JPH1115938A - Bar code, portable terminal and merchandise management system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent bar code information from overlapping and being read by configuring plural merchandise having the same merchandise class information, including digits representing a serial number that individually separates them without overlapping mutually. SOLUTION: A reading part 12 reads a bar code 1 that configures, further including digits that represent a serial number which individually separates plural merchandise having the same merchandise class information without overlapping one another. First memory 13 once stores bar code information that is read by the part 12 from each bar code 1 which is attached to plural merchandise. A screening part 14 retrieves overlapping bar code information both serial numbers and merchandise class information of which are the same from bar code information in the memory 13 and also erases overlapping bar code information if any. Second memory 15 once stores plural bar code information which pass through the part 14 and do not overlap, and a sending part 16 sends the bar code information externally.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bar code, a portable terminal for reading bar code information of the bar code, and a merchandise management system using the portable terminal. In a distribution market dealing with a large variety of products and a large number of products, automation of product management through a computer is indispensable. It is well known that the most important medium for realizing such automation is a barcode attached to each product.

[0002] The present invention describes an improvement of this barcode and a portable terminal and merchandise management system using the improved barcode.

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art The above barcode attached to each product is
It is widely used for efficient inspection work in the secondary market, and is indispensable for inspection work in merchandise management such as inventory, movement, and sales. In this product management, particularly, inventory management is extremely important in enabling quick product distribution (trading), and its accuracy is strictly required. However, it is extremely difficult to accurately manage the inventory, particularly in a market that handles a large variety of products and a large number of products.

[0004] For example, consider a case where a worker inspects a large number of products of various types stored in a warehouse or a store using a portable terminal such as a handy terminal.
In this case, (i) if one worker leaves the place due to some business (for example, calling a telephone) while inspecting the product at the handy terminal, and then the worker returns to the place again. The worker who tried to return to
Often it is not possible to determine how far a product has been inspected.

In such a case, an inspection error occurs without exception. That is, the already inspected product group is inspected again, and the inspection is repeated. Alternatively, the inspection may be restarted from a subsequent product while a part of the product group remains uninspected. In this case, the overlap of the inspections is not preferable. The reason is that the customer mistakenly considers that there are more products than the actual number of products, and for example, when a customer places an order for the product, the product is once ordered but cannot be delivered after all. Is caused.

(Ii) Assuming that there are two workers, for example, at the same inspection place, the handy terminal is used to check a part of the product group in which one worker has already completed the inspection, and the other worker However, it is often the case that duplicate inspections are performed for some reason. For example, as one of the causes, after one worker finishes inspection in the morning, one worker clearly sends a notification to the other worker taking over from the afternoon regarding the inspection not completed / completed. There is no such situation.

The above cases (i) and (ii) are merely examples, and duplicate inspections, specifically, duplicate reading of bar code information for one bar code, may occur due to various other factors.

[0008]

In the case where barcode information is repeatedly read by the handy terminal as described above, in the distribution market, a group of products existing at the site and a group of products managed by the central host are used. Does not completely match. It is a sort of inventory mismatch.

In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a bar code capable of preventing redundant reading of bar code information, and a portable terminal capable of detecting redundant reading from such bar code and correcting the bar code information to normal bar code information. Handy terminal)
It is an object of the present invention to provide a product management system using such a mobile terminal.

[0010]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

(1) First Embodiment of the Present Invention FIG. 1 is a basic configuration diagram of a barcode according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a bar code, which is composed of digits indicating product type information Ig such as a product number and quality of the product.

The bar code 1 according to the present invention is a digit 3 representing a serial number SN for individually identifying a plurality of products 4 having the same product type information Ig without overlapping each other.
Is further included. For example, 50 pieces of the same product 4 with a bar code 1 having a product type of a suit of 80% wool, 20% polyester, a size of M, and a price of 68,000 yen with product type information Ig are manufactured. In this case, conventionally, when inspecting the 50 products, it was impossible to confirm at all whether or not the barcode information was repeatedly read.

