Program, information processing apparatus, and information processing method

Abstract

To enable management of a plurality of types of products by placing them on a common placement part.SOLUTION: A program is disclosed that causes a computer to execute: a first acquisition process of acquiring registration information via a storage unit that stores the registration information indicating a weight for each product type; a second acquisition process of acquiring total weight information indicating the total weight of one or more objects via measuring means for measuring the weight of the one or more objects placed on a product placement part on which products of a plurality of product types can be simultaneously placed; and a management process of managing the product types and the number of the products placed on the product placement part based on a relationship between the registration information and the total weight information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a program, an information processing device, and an information processing method. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art With regard to a foodstuff ordering support system for ordering foodstuffs, a technique is known that calculates an order amount based on a consumption rate of the foodstuff and a total weight of the foodstuff. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2023-114667 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, with the above-described conventional technology, it is difficult to place and manage a plurality of types of products on a common placement section.

[0005] In view of the above, in one aspect, the present invention has an object to make it possible to place and manage a plurality of types of products on a common placement section. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one aspect, a first acquisition process of acquiring registered information representing a weight for each product type via a storage unit that stores the registered information; a second acquisition process for acquiring total weight information representing a total weight of one or more objects via a measuring means for measuring the weight of the one or more objects placed on a product placement section capable of simultaneously placing products of a plurality of product types; The program is characterized in that it causes a computer to execute a management process for managing the product type and number of products placed on the product placement section based on the relationship between the registration information and the total weight information. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, it becomes possible to place and manage a plurality of types of products on a common placement section. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of a weight-based inventory management method according to the present embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of a weight-based inventory control system according to one embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of the product placement section. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 illustrates an example of a hardware configuration of an information processing device. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of an information processing device. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of registration information in a registration information storage unit; [Figure 7] 1A to 1C are explanatory diagrams showing some examples (part 1) of a determination method performed by a product type determination unit in a specific situation. [Figure 8] 11A to 11C are explanatory diagrams showing some examples (part 2) of the determination method by the product type determination unit in a specific situation. [Figure 9] 13 is an explanatory diagram showing some examples (part 3) of a determination method by the product type determination unit in a specific situation. FIG. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing some examples (part 4) of the determination method by the product type determination unit in a specific situation. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing some examples (part 5) of the determination method by the product type determination unit in a specific situation. [Figure 12] 11 is an explanatory diagram of a product status in a product status storage unit. FIG. [Figure 13] 10 is a schematic flowchart illustrating an example of the operation of the information processing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Each embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a conceptual explanatory diagram of a weight-based inventory management method according to this embodiment.

[0011] This embodiment takes into consideration that the weight varies depending on the product type, and that the weight of products of the same type is substantially constant, and utilizes this characteristic to assist users in inventory management, etc.

[0012] For example, as shown in Fig. 1, a weight detection box forming a product placement section is prepared, and the inventory of products in the weight detection box is managed. In the example shown in Fig. 1, two products of different product types, tissue A and carbonated water B, are placed in the weight detection box. The weight detection box has a function of being able to measure (detect) the total weight of the objects placed therein.

[0013] In the example shown in Figure 1, the inventory status for three days, 2023 / 6 / 14, 2023 / 6 / 19, and 2023 / 6 / 23, is shown in a table on a weight basis. Here, it is assumed that the unit weight of tissue A and the unit weight of carbonated water B are different and known.

[0014] Taking the inventory status on 2023 / 6 / 14 as the base, the total weight has decreased by 1300g (=3600g-2300g) in the inventory status on 2023 / 6 / 19. In this case, it is possible to detect from this decrease in total weight that two tissues A and two carbonated water B have been consumed. In other words, it is possible to detect on a weight basis that two tissues A and two carbonated water B have been consumed, without the user having to visually check.

[0015] Similarly, when the inventory status on 6 / 19 / 2023 is used as a reference, the total weight has increased by 3450 g (= 5750 g - 2300 g) in the inventory status on 6 / 23 / 2023. In this case, it is possible to detect from this increase in total weight that three tissues A have been restocked (purchased) and six carbonated waters B have been restocked (purchased). In other words, it is possible to detect on a weight basis that three tissues A have been restocked (purchased) and six carbonated waters B have been restocked (purchased) without the user having to visually check.

[0016] In this way, even if multiple types of products are placed in the weight detection box, each time there is a change in the total weight in the weight detection box, it is possible to detect which type of product has been consumed or replenished (purchased) on a weight basis according to the amount of change, thereby reducing the user's burden in inventory management.

[0017] 2 onwards, further features of the weight based inventory control method as described above with reference to FIG. 1 as well as various preferred embodiments will now be described in detail.

[0018] Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of the weight-based inventory management system 1 according to one embodiment. Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of the overall configuration of the product placement unit 21.

