Commodity sales support system, clerk terminal, and program

Abstract

To provide a commodity sales support system, a clerk terminal, and a program that, when a commodity is out-of-stock in a store, can easily perform stock confirmation and allocate the commodity to the store.SOLUTION: A commodity sales support system comprises: a sales management device having a clerk terminal, an order information acquisition unit that acquires order information and a commodity receiving method from the clerk terminal, a stock allocation unit that, when a commodity is not in a store, causes a stock control device to allocate the stock of the commodity to the store, and a status information output unit that outputs a preparation state of the commodity so that it can be displayed on the clerk terminal; and the stock control device having a stock confirmation instruction acquisition unit that acquires an inquiry for the stock of the commodity from the sales management device, a stock information output unit that outputs at least the quantity of stocks of the commodity to the sales management device, and a stock allocation processing unit that allocates the commodity for which a stock allocation instruction is acquired from the sales management device to a designated store.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 10

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a product sales support system, a store clerk terminal, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, a product sales system has been proposed in which an order is received from a customer and the customer can receive the ordered product (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] In a product sales system that receives an order from a customer and allows the customer to pick up the ordered product, if the product ordered by the customer is out of stock, it is desired that the store clerk who receives the order can easily check the product stock and allocate it to his or her own store. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a product sales support system, a store clerk terminal, and a program that can easily check inventory and allocate the product to the store when the store is out of stock. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A product sales support system according to an embodiment includes a sales clerk terminal carried by a sales clerk, a sales management device communicatively connected to the sales clerk terminal, and an inventory management device communicatively connected to the sales management device. The sales management device includes a first order information acquisition unit, an inventory allocation unit, and a status information output unit. The first order information acquisition unit acquires, from the sales clerk terminal, order information related to a product ordered by a customer and receipt information related to a method of receiving the product. If the ordered product is not available in stock at the store, the inventory allocation unit instructs the inventory management device to allocate the product to its own store if the product is in stock. The status information output unit outputs status information related to the product's preparation status to the sales clerk terminal so as to be displayable. The inventory management device includes an inquiry acquisition unit, an inventory information output unit, and an inventory allocation processing unit. The inquiry acquisition unit acquires an inquiry about product inventory from the sales management device. The inventory information output unit outputs inventory information including at least the number of products in stock to the sales management device. The inventory allocation processing unit receives an inventory allocation instruction from the sales management device and allocates designated products to designated stores.

[0006] In addition, the store clerk terminal of the embodiment includes a second order information acquisition unit, an order information output unit, an inventory confirmation instruction unit, an inventory allocation instruction unit, a status information update unit, and a status information output unit. The second order information acquisition unit acquires order information related to the product ordered by the customer and receipt information related to the method of receiving the product. The order information output unit outputs the order information and receipt information to a sales management device that manages the sales of the product. The inventory confirmation instruction unit causes the inventory management device that manages the inventory of the product to check the inventory of the product when the product is out of stock in the store. The inventory allocation instruction unit instructs the inventory management device to execute inventory allocation processing to allocate the product inventory to the store. The status information acquisition unit updates status information related to the preparation status of the product. The status information output unit outputs the status information updated by the status information update unit to the sales management device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a product sales support system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the sales management device included in the product sales support system. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a sales management file stored in the sales management device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the inventory management device included in the product sales support system. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the structure of the inventory master stored in the inventory management device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a salesperson terminal included in the product sales support system. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a hardware block diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of a locker management device included in the product sales support system. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of a locker usage status management file stored in the locker management device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a typical information flow between devices constituting the product sales support system. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the product sales support system. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing from when the product sales support system allocates stock when the ordered product is not in stock at the store until the customer completes the transaction. [Figure 12] Figure 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow from when inventory allocation is completed and locker pickup is instructed until the product sales support system notifies the customer that the locker is ready for pickup. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the product sales support system when a customer receives a product from a locker. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a first diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on a store clerk terminal when a product search is performed. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a product search result. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for ordering a product. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for issuing an inventory allocation instruction. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the store clerk terminal when a customer is paying for an ordered product. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the store clerk terminal for allowing a customer to select a method of receiving the ordered product. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on the store clerk terminal for setting the status of an item ordered by a customer. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a screen displayed on the store clerk terminal when the store clerk deposits an item that has been ordered for locker pickup in a locker. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiment, an example in which the present invention is applied to a product sales support system 10 will be described.