[0012] Then, by adding to the product type information Ig, in the case of the above example, the serial number S
N is provided individually. This serial number SN
Are 01, 02, 03 ... 50. Then, looking at the read result of the bar code information, if the bar code information Ig + 01, Ig + 02, Ig + 03. Immediately, it is possible to know that the duplicate reading in question has occurred.

(2) Second Embodiment of the Present Invention FIG. 2 is a basic configuration diagram of a portable terminal according to the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes the above-described bar code (FIG. 1), and reference numeral 11 denotes a portable terminal according to the present invention. As shown, the mobile terminal 11 includes a reading unit 12, a first memory 13, a screening unit 14, a second memory 15, and a transmitting unit 16. A description of a keyboard, a display, an MPU that controls the entire control, an input unit that receives data input from an external personal computer, and the like, which are essential to the mobile terminal 11, will be omitted.

Among the components 12 to 16 in FIG. 2, the screening unit 14 is the most characteristic of the present invention.
Hereinafter, each part will be described. The reading unit 12 reads the barcode 1 which further includes a digit 3 representing a serial number SN for individually identifying a plurality of products 4 having the same product type information Ig without overlapping each other.

The first memory 13 temporarily stores barcode information read by the reading unit 12 from each barcode 1 attached to a plurality of products 4. Screening unit 14
Searches the barcode information in the first memory 13 for duplicate barcode information in which both the serial number SN and the product type information Ig are the same, and if there is any duplicate barcode information, to erase.

The second memory 15 includes a screening unit 14
, And temporarily stores a plurality of barcode information without duplication. The transmission unit 16 transmits the barcode information in the second memory 15 to the outside. (3) Third Embodiment of the Present Invention FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a product management system according to the present invention. In the figure, a bar code 1 attached to a product 4 and a mobile terminal 1
1 is as described above.

As shown in FIG. 1, the remote system 21
Has one mobile terminal 11. Although only one device is shown for simplicity, at least one device is actually provided. On the other hand, the host system 22 processes the barcode information transmitted from the mobile terminal 11 in the remote system 21 via the line 23. Thus, the product management is performed on the host system 22 side for all the products 4 on the remote system 21 side.

As shown, the host system 22 includes a receiving unit 24, a primary memory 25, a host screening unit 26, a secondary memory 27, and a product management unit 28. Note that these components are actually realized as a so-called host computer. Component 2 in FIG.
Among the items 4 to 28, the host screening unit 26 characterizes the present invention most, and each unit will be described below.

The receiving section 24 receives the bar code information transmitted from the portable terminal 11 in the remote system 21. The primary memory 25 temporarily stores a plurality of barcode information from the receiving unit 24. Host screening unit 26
Searches the barcode information in the primary memory 25 for duplicate barcode information having the same serial number SN and the same product type information Ig, and deletes the duplicate barcode information, if any. I do.

The secondary memory 27 temporarily stores a plurality of non-overlapping bar code information that has passed through the host screening 26. Thereafter, the bar code information in the secondary memory 27 is used as a data input, and the product management unit 28 manages all the products. The above description is based on the remote system 2
1 was performed for one time, but in reality, as shown in FIG. 3, there are many remote systems 21 in many cases.
In such a case, the host screening unit 26
Is constituted by a primary host screening means 31 and a secondary host screening means 32.

The primary host screening means 31 searches for duplicate bar code information having the same serial number SN and the same product type information Ig for all the bar code information received from each remote system 21, and finds the duplicated bar code information. If there is such barcode information, it is deleted. The secondary host screening means 32 is connected to each remote system 2 via the primary host screening means 31.
A plurality of non-overlapping barcode information is collected for each of the barcode information, and further, for all the collected barcode information, duplicate barcode information in which both the serial number SN and the product type information Ig are the same is searched, and If there is any duplicate barcode information, the barcode information is deleted.