[0019] The weight-based inventory management system 1 includes a user terminal 11, one or more product placement units 21, and an information processing device 100. The user terminal 11, one or more product placement units 21, and the information processing device 100 are connected via a network 4. The user terminal 11, one or more product placement units 21, and the information processing device 100 can communicate with each other via the network 4. In the following, unless otherwise specified, a user refers to one or more users who manage the inventory of products placed on one or more product placement units 21. Note that the one or more users may be users who can be identified (for example, all employees of a company in which the product placement unit 21 is installed). The one or more product placement units 21 are set for each user. Note that, for convenience of explanation, in the following, one or more product placement units 21 related to one user will be explained unless otherwise specified.

[0020] The network 4 may include the Internet, a Wide Area Network (WAN), a wireless communication network, a wired network, or any combination of these. A store server 31 and an automatic ordering server 32 are connected to the network 4. The store server 31 may be a server that operates various EC (Electronic Commerce) sites on the Internet, or may be a server that operates a physical store.

[0021] The user terminal 11 includes, for example, a computer having a communication function, and is, for example, a personal computer, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, or the like, but may also be a wearable terminal (for example, a smart watch, a ring, or glasses), or the like.

[0022] The user terminal 11 has installed therein an application according to this embodiment (hereinafter referred to as the "weight-based inventory management app"). The functions of the user terminal 11 described below are realized by executing the weight-based inventory management app. The weight-based inventory management app may require registration of user information (user ID) and the like as a condition for use. In the following, the user terminal 11 associated with a user refers to the user terminal 11 on which the weight-based inventory management app operates and which is logged in with the user ID associated with the user.

[0023] The product placement unit 21 forms a storage area where products subject to inventory management (hereinafter simply referred to as "products") are placed. Various products can be placed on the product placement unit 21 by users. The transportation and placement of products on the product placement unit 21 may be achieved manually, by a robot, or a combination of these. The same applies to the removal of products from the product placement unit 21.

[0024] The product placement unit 21 has a weight measurement function (for example, a built-in weighing scale) regarding the weight of an object placed thereon. The product placement unit 21 also has a function of transmitting information indicating the measured weight (total weight) (hereinafter referred to as “total weight information”) to the information processing device 100.

[0025] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, the product placement unit 21 includes a product storage unit 210 in the form of a basket, and a weight measuring device 212. The weight measuring device 212 includes a weight measuring unit 2120 and a communication processing unit 2122. The weight measuring device 212 may be realized in a form including a computer that performs various calculation processes.

[0026] The size and shape of the product storage unit 210 are arbitrary. In a modified example, the weight measuring device 212 may have a flat top surface on which various products are placed. In this case, the product storage unit 210 itself is omitted.

[0027] The weight measuring unit 2120 may measure weight based on the same principle as a normal weighing scale, or may be in the form of a pressure sensor.

[0028] The communication processing unit 2122 transmits total weight information corresponding to the weight measured by the weight measuring unit 2120 to the outside via the network 4. For example, the communication processing unit 2122 may transmit the total weight information to the information processing device 100 via the user terminal 11, or may transmit the total weight information to the information processing device 100 without via the user terminal 11.

[0029] The communication processing unit 2122 may periodically transmit the total weight information to the information processing device 100, or alternatively or in addition, may transmit the total weight information to the information processing device 100 when there is a change in the total weight information, when there is a request from the information processing device 100 or the user terminal 11, etc. In this case, time-series data of the total weight over a predetermined period including before and after the time point when the total weight information changes may be transmitted to the information processing device 100 as the total weight information (see FIG. 11).

[0030] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the information processing device 100. As shown in FIG.

[0031] The information processing device 100 is disposed, for example, in a facility where the product storage unit 210 is disposed. However, the information processing device 100 may be disposed in a remote location relative to the location where the product storage unit 210 is disposed, in the form of a server computer. In this case, the information processing device 100 may be realized by a plurality of server computers. For example, the information processing device 100 may be realized by cooperation of a plurality of server computers disposed in different locations. In addition, some or all of the functions of the information processing device 100 may be realized by a user terminal 11.

[0032] In the example shown in FIG. 4, the information processing device 100 includes a control unit 101, a main memory unit 102, an auxiliary memory unit 103, a drive device 104, a network I / F unit 106, and an input unit 107.

[0033] The control unit 101 is a calculation device that executes programs stored in the main memory unit 102 and the auxiliary memory unit 103, and receives data from the input unit 107 or a storage device, calculates and processes it, and outputs it to a storage device or the like.

[0034] The main storage unit 102 is a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), etc. The main storage unit 102 is a storage device that stores or temporarily saves programs and data, such as an operating system (OS), which is basic software executed by the control unit 101, and application software.

[0035] The auxiliary storage unit 103 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD) that stores data related to application software and the like.

[0036] The drive device 104 reads out a program from a recording medium 105, for example a flexible disk, and installs it in a storage device.