[0009] (Overview of product sales support system) The schematic configuration of a product sales support system 10 will be described using FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a product sales support system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the product sales support system 10 includes an inventory management device 20, a sales management device 30, a locker management device 40, a store clerk terminal 50, and lockers 60. The inventory management device 20, the sales management device 30, and the locker management device 40 are communicatively connected to each other via a communication network such as the Internet. Furthermore, the store clerk terminal 50 and the sales management device 30 are communicatively connected, and the lockers 60 and the locker management device 40 are communicatively connected.

[0010] The inventory management device 20 is, for example, a server device located on the cloud, and performs inventory management of products in multiple stores and warehouses.

[0011] More specifically, the inventory management device 20 receives an inventory check instruction from the sales management device 30 and checks the inventory quantity of the specified product. Also, the inventory management device 20 receives an inventory allocation instruction from the sales management device 30 and performs inventory allocation to allocate the inventory of the specified product to the specified store.

[0012] The sales management device 30 is, for example, a server device installed in a store, and performs sales management related to order information acquired from the store clerk terminal 50.

[0013] More specifically, the sales management device 30 receives order information specifying the type of product ordered by a customer via the store clerk terminal 50. Furthermore, if the product ordered by a customer is not available in the store, the sales management device 30 checks the inventory with the inventory management device 20. If the product is available in stock, the sales management device 30 allocates the stock in response to an instruction from the store clerk terminal 50. Furthermore, the sales management device 30 manages the delivery of the product according to the method of receiving the product specified by the customer. For example, if a customer selects to receive the ordered product at the store, the sales management device 30 manages the preparation and reservation of the ordered product. Furthermore, if a customer selects to receive the ordered product at a locker 60, the sales management device 30 manages the preparation of the ordered product and the deposit of the prepared product in the locker 60. Furthermore, if a customer selects to have the ordered product delivered, the sales management device 30 manages the preparation of the ordered product and the shipping procedure for the prepared product. In this embodiment, payment for ordered products (hereinafter also referred to as accounting) is performed by a product sales data processing device (hereinafter also referred to as a POS terminal) (not shown) installed in the store.

[0014] The clerk terminal 50 is a terminal device carried by a store clerk. The clerk terminal 50 searches for products and their inventory in response to customer requests. The clerk terminal 50 then accepts orders from customers and outputs order information to the sales management device 30. The clerk terminal 50 also instructs the sales management device 30 to execute transaction processing for the ordered products. The clerk carrying the clerk terminal 50 then performs various management tasks, such as preparing the products ordered by customers. The clerk terminal 50 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet.

[0015] When a customer selects locker pickup, the locker management device 40 manages code information for unlocking the locker 60 in which the product is temporarily stored, and manages the usage status of the locker 60.

[0016] The locker 60 stores the products ordered by the customer. The locker 60 is installed, for example, outside the store, so that the customer can receive the stored products regardless of the store's business hours.

[0017] The locker 60 includes a display unit 65, a code reader 66, and a plurality of compartments 67.

[0018] The display unit 65 is configured with a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel, and displays various messages.

[0019] The code reading unit 66 is configured by, for example, a camera, and reads code information such as a two-dimensional code or a barcode to unlock the private room 67.

[0020] The compartments 67 are storage compartments for products, each having an openable / closable door that can be locked and unlocked individually. The compartments 67 are formed in a number of different sizes to accommodate the sizes of the products to be stored.

[0021] (Hardware configuration of sales management device) The hardware configuration of the sales management device 30 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the sales management device provided in the product sales support system.

[0022] The sales management device 30 has a configuration in which a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, and a communication controller 34 are connected to each other via an internal bus 33.

[0023] The control unit 31 controls the overall operation of the sales management device 30. The control unit 31 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 311, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 312, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 313. The CPU 311 is connected to the ROM 312 and the RAM 313 via internal buses such as an address bus and a data bus. The CPU 311 loads various programs stored in the ROM 312 and the storage unit 32 into the RAM 313. The CPU 311 controls the operation of the sales management device 30 by operating in accordance with the various programs loaded into the RAM 313. In other words, the control unit 31 has the configuration of a typical computer.

[0024] The storage unit 32 is a storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD). The storage unit 32 may also be a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 32 stores a control program 321, a sales management file 322, and a product master 323.

[0025] The control program 321 is a program that controls the overall operation of the sales management device 30. The control program 321 may be provided in a state stored in the storage unit 32, or may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file on a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD. The control program 321 may also be stored on a computer connected to a network and provided by being downloaded via the network. Furthermore, the control program 321 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0026] The sales management file 322 is a file that stores order information related to products ordered by customers, in association with a customer code that uniquely identifies the customer. The data structure of the sales management file 322 will be described in detail later (see FIG. 3).

[0027] The product master 323 is a master file that stores product information such as product names and prices of products for sale. The product master 323 stores product names, unit prices, product sizes, additional information, and the like, in association with product codes. The product sizes are used when calculating delivery fees for products and when the locker management device 40 selects a private room 67 in a locker 60 when storing a product in the locker 60. Note that the contents of the product master 323 are updated as needed, so the sales management device 30 periodically obtains and updates the latest product master 323, for example, from a server device (not shown) via the communication controller 34.

[0028] The control unit 31 also performs various communications with the store clerk terminal 50, the inventory management device 20, and the locker management device 40 via the communication controller 34. The content of the information received through communications will be described in detail later (see FIG. 9).

[0029] The hardware configuration of the sales management device 30 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 2. For example, the sales management device 30 may include a barcode scanner. In this case, the sales management device 30 may be configured to read the barcode of a product displayed on the store clerk terminal 50 or the like with the barcode scanner, and register and settle the product.

[0030] (Sales management file data structure) The data structure of the sales management file 322 will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the sales management file stored in the sales management device.

[0031] The sales management file 322 stores the order number, order date and time, order item information, payment method, receipt method, and status in association with the customer code.

[0032] The customer code is identification information that uniquely identifies the customer who placed the order. The customer code is assigned when the customer registers as a member at a store or via the Internet using a terminal device that the customer owns, for example.

[0033] The order number is identification information that uniquely identifies the contents of an order and is issued by the sales management device 30 when it accepts an order from a customer.

[0034] The order date and time is information indicating the date and time when the order for the order number was placed.

[0035] The order item information indicates the details of the item associated with the order number, and includes the item code, item name, quantity, unit price, inventory allocation source, subtotal, and total price.

[0036] The product code is the product code of the product ordered by the customer. The product name is the name of the product corresponding to the product code. The quantity is the ordered quantity of the product corresponding to the product code. The unit price is the unit price of the product corresponding to the product code. The inventory allocation source is information that identifies the inventory source from which the product will be allocated if the ordered product is not in stock at the store. The subtotal is the total price of the product corresponding to the product code. The total amount is the total price of the order related to the order number. Note that the order information may also include the size of the product corresponding to the product code, the total size of all products, etc.

[0037] The payment information is information indicating whether or not a payment has been made, in other words, binary information indicating whether or not the payment has been completed. If a payment has been made (paid), the payment information field may store information indicating the payment method used at the time of payment, such as information specifying the payment method, such as credit card payment, cash payment, or convenience store payment.

[0038] The receiving method is information indicating the method of receiving the product designated by the customer. For example, the receiving method can be selected from store receiving, locker receiving, delivery, etc.

[0039] Store pickup is a method of receiving the product at a store. When a customer selects store pickup, information specifying the name of the store where the product will be picked up and information indicating the period during which the product can be picked up are stored.

