Consumption notification system, consumption notification method, and program

Abstract

To provide a consumption notification system for efficiently providing a notification of the consumption of articles.SOLUTION: A consumption notification system 1 includes a detection unit 2 for detecting the consumption of articles, and a notification unit for providing a notification of the consumption of the articles detected by the detection unit. The detection unit 2 detects the consumption of the articles per packing unit when the articles are stored, the packing unit is the minimum quantity of the articles to be ordered at one time, and the minimum quantity includes a certain quantity of articles being a consumption detection object. Further, the detection unit 2 includes a contact device 20 to be brought into contact with an article and a sensor 22 for detecting a contact degree between the article and the contact device 20, and further has a management server 4 for managing the sensor 22. The sensor 22 notifies the management server 4 of the consumption of an article whose contact degree is a threshold or less when a contact degree between the contact device 20 and the article brought into contact with the contact device becomes the threshold or less.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a consumption notification system, a consumption notification method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system including a weight measurement mat and a server, the weight measurement mat having a portable flat panel form that can be used as an independent weight measurement means, a control unit that supports inventory management of items while linking with an external information device via a communication network, a communication unit that mediates data exchange between the external communication network and the control unit, and a weight measurement sensor that can output the weight measurement value of the placed item to the control unit, the flat panel form having a two-dimensional shape that can be aligned side by side with no gaps between them, and the weight of an item of any size and shape placed on a top surface formed across one or more of the flat panel forms is tallied and tracked by the information device to support the inventory management, and the server includes a correspondence relationship storage unit that stores in a storage unit a correspondence relationship between a plurality of weight measurement mats and products placed on each weight measurement mat, a remaining amount calculation unit that calculates the remaining amount of each product based on weight data transmitted from a weight measurement mat corresponding to the product, and a weight measurement sensor that stores the remaining amount of each product together with a breakdown by stock addition date. The present invention discloses an inventory management system having a remaining quantity breakdown storage unit that stores a remaining quantity of each product calculated by the remaining quantity calculation unit in a storage unit, the remaining quantity of the product calculated by the remaining quantity calculation unit being compared with the remaining quantity of the product stored in the storage unit, and if the remaining quantity of the product calculated by the remaining quantity calculation unit is greater, the remaining quantity of the product stored in the storage unit is added by the difference together with the date of the inventory addition date, and if the remaining quantity of the product calculated by the remaining quantity calculation unit is smaller, the remaining quantity of the product stored in the storage unit is reduced by the difference in order of the oldest breakdown date; a maximum inventory days calculation unit that calculates a maximum inventory days of the product based on the oldest breakdown date among the remaining quantities of each product stored in the storage unit; an appropriate inventory days upper limit calculation unit that calculates an appropriate inventory days upper limit value for the product based on a history of the maximum inventory days of each product; and a dead stock alert generation unit that compares the maximum inventory days of each product with the appropriate inventory days upper limit value for the product, and if the maximum inventory days of each product exceeds the appropriate inventory days upper limit value for the product, generates a dead stock alert for the product.

[0003] Furthermore, Patent Document 2 discloses a detection system that detects the inventory status of an item using a pressure sensor, and that includes a judgment unit that judges that the item is out of stock when the magnitude of pressure detected by the pressure sensor is below a threshold value. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6665234 [Patent Document 2] Patent Publication No. 2021-62958 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a consumption notification system that efficiently notifies users of the consumption of an item. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The consumption notification system of the present invention has a detection unit that detects consumption of an item and a notification unit that notifies of consumption of the item detected by the detection unit, and the detection unit detects consumption of the item in the packaging unit in which the item is stored.

[0007] Preferably, the packing unit is a minimum quantity of an item to be ordered at one time, the minimum quantity including a certain quantity of the item whose consumption is to be detected.