[0037] A predetermined program is stored in the recording medium 105. The program stored in the recording medium 105 is installed in the information processing device 100 via the drive device 104. The installed predetermined program can be executed by the information processing device 100.

[0038] The network I / F unit 106 is an interface with peripheral devices having a communication function, the product placement unit 21, the user terminal 11, etc., which are connected via the network 4. For example, when the information processing device 100 is placed near the product placement unit 21, the information processing device 100 and the product placement unit 21 may be connected via the network I / F unit 106 related to a wired connection.

[0039] The input unit 107 includes a keyboard equipped with cursor keys, numeric input keys and various function keys, a mouse, a touch pad, and the like.

[0040] In the example shown in Fig. 4, various processes described below can be realized by making the information processing device 100 execute a program. It is also possible to record the program in a recording medium 105 and make the information processing device 100 read the recording medium 105 on which the program is recorded, thereby realizing various processes described below. Various types of recording media can be used for the recording medium 105. For example, the recording medium 105 may be a recording medium that records information optically, electrically, or magnetically, such as a CD (Compact Disc)-ROM, a flexible disk, or a magneto-optical disk, or a semiconductor memory that records information electrically, such as a ROM or a flash memory.

[0041] Note that while FIG. 4 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the information processing device 100, the hardware configuration of the user terminal 11 may be substantially similar to the hardware configuration of the information processing device 100, except that it includes a display device (not shown).

[0042] Fig. 5 is a functional block diagram of the information processing device 100. Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of registered information in the registered information storage unit 158. Figs. 7 to 11 are explanatory diagrams showing several examples of determination methods by the product type determination unit 156 in specific situations. Fig. 12 is an explanatory diagram of the product status in the product status storage unit 160.

[0043] In the following, similarly to the above, unless otherwise specified, the process for one user (the product placement unit 21 managed by that one user) will be described, but the process for other users is similar.

[0044] The information processing device 100 includes a registration information generation unit 150, a registration information acquisition unit 151, a total weight information acquisition unit 152, a weight change detection unit 153, a judgment assistance information acquisition unit 154, a specific situation detection unit 155, a product type determination unit 156, and a management processing unit 157. The information processing device 100 also includes a registration information storage unit 158, a total weight information storage unit 159, a product status storage unit 160, and an automatic order history storage unit 161.

[0045] Each unit from the registration information generation unit 150 to the management processing unit 157 can be realized by the control unit 101 shown in FIG. 4 executing one or more programs stored in a storage device (for example, the main storage unit 102 and / or the auxiliary storage unit 103 shown in FIG. 4). Also, the registration information storage unit 158 ​​to the automatic order history storage unit 161 can be realized, for example, by the auxiliary storage unit 103 shown in FIG. 4. Note that the division of each unit shown in FIG. 4 is an example for explanation, and a part or all of one functional unit may be realized (integrated) by another functional unit. For example, the registration information storage unit 158 ​​to the automatic order history storage unit 161 may be realized by a common storage area.

[0046] The registration information generating unit 150 generates registration information indicating the weight of each product type. The registration information includes information on various products to be placed on the product placement unit 21 and information on the weight of each product. The registration information generating unit 150 may generate the registration information in response to an input from a user. The various products to be placed on the product placement unit 21 may include products to be placed, or may include products that are not actually placed. Since the various products to be placed on the product placement unit 21 are basically determined by the user, the registration information generating unit 150 generates the registration information based on an input from the user. However, the information on the weight of a product may be automatically acquired via a homepage related to the product, etc.

[0047] The registration information generating unit 150 operates during initial setup, but since various products placed on the product placement unit 21 may be changed after the initial setup, the registration information generating unit 150 may also operate during such changes. That is, the registration information generating unit 150 updates the registration information based on input from the user. When the registration information generating unit 150 generates or updates the registration information, it stores the registration information in the registration information storage unit 158.

[0048] In this embodiment, as described later, two or more product placement sections 21 may be provided. In this case, the registration information may be generated separately for each product placement section 21.

[0049] An example of the registered information is shown in Fig. 6. In the example shown in Fig. 6, a product name / product attribute, and weight (per unit number) are associated with each product ID. Note that a part of the registered information (e.g., product attribute and weight) may be generated automatically, without being based on a direct input from a user as described above. For example, when a user registers a product name, a new product ID may be issued, and the product attribute and weight corresponding to the product name may be automatically acquired.

[0050] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the registration information further includes ordering conditions. The ordering conditions may include conditions that must be met when replenishing the corresponding product, and conditions regarding the method of replenishing (ordering) when replenishing. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, tissue A is associated with "order 3 units when there are 5 units or less" and "order from store X or store Y, whichever is cheaper." Such ordering conditions may be generated automatically based on artificial intelligence, or may be generated based on user input.

[0051] In the example shown in FIG. 6, the registration information further includes additional weight information, a product placement section ID, and a shape characteristic.

[0052] The additional weight information is auxiliary information for determining the product type under specific circumstances, which will be described later in detail. Registration of the additional weight information may be omitted as appropriate.

[0053] The product placement section ID is identification information for identifying each product placement section 21 when two or more product placement sections 21 are used. Note that when registration information is set for each product placement section 21, the product placement section ID may be omitted. The product placement section ID is determination assistance information for enabling product type determination under specific circumstances described later, and details will be described later.

[0054] The shape feature represents the shape feature of the package of the corresponding product. The shape feature is auxiliary information for enabling product type determination under specific circumstances described below, and details will be described later. Registration of the shape feature may be omitted as appropriate. Furthermore, instead of or in addition to the shape feature, information on the color or design (image-recognizable features) of the package of the corresponding product may be used.

[0055] The registration information acquiring unit 151 acquires the registration information (latest registration information) by reading it out from the registration information storage unit 158.

[0056] The total weight information acquisition unit 152 acquires the above-mentioned total weight information from the product mounting unit 21. The total weight information acquisition unit 152 stores the acquired total weight information in the total weight information storage unit 159. Note that the total weight information acquisition unit 152 may store information on the acquisition date and time in the total weight information storage unit 159 in association with the total weight information.

[0057] In this embodiment, as described below, there may be provided two or more product placement sections 21. In this case, the total weight information acquisition section 152 may acquire total weight information for each product placement section 21.

[0058] The weight change detection unit 153 detects a change in the total weight based on the total weight information stored in the total weight information storage unit 159. The change in the total weight includes an increase in the total weight and a decrease in the total weight. The weight change detection unit 153 may determine whether or not a change has occurred each time new total weight information is obtained.

[0059] In this embodiment, as described below, there may be provided two or more product placement sections 21. In this case, the weight change detection section 153 may detect a change in the total weight information for each product placement section 21.

[0060] The judgment assistance information acquisition unit 154 acquires judgment assistance information that can be used in the judgment process by the product type determination unit 156, which will be described later. The judgment assistance information will be described in detail later together with the product type determination unit 156.

[0061] The specific situation detection unit 155 detects a specific situation in which a first type of product and a second type of product that are different in type and have a predetermined relationship are placed on the product placement unit 21 (hereinafter also referred to as a "specific situation").

[0062] The term "predetermined relationship" refers to a relationship in which the total weight of one product type can be the same when the number of the other product type is the same or different. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, two tissues A and three carbonated waters B have the same total weight of 1500g. In this case, when there is a change in the total weight of, for example, 1500g, it is not possible to directly determine from the change in total weight whether two tissues A or three carbonated waters B have been consumed. The term "specific situation" refers to a situation in which such an indistinguishable change in total weight can occur.

[0063] Generally speaking, the specified relationship refers to either the relationship (1) or (2) below, where the weights of one first type of product and one second type of product are M1 grams and M2 grams, respectively, and N is the least common multiple of M1 and M2. Condition (1) M1 = M2. Condition (2): N / M 1 items of the first type and N / M 2 items of the second type can be placed on one item placement section 21 at the same time. That is, the relationship (1) is a relationship in which the tissues have the same weight. The relationship (2) is a relationship in which only the least common multiple of the tissues can be placed on one product placement section 21. For example, in the example shown in Fig. 6, two tissues A and three carbonated waters B have the same total weight of 1500g, but two tissues A and three carbonated waters B may not be able to be placed at the same time due to space constraints on one product placement section 21. In this case, the relationship is not a predetermined one, and the specific situation does not occur.

[0064] The specific situation can be detected based on the registration information and the situation of the products currently placed on the product placement unit 21. The situation of the products currently placed on the product placement unit 21 can be ascertained from the product situation information in the product situation storage unit 160, which will be described later. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 6, two tissues A and three carbonated waters B have the same total weight of 1500 g. In this case, if the products currently placed on the product placement unit 21 include two tissues A and three carbonated waters B, it can be detected that the specific situation exists.

[0065] When a total weight change that cannot be determined by a normal method occurs under a specific situation, the product type determination unit 156 determines the products of the product type that caused the total weight change based on the total weight change at that time. At this time, the product type determination unit 156 determines the number of products of the product type as well as the products of the product type.

[0066] Here again, a specific example will be described in which the weight of one first type product and one second type product are M1 grams and M2 grams, respectively, and the least common multiple of M1 and M2 is N. Here, N=M1=2×M2. When the amount of reduction in total weight in the total weight information under a specific situation is N, the product type determination unit 156 determines a product of a product type whose state has changed from being placed on the product placement unit 21 to not being placed on it, based on the amount of reduction. Note that although a reduction in total weight has been described here, the same can be applied to an increase in total weight.

[0067] There are various methods for implementing such a determination (method of determination by the product type determination unit 156), but some preferable examples will be described below with reference to Figs.

[0068] 7 is an explanatory diagram of a judgment method in which additional weight information is used as judgment auxiliary information. In this case, the additional auxiliary information serving as judgment auxiliary information may be acquired from registered information as shown in FIG.

[0069] In the example shown in FIG. 7, the upper state ST600 represents a situation (specific situation) in which the weight (=M1) of one first-type product C1 (left side) and the weight (=M2×2) of two second-type products C2 (right side) are the same. That is, N=M1=2×M2. The lower state ST602 represents a state in which a weight Tg600 of a relatively small weight is attached to the first-type product C1 (left side). In this case, the weight of the first-type product C1 (left side) is substantially increased by the weight of the weight Tg600. As a result, even in a specific situation, the product of the product type that caused the weight change can be determined (specified) by using the information (=additional weight information) of the weight (=M3) of the weight Tg600. For example, when the weight change is N, it can be determined that the product of the product type that caused the weight change is the (two) second-type products C2. On the other hand, if the weight change is N+M3, it can be determined that the product of the product type that caused the weight change is (one) first type product C1.

[0070] When using such a relatively small weight Tg600, the user associates the additional weight information with the product ID corresponding to the product as registration information (see, for example, product ID "002" in FIG. 6). When the weight of the additional weight information is constant, information on whether or not the weight Tg600 is attached may be associated instead of the additional weight information. In this case, the above-mentioned determination by the product type determination unit 156 can still be realized by using the weight of the known additional weight information.

[0071] FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of a determination method when two product placement sections 21 are provided.

[0072] In the example shown in Figure 8, a first type of product C1 (on the left side) is placed on one of the two product placement sections 21 (indicated by 21(1) in Figure 8), and a second type of product C2 (on the right side) is placed on the other of the two product placement sections 21 (indicated by 21(2) in Figure 8).

[0073] In this case, by determining which of the two product placement sections 21 the weight change occurred in, the product of the product type that caused the weight change can be determined (specified). For example, if the weight change based on the total weight information related to the product placement section 21 (indicated by 21(1) in FIG. 8) on which the first type product C1 is placed is N=M1=2×M2, the product of the product type that caused the weight change can be determined to be (one) first type product C1. On the other hand, if the weight change based on the total weight information related to the product placement section 21 (indicated by 21(2) in FIG. 8) on which the second type product C2 is placed is N=M1=2×M2, the product of the product type that caused the weight change can be determined to be (two) second type products C2.

[0074] When using such two product placement units 21, the user associates the product placement unit ID of each product placement unit 21 with the product ID corresponding to the product as registration information (see FIG. 6). In this case, such correspondence can be used as determination auxiliary information to realize the determination by the product type determination unit 156 described above.

[0075] In the example shown in FIG. 8, two product placement sections 21 are used, but three or more product placement sections 21 may be used.

[0076] In the example shown in FIG. 8, two product placement sections 21 are used, but multiple placement sections may be set in one product placement section 21. For example, a rule may be set such that the placement section of one product placement section 21 is divided into two, and a first type of product C1 is placed in one placement section and a second type of product C2 is placed in the other placement section. In this case, a weight measuring unit 2120 is provided for each section, thereby realizing a configuration substantially similar to the case where two product placement sections 21 are used. In addition, based on a similar idea, position information of various products (position information in the product placement section 21) may be used as judgment auxiliary information. That is, although it can be said that the position information is substantially about which of the two product placement sections 21 a product is placed in, more detailed position information may be used. In this case, the position information of various products may be detected based on camera images of various products described later, or sensor information (pressure distribution) from a pressure sensor (weight measuring unit 2120) arranged in an array in the placement area.

[0077] 9 is an explanatory diagram of a determination method when a camera image or IC tag information is used as determination auxiliary information. In this case, the product placement unit 21A has an antenna 91 capable of communicating with an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag, and is equipped with a short-range communication processing unit 2123. The camera image may be transmitted directly to the information processing device 100, or may be transmitted via the product placement unit 21A.

[0078] 9, the camera 90 may transmit camera images obtained by capturing images of various commodities on the commodity placement unit 21A to the information processing device 100. In this case, the commodity type determination unit 156 can realize the above-mentioned determination of the commodity type by using the camera images as determination auxiliary information. For example, the commodity type determination unit 156 can determine whether one commodity C1 of the first type has been consumed or two commodity C2 of the second type has been consumed by performing image recognition processing.

[0079] Furthermore, when IC tag information is used as the determination auxiliary information, an IC (Integrated Circuit) tag may be attached to the first type of product C1 and / or the second type of product C2. In this case, the short-range communication processing unit 2123 can determine the presence or absence of a product to which an IC tag is attached by communicating with the IC tag via the antenna 91. Then, the product type determination unit 156 can determine whether one first type of product C1 has been consumed or two second type of products C2 have been consumed based on the information from the short-range communication processing unit 2123.

[0080] Although an example of using an IC tag has been described here, one-dimensional or two-dimensional code reading may also be used. In either case, by providing readable identification information to the first type of product C1 and / or the second type of product C2, the identification information can be used as judgment assistance information.

[0081] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a determination method in which shape information (shape characteristics) of the entire product or a specific part of the product is used as determination auxiliary information.

[0082] In the example shown in FIG. 10, the bottom shape of the first type of product C1 is rectangular, and the bottom shape of the second type of product C2 is round. In this case, the shape determination may be realized based on camera images of the various types of products described above. Alternatively, the shape determination may be performed based on sensor information (pressure distribution) from pressure sensors (weight measurement unit 2120) arranged in an array in the placement area. The pressure sensors may be arranged so as to detect differences in pressure distribution according to differences in the bottom shapes of the various types of products. In this case, it is also possible to determine whether one first type of product C1 or two second type of products C2 have been consumed based on the camera images and sensor information.

[0083] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of a determination method in which time-series change information on the total weight information is used as auxiliary determination information.

[0084] In the example shown in Fig. 11, the time series change characteristics of the total weight information are shown in a graph with the horizontal axis representing time and the vertical axis representing the total weight of the total weight information. In Fig. 11, two time series change characteristics G121 and G122 are shown.

[0085] When one first-type product C1 is consumed, as shown in the time-series change characteristic G121, a drop of weight M1 occurs in the time-series change information of the total weight information at the time when one first-type product C1 is picked up. In contrast, when two second-type products C2 are consumed, as shown in the time-series change characteristic G122, a drop of weight M1 tends to occur in two stages in the time-series change information of the total weight information. That is, a drop of weight M2 tends to occur twice. Note that this tendency is based on the premise that two second-type products C2 are picked up one by one. In this case as well, it is possible to determine whether one first-type product C1 or two second-type products C2 have been consumed based on the time-series change information of the total weight information.

[0086] Here, some preferred examples of the determination method (the determination method by the product type determination unit 156) have been described with reference to Figs. 7 to 11, but the method is not limited to the above. For example, information input by a user may be used as the determination auxiliary information. For example, when a user input is obtained that clearly indicates or suggests whether one first type product C1 has been consumed or two second type products C2 have been consumed, the user input can be used as the determination auxiliary information. For example, such a user input may be obtained as a response to an inquiry to the user.

[0087] Moreover, these determination methods may be used alone or in combination of two or more.

[0088] The management processing unit 157 manages the product type and the number of products placed on the product placement unit 21 based on the relationship between the registration information in the registration information storage unit 158 ​​and the total weight information in the total weight information storage unit 159 .

[0089] In this embodiment, the management processing unit 157 includes a consumption / replenishment product specification unit 1571 , a product status update unit 1572 , an order condition determination unit 1573 , an order processing unit 1574 , and a user notification unit 1575 .

[0090] The consumed / replenished product identification unit 1571 identifies a product that has caused a weight change when there is a change in the total weight information. Specifically, when there is an increase in the total weight information, the consumed / replenished product identification unit 1571 identifies a replenished product (replenished product) that has caused the weight increase. Also, when there is a decrease in the total weight information, the consumed / replenished product identification unit 1571 identifies a consumed product (consumed product) that has caused the weight decrease.

[0091] In this embodiment, when a specific situation is not detected by the specific situation detection unit 155, the consumable / replenishment product identification unit 1571 identifies a product having a weight corresponding to the weight change as a replenishment product or a consumable product based on the registration information.

[0092] On the other hand, when a specific situation is detected by the specific situation detection unit 155, the consumption / replenishment product identification unit 1571 identifies the product (and its number) that caused the weight change based on the determination result by the product type determination unit 156 described above.

[0093] The product status update unit 1572 updates information (hereinafter, "product status information") on the status (product status) of various products placed on the product placement unit 21 based on the identification result by the replenishment product identification unit 1571. The product status information in the initial state may be generated based on an input from a user. Furthermore, among the updates of the product status information, an update in the case where the number of products placed on the product placement unit 21 increases may be performed based on the processing result of the order processing unit 1574 (or the order history in the automatic order history storage unit 161) described later, instead of or in addition to the identification result by the replenishment product identification unit 1571. This is because there is a high possibility that the product ordered by the order processing unit 1574 will be placed on the product placement unit 21 when it is delivered.

[0094] The order condition determination unit 1573 determines, based on the product status information, whether or not the order condition for one product (for example, the order condition in the registration information in FIG. 6) is satisfied when the quantity of the one product is reduced.

[0095] The order processing unit 1574 performs an order process for the product for which the order condition is determined to be satisfied by the order condition determination unit 1573. The order processing unit 1574 may order the product via, for example, the automatic order server 32 (see FIG. 2), or may directly order the product to the store server 31. If the order condition also includes a method of ordering (see the order condition of the registration information in FIG. 6), the order processing unit 1574 may perform the order process using an order method that matches the order condition. Alternatively, as a default setting, the order processing unit 1574 may perform the order process for the store server 31 with the best condition among the multiple store servers 31. At this time, the quality of the condition may be determined not only by the price, but also by a combination of factors such as points to be awarded, point return rates according to available payment methods, and availability of campaigns. The order process may include a payment process.

