, display unit 1
6 are connected and control their input / output operation.
The touch panel 15 and the display unit 16 compose the liquid crystal display device 2-1 with a touch panel described above, and have a normal configuration in which the transparent touch panel 15 is laminated on the display unit 16.

The image data storage unit 17 is a digital camera 1.
The photographed image transferred from is recorded and held, and the control unit 11 causes the display unit 16 to display and output the photographed image in addition to recording it in the image data storage unit 17. Here, the photographed image is a photograph of a product display shelf, and when touch input is performed on the touch panel 15 by tracing the contour of the product with a pen while the photographed image is being displayed and output, the control unit 11 touches. A product image is cut out from the photographed image along the contour of the input product and set in the product-specific image memory 17-1 in the image data storage unit 17.

The shelf allocation table format storage unit 18 stores a shelf allocation table format for each store, and FIG. 3 shows the contents of the shelf allocation table format storage unit 18. That is, the shelf allocation table format storage unit 18 is an external storage device such as a floppy disk, and stores a shelf number and a shelf allocation table format for each store name. The shelf allocation table format corresponds to the product display shelf and is formed by vertical and horizontal ruled lines for dividing the shelf position. The shelf allocation table format arbitrarily designated from the shelf allocation table format storage unit 18 is expanded in the display memory 19 and output from the display unit 16.

The product master storage unit 20 stores product information for each product, and FIG. 4 shows the contents of the product master storage unit 20. That is, the product master storage unit 20 is configured to store the product name, price, size, and expiration date corresponding to the product code, and the control unit 11 accesses the product master storage unit 20 for each product and corresponds to the designated product. The product information is read and written in the shelf allocation table storage unit 21. The appropriate stock number may be stored in the product master storage unit 20 for each product. The appropriate inventory quantity is a reference value for obtaining the ordered quantity, and the ordered quantity is obtained by comparing the current inventory quantity with the appropriate inventory quantity.

The shelving allocation table storage unit 21 stores a shelving allocation table created for each shelf. FIG. 5 shows the contents of the shelving allocation table storage unit 21. That is, the shelf allocation table storage unit 21 stores, in its header area, the store name and the shelf number imported from the shelf allocation table format storage unit 18, and the shelf allocation table pointer for accessing the shelf allocation table format storage unit 18. It has a product area following the header area. In the product area, the shelf position (series No.) of the product, the product image pointer for accessing the product image memory 17-1 and the product information (product name, price, The size, the expiration date, the arbitrarily input stock quantity, and the order quantity calculated based on the stock quantity are stored.

Next, the operation of the liquid crystal display device with a digital camera will be described with reference to a series of flowcharts shown in FIGS. First, before starting the work of managing shelving allocation, a shelving allocation table corresponding to a store is specified in advance. That is, in a state where the store name and the shelf number are displayed in a list based on the contents of the product master storage unit 20 (step S
1) When the store name is selected and designated, and the shelf number of the shelf allocation table to be created is also designated (step S2), the control unit 11
Sets the store name, shelf number, and shelf allocation table pointer in the header area of the shelf allocation table storage unit 21 based on the selected and specified contents (step S3). In this state, the product display shelf is photographed using the digital camera 1 detached from the mobile terminal device 2 (step S4). When the digital camera 1 is connected to the mobile terminal device 2, the digital image captured by the digital camera 1 is captured by the mobile terminal device 2 and stored in the image data storage unit 17 (step S5).

Then, the control unit 11 controls the image data storage unit 1
The captured image in 7 is expanded in the display memory 19, and the display unit 16
Is displayed and output (step S6). FIG. 9 shows a display example in this case, and the captured image of the product display shelf is displayed and output as it is. Various function keys are also displayed and output on this display screen. Here, when the cutout range of the image is specified by tracing the contour of the product on the touch panel 15 with a pen, the control unit 11 cuts out the product image from the photographed image along the contour (step S
7) The product image is set in the product-specific image memory 17-1 in the image data storage unit 17 (step S8). Here, in FIG. 9, the range shown by the thick line shows the contour of the product that is touch-input, and the image within this specified range is cut out.

When the product image for one product is cut out in this way, the process proceeds to step S9, and the shelf allocation table format storage unit 18 is accessed based on the contents set in the header area of the shelf allocation table storage unit 21. Then, the corresponding shelf allocation table format is read out, a format pattern is generated, and is displayed and output. Therefore, the display content is switched from the shooting screen to the format screen. Here, the position where the product image is pasted is specified on the shelf allocation table format (step S10). In this case, when one point on the table format is touch-input, the touch position is designated as the sticking position of the product image. Then, the control unit 11 detects the size of the product image and compares the size of the product image with the size of the product frame corresponding to the designated position on the shelf allocation table, and the product image is larger than the product frame on the shelf allocation table. It is determined whether or not (step S11), and if it is large, the product image is reduced so that the product image fits within the product frame of the shelving allocation table (step S12).