[0008] Preferably, the detection unit has a contact device that comes into contact with an item and a sensor that detects the degree of contact between the item and the contact device, and further has a management server that manages the detection unit, and when the degree of contact detected by the sensor falls below a threshold, the detection unit notifies the management server of consumption of the item whose degree of contact has fallen below the threshold.

[0009] Preferably, the device further comprises a threshold setting unit which sets a threshold value of the degree of contact at which the detection unit notifies consumption of an item, the threshold value set by the threshold setting unit being equal to a packing unit for storing the item.

[0010] Preferably, the threshold value is determined based on the packaging method used when the item to be detected by the detection unit is stored, and the detection unit further has a threshold change permission unit that allows the threshold setting unit to change the threshold value when the packaging method used for the item to be detected is different from the packaging method used for previous items to be detected.

[0011] Preferably, the sensor detects the degree of contact with the article based on the weight of the article, the pressure caused by the article, or the contact angle with the article.

[0012] Preferably, the management server includes an operation status display unit that displays the operation status of the detection unit. The operation status display unit distinguishes between normal operation, non-operation, and an unconfirmed operation status of the detection unit and displays the same.

[0013] The consumption notification method of the present invention includes a detection step in which a detection unit detects consumption of an item in the packaging unit in which the item is stored, and a notification step in which the detection unit notifies of consumption of the item detected in the detection step.

[0014] The program of the present invention causes a computer to execute a detection step of detecting consumption of an item and a notification step of notifying the consumption of the item detected in the detection step, and in the detection step, the consumption of the item is detected in the packaging unit in which the item is stored. Effect of the Invention

[0015] According to the present invention, consumption of an item can be efficiently notified. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1]1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a consumption notification system 1 in this embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1A is a diagram illustrating a contact device 20a, and FIG. 1B is a diagram illustrating a contact device 20b. [Diagram 3] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device 24. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of a control device 24. FIG. [Diagram 5] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a management server 4. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a management server 4. FIG. [Figure 7] 13A is a table illustrating example information associated with the detection unit 2, and FIG. 13B is a table illustrating example information associated with an item whose consumption is detected by the detection unit 2. FIG. [Figure 8] 11 is a table illustrating an example of a consumption notification of an item received from the detection unit 2. [Figure 9] 1 is a flowchart illustrating consumption notification processing (S10) by the consumption notification system 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] First, the background of the present invention will be described. In the past, the production management department operated a system to provide specialized and organized support or management for incidental tasks such as arranging for consumables, maintenance supplies, and office supplies, or the person who noticed the problem made the arrangements. However, the transition from relying on people to specialized and organized support was difficult due to the cost of introducing the system and the difficulty in achieving cost-effectiveness. Therefore, the consumption notification system 1 according to the present embodiment uses a general-purpose device, thereby realizing a systemization at low cost, and further realizing operation of the system with less burden on the administrator.

[0018] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a consumption notification system 1 in this embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 1, a consumption notification system 1 includes a plurality of detection units 2 and a management server 4. The detection unit 2 detects consumption of an item in terms of the packaging unit in which the item is stored, and notifies the management server 4. The detection unit 2 includes a contact device 20, a sensor 22, and a control device . In addition, the items to be detected for consumption are stored in a packing unit in which a certain number of items are packed together during storage. In this embodiment, the packing unit is the minimum number of items to be ordered at one time, and the minimum number includes a certain number of items to be detected for consumption. The contact device 20 is placed in contact with an article to be sensed. In this embodiment, a contact device 20a and a contact point device 20b will be described. A general-purpose product is used for the sensor 22, which is connected to the contact device 20 and the control device 24 and detects the degree of contact between the contact device 20 and an item that comes into contact with the contact device 20. Specifically, the sensor 22 detects the degree of contact with the item based on the weight of the item, the pressure caused by the item, or the contact angle with the item. Therefore, a pressure sensor, a weight sensor, an angle sensor, or the like is used for the sensor 22 depending on the storage method of the item to be detected. The control device 24 receives the degree of contact between the contact device 20 detected by the sensor 22 and an item in contact with the contact device 20, and when it detects a degree of contact below a threshold, notifies the management server 4 of the consumption of the item whose degree of contact has fallen below the threshold. The management server 4 is a computer terminal that manages the detection unit 2, and places an order for an item based on the consumption notification of the item notified from the detection unit 2.