[0040] Locker pickup is a method of receiving products at a locker 60. When a customer selects locker pickup, the following information is stored: information identifying the location of the locker 60; the locker number, i.e., information identifying the locker compartment 67; information indicating the pickup code required to unlock the locker 60 when receiving the product; and information indicating the period during which the product can be received.

[0041] Delivery is a method of receiving delivered products. If the customer selects delivery, the delivery address, delivery time, etc. are stored. Note that the delivery fee for the product is settled at the time of payment at the POS terminal, but the delivery fee may also be included in the delivery field.

[0042] The status is information indicating the progress of the order associated with the order number.

[0043] If the customer selects in-store pickup, one of the following statuses will be checked: "Item being secured," "Item secured," or "Delivery completed." "Item being secured" is a status that indicates that the ordered item is being procured from the store, back room, or another store or warehouse. "Item secured" is a status that indicates that the item has been secured and is available for in-store pickup. "Delivery completed" is a status that indicates that the item has been delivered to the customer.

[0044] If the customer selects locker pickup, one of the following statuses will be checked: "Item being secured," "Deposited in locker," or "Delivery completed." "Item being secured" is a status that indicates that the ordered item is being ordered from the storefront, back room, or from another store or warehouse. "Deposited in locker" is a status that indicates that the secured item has been stored in locker 60. "Delivery completed" is a status that indicates that the customer has removed the item from locker 60.

[0045] If the customer selects delivery, one of the following statuses will be checked: "Reserving item," "Preparing to ship," "Shipped," or "Delivered." "Reserving item" is a status that indicates that the ordered item is being procured from the storefront, back room, or from another store or warehouse. "Preparing to ship" is a status that indicates that the reserved item is being prepared for shipping. "Shipped" is a status that indicates that the item has been shipped. "Delivered" is a status that indicates that the item has been delivered.

[0046] (Hardware configuration of inventory management device) The hardware configuration of the inventory management device 20 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the inventory management device provided in the product sales support system.

[0047] The inventory management device 20 has a configuration in which a control unit 21, a storage unit 22, and a communication controller 24 are interconnected by an internal bus 23.

[0048] The control unit 21 controls the overall operation of the inventory management device 20. The control unit 21 includes a CPU 211, a ROM 212, and a RAM 213. The CPU 211 is connected to the ROM 212 and the RAM 213 via internal buses such as an address bus and a data bus. The CPU 211 loads various programs stored in the ROM 212 and the storage unit 22 into the RAM 213. The CPU 211 controls the operation of the inventory management device 20 by operating in accordance with the various programs loaded into the RAM 213. In other words, the control unit 21 has the configuration of a typical computer.

[0049] The storage unit 22 is a storage device such as an HDD or SSD. Alternatively, the storage unit 22 may be a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 22 stores a control program 221 and an inventory master 222.

[0050] The control program 221 is a program that controls the overall operation of the inventory management device 20. The control program 221 may be provided in a state stored in the storage unit 22, or may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file on a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD. The control program 221 may also be stored on a computer connected to a network and provided by being downloaded via the network. Furthermore, the control program 221 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0051] The inventory master 222 is a master file that manages the number of products in stock at stores and warehouses. The data structure of the inventory master 222 will be described in detail later (see FIG. 5).

[0052] Furthermore, the control unit 21 performs various communications with the sales management device 30 via the communication controller 24. The content of the information received through communications will be described in detail later (see FIG. 9).

[0053] (Inventory master data structure) The data structure of the inventory master 222 will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the structure of the inventory master stored in the inventory management device.

[0054] The inventory master 222 stores inventory information of products in association with a store code that uniquely identifies a store and a warehouse code that uniquely identifies a warehouse.

[0055] The inventory information of a product includes a product code, a product name, a color, a size, a purchase date, a purchase price, and a stock quantity.