Then, the control section 11 uses the product-specific image memory 1
The product image in 7-1 is pasted to a designated position of the shelf allocation table format for display and output, and a product image pointer for accessing the product-specific image memory 17-1 is set in the shelf allocation table storage unit 21 (step S13). Next, the process proceeds to step S14 of FIG. 7 to read each product name from the product master storage unit 20 and display the list on the window screen. FIG. 10 shows an example of the display state in this case. When the position of the desired product name is touch-input to select the product name (step S15), the product name is pasted and displayed in the designated product frame in the shelf allocation table format (step S16). Therefore, as shown in FIG. 10, the product image is displayed and output together with the product image in the product frame in the shelf allocation table format. Then, the product master storage unit 20 is accessed based on the selected product name, and the corresponding product information is set in the shelf allocation table storage unit 21 (step S17).

When the shelving allocation table for one product is created in this manner, it is checked whether or not the completion of the shelving allocation table for all the products has been instructed (step S18), and the process returns to step S6 until the completion instruction is given. The above operation is repeated for each product. As a result, a shelf allocation table for all products is created, and if there is an instruction to complete it (step S18), it is checked whether the ordering slip is issued (step S19). Although the flow exits, if there is an issuing instruction (step S19), the order slip issuing process is performed according to the flowchart shown in FIG. This issuing process is performed at the storefront, and the ordering slip is issued by utilizing the shelf allocation table created as described above.

That is, in response to the instruction to issue the order slip, the control unit 11 accesses the contents of the shelf allocation table storage unit 21. At that time, if the shelf number of the current product display shelf is input (step S20), The control unit 11 reads out the content (shelf allocation table pointer) of the shelving allocation table storage unit 21 corresponding to the shelf number, accesses the shelving allocation table format storage unit 18, creates a shelving allocation table format, and outputs it for display. , Each image pointer stored in the product-specific area in the shelf allocation table storage unit 21 is accessed to access the product-specific image memory 17-1,
Each product image is displayed and output in the corresponding product frame of the shelf allocation table format, and further, the shelf allocation table storage unit 21 is included in this product frame.
The product name read from is displayed and output (step S2).
1). In this way, in the state where the product image and the product name are displayed and output together with the shelf allocation table format, the number of products arranged on the product display shelf is confirmed, and the product position where the inventory quantity (display quantity) is small is displayed on the touch panel 15. When touched on (step S22), an area for each product in the shelf allocation table storage unit 21 corresponding to the touched position is designated (step S23).

Here, when the stock quantity of the merchandise is confirmed and the key is entered from the keyboard 13 (step S24), the control section 11 stores the entered stock quantity in the shelf allocation table storage section 21 corresponding to the shelf position. It is written in the designated area (step S25). Then, this inventory quantity is compared with the appropriate inventory quantity preset for the product, and when the appropriate inventory ratio is detected, the order quantity is calculated based on the current inventory quantity, and the ordered quantity is calculated. Is written in the designated area in the shelf allocation table storage unit 21 (step S26). Then, the above-described operation (steps S22 to S27) is repeated until the completion of inputting all the stock quantities is instructed (step S27). As a result, when the input of the stock quantity is completed and the print command is input, the control unit 11 creates an order slip based on the contents of the shelf allocation table storage unit 21 and prints it out (step S2).
8). FIG. 11 is an example of printing an order slip.

On the other hand, when the shelf allocation table created as described above is arbitrarily called and displayed and output, as in steps S20 to S23 described above, when the shelf number is input, the control unit 11 causes the shelf to be displayed. The contents (shelf allocation table pointer) of the shelving allocation table storage unit 21 corresponding to No are read to access the shelving allocation table format storage unit 18 to create and display and output the shelving allocation table format, and the shelving allocation table storage unit. Each product image stored in the product-specific area in 21 is read and the product-specific image memory 17-1 is accessed to display and output each product image in the corresponding product frame in the shelf allocation table format. The product name read from the shelf allocation table storage unit 21 is displayed and output in the frame. When an arbitrary product position is touched on the touch panel 15 in this state, a product-specific area in the shelf allocation table storage unit 21 corresponding to the touched position is designated.
Thus, product information (product name, price, size, expiration date, number of orders) is read from the specified product-specific area and displayed and output on the window screen. FIG. 12 shows a display example in this case. The touch input position on the shelving allocation table is highlighted and the designated product is specified, and the product information is displayed as a list on the window screen.

According to the portable terminal device with a digital camera configured as described above, when the front surface of the product display shelf is photographed by the digital camera 1, the photographed image is transferred to the portable terminal device 2 and displayed and output. When you trace the outline of the product on the touch panel 15 with the pen while watching the displayed content, the product image is cut out along with it and pasted in the table form of the shelf allocation table. It is possible to easily create a shelf allocation table for each shelf. In this case, since the product name is attached to the shelf allocation table together with the product image, it becomes easier to visually confirm the product. Also, when the product image cut out from the captured image is larger than the shelf allocation table format product frame, the product image is reduced and pasted, so it is possible to fit the product image accurately into the product frame. Therefore, a good shelf allocation table can be created regardless of the size of the product image.

