WO2005015465A1

WO2005015465A1 - Commodity management system, commodity management program, and price card

Info

Publication number: WO2005015465A1
Application number: PCT/JP2004/010650
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jun Uchimura; Kengo Nagasawa
Original assignee: Nec Corporation
Priority date: 2003-07-28
Filing date: 2004-07-27
Publication date: 2005-02-17
Also published as: JP3960274B2; TWI271657B; JP2006023788A; TW200511135A

Abstract

An RFID tag is attached to a price card and corresponding commodity information is written in advance. A store management device (304) stores the position in the store where each of the commodity display shelves (301) is arranged. The price card is arranged on the commodity display shelf (301). The store management device (304) acquires commodity information from an antenna arranged on each commodity display shelf (301) and automatically acquires commodity display position information indicating which commodity is displayed on which commodity display shelf (301).

Description

Detail

Product management system, product management program I

Technical field

The present invention relates to a merchandise management system, a merchandise management program, and a price card, and more particularly to a merchandise management system capable of automatically acquiring position information of a product and specifying a position where the product is displayed. , Product management programs and price cards.

Background art

[0002] Regarding the management of products that have arrived at stores and placed on product display shelves, efficiency has been studied using barcodes in the past and RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tags in recent years. In barcode-based product management, it was necessary to manually read the barcode information pasted on the product one by one with the reader in close proximity.However, using RFID tags automatically reads the information in real time. Becomes possible

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes an example of a conventional product management system. This conventional product management system includes a product stored or displayed in a plurality of compartments, an RFID tag attached to the product and having an identification code unique to the product, and a registration device that writes the identification code on the RFID tag. A reading unit comprising an antenna for receiving an RFID tag signal, a reader connected to the antenna for reading the signal received by the antenna, and information management means for transmitting an identification code read by the reader. ing.

[0004] The conventional product management system having such a configuration operates as follows. First, the ID code of the received goods is written into the RFID tag using the registration machine, and the individual addresses are set in the reading units installed in each section. Then, merchandise information such as the type and price of the merchandise corresponding to the identification code and section information indicating a section name corresponding to the address assigned to the reading unit are stored in the storage unit of the information management means.

[0005] Next, the RFID tag on which the identification code is written is attached to a product, and the product is stored in a display shelf (predetermined section). When the product is stored in the display shelf, the reading unit arranged on the display shelf reads the identification code of the RFID tag of the product and reads the read identification code. The code is transmitted to the information management means and stored in the storage unit together with the address of the reading unit. When a product is moved from the display shelf, for example, when it is sold, the identification code of the RFID tag of the moved product is no longer read by the reading unit of the display shelf, and the information management means determines which product, when and which reading unit. It is determined whether or not the information has been read from the device, and is displayed on the display unit of the information management means. From the display on the display unit, the product manager can grasp which product has been lost from which display shelf and check the current stock status.

[0006] Further, there is a card called a price card that displays a product name, a price, and the like to a customer. The price card is placed on the product display shelf where the corresponding product is located. Figure 1 shows an example of a Blythe card. In the price card of FIG. 1, the product name "〇〇Food potato chips" is displayed on the product name display area 101, the product code information is printed on the bar code 102, and the price "80 yen" is displayed on the product price display section 103. Is done. The bar code 102 is read by the clerk using a portable terminal or the like when the clerk performs inventory management or ordering work. When reading the barcode 102, enter the price card and the location information of the product display shelf where the product is placed on a mobile terminal, etc., and specify the location of the product where each product is placed. That can be S.

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2001-31218 (Paragraph 0005—0010, FIG. 4)

Disclosure of the invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

[0008] However, the problem with the system described in Patent Document 1 is that a bar code that only needs to be printed on a product, whereas an RFID having an IC chip as small as a sesame grain is about several tens of yen to several hundreds. It is expensive (yen (as of 2003)). Therefore, it is difficult to manage products by attaching them to cheap products with unit prices of several tens of yen from the viewpoint of cost. RFID needs to be reduced to several yen or less as technological innovation progresses. In addition, it is conceivable that sales staff remove RFID and re-use it for management of other products at the time of sales.However, the time and effort required to remove RFID of sales staff is superfluous, and supermarkets and convenience stores with large product sales volume are difficult. It is difficult to perform such an operation in a store or the like.

[0009] Furthermore, when reading a barcode of a price card, position information is input with a portable terminal or the like. It is difficult.

The reason is that inputting the position information every time the barcode reading operation is performed requires a lot of labor S, which increases the workload of the clerk.

[0010] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a product management system, a product management program, and a price card that are inexpensive and can acquire positional information of a product without significantly increasing the amount of work.

Means for solving the problem

[0011] A product management system according to the present invention is provided near a product displayed on a product display shelf, for each type of product, and stores product information that is information on the product. A product information reading means connected to a network and installed on the product display shelf for reading the product information stored in the product information storage means; and a product information reading means connected to the communication network and installed A product display shelf for storing the position of the product display shelf based on the position of the product display shelf and the product information read by the product information reading means. Store management means for generating position information.

[0012] The product information storage means may be installed in association with a price card indicating information including the selling price of each product. According to such a configuration, since the product information storage means is attached to a conventionally used price card, the product information storage means can be installed near each product at low cost.

[0013] The price card may be a rewritable rewrite card. According to such a configuration, the product information printed on the price card can be rewritten. Therefore, even if the product information of the product is changed due to a product model change or the like, the product information is rewritten and the price card is re-written. Can be used.

[0014] The product information storage means may be an RFID tag. According to such a configuration, it is possible to automatically read information in real time.

[0015] The product information reading means may include an antenna for receiving information transmitted by the RFID tag. According to such a configuration, it is possible to receive information output by the specific information storage unit. [0016] The RFID tag may be capable of writing product information. According to such a configuration, even if the product information of the product is changed due to a product model change or the like, the RFID tag can be used continuously by writing and storing the new product information in the RFID tag. .

[0017] The RFID tag may be removable from the price card. According to such a configuration, even if the display of one product is stopped, it can be reused as an RFID tag of another product.

[0018] Product position information storage means may be provided for storing shelf information, which is information for specifying which shelf of the product display shelf is installed. According to such a configuration, the position of the shelf on which the product is displayed can be specified.

[0019] The shelf includes a product position information storage means and a plurality of product information storage means, and the shelf information from the product position information storage means and the plurality of product information storage means are sequentially read in one direction. The position of the product information storage means on the shelf of the product display shelf may be specified based on the product information. According to such a configuration, it is possible to specify the position on the shelf where the product is displayed.

[0020] A settlement processing means connected to the communication network, which performs accounting processing of merchandise sales to the customer, and generates sales merchandise information which is information for specifying the sold merchandise and the quantity thereof. A product that associates the quantity of sold products with the position of the product display shelf where the product is displayed, based on the sales product information generated by the settlement processing means and the product display shelf position information generated by the store management means. A management server may be provided. According to such a configuration, it is possible to identify a display position where each product sells well and a display position where the product is not sold well, and to improve the sales of the store by displaying the products at the display position where the product sells well. Can be.

[0021] The product management program according to the present invention is installed on a computer in the vicinity of each product on a product display shelf, from a storage medium storing product information, which is information on the product, via a communication network. A merchandise information reading process for reading the merchandise information; storing a position of the merchandise display shelf on which the storage medium is installed in a main storage unit; and storing the stored merchandise display shelf position and the merchandise information reading process. The quotient read by A store management process for generating product display shelf position information for specifying the position of the product display shelf on which the product is displayed based on the product information;

Is executed.

[0022] The computer performs accounting processing of product sales to the customer, and generates a sales product information that is information for specifying the sold product and its quantity. Based on the merchandise display shelf position information generated by the store management processing, a merchandise management processing for associating the quantity of sold merchandise with the position of the merchandise display shelf on which the merchandise is displayed may be executed. . According to such a configuration, it is possible to identify a display position where each product sells well and a display position where the product is not sold well, and improve the sales of the store by displaying the products in the display position where the product sells well. be able to.