[0019] FIG. 2(a) is a diagram illustrating a contact device 20a, and (b) is a diagram illustrating a contact device 20b. 2(a), the contact device 20a has a main body 300 and a protrusion 302, and the protrusion 302 is pushed into the main body 300 by pressure from the article. When the article is separated from the contact device 20a and the pressure applied from the article to the protrusion 302 is eliminated, the protrusion 302 pops out from the main body 300. The sensor 22a detects the pressure that the contact device 20a receives from the goods. Specifically, when a box that stores the goods in a package unit is removed due to consumption of the goods, the control device 24 detects that the pressure detected by the sensor 22a has disappeared, that is, that the protrusion 302 has protruded from the main body 300, and notifies the management server 4. In addition, the sensor 22a is switched on or off when the protrusion 302 is pressed into the main body 300 or when the protrusion 302 protrudes from the main body 300. That is, the control device 24 detects the ON or OFF state of the switch of the sensor 22a as consumption of an item, and notifies the management server 4.

[0020] The contact device 20b is a device that measures the weight of an article placed on the contact device 20b, and is, for example, a load cell. The sensor 22b notifies the control device 24 of the weight measured by the contact device 20b. Specifically, when the weight measured by the contact device 20b and the sensor 22b becomes equal to or less than a threshold value, the control device 24 notifies the management server 4 of the consumption of the item. In addition to the contact device 20a and the contact device 20b, there is a contact device 20c that is installed so as to contact the outer circumference of a cable that is wound in a circle and stored. The sensor 22c detects the angle between the outer circumference of the cable wound in a circle and the contact device 20c. When the angle becomes equal to or smaller than a threshold value due to consumption of the cable, the control device 24 notifies the management server 4 of the consumption of the cable.

[0021] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the control device 24. As shown in FIG. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the control device 24 includes a CPU 200, a memory 202, and a network interface 204 (network IF 204), which are connected to each other via a bus 206. The CPU 200 is, for example, a central processing unit. The memory 202 is, for example, a volatile memory, and functions as a main storage device. The network IF 204 is an interface for wired or wireless communication, and realizes communication with the management server 4, for example.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the control device 24. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the control device 24 includes a sensor control unit 240, a detection unit 242, a notification unit 244, and a threshold value storage unit 246. Each functional configuration of the control device 24 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC, or may be realized by a CPU, memory, and software.

[0023] The sensor control unit 240 controls the sensor 22 to measure the degree of contact between the contact device 20 and an article. The detection unit 242 detects that the degree of contact between the article and the contact device 20 measured by the sensor 22 has become equal to or lower than a threshold. Specifically, when the degree of contact between the article and the contact device 20 has become equal to or lower than a threshold stored in the threshold storage unit 246, the detection unit 242 notifies the notification unit 244 that the degree of contact has become equal to or lower than the threshold. The notification unit 244 wirelessly communicates with the management server 4 and notifies the management server 4 of the consumption of the item detected by the detection unit 2 becoming equal to or lower than the threshold. The notification of the consumption of the item includes identification information of the detection unit 2. For example, Wi-Fi, LTE / 5G, Cat.M1, NB-IoT, etc. are used as standards for wireless communication. The notification unit 244 transmits a notification of the consumption of the item to the management server 4 when the detection unit 242 detects that the degree of contact with the item has become equal to or lower than the threshold. The threshold storage unit 246 stores a threshold that is a comparison value with the degree of contact with an article by the detection unit 242. The threshold stored in the threshold storage unit 246 may be held in advance, or may be set by the management server 4.