Furthermore, in the state where the shelf allocation table created as described above is displayed and output, the touch panel 15
When an arbitrary shelf position is touch-inputted above, the product-specific area in the shelf allocation table storage unit 21 corresponding to this shelf position is designated. Therefore, the stock quantity is input to this product-specific area, or Since the product information stored in the product area can be read out and displayed in a window, it is possible to confirm any product information from the shelf allocation table. in this case,
When inputting the number of stocks for each product using the mobile terminal device 2 at the storefront, since the shelf allocation table on the display screen is associated with the actual product display shelf, the display screen is confirmed and touch panel 15 is displayed. Since the product can be specified only by touching the shelf position of, the work of scanning the product by the barcode reader is not necessary, and the workability can be improved accordingly. When the stock quantity is input, the order quantity is automatically calculated and set in the shelving allocation table storage unit 21 according to the input, and an ordering slip can be issued based on the contents of the shelving allocation table storage unit 21. So
It becomes possible to effectively use the shelf allocation table.

Although the product information is stored in the shelving allocation table storage unit 21, the shelving allocation table storage unit 21 and the product master storage unit 20 are linked so that the shelving allocation table storage unit 21 stores the product master storage unit. You may make it memorize | store the pointer information for accessing 20. Alternatively, the portable terminal device 2 may inquire of the host computer about a product sales file, and the product sales file may be linked to the shelf allocation table to obtain the product sales information from the shelf allocation table. As a result, it becomes possible to appropriately manage the shelving allocation such as whether the shelving position of the sales product is proper. Further, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied not only to shelving allocation management in a store but also to shelving allocation management in a warehouse or the like.

[0022]

According to the present invention, it is possible to easily create a shelf allocation table according to a product shelf that is visually easy to understand based on a photographed image of a product shelf photographed by a digital camera. The field work for performing the work becomes short in time, and the entire work can be efficiently performed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of a mobile terminal device with a digital camera.

FIG. 2 is a block configuration diagram of a mobile terminal device with a digital camera.

FIG. 3 is a diagram exemplifying the contents of a shelf allocation table format storage unit 18.

FIG. 4 is a diagram exemplifying contents of a product master storage unit 20.

FIG. 5 is a diagram exemplifying the contents of a shelf allocation table storage unit 21.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation of the mobile terminal device with a digital camera.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart following FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart that continues from FIG.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a shooting screen imaged by the digital camera 1 and a cutout range for cutting out a product image from the shooting screen.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a display screen in the process of creating a shelf allocation table.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an ordering slip issued by utilizing a shelf allocation table.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a display screen when a shelf allocation table is called.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Digital camera 2 Mobile terminal device 11 Control part 12 ROM 13 Keyboard 14 Printing part 15 Touch panel 16 Display part 17 Image data storage part 17-1 Product-specific image memory 18 Shelving table format storage part 19 Display memory 20 Product master storage part 21 Storage table storage section

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A photographing means for converting a subject image received by a solid-state image pickup device into a digital image, and, when a commodity shelf is photographed by the photographing means, a commodity for each commodity from the photographed image of the commodity shelf. Image cutout means for cutting out an image, form storage means for storing a table form of a shelf allocation table corresponding to a product shelf, and each product image cut out by the image cutout means in a corresponding product-specific area in the table form A shelf allocation table creating device comprising: a shelf allocation table creating means for creating a shelf allocation table by allocating. 2. When a contour of a product is touch-input on a touch panel overlaid on a display screen while a photographed image of the product shelf photographed by the photographing means is displayed and output on the display screen. 2. The shelf allocation table creation according to claim 1, wherein the image cutout unit cuts out a product image from the photographed image of the product shelf along the contour of the product that is touch-input. apparatus. 3. The shelf allocation table creating means creates a shelf allocation table by allocating each product image to a corresponding position on a table form and by allocating the product information to each product image. The shelf allocation table preparation device according to claim 1. 4. The shelf allocation table creating means, when allocating each product image to a corresponding position on a table form, changes the size of the product image so that the product image fits within this allocation area. The shelf allocation table creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein 5. The shelf allocation table created by the shelf allocation table creating means is output on a display screen, and an arbitrary shelf position is touch-designated on a touch panel overlaid on the display screen. At this time, a product designating means for designating a product-specific area in the shelf allocation table allocated corresponding to the shelf position is provided, and in the product-specific area specified by the product designating means,
The shelf allocation table creating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the input stock quantity of the product is stored. 6. An ordering slip issuing means for issuing an ordering slip by obtaining the ordering quantity based on the stock quantity stored in the product-specific area of the shelving allocation table and the preset proper stock quantity of the product. The shelf allocation table preparation device according to claim 5, further comprising: