Goods management system

Abstract

To enable ending of a registration work in a short time in a goods management system.SOLUTION: A goods management system (1) according to one embodiment comprises: a display device (101) that displays good information on the goods (100) arranged in a goods shelf; a management device (20) that transmits the good information to the display device (101); and a mobile terminal (30) that acquires expiration information on the goods from the goods (100), and transmits the expiration information to the management device (20). The management device (20) is configured to, when the display device (101) acquires the expiration information on the goods from the mobile terminal (30) in a state where the display device performs a prescribed indication prompting a sales clerk to check the goods (100), update the acquired expiration information on the goods, and cause the prescribed indication in the display device (101) to be released.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a product management system. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a product management system in which a plurality of electronic shelf labels and a management device (server) are connected so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0003] In such a product management system, the management device manages the expiry date and best-before date (sometimes called expiry information) of each product, and when a product is nearing its expiry date, it sends a command to turn on the electronic shelf label of that product. When this happens, the LED on the electronic shelf label lights up, notifying the store clerk that the product needs to be recalled.

[0004] In this type of product management system, when products on the shelves are replaced or replenished, the expiration date information registered in the management device will no longer match the expiration date information of the products on the shelves. Therefore, before opening or after closing, store staff must find the product on the shelves that has the earliest expiration date and then use a handheld terminal to register that product's expiration date and product code and send it to the management device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Patent Publication No. 2023-063655 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, since the registration work in the above-mentioned product management system is performed daily for a plurality of shelves, there is a problem that it is an extremely cumbersome task for store clerks.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT DISCLOSURE The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to provide a product management system that can complete the above-mentioned registration work in a short period of time. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A product management system according to one embodiment comprises a display device which displays product information relating to products placed on a product shelf, a management device communicatively connected to the display device and which transmits the product information to the display device, and a mobile terminal communicatively connected to the management device and which acquires expiration date information of the product from the product and transmits it to the management device. When the management device acquires expiration date information of the product from the mobile terminal while the display device is displaying a predetermined display prompting a store clerk to check the product, the management device updates the expiration date information of the product that it is managing to the acquired expiration date information of the product and cancels the predetermined display on the display device. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a product management system that can complete the above-mentioned registration work in a short period of time. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of a product management system 1 according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display by the display device 101 according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information managed by the management device 20 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of functional blocks of the mobile terminal 30 according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the product management system 1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the product management system 1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the operation of the product management system 1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the product management system 1 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram for explaining an example of the operation of the product management system 1 according to the first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following description of the drawings, the same or similar parts are given the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the ratios of the dimensions are different from the actual ones. Therefore, the specific dimensions should be determined with reference to the following description. In addition, the drawings may include parts with different dimensional relationships and ratios. In this specification and the drawings, elements having substantially the same functions and configurations are given the same reference numerals to avoid repeated explanations, and elements not directly related to the present invention are not illustrated.

[0012] (First embodiment) Hereinafter, a product management system 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1 to Fig. 9. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the product management system 1 according to the embodiment, Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display by a display device 101 according to the embodiment, Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of information managed by a management device 20 according to the embodiment, Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a functional block of a mobile terminal 30 according to the embodiment, Figs. 5 and 7 are sequence diagrams showing an example of the operation of the product management system 1 according to the embodiment, and Figs. 6, 8 and 9 are diagrams for explaining an example of the operation of the product management system 1 according to the embodiment.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, a product management system 1 according to this embodiment includes a display device 101, a management apparatus 20, and a mobile terminal 30.

[0014] The display devices 101 (101A to 101D) display product information relating to products 100 arranged on a product shelf.

[0015] Fig. 2 shows an example of a display by the display device 101. As shown in Fig. 2, the display device 101 displays the above-mentioned product information such as the product name, price, advertising message, etc., as well as the product code (product identification information) 111 of the product. Also, a "number of days until the expiration date" display field 112 for informing the store clerk and an LED 110 for giving operation instructions to the store clerk are provided in a part of the display of the display device 101.