The invention's effect

According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain the position information of a product at low cost. In addition, the product information can be automatically read and the location information of the product can be obtained without the hassle of the clerk.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

Embodiment 1.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the first embodiment of the product management system according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, a first embodiment according to the present invention includes a product display shelf 301, a product information storage unit 302 (product information storage unit), a product information reading unit 303 (product information reading unit), It comprises a store management device 304 (store management means), a clearing processing unit 305 (clearing processing means), a communication network 306 such as a LAN, and a management server 307 (product management server).

[0025] The product display shelf 301 has shelves for displaying products, and displays the products on each stage of the shelf. Although only one product display shelf 301 is shown in FIG. 2, there may be multiple product display shelves 301 in a store. The merchandise information storage unit 302 is installed near the merchandise displayed on the merchandise display shelf 301 along with the price card for each merchandise type, and stores in advance merchandise information that is information on the merchandise. [0026] The product information is, for example, information for specifying the manufacturer of the product and the product. Specifically, for example, it is information included in a bar code of a JANiapanese Article Number (JANiapanese Article Number) code described in a product. Here, the information included in the product information is not limited to the information included in the JAN code, but may be an EAN (European Article Number) code or information included in a UPC (Universal Product Code) And may include other information. The product information reading unit 303 is installed for each product display shelf 301 in the store, reads information stored in the product information storage unit 302, and transmits the information to the store management device 304. The clearing processing unit 305 performs accounting processing for counting the quantity and sales amount of sold products for each product, generates sales product information that is information for specifying the sold products and their quantities, and transmits The information is transmitted to the store management device 304 via the network 306. The product information reading unit 303 may have a built-in antenna for reading the information stored in the product information storage unit 302, or may be connected to an external antenna.

[0027] As a method of realizing a price card, a rewritable rewritable card capable of repeatedly rewriting printing on the front surface may be used. Specifically, for example, there is a leuco card. If a leuco card is used as the price code, even if the product information of the product is changed due to a product model change, the printed product information can be rewritten and reused.

The store management device 304 stores the position in the store where each product display shelf 301 is installed, information on the position of each product display shelf 301, and the product information reading unit installed on each product display shelf 301. The product information received from 303, the product information reading unit 303 identifying which product information was read, and the information on the sold amount of each product received from the settlement processing unit 305 are collected and transmitted to the management server 307. I do. The management server 307 receives the information from the store management device 304 of each store, and associates the sold amount of the product with the position of the product display shelf on which the product is displayed. Then, the correlation between the display position of the product and the sales volume, such as where each product is displayed and where it is sold immediately or where each product is displayed, is difficult to analyze is analyzed.

[0029] The management server 307 is connected to the store management device 304 and the store management device of another store via the communication network 306, and when each product is displayed from each store at which position. It receives information on whether or not the product has been sold, and creates, for example, a sales strategy for the installation location of each product. Specifically, for example, store B, which is similar to store A (with almost the same number of customers visiting each day and the same customer segment and almost the same location, etc.) and that sells the product 〇〇Foods Potato Chips, Assume that there are C and D. For example, it is assumed that stores A and B display the product near the entrance of the store, and stores C and D display the product in the back of the store. At this time, stores A and B sold an average of 30 units per day, and stores C and D sold an average of 10 units per day. When receiving such information, the management server 307 analyzes that the product “@Food Potato Chips” is more likely to be displayed when displayed near the entrance of the store, and as a sales strategy, the product is sold near the entrance of the store. The store management device 304 of each store is instructed to display the information at the store. The method by which the management server 307 instructs the store management device 304 of each store is, for example, transmission of e-mail, printed matter, or the like.