[0022]

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a barcode according to the present invention. The bar code in this example is upper and lower 2
It is formed in steps ("1" and "2"). This is because not all information can be represented in one stage. Among these, the digit 3 representing the serial number SN, which is a feature of the present invention, is arranged at the lower right end as shown in the figure. Other digits are
Digit 2 representing normal product type information Ig.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a detailed example of the contents of the barcode shown in FIG. As described above, the barcode 1 includes a digit 2 representing product type information and a digit 3 representing a serial number (SN). One digit at each of the left and right ends of the upper “1” is a check digit (C /
D), and one digit at each of the left and right ends of the lower row “2” is also a similar check digit (C / D). In the lower part, the serial number SN to be noted is displayed by four digits or more as an example.

In the figure, the serial number in the digit of the product number indicates the product name (suit, etc.) and the material (80% wool, 20% polyester).
Etc.). The example of this figure is a barcode attached to a tag of an apparel-related product, and includes a digit indicating product type information such as an exhibition code, a season, etc., which is unique to the apparel. In the following description of the embodiments, this apparel-related product will be described as an example. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and can be applied to commodities such as daily necessities, shoes, bags, umbrellas, ties, and socks. These products require that an in-store marking field be provided in a part of a so-called bar code. If this field is freely used by each manufacturer, the serial number SN can be easily included in the bar code 1. Can be incorporated.

FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 1) showing a specific example of the product management system according to the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a diagram (part 2) of the same. FIG. 7 shows the remote system 21 side in FIG. 3, and FIG. 6 shows the goods arrival from the apparel maker which exists in cooperation with the remote system 21. FIG.
, It is assumed that the goods are received in the manner shown in the figure. Reference numeral 4 denotes a product, which in the embodiment is clothing. For these clothes (4), the first product (upper side) has 50 items and the second product (lower side) has 50 items.

A tag 43 is attached to each garment (4) in advance. The bar code 1 and the price are displayed on each tag 43, and the brand name, the material, the size, and the like are displayed on the back side so that the customer can understand. 6 is that the serial number (serial No.) is incorporated at the digit 3 of the bar code 1 in each tag 43, and this serial number is one point of the clothes (4). That is, numbers are assigned without overlapping 1 to 50 points.

Referring to FIG. 7, the received goods (FIG. 6)
Is first stored in the warehouse 41. In the warehouse 41, each of the clothes (4) is inspected by the handy terminal 17 as a representative example of the portable terminal 11. In this inspection, an inspection error may occur due to the various factors described above. However, according to the present invention, since the handy terminal 17 (portable terminal 11) includes the screening unit 14 shown in FIG. 2 and the like, redundant reading of barcode information is automatically eliminated.

The inspected clothes (4) from the warehouse 41 are carried into the store 42. Further, the user may move to another store 42. In the store 42, processing such as "commodity transfer input", "sales input" for the customer, "sales return input" from the customer, and "inventory input" is indispensable. Be sure to use Handy Terminal 1 for each of these processes.
7 involves inspection work. It is to be noted that "inventory input" is one of the above-mentioned processes that this inspection work is particularly performed on a large scale. The next largest are “commodity movement input” and “sales input”.

In any of the above processes, in the inspection operation by the handy terminal 17 (portable terminal 11), the screening unit 14 and the like provided in the handy terminal 17 automatically eliminates duplicate reading of barcode information. Is done. FIG. 8 is a diagram (part 1) showing a state of screening in the handy terminal according to an actual example, and FIG. 9 is a diagram (part 2).

Comparing the barcode information related to the first reading and the third reading shown at the left end of FIG. 8, the barcode information is the same for both the serial number 0001 and the product type information. Looks like code information (data). However, if you look closely, the selling price in the first case (Fig. 9) is 19,800 yen and that in the third case is 29,8
The bar code information is “00 yen” and “the serial number and the product type information are the same”. Therefore, they do not correspond to duplicate readings (OK).

However, when comparing the barcode information relating to the third and sixth readings, the barcode information is "the same for both the serial number and the product type information". Therefore, these third and sixth readings correspond to duplicate barcodes (NG). After all reading is completed (to the first memory 13), the screening is executed according to the above OK or NG (the screening unit 14), and the data after the screening is stored (in the second memory 15).