[0096] In a modified example, the order processing unit 1574 may urge the user to perform an order process for the product for which the order condition is determined to be satisfied by the order condition determination unit 1573. That is, the order processing unit 1574 may urge the user to perform an order process via the user notification unit 1575 described later.

[0097] When the order processing unit 1574 executes an order process, the user notification unit 1575 notifies the user terminal 11 of that fact, the order contents, etc. Furthermore, the user notification unit 1575 may notify the user of the identification result by the consumed / replenishment product identification unit 1571, or, when the consumed / replenishment product identification unit 1571 is unable to identify a product, may notify (inquire) that fact. The method by the user notification unit 1575 may be realized by email, etc. The notification by the user notification unit 1575 may be various other types, and the user may be able to set which notification to make.

[0098] The above-mentioned registration information is stored in the registration information storage unit 158. As described above, the registration information may be updatable in response to a user input.

[0099] The total weight information described above is stored in the total weight information storage unit 159. When two or more product placement units 21 are provided, the total weight information may be managed for each product placement unit 21.

[0100] The product status information described above is stored in the product status storage unit 160. In the example shown in Fig. 12, the current quantity is stored for each product ID. The product status information can be updated by the product status update unit 1572 described above. The product status information may be amendable based on an input from a user. In this case, for example, a user can visually check the product status periodically or irregularly and amend the product status information as appropriate.

[0101] The automatic order history storage unit 161 stores the order history by the above-mentioned order processing unit 1574.

[0102] Next, an example of the operation of the information processing device 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0103] Fig. 13 is a schematic flowchart showing an example of the operation of the information processing device 100. The process shown in Fig. 13 may be repeatedly executed at predetermined processing intervals.

[0104] In step S1100, the information processing device 100 determines whether or not there has been an update to the total weight information in the total weight information storage unit 159. If the determination result is "YES", the process proceeds to step S1102; otherwise, the process for the current processing cycle ends.

[0105] In step S1102, the information processing device 100 determines whether or not there has been a change in the total weight information (i.e., a weight change). If the determination result is "YES", the process proceeds to step S1104; otherwise, the process for the current processing cycle ends.

[0106] In step S1104, the information processing device 100 reads and acquires the registered information in the registered information storage unit 158, and also reads and acquires the product status information in the product status storage unit 160.

[0107] In step S1106, the information processing device 100 judges whether there is only one product candidate corresponding to the weight change amount based on the relationship between the change amount (weight change amount) of the total weight information and the registered information. For example, if the weight change amount is 121g and there is only one product with a weight per unit of 121g among the products registered in the registered information, it is judged that there is only one product candidate corresponding to the weight change amount. Also, if the weight change amount is 242g and there is only one product with a weight per unit of 121g among the products registered in the registered information and there is no other product whose weight per unit is a divisor of 242g, it is judged that there is only one product candidate corresponding to the weight change amount. If the judgment result is "YES", proceed to step S1108, and otherwise proceed to step S1110.

[0108] In step S1108, the information processing device 100 specifies the product candidate determined to be the only one in step S1106 as the product that caused the current weight change.

[0109] In step S1110, the information processing device 100 judges whether the current product status is a specific status based on the registration information and the product status information obtained in step S1104. The specific status is as described above. If the judgment result is "YES", the process proceeds to step S1112, otherwise the process proceeds to step S1122.

[0110] In step S1112, the information processing device 100 acquires auxiliary determination information. The auxiliary determination information is as described above. When multiple pieces of auxiliary determination information can be acquired, some or all of the multiple pieces of auxiliary determination information may be acquired.

[0111] In step S1114, the information processing device 100 determines the product type that caused the current weight change, and identifies the change in the number of products that caused the current weight change (decrease / increase) based on the registration information obtained in step S1104 and the determination assistance information obtained in step S1112. This process may be realized based on the determination method (determination method by the product type determination unit 156) described above with reference to Figs. 7 to 11 or a modified example thereof.

[0112] In step S1116, the information processing device 100 determines whether the product type that caused the current weight change was determinable (identifiable) based on the determination process in step S1114. If the determination result is "YES", the process proceeds to step S1118, and otherwise the process proceeds to step S1122.

[0113] In step S1118, the information processing device 100 identifies the product that was identifiable in step S1114 as the product that caused the current weight change.

[0114] In step S1120, information processing device 100 notifies the user of the identification result in step S1118. Note that the user who has received such notification may check the identification result, and if it is incorrect, may input an instruction for correction or the like.