[0056] The product code is an identification code that uniquely identifies the product. The product name is the name of the product. The color and size are information that represent the attributes of the product. The purchase date is information that indicates the purchase date of the product. The purchase price is information that indicates the purchase price of the product. The stock quantity is information that indicates the stock quantity of the product. Note that the information stored in the inventory master 222 is not limited to these, and other information may also be stored.

[0057] (Hardware configuration of store clerk terminal) The hardware configuration of the salesperson terminal 50 will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the salesperson terminal included in the product sales support system.

[0058] The store clerk terminal 50 has a configuration in which a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, a peripheral device controller 54, and a communication controller 55 are interconnected by an internal bus 53.

[0059] The control unit 51 controls the overall operation of the clerk terminal 50. The control unit 51 includes a CPU 511, a ROM 512, and a RAM 513. The CPU 511 is connected to the ROM 512 and the RAM 513 via internal buses such as an address bus and a data bus. The CPU 511 loads various programs stored in the ROM 512 and the storage unit 52 into the RAM 513. The CPU 511 controls the operation of the clerk terminal 50 by operating in accordance with the various programs loaded into the RAM 513. In other words, the control unit 51 has the configuration of a typical computer.

[0060] The storage unit 52 is a storage device such as an HDD or SSD. Alternatively, the storage unit 52 may be a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 52 stores a control program 521, a sales management file 522, and a product master 523.

[0061] The control program 521 is a program that controls the overall operation of the store clerk terminal 50. The control program 521 may be provided in a state stored in the storage unit 52, or may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file on a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD. The control program 521 may also be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network and downloaded via the network. Furthermore, the control program 521 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0062] The sales management file 522 is a file that stores the same information as the sales management file 322 stored in the sales management device 30. The sales clerk terminal 50 and the sales management device 30 communicate with each other, updating and sharing the contents of the sales management file 322.

[0063] The product master 523 is a master file that stores product information such as product names and prices of products for sale. The product master 523 stores product categories, product names, unit prices, additional information, and the like, in association with product codes. The salesperson terminal 50 accesses the product master 523 to search for products requested by customers, for example. Since the contents of the product master 523 are updated as needed, the salesperson terminal 50 periodically obtains and updates the latest product master 523, for example, from a server device (not shown) via the communication controller 34. The salesperson terminal 50 may also search for products by accessing the product master 323 stored in the sales management device 30. In this case, the product master 523 is not necessary.

[0064] The control unit 51 is connected to a display device 541 and an operation device 542 via a peripheral device controller 54, which input and output various types of information.

[0065] The display device 541 is, for example, a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or an organic light emitting display (OLED) provided on a smartphone terminal, a tablet terminal, etc. The display device 541 displays various screens, etc. to the store clerk.

[0066] The operation device 542 is, for example, a touch panel that is superimposed on the display device 541. The operation device 542 acquires various pieces of operation information by the store clerk and outputs the information to the control unit 51.

[0067] Furthermore, the control unit 51 performs various communications with the sales management device 30 via the communication controller 55. The content of the information received through communications will be described in detail later (see FIG. 9).

[0068] (Hardware configuration of the locker management device) The hardware configuration of the locker management device 40 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the locker management device provided in the product sales support system.

[0069] The locker management device 40 has a configuration in which a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, and a communication controller 44 are connected to each other via an internal bus 43.

[0070] The control unit 41 controls the overall operation of the locker management device 40. The control unit 41 includes a CPU 411, a ROM 412, and a RAM 413. The CPU 411 is connected to the ROM 412 and the RAM 413 via internal buses such as an address bus and a data bus. The CPU 411 loads various programs stored in the ROM 412 and the storage unit 42 into the RAM 413. The CPU 411 controls the operation of the locker management device 40 by operating in accordance with the various programs loaded into the RAM 413. In other words, the control unit 41 has the configuration of a typical computer.

[0071] The storage unit 42 is a storage device such as an HDD or SSD. Alternatively, the storage unit 42 may be a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 42 stores a control program 421 and a locker usage status management file 422.