Further, the stored data is stored in the host system 2.
2 (by the transmission unit 16). Therefore, the host system 22 receives correct bar code information without duplication from the remote system 21. However, looking at the host system 22 side, if there are a plurality of remote systems 21, it is necessary to assume that there is a duplicate reading in the barcode information received (receiver 24) from these remote systems. No. This is because there is a possibility that a product inspected by one remote system 21 moves after the inspection and is inspected again by another remote system 21, thereby causing an overlap.

A similar situation can occur within each remote system 21. In a case where a plurality of workers inspect products at a plurality of handy terminals 17 in a certain remote system 21, a product inspected at one handy terminal 17 is again inspected at another one handy terminal 17 after the inspection. This is because there is a possibility that the inspection will be repeated. Therefore, the same screening as described above (FIGS. 8 and 9) is executed in the host system 22.

FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 1) showing a state of screening in a computer of the headquarters in accordance with an actual example, and FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 2) of the same. The computer at the headquarters is the host system 22 described above. FIG.
When comparing the barcode information related to the first scan and the third scan shown at the left end of
Both are 0001, and the product type information is the same and looks like duplicate bar code information (data).

However, if you look closely, the selling price in the first case (FIG. 9) is 19,800 yen, and that in the third case is 2
The price is 9,800 yen, which is not the barcode information indicating that “the serial number and the product type information are the same”. Therefore, they do not correspond to duplicate readings (OK). However, when the barcode information relating to the third and sixth readings is compared, it is found that the barcode information is the same for both the serial number and the product type information. Therefore, these third and sixth readings correspond to duplicate barcodes (NG). The same thing occurs in the following cases.

Comparing the barcode information relating to the second reading and the ninth reading, the barcode information is "the same for both the serial number and the product type information". therefore,
These second and ninth readings correspond to duplicate barcodes (NG). Comparing the barcode information relating to the eleventh reading and the thirteenth reading, they are "the same for both the serial number and the product type information".
Therefore, these eleventh and thirteenth readings correspond to duplicate barcodes (NG).

When the barcode information relating to the twelfth reading and the fourteenth reading are compared, they are "the same for both the serial number and the product type information". Therefore, these twelfth and fourteenth readings correspond to duplicate barcodes (NG). After all readings are completed (to the primary memory 25), screening is performed according to the above OK or NG (host screening unit 2).
6) Save the data after screening (in the secondary memory 27).

Here, the computer (22) at the headquarters has collected correct barcode information without duplication. This means that so-called inventory mismatches are completely eliminated. Then, as shown in FIG. 10, various product analysis, management report creation, and inventory inquiry are performed while updating daily using the correct barcode information.

The processing in the host screening unit 26 and the screening unit 14 described above is actually performed by software processing. Such software processing is best for a computer or MPU, and can be realized by a so-called sorting process. For example, referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, (i) Only data relating to the store 001 is collected. Next, store 0
Only the data related to 02 is collected.

(Ii) A data group relating to the store 001 is collected separately for each group having the same product number. Data groups related to the store 002 are collected separately for each group having the same product number. (Iii) For each of the above-mentioned group groups, they are further classified into subgroups having the same selling price and collected.

(Iv) Finally, for each of the above subgroups, data having the same serial number is picked up as NG described above. As described above, the host screening unit 26 can execute the first step by the primary host screening unit 31 and the second step by the secondary host screening unit 32.

FIG. 12 is a diagram schematically showing the entire product management system according to the present invention (part 1), and FIG. 13 is a diagram (part 2) of the same.
It is. FIG. 12 shows the remote system 21 side, and FIG.
Reference numeral 3 denotes a host system 22 connected via a line, for example, an NTT public line. Reference numeral 51 in FIG. 12 is a modem. The computer of the headquarters described above is represented as 52 in FIG. 13, and includes a personal computer, a server, a printer, and the like.

FIG. 13 shows an example of operation at the headquarters in step S
1 to S5. Of these, step S1
Steps S3 and S2 are performed by the components 24 to 27 (main components of the present invention) in FIG.
Is performed by the product management unit 28. Step S1: This is performed by the receiving unit 24 of FIG.