[0016] The management device 20 is communicably connected to the display device 101, and transmits to the display device 101 not only product information but also work instruction information for store clerks.

[0017] The mobile terminal 30 is communicatively connected to the management device 20, acquires a product code (identification information) and expiration date information of the product 100 from the product 100, and transmits them to the management device 20. The product code may be acquired from the product code 111 on the display device 101.

[0018] When the management device 20 acquires product expiration information from the mobile terminal 30 while the display device 101 is displaying a predetermined display urging the store clerk to check the product 100, the management device 20 updates the expiration information of the managed product 100 to the acquired expiration information of the product 100 and cancels the predetermined display on the display device 101.

[0019] For example, the predetermined display on the display device 101 is to blink the display device 101 or turn on the LED 110, and canceling the predetermined display on the display device 101 is to stop the blinking of the display device 101 or to turn off the LED 110. Also, instead of such blinking or lighting, for example, a two-color LED 110 may be used, and when it switches from green to red, it may indicate that the product is subject to expiration date registration, and when it switches from red to normal green, it may indicate that the expiration date registration for the product 100 on the display device 101 has been completed.

[0020] The management device 20 may group each of the multiple display devices 101A to 101D. For example, the management device 20 may group the display devices 101A to 101D belonging to the same department. In this case, for example, the management device 20 has tables (a) and (b) shown in FIG. 3 for each group. The tables include table (a) in which department names correspond to product codes of each product belonging to each department, and table (b) in which, for each product, each product code is associated with identification information of the corresponding display device 101, the product name, and the expiration date as expiration date information of the product 100. The tables (a) and (b) are linked to each other by the product code, and when one department is selected, the products 100 belonging to the department are specified, and the display devices 101 of each specified product 100 are identified.

[0021] When the management device 20 acquires expiration information of the products 100 corresponding to the multiple display devices 101A-101D, either sequentially or simultaneously, from the mobile terminal 30 while the multiple display devices 101A-101D belonging to the same group are performing a specified display, the management device 20 updates the expiration information of the products 100 corresponding to the multiple display devices 101A-101D being managed to the expiration information of the acquired products 100, and sequentially or simultaneously cancels the specified display on the multiple display devices 101A-101D.

[0022] As shown in FIG. 4, the mobile terminal 30 includes an acquisition unit 31, a storage unit 32, an operation unit 33, and a transmission unit .

[0023] The acquiring unit 31 acquires a product code (identification information) and expiration date information (best before date) of the product 100. For example, the acquiring unit 31 may be configured with a barcode reader.

[0024] The storage unit 32 stores, as a pair, the identification information and the expiration date information of the product 100 acquired by the acquisition unit 31. The storage unit 32 can store the identification information and the expiration date information of one or a plurality of products 100.

[0025] The operation unit 33 has a function for the store clerk to operate the mobile terminal 30. The operation unit 33 includes a transmission key for transmitting the identification information and expiry information of one or more products 100 stored in the memory unit 32 to the management device 20. For example, the operation unit 33 is configured with a touch panel, a numeric keypad, and keys to which various functions are assigned, such as a transmission key and a scanning key 331.

[0026] The transmission unit 34 transmits the identification information and expiry date information of one or more products 100 stored in the storage unit 32 to the management device 20 in response to a store clerk pressing the transmission key.

[0027] According to this configuration, the identification information and expiration information of one or more products 100 can be transmitted to the management device 20. Therefore, the store clerk may transmit the identification information and expiration information of one product 100 to the management device 20 each time he acquires it, or may store the identification information and expiration information of each product 100 in the memory unit 32 each time he acquires it, and then transmit them together later to the management device 20. Transmitting them together can improve work efficiency compared to transmitting them one by one.

[0028] An example of the operation of the product management system 1 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to FIGS.