[0024] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the management server 4. As illustrated in FIG. 5, the management server 4 includes a CPU 400, a memory 402, a HDD 404, a network interface 406 (network IF 406), a display device 408, and an input device 410, and these components are connected to each other via a bus 412. The CPU 400 is, for example, a central processing unit. The memory 402 is, for example, a volatile memory, and functions as a main storage device. The HDD 404 is, for example, a hard disk drive device, and serves as a non-volatile storage device for storing computer programs and other data files. The network IF 406 is an interface for wired or wireless communication, and realizes communication with the control device 24, for example. The display device 408 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The input device 410 is, for example, a keyboard and a mouse. The management server 4 may be a cloud server.

[0025] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the management server 4. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the management server 4 has a detection unit management program 44 installed therein, and also has a detection unit information storage database 600 (detection unit information storage DB 600) and a detection result storage database 610 (detection result storage DB 610). The detection unit management program 44 has a receiving unit 440, an ordering unit 442, an operating status display unit 444, a threshold setting unit 446, and a threshold change permission unit 448. Note that a part or all of the detection unit management program 44 may be realized by hardware such as an ASIC, or may be realized by borrowing some of the functions of an OS (Operating System). In the detection unit management program 44, the receiving unit 440 receives a notification informing of consumption of an item from the detection unit 2. Specifically, the receiving unit 440 receives a notification of consumption of an item associated with the identification number of the detection unit 2 from the control device 24 of the detection unit 2. The ordering unit 442 places an order for the item notified of consumption when the consumption of the item is notified by the control device 24. Specifically, the item to be detected is identified based on the ID of the detection unit 2 included in the consumption notification, and the ordering unit 442 places an order for the identified item in order units according to the item. The operation status display unit 444 manages the operation status of the detection unit 2 managed by the detection unit management program 44. The operation status display unit 444 also displays the operation status of the detection unit 2 by distinguishing between normal operation, non-operation, and unconfirmed operation status. In this embodiment, normal operation of the detection unit 2 refers to a case where the operation of the detection unit 2 has been confirmed.

[0026] The threshold setting unit 446 sets a threshold value to be stored in the control device 24. Specifically, the threshold setting unit 446 sets a threshold value of the degree of contact, which is the timing at which the detection unit 2 notifies the user of consumption of an item. The threshold value is determined or changed based on the method of storing the item, specifically, the method of packing the item when stored, and is equal to the packing unit when the item is stored. The threshold change permission unit 448 judges whether or not it is necessary to change the threshold changed by the threshold setting unit 446. Specifically, when the packing method of the item to be detected is different from the packing method of the previous item to be detected, the threshold change permission unit 446 is permitted to change the threshold. Furthermore, even if the item to be detected by the detection unit 2 is changed, the threshold change permission unit 448 prohibits the change of the threshold if the packing method used when storing the item is the same. For example, when the consumption of an item is detected using the contact device 20a, it is only necessary to detect the protrusion of the protrusion 302 from the main body 300 and the pressing of the protrusion 302 into the main body 300, and it is not necessary to change the threshold for each packaged item. Similarly, when detecting using the sensor 22b, even if the article is changed, if the packaging method is the same and the weight of the packaging unit is approximately the same, there is no need to change the threshold. Therefore, the threshold change permission unit 448 reduces the frequency of threshold maintenance and reduces the burden on the administrator.