[0072] The control program 421 is a program that controls the overall operation of the locker management device 40. The control program 421 may be provided in a state stored in the storage unit 42, or may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable file on a computer-readable non-transitory recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD. The control program 421 may also be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network and downloaded via the network. Furthermore, the control program 421 may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0073] The locker usage status management file 422 is a file that monitors the usage status of the lockers 60. The detailed data structure of the locker usage status management file 422 will be described later (see FIG. 8).

[0074] Furthermore, the control unit 41 performs various communications with the sales management device 30 and the lockers 60 via the communication controller 44. The content of the information received through communications will be described in detail later (see FIG. 9).

[0075] (Data structure of locker usage status management file) The data structure of the locker usage status management file 422 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the locker usage status management file stored in the locker management device.

[0076] The locker usage status management file 422 stores the locker number, the locker installation location, the status, the deposit date and time, the reservation deadline, the order number, and the receipt code.

[0077] The locker number is identification information that uniquely identifies the locker 60 .

[0078] The locker installation location is identification information that uniquely identifies the installation location of the locker 60. For example, in a large store, lockers 60 may be installed in multiple different locations, so by storing the locker number and the locker installation location, the location of a specific locker 60 can be uniquely identified. This allows accurate guidance of the location of the locker 60 to customers who have selected to receive their items at a locker.

[0079] In addition, the locker usage status management file 422 may also store information that uniquely identifies the private room 67.

[0080] The status is information that indicates the usage status of the locker 60. The status indicates two states: "empty", which indicates that the locker 60 is available for use, and "in use", which indicates that the locker 60 is in use. In the locker usage status management file 422, either of the status columns will be checked.

[0081] The deposit date and time is the date and time when the store clerk deposited the ordered item in the locker 60.

[0082] The reservation period is the period during which the product stored in the locker 60 can be reserved. The reservation period is set, for example, to a predetermined number of days (e.g., one week) for each store and is notified to the customer. The reservation period may be the same as the receiving period for locker receiving registered in the sales management file 322 of the sales management device 30.

[0083] The order number is identification information that uniquely identifies the contents of an order and is issued by the sales management device 30 when it accepts an order from a customer.

[0084] The receipt code is code information for unlocking the locker 60 storing the product. The code information is issued (numbered) by the sales management device 30 and notified to the store clerk who deposits the product in the locker 60 and the customer who ordered the product.

[0085] (Information flow in product sales support systems) A typical information flow in the product sales support system 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a typical information flow between devices constituting the product sales support system.

[0086] The sales management device 30 acquires product order information, inventory confirmation instructions, inventory allocation instructions, receipt information, payment information, and status update notifications from the store clerk terminal 50.

[0087] The product order information indicates the details of a customer's order and includes at least the product code, the quantity, and the total price.

[0088] The stock check instruction is information that instructs the sales management device 30 to check the stock of the product specified by the store clerk terminal 50.

[0089] The inventory allocation instruction is information that instructs the sales management device 30 to allocate inventory for the product.

[0090] The receipt information is information that instructs the sales management device 30 on how to receive the product ordered by the customer.

[0091] The payment information indicates whether or not payment has been processed for the product ordered by the customer. The payment information may also include the payment method used in the payment process.

[0092] The status update notification is status information indicating that the items designated for locker pickup have been placed in locker 60. The status update notification is also status information indicating that the items designated for delivery have been prepared for shipping.

[0093] Then, the store clerk terminal 50 acquires the inventory information, inventory allocation completion information, and the deposit code from the sales management device 30.

[0094] The inventory information includes information that identifies the store or warehouse that has the specified product in stock, and the number of items in stock.

[0095] The inventory allocation completion information is information indicating that inventory allocation has been completed.

[0096] The deposit code is code information used by the store clerk to unlock the locker 60 and store the product designated for locker pickup. The deposit code is issued by the sales management device 30. Specifically, the sales management device 30 issues the deposit code when the pickup method designated in the pickup information is locker pickup.

[0097] In addition, the sales management device 30 outputs a stock confirmation instruction and a stock allocation instruction to the inventory management device 20.