[0029] First, when registering expiration date information for one product 100, for example, when a product 100 is restocked on one of the product shelves, old and new products are mixed, so the store clerk finds the product 100 on that product shelf that has the earliest expiration date and registers its expiration date. In that case, the "Best before date check registration" button is pressed on the menu screen of FIG. 6.

[0030] Next, the store clerk reads and stores the product code (bar code) 111 of the product 100 while pressing the scanning key 331 of the mobile terminal 30 shown in FIG.

[0031] Then, as shown in screen (a) of Fig. 9, the product code 111 of the read product 100 is displayed, and then the product code is transmitted to the management device 20. Based on the received product code 111, the management device 20 transmits registered product information of the corresponding product 100 to the mobile terminal 30. The mobile terminal 30 displays the product information received from the management device 20 as shown in Fig. 9(b).

[0032] Next, the store clerk reads the expiration date of the product 100 while pressing the scanning key 331 of the mobile terminal 30. The mobile terminal 30 then converts the read expiration date into text information (character code) using OCR and stores it. Next, when the send key 112 is sent, the mobile terminal 30 sends the stored product code and character code of the expiration date to the management device 20. The management device 20 updates the expiration date of the product 100 based on the received information.

[0033] The above operations were for registering the expiration date of a single item, but when registering the expiration dates of multiple products 100 collectively, as shown in Fig. 5, in step S101, the store clerk presses "Turn on expiration date alert" on the menu screen of the mobile terminal 30 shown in Fig. 6(a). Then, the mobile terminal 30 communicates with the management device 20 and displays the received list of each department as shown in Fig. 6(b).

[0034] Next, the store clerk selects the department name for which the expiration date is to be registered from among the displayed department names on the screen of Fig. 6(b) and presses the "Execute" button. Then, in step S102, the mobile terminal 30 transmits the selected department name to the management device 20, and when there is a response from the management device 20, the mobile terminal 30 displays that the LED 110 of the display device 101 of the product to be checked for the expiration date is lit, as shown in Fig. 6(c).

[0035] Meanwhile, in step S103, the management device 20 instructs the display device 101 of the product 100 belonging to the selected department to display a predetermined image, specifically, to turn on an LED.

[0036] Upon receiving the instruction to display the predetermined information, the display device 101 performs the predetermined display in step S104. Specifically, the display device 101 turns on the LED 110 as shown in Fig. 6(d). Alternatively, the display device 101 may blink the display.

[0037] After that, the mobile terminal 30 returns to the initial menu screen shown in Fig. 6(a), and the store clerk presses "Best before date check registration" on the menu screen. In this case, the screen may be changed to the screen display for performing the best before date check registration in Fig. 9 without returning to the menu screen.

[0038] In step S201 of FIG. 7, when a store clerk presses "Best before date check registration" on the mobile terminal 30, the mobile terminal 30 transitions to a scanning mode.

[0039] In steps S202 to S203, the store clerk scans the product code 111 (barcode) while pressing the scanning key 331 of the mobile terminal 30, as shown in FIG.

[0040] When the portable terminal 30 reads the product code 111 by the reflected light of the irradiated beam, in step S204, the portable terminal 30 displays the scanned product code 111 as shown in FIG. 9(a).

[0041] In step S205, the mobile terminal 30 transmits the read product code 111 to the management device 20.

[0042] In step S206, the management device 20 refers to the table shown in FIG.

[0043] In step S207, the mobile terminal 30 displays the product information received from the management device 20, as shown in Fig. 9(b). In Fig. 9(b), the expiration date is left blank, but if an expiration date is stored in the management device 20, the expiration date and the "last check date" when it was registered are displayed.

[0044] After displaying the received product information, the mobile terminal 30 transitions to a reading mode for reading expiration date information (best before date) of the product 100.

[0045] In steps S208 to S209, in the reading mode, the store clerk irradiates the expiration date information of the product 100 with a beam while pressing the scanning key 331 of the mobile terminal 30, thereby scanning the expiration date information of the product 100.

[0046] In step S210, the mobile terminal 30 converts the read image of the expiration date information of the product 100 into character code (text information) using OCR, and stores the character code in the storage unit 31 (internal memory).

[0047] Then, when the store clerk presses the “Send” key at the top of the expiration date check registration screen shown in FIG. 9(b) on the mobile terminal 30, in step S211, the mobile terminal 30 sends the stored product code and expiration date information of the product 100 to the management device 20.

[0048] Here, if the store clerk presses the “Register” key at the bottom of the expiration date check registration screen shown in Figure 9 (b) without pressing the “Send” key, the mobile terminal 30 will register the product code and expiration date information of that product 100 in the memory unit 31 (internal memory) and transition to a product code reading mode for the next product 100.

[0049] In this way, after the product codes and expiration date information for multiple products 100 have been registered in the memory unit 31, when the “send” key is operated, the mobile terminal 30 will simultaneously transmit the product codes and expiration date information for each registered product 100 to the management device 20.

[0050] In step S212, the management device 20 stores and updates the expiration date information of each product 100 received from the mobile terminal 30, and in step S213, for the updated product 100, transmits an instruction to cancel the predetermined display to the display device 101 of that product 100. Then, in step S214, the display device 101 cancels the predetermined display. Specifically, the display device 101 turns off the lit LED.

[0051] According to this embodiment, every time the expiration date information of a product 100 is updated, the predetermined display on the display device 101 of the product 100 is cancelled, so even if the store clerk interrupts the registration process, it is possible to confirm which product 100 the expiration date registration should be restarted from. Therefore, it is possible to minimize the occurrence of missed expiration date registration checks.

[0052] Furthermore, according to this embodiment, even if a store clerk has to interrupt the registration process to attend to an emergency customer or to assist with the cashier, another store clerk can resume the registration process from the unchecked product 100 whose LED is lit.

[0053] Furthermore, if the LEDs of all products 100 are lit, consumers may be bothered by the illuminating LEDs unless a store clerk is nearby. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the range of product shelves where the LEDs are lit can be made small by lighting up the LEDs by department (group), making it less likely to be a nuisance to consumers.

[0054] Although the present invention has been described in detail using the above-mentioned embodiment, it is clear to those skilled in the art that the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described in the present specification. The present invention can be implemented in modified and altered forms without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention defined by the description of the claims. Therefore, the description in this specification is intended to be illustrative and does not have any limiting meaning on the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0055] 1. Product management system 100…Products 101, 101A~101D...Display device 111...Product code 112...LED 20…Management device 30. Mobile terminal 31…Acquisition part 32...Storage section 33...Operation section (transmit key) 331…Scanning key 34...Transmitter

Claims

1. a display device that displays product information relating to products arranged on a product shelf; a management device that is communicatively connected to the display device and transmits the product information to the display device; a mobile terminal that is communicably connected to the management device and acquires expiration date information of the product from the product and transmits the expiration date information to the management device; A product management system in which, when the management device acquires expiration information of the product from the mobile terminal while the display device is displaying a specified display urging the store clerk to check the product, the management device updates the expiration information of the product that it is managing to the acquired expiration information of the product and cancels the specified display on the display device.

2. The management device includes: Grouping each of the plurality of display devices; A product management system as described in claim 1, wherein when the multiple display devices belonging to the same group are performing the specified display and expiration date information of the products corresponding to the multiple display devices is obtained from the mobile terminal sequentially or simultaneously, the expiration date information of the products corresponding to the multiple display devices being managed is updated to the expiration date information of the obtained product, and the specified display on the multiple display devices is canceled sequentially or simultaneously.

3. The mobile terminal includes a storage unit that acquires and stores expiration date information of the product; The product management system according to claim 2 , further comprising a transmission key for collectively transmitting expiration information of the plurality of products stored in the storage unit to the management device.

4. the predetermined display on the display device is to cause the display device to blink or to turn on an LED, The merchandise management system according to claim 1 , wherein canceling the predetermined display on the display device includes stopping the blinking of the display device or turning off the LED.

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