[0027] The sensing unit information table in FIG. 7( a ) is a table illustrating information associated with the sensing unit 2 . 7(a), the detection unit information table is stored in the detection unit information storage DB 600, and a detection unit ID, which is identification information of the detection unit 2, is associated with identification information of the item whose consumption is to be detected, installation location information of the detection unit 2, a threshold value at which the detection unit 2 notifies consumption of the item, the operation status of the detection unit 2, and the operation confirmation date of the detection unit 2. The threshold value is equal to the packing unit of the item when it is stored, and for example, in the case of an item whose weight is detected by the detection unit 2 and whose packing unit is one can, the threshold value is the weight of one can. In other words, the threshold value differs depending on the sensor 22 according to the packing method and the packing unit. Furthermore, the operation status of the detection unit 2 managed in the detection unit information table is displayed on the display device 408 of the management server 4, allowing the administrator to check the operation status and operation confirmation date of the detection unit 2. Specifically, the operation status of the detection unit 2 includes normal confirmation, non-operation, and unconfirmed operation status, and the status is displayed according to the operation status. Furthermore, since the operation confirmation date is recorded, the next operation confirmation can be scheduled based on the previous operation confirmation date, and regular operation confirmations can be performed, enabling stable system operation. In this embodiment, the detection unit 2 periodically, for example once a day, notifies the management server 4 of its operation. Furthermore, the management server 4 records the most recent date and time that it received the operation notification (the operation confirmation date), thereby allowing the management server 4 to manage the operation status of the detection unit 2.

[0028] The product information table in FIG. 7(b) is a table illustrating information associated with the product whose consumption is to be detected by the detection unit 2. As shown in FIG. 7(b), the item information table is stored in the detection unit information storage DB 600, and the item ID, which is the identification information of the item that is the target of consumption detection by the detection unit 2, is associated with the item name, the location information where the item is stored, the packing unit of the item, and the packing method of the item. The packing unit differs for each item, but it is assumed that at least a certain amount of items are packed together. For example, the packing unit refers to a state in which a certain amount of items are stored in one box, or a certain amount is stored in one container. The packing method of the item refers to the packing method used when the item is stored, and refers to a storage state such as a certain amount of items packed together in a box, a certain amount of items contained in a container (can), or a certain length of items rolled up in a circle.

[0029] 8, the detection result storage DB 610 manages consumption notification information of an item received from the detection unit 2. The consumption notification information table manages, in association with each other, the date and time when a consumption notification of an item was received from the detection unit 2, the identification information (ID) of the detection unit 2 that issued the consumption notification, the identification information (ID) of the consumed item, and whether or not an order for the item was placed in response to the notification.

[0030] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating the consumption notification process (S10) according to this embodiment. 9, in step 100 (S100), if the item to be detected by the detection unit 2 has changed (S100: Yes), the consumption notification process (S10) proceeds to step 105, and if the item to be detected has not changed (S100: No), the consumption notification process proceeds to S120. Specifically, the threshold change permission unit 448 determines whether the item ID associated with the ID of the detection unit 2 has changed. In step 105 (S105), if the threshold change permission unit 448 determines that the packing method associated with the item ID is the same as the previous packing method (S105: Yes), it prohibits the threshold setting unit 446 from changing the threshold and proceeds to S120. If the threshold change permission unit 448 determines that the packing method is different from the previous packing method (S105: No), it permits the threshold change and proceeds to S110. In step 110 (S110), in response to an operation by the administrator, the threshold setting unit 446 sets a threshold value according to the packing unit in which the article is stored, and notifies the detection unit 2 of the set threshold value.

[0031] In step 115 (S115), the detection unit 2 receives the threshold value notified by the management server 4, and the threshold value storage section 246 updates the held threshold value to the notified threshold value. In step 120 (S120), the sensor control unit 240 of the detection unit 2 measures the degree of contact between the contact device 20 and the article. In step 125 (S125), the detection section 242 of the detection unit 2 compares the threshold value stored in the threshold value storage section 246 with the degree of contact measured by the sensor control section 240. If the comparison result indicates that the degree of contact is equal to or less than the threshold value (S125: Yes), the process proceeds to S130, and if the measured weight exceeds the threshold value (S125: No), the process ends. In step 130 (S130), the notification section 244 of the detection unit 2 notifies the management server 4 of the consumption notification of the product including the ID of the detection unit 2. In step 135 (S135), the receiving unit 440 of the management server 4 receives a consumption notification of the item from the detection unit 2, and stores the date and time when the consumption notification was received in the consumption notification information table in association with the detection unit ID included in the consumption notification. In step 140 (S140), the order unit 442 of the management server 4 identifies the item to be detected based on the detection unit ID notified of consumption, and places an order for the identified item.