[0115] In step S1122, the information processing device 100 notifies the user to inquire about the type of product (and the number of products) that caused the weight change. The user who receives the notification may input a response to the inquiry. Alternatively, before the inquiry, it may be determined whether multiple types of products were consumed simultaneously. For example, in the example shown in FIG. 1, based on the inventory status on 2023 / 6 / 14, the total weight has decreased by 1300 g (= 3600 g - 2300 g) in the inventory status on 2023 / 6 / 19, and it may be determined that two tissues A and two carbonated waters B were consumed simultaneously (within a short period of time).

[0116] In step S1124, the information processing device 100 updates the product status based on the processing result of step S1108 or step S1118. Note that, when a response to the inquiry in step S1122 is received from the user (not shown), the information processing device 100 may update the product status in accordance with the response result.

[0117] In step S1126, the information processing device 100 judges whether the order conditions are met based on the registration information obtained in step S1104 and the product status updated in step S1124. If the judgment result is "YES", the process proceeds to step S1128, otherwise the process for this processing cycle ends.

[0118] In step S1128, the information processing device 100 executes an order process for the product for which the order conditions are met.

[0119] Although each embodiment has been described above in detail, the present invention is not limited to the specific embodiment, and various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the claims. In addition, it is also possible to combine all or a plurality of the components of the above-described embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0120] 1. Weight-based inventory control system 4. Network 11 User terminal 21, 21A Product placement section 31 Store Server 32 Automatic ordering server 90 Camera 91 Antenna 100 Information processing device 101 Control section 102 Main memory 103 Auxiliary storage 104 Drive device 105 Recording media 106 Network I / F section 107 Input section 150 Registration information generation unit 151 Registration Information Acquisition Department 152 Total weight information acquisition unit 153 Weight change detection unit 154 Judgment auxiliary information acquisition unit 155 Specific Situation Detection Unit 156 Product Type Determination Department 157 Management Department 1571 Consumption / Replenishment Product Specification Department 1572 Product Status Update Department 1573 Order Condition Judgment Department 1574 Order Processing Unit 1575 User Notification Section 158 Registration information storage unit 159 Total weight information storage unit 160 Product status memory unit 161 Automatic order history memory unit 210 Product storage section 212 Weight measuring device 2120 Weight measurement section 2122 Communication processing unit 2123 Short-distance communication processing unit

Claims

1. A first acquisition process for acquiring registered information representing weights of each product type via a storage unit that stores the registered information; a second acquisition process for acquiring total weight information representing a total weight of one or more objects via a measuring means for measuring the weight of the one or more objects placed on a product placement section capable of simultaneously placing products of a plurality of product types; a program for causing a computer to execute a management process for managing the product type and the number of products placed on the product placement section based on the relationship between the registration information and the total weight information;

2. The program according to claim 1 , wherein the management process includes a process of automatically ordering or prompting a user to order a product of a product type whose status has changed from being placed on the product placement section to not being placed on the product placement section.

3. A process of detecting a specific situation in which a first type of product and a second type of product, which are different product types, are placed on the product placement section; The program according to claim 1, further causing the computer to execute a determination process to determine, under the specific circumstances, a product of a product type whose state has changed from being placed on the product placement section to being not placed on the product placement section based on the amount of decrease when the total weight information of the total weight has decreased by an amount corresponding to the weight of one product of the first type or an integer multiple of that amount.

4. a third acquisition process for acquiring judgment assistance information that can be used in the judgment process; The judgment assistance information is User input information, Location information of at least one of the first type of goods and the second type of goods; Weight information of an additional weight item that can be added to the first type of product and / or the second type of product; Shape information of the whole or a specific part of the product of at least one of the product types; Identification information that can be read from a product of at least one of the product types; and time-series change information of the total weight information, and image information obtained via an imaging means for imaging the commodity placement section; The program according to claim 3, comprising at least one of the following:

5. The product placement unit is provided in plurality, The program according to claim 3 , wherein the determination process is executed based on which of the plurality of product placement sections, the total weight of which is reduced according to the total weight information.

6. A storage medium storing the program according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A first acquisition processing unit that acquires registered information representing weights of each product type from a storage unit that stores the registered information; a second acquisition processing unit that acquires total weight information representing a total weight of one or more objects via a measuring means that measures the weight of the one or more objects placed on a product placement unit that is capable of simultaneously placing products of a plurality of product types; an information processing device including a management processing unit that manages the product type and the number of the products placed on the product placement section based on the relationship between the registration information and the total weight information;

8. A first acquisition process step of acquiring registered information from a storage unit that stores registered information indicating weights of each product type; a second acquisition process step of acquiring total weight information representing a total weight of one or more objects via a measuring means for measuring the weight of the one or more objects placed on a product placement section capable of simultaneously placing products of a plurality of product types; An information processing method executed by a computer, comprising: a management processing step of managing the product type and the number of products placed on the product placement section based on the relationship between the registration information and the total weight information.

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