Step S2: This is performed by the primary memory 25, the screening unit 26, and the secondary memory 27 in FIG. Step S3: A final check of the normality of the captured data. Data maintenance means eliminating data errors. Step S4: This corresponds to "daily update" shown in the lower part of FIG.

Step S5: Various analyzes and the like shown in the lower part of FIG. 10 are performed.

[0046]

As described above, according to the present invention, it has been impossible to avoid the problem in a market dealing with a large number of products. Barcode duplicate (double or triple) reading during product inspection can be eliminated inexpensively and reliably using a very simple method.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a basic configuration diagram of a barcode according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a basic configuration diagram of a portable terminal according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a product management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a barcode according to the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a detailed example of the contents of the barcode illustrated in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a specific example of a product management method according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating a specific example of the product management method according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a state of screening in a handy terminal according to an actual example.

FIG. 9 is a diagram (part 2) illustrating a state of screening in the handy terminal according to an actual example.

FIG. 10 is a diagram (part 1) illustrating a state of screening in a computer of the headquarters according to an actual example.

FIG. 11 is a diagram (part 2) showing a state of screening in a computer of the headquarters according to an actual example.

FIG. 12 is a diagram (No. 1) schematically illustrating the entire product management system according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram (part 2) schematically showing the whole product management system according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Bar code 2 ... Digit showing product type information 3 ... Digit showing serial number 4 ... Product 11 ... Portable terminal 12 ... Reading part 13 ... First memory 14 ... Screening part 15 ... Second memory 16 ... Transmission part 17 ... Handy terminal 21 ... Remote system 22 ... Host system 23 ... Line 24 ... Receiving unit 25 ... Primary memory 26 ... Host screening unit 27 ... Secondary memory 31 ... Primary host screening means 32 ... Secondary host screening means 41 ... Warehouse 42 ... Store 43 ... Tag 52 ... Computer Ig ... Product type information SN ... Serial number

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A bar code comprising digits indicating product type information such as a product number and quality relating to a product, wherein a plurality of products having the same product type information are individually distinguished without overlapping each other. A bar code further comprising a digit indicating a serial number. 2. A bar code composed of digits indicating product type information such as a product number and quality related to a product, wherein a plurality of products having the same product type information are individually identified without overlapping each other. A reading unit for reading a barcode further including a digit indicating a serial number to be distinguished; and temporarily storing barcode information read by the reading unit from each of the barcodes attached to the plurality of products. A first memory that searches for barcode information that is the same in both the serial number and the product type information from the barcode information in the first memory; And a second memo for temporarily storing a plurality of non-overlapping barcode information passed through the screening unit. And a transmission unit for transmitting the barcode information in the second memory to the outside. 3. The portable terminal according to claim 2, wherein at least one
A remote system including a remote system, and a host system that processes the barcode information transmitted from the mobile terminal in the remote system via a line, wherein the host system is provided for all the products on the remote system side. A product management system that performs product management on the side, wherein the host system includes: a receiving unit that receives the barcode information transmitted from the mobile terminal in the remote system; A primary memory that temporarily stores barcode information, and from the barcode information in the primary memory, searching for duplicate barcode information in which both the serial number and the product type information are the same, and A host screening unit for erasing the barcode information, if any; And a secondary memory for temporarily storing the plurality of barcode information without duplication, wherein the barcode information in the secondary memory is used as a data input to execute management of all the products. Product management method to be. 4. When there are a plurality of remote systems,
The host screening unit in the host system, for all the barcode information received from each of the remote systems, search for duplicate barcode information that both the serial number and the product type information are the same,
And, if there is any duplicated barcode information, primary host screening means for erasing the barcode information, and via the primary host screening means, collects a plurality of non-overlapping barcode information for each of the remote systems, For all the collected barcode information, the secondary host searches for duplicate barcode information in which both the serial number and the product type information are the same, and deletes the duplicate barcode information, if any. The product management system according to claim 3, comprising a screening means.