FIG. 3 shows a specific example in which the product information storage unit 302 is attached to a price card. The Blythe card includes a product name display unit 101, an RFID tag 202 serving as a product information storage unit 302, and a product price display unit 103. The bar code part of the conventional price card shown in Fig. 1 is replaced with the tag, and the information such as the product code stored in the bar code is written to the RFID tag in advance when the price card is created at the store. Let's say that

[0031] In this embodiment, an RFID tag is exemplified as the product information storage unit 302 attached to the price card. However, the product information storage unit 302 is not limited to the RFID tag, and may be an IC card or other price card. Other storage means capable of storing information and being formed so that the information can be read by the reading means may be employed. Further, the product information storage unit 302 is not limited to the one attached to the price card as long as it is attached to the price card. The term "attached to a price card" means that the price card is attached to the price card, such as when it is simply attached to or printed on the surface of the price card or when it is hung on the price card or built into the price card. Is a state where it is clear that

As a method of attaching an RFID tag to a price card, as shown in FIG. 4, an RFID holding section 702 such as a vinyl bag is prepared in the price card 802, and the RFID tag is attached to the RFID card. A method of inserting the RFID tag 701 into the holding unit 702 can be considered. Further, as shown in FIG. 5, a method is conceivable in which the clip-shaped RFID tag 801 can be easily inserted into the price card 802.

[0033] These methods make it easier to remove the RFID tag than when sticking it on a price card. Therefore, it is possible to remove the RFID tag from the used price card and reuse it for another price card. In the case of a price card using the current barcode, the salesclerk (for example, the store manager) will not place orders for products that will not be ordered in the future due to poor sales or other reasons. May be painted with a magic pen. This is used because the bar code on the price card is read when another clerk places an order, so that the process cannot be performed, and it is easy to mark whether an order should be placed. This is the method that has been used.

When a price card as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 is used, the same operation can be performed by extracting the RFID tag from the price card instead of painting the barcode with a magic pen. Alternatively, information indicating that no order is placed on a portable terminal or the like may be written in an RFID tag attached to a price card of a product for which order placement is not performed. Further, products that are not ordered may be registered in the store management device 304.

Although the product information reading unit 303 in this embodiment is installed on the back of the product display shelf 301 in FIG. 2, in the present invention, the product information reading unit 303 outputs from the product information storage unit 302. As long as the information can be received, the merchandise display shelf 103, which can be placed anywhere, may be on the side, the upper part, or the lower part. Further, in this embodiment, the product information reading unit 303 reads the information output by the RFID tag of the entire product display shelf 301, but when an antenna is installed for each shelf of the product display shelf 301, It is possible to acquire not only the position information indicating whether the product was displayed on the shelf 301, but also the information on which shelf of the product display shelf 301 is displayed (however, each antenna is limited to the installed shelf only). It is assumed that the information output by the RFID tag is read, and the information output by the RFID tag, such as the upper shelf or the lower shelf, cannot be read.) Further, in this embodiment, a power supply is shown in which an example is shown in which only an RFID tag is attached to a price card. Both the RFID tag and the barcode may be attached to the rice card.

[0036] Further, in the product display shelf 301 in which the present invention is used, when not only the price card but also each product has an additional RFID tag, it is necessary to distinguish both the RFID tags. is there. In this case, for example, a method of storing a flag for distinguishing both in the storage area of the RFID tag, a method of changing the band of radio waves used by both RFID tags, and the like can be considered.

[0037] The store management device 304 is installed in the vicinity of each product on the product display shelf, and stores the product via a communication network from a storage medium such as an RFID tag in which product information, which is information on the product, is stored. The product information reading process for reading information and the position of the product display shelf on which the storage medium is installed are stored in the main storage means (main memory), and the stored product display shelf position and the product information reading process are read. A computer equipped with a product management program for executing store management processing for generating product display shelf position information for specifying the position of the product display shelf on which the product is displayed based on the issued product information. Is realized by

Next, the operation will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. Now, it is assumed that a plurality of products are newly received in store A, for example, a product “Foods Potato Chips” is included in the store A, and is not placed in the store at that time. At Store A, for these newly arrived products, create a price tag with product information written on the accompanying RFID tag as shown in Fig. 3, attach the RFID tag, and transfer the product information to the RFID tag. (Step Sl). Also, the product information is registered in the database of the store management device 304.

[0039] The clerk puts the received goods on a trolley, transports the goods in front of each of the goods display shelves 301 of the store, displays the goods on the goods display shelves 301 considered to be suitable for placing each of the goods, and displays the corresponding ply. Scards are placed in front of the product display shelf 301. The product “Foods Potato Chips” is assumed to have been set up on a product display shelf 301 near the entrance of the store. (S

[0040] Further, based on an instruction of the store management device 304 installed in the backyard of the store or an instruction of a portable terminal or the like operated by a clerk, the product information reading unit 303 is installed on each of the product display shelves 301 with the RFID. Read the product information stored in the tag (product information storage unit 302) And sends it to the store management device 304 (step S3). Then, the store management device 304 can obtain information that the product “Food Potato Chips” has been displayed on the product display shelf 301 placed near the entrance in the store.

[0041] Based on the received product information, the store management device 304 transmits to the management server 307 via the communication network 306 information on which product display shelf 301 the respective product is displayed (Step S4). . Thereafter, for example, the settlement processing unit 305 transmits the information on the sold amount of each product in the store acquired at regular intervals to the management server 307 via the communication network 306 (step S5). The management server 307 receives and analyzes information on how much each product was sold when it was displayed in each store from each store (step S6). Then, for example, a sales strategy relating to the installation location of each product is created.

If there is a change in the installation position of each product at the store (step S7), the product information readout unit 303 returns the instruction from the store management device 304 or an instruction from a mobile terminal operated by a clerk again. It reads what the price card (product information storage section 302) installed for each product display shelf 301 is (step S3) and transmits the information to the store management device 304 via the network 306 (step S4).

According to this embodiment, since the store management device 304 stores information on which merchandise display shelf 301 each merchandise is displayed on, the store management device 304 stores, for example, information such as ordering work in front of the merchandise display shelf 301. When searching for a product on a mobile terminal for a specific purpose, the user can easily select the product by inputting the product information of the product displayed on the product display shelf 301.

Further, according to this embodiment, the RFID tag is attached to the price card, and the antenna installed on each product display shelf 301 is configured to read the product information. It is possible to acquire the location information (= the product information stored on the RFID tag of the price card) (= the information on the product display shelf on which the information was read by the antenna).

Embodiment 2.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of the second embodiment of the product management system according to the present invention. Referring to FIG. 7, it is the same as the first embodiment except that a position information storage unit 408 (product position information storage means) is installed at each shelf of the product display shelf 301. . The RFID tag of the location information storage unit 408 is attached to or attached to each shelf of the product display shelf 301, and which shelf of the product display shelf 301 in the store is located. Information shall be written in advance.

In addition, the product information reading unit 303 in this embodiment includes a product information storage unit 302 in which shelf of the product display shelf 301 the information transmitted by the R FID tag of the product information storage unit 302 is installed. It can specify whether the RFID tag is transmitting. For this purpose, the product information reading unit 303 may install an antenna for each shelf of the product display shelf 301. However, each antenna reads the information output by the RFID tag of only the installed shelf, and cannot read the information output by the RFID tag such as the upper shelf or the lower shelf. Shall be.

[0047] Further, using a portable terminal or the like having a built-in antenna for receiving information output from the RFID tag, the position information storage unit 408, the product information storage unit 302a, and the product information on the product display shelf 301 as shown in FIG. Scanning and reading in the order of the storage unit 302b, the position where the product is placed in the shelf, not just the location information on which shelf of the product display shelf 301 (Fig. (You can see that the product is on the left and the corresponding product of 302b is on the right.)

According to this embodiment, since the antennas installed on each shelf of each product display shelf 301 are configured to read the product information, the product (= the RF ID of the price card) is automatically read. It is possible to acquire the position information of the product information stored in the tag (= the force at which the information is read by the antenna installed on which shelf of which product display shelf).