[0032] As described above, according to this embodiment, the detection accuracy of consumption of goods is intentionally set to a rough level, down to the packing unit, and the management server 4 is notified only when the goods are consumed in packing units, thereby making it possible to accurately grasp the timing of ordering, compared to a case in which detailed stock numbers and remaining amounts are notified to the management server 4. In addition, by intentionally setting the detection accuracy to a rough level, down to the packing unit, unnecessary network communication can be eliminated. In addition, even if the item to be detected by the detection unit 2 is changed, it determines whether the threshold needs to be changed based on the packaging method, and allows or prohibits the threshold change, thereby reducing the frequency of threshold maintenance and preventing mistakes in threshold setting, and further reducing the maintenance burden on the administrator. And because a general-purpose product is used for the sensor 22 used in the detection unit 2, the consumption notification system 1 can be realized at low cost. Furthermore, because the detection unit 2 is configured by combining the sensor 22, which is a general-purpose product, with the contact device 20, by checking the operation of the detection unit 2, stable operation of the consumption notification system 1 can be realized, and tasks such as checking inventory and placing orders, which have previously been done by people, can be automated and made more efficient.

[0033] [Variations] In the above embodiment, a load cell is used as the contact device 20b as illustrated in FIG. 2(b), but it may also be possible to physically support part of the load cell so that an item can be placed on it in excess of the upper weight limit, and to detect consumption of the item placed on it. In addition, in the above embodiment, when the control device 24 notifies the ordering unit 442 of consumption of an item, the ordering unit 442 places an order for the item whose consumption has been notified. However, this is not limited to this, and for example, the ordering unit 442 may notify a preset notification destination of consumption of the item. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] 1. Consumption notification system 2. Detection unit 4. Management server 20...Contact device 22…Sensor 24...Control device 44…Detection unit management program

Claims

1. a detection unit for detecting consumption of the item; a notification unit that notifies consumption of the item detected by the detection unit; having The detection unit detects consumption of an item in a packing unit in which the item is stored. Consumption notification system.

2. The packing unit is the minimum quantity of the item to be ordered at one time, and the minimum quantity includes a certain quantity of the item to be detected for consumption. The consumption notification system according to claim 1 .

3. A management server for managing the detection units and The detection unit includes a contact device that contacts an article and a sensor that detects a degree of contact between the article and the contact device; When the degree of contact detected by the sensor falls below a threshold, the detection unit notifies the management server of consumption of the item whose degree of contact falls below the threshold. The consumption notification system according to claim 1 .

4. A threshold setting unit that sets a threshold value of the degree of contact for notifying consumption of an item by the detection unit. and The threshold value set by the threshold value setting unit is equal to the packing unit at the time of storing the item. The consumption notification system according to claim 3 .

5. The threshold value is determined based on a packaging method for storing an item to be detected by the detection unit, a threshold change permission unit that permits the threshold setting unit to change the threshold when the packaging method of the object to be detected is different from the packaging method of the object to be detected so far; Further having The consumption notification system according to claim 4.

6. The sensor detects the degree of contact with the article based on the weight of the article, the pressure of the article, or the contact angle with the article. The consumption notification system according to claim 3 .

7. The management server includes: An operation status display unit that displays the operation status of the detection unit and The operation status display unit displays a state in which the detection unit is operating normally, not operating, or the operation status of the detection unit is not confirmed. The consumption notification system according to claim 3 .

8. A detection step in which a detection unit detects consumption of an item by a packaging unit when the item is stored; a notification step in which the detection unit notifies consumption of the item detected in the detection step; A consumption notification method having the following.

9. A detection step of detecting consumption of an item; a notification step of notifying consumption of the item detected in the detection step; Run the following on your computer: In the detection step, consumption of the item is detected in terms of a packing unit in which the item is stored. program.

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