Industrial applicability

According to the present invention, the present invention can be applied to applications such as analysis of product sales results for each shelf position on a product display shelf such as a supermarket or a convenience store.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a conventional price card.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a first embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing an example of a price card.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a method for attaching an RFID tag to a price card. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of a method for attaching an RFID tag to a price card.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an operation according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. ₇ is an explanatory diagram showing a configuration example of a second embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation when scanning and reading a position information storage unit of a product display shelf and a product information storage unit using a portable terminal or the like.

Explanation of symbols

101 Product name display

102 barcode

103 Product price display

202 RFID tag

301 Product Display Shelf

302 Product information storage

303 Product information reading section

304 store management device

305 Clearing section

306 Communication Network

307 Management server

408 Location information storage

701 RFID tag

702 RFID tag holder

801a RFID tag (front view)

801b RFID tag (side view)

802 price card

Claims

The scope of the claims

[1] Product information storage means installed near each product displayed on the product display shelf for each product type and storing product information that is information on the product,

Merchandise information reading means installed on the merchandise display shelf and reading the merchandise information stored in the merchandise information storage means;

The merchandise information reading unit is connected to the merchandise information reading unit via the communication network, and stores a position of the merchandise display shelf where the merchandise information reading unit is installed. Store management means for generating merchandise display shelf position information for specifying the position where the merchandise is displayed, based on the merchandise information read from the merchandise information reading means installed on the merchandise display shelf;

Product management system with

[2] The product management system according to claim 1, wherein the product information storage means is installed along with a price card indicating information including a selling price of each product.

3. The product management system according to claim 2, wherein the price card is a rewritable rewrite card.

[4] The product management according to claim 1, wherein the product information storage means is an RFID tag.

[5] The product management according to claim 2, wherein the product information storage means is an RFID tag.

6. The product management system according to claim 1, wherein the product information storage unit is an RFID tag, and the product information reading unit includes an antenna for receiving information transmitted by the RFID tag.

[7] The product management system according to claim 4, wherein the RFID tag is capable of writing product information.

[8] The product management system according to claim 5, wherein the RFID tag is detachable from the price card.

9. The product management system according to claim 1, further comprising product position information storage means for storing shelf information, which is information for specifying which shelf of the product display shelf is installed.

[10] The shelf includes the commodity position information storage means and a plurality of commodity information storage means, and the shelf information from the commodity position information storage means and the plurality of commodity information storage means sequentially in one direction. From the read product information, the product information storage means stores the product Product management according to claim 9, which specifies in which location it is installed:

[11] a settlement processing means connected to the communication network, for performing an accounting process for merchandise sales to the customer, and generating sales merchandise information that is information for specifying the sold merchandise and its quantity;

It is connected to the communication network, and based on the sales product information generated by the clearing processing means and the product display shelf position information generated by the store management means, the quantity of sold products and the products are displayed. 2. The product management system according to claim 1, further comprising a product management server for associating the position of the product display shelf.

[12] On the computer,

A product information reading process for reading the product information via a communication network from a storage medium that is installed near each product on the product display shelf and stores product information that is information on the product;

The position of the product display shelf on which the storage medium is installed is stored in main storage means, and based on the stored position of the product display shelf and the product information read by the product information reading process. A store management process for generating product display shelf position information for specifying the position of the product display shelf on which the product is displayed;

Product management program to execute.

[13] A clearing process that performs accounting processing of product sales to customers and generates sales product information that is information that identifies the sold products and their quantities.

Based on the sales merchandise information generated by the clearing process and the merchandise display shelf position information generated by the store management process, the number of sold merchandise, the position of the merchandise display shelf on which the merchandise is displayed, and Product management processing to associate

13. The product management program according to claim 12, further causing the program to execute.

[14] A price card for displaying information including a sale price of a product, the price card including product information storage means for storing product information that is information on the product.

15. The price card according to claim 14, wherein the price card is a rewritable rewrite card.

16. The price card according to claim 14, wherein the product information storage means is an RFID tag.

17. The Blythe card according to claim 14, wherein the product information storage means is attached to the price card.

18. The price card according to claim 14, wherein the price card is a rewritable rewritable card, and the product information storage means is an RFID tag.