[0098] The stock check instruction is information that instructs the stock management device 20 to check the stock quantity of the product instructed by the store clerk terminal 50.

[0099] The stock allocation instruction is information that instructs the stock management device 20 to allocate stock for the product instructed by the store clerk terminal 50, that is, to replace the stock of the specified product with the stock of the store itself.

[0100] Then, the inventory management device 20 outputs the inventory information and the inventory allocation completion information to the sales management device 30.

[0101] The inventory information includes information specifying the store or warehouse that has the product in stock as specified by the sales management device 30 (store clerk terminal 50), and the number of items in stock.

[0102] The inventory allocation completion information is information indicating that inventory allocation for a product instructed by the sales management device 30 (store clerk terminal 50) has been completed. When inventory allocation is completed, the inventory quantity of the product in the inventory master 222 is updated.

[0103] Furthermore, the clerk terminal 50 inputs the deposit code into the locker management device 40 via the locker 60. For example, the clerk terminal 50 displays the deposit code in the form of a code symbol such as a barcode or two-dimensional code on the display device 541. The code symbol displayed on the display device 541 of the clerk terminal 50 is read by the code reading unit 66, and code information representing the deposit code is input into the locker management device 40.

[0104] The deposit code is code information used to store or receive products by unlocking the locker 60. Hereinafter, this code information will also be referred to as a receiving code when it is used by the customer to unlock the locker 60 and receive products.

[0105] The locker management device 40 acquires code information (deposit code, pick-up code) from the locker 60 read by the code reading unit 66 (see FIG. 1).

[0106] The locker management device 40 then outputs an instruction to the locker 60 to unlock or lock the locker 60 .

[0107] (Functional configuration of product sales support system) The functional configuration of the product sales support system 10 will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the product sales support system.

[0108] The control unit 21 of the inventory management device 20 deploys the control program 221 in the RAM 213 and runs it, thereby realizing the inventory confirmation instruction acquisition unit 25, inventory information output unit 26, and inventory allocation processing unit 27 shown in Figure 10 as functional units.

[0109] The inventory check instruction acquisition unit 25 acquires information identifying a product and an instruction to check the inventory of the product from the sales management device 30. The inventory check instruction acquisition unit 25 also checks the inventory of the specified product against the inventory master 222 stored therein. The inventory check instruction acquisition unit 25 is an example of an inquiry acquisition unit in the present disclosure.

[0110] The inventory information output unit 26 outputs inventory information to the sales management device 30, including at least whether or not the product is in stock.

[0111] The inventory allocation processing unit 27 receives an inventory allocation instruction from the sales management device 30 and allocates the specified product to the specified store. The inventory allocation processing unit 27 also notifies the sales management device 30 that the inventory allocation has been completed.

[0112] The control unit 31 of the sales management device 30 deploys the control program 321 in RAM 313 and operates it, thereby realizing the order information acquisition unit 71, inventory confirmation unit 72, inventory allocation unit 73, status information update unit 74, and status information output unit 75 shown in Figure 10 as functional units.

[0113] The order information acquisition unit 71 acquires, from the store clerk terminal 50, order information (product order information) related to the product ordered by the customer, receipt information related to the method of receiving the product, and payment information. Upon acquiring the order information, receipt information, and payment information, the order information acquisition unit 71 issues an order number related to the order information. Furthermore, if the method of receiving indicated in the receipt information is locker receipt, the order information acquisition unit 71 issues code information that serves as a deposit code and a receipt code. In other words, the order information acquisition unit 71 issues a receipt code associated with the order number of the product ordered by the customer. The order information acquisition unit 71 is an example of a first order information acquisition unit in the present disclosure.

[0114] The inventory confirmation unit 72 receives an inventory confirmation instruction from the store clerk terminal 50. The inventory confirmation unit 72 also instructs the inventory management device 20 to check whether the specified product is in stock. The inventory confirmation unit 72 also receives the inventory confirmation result from the inventory management device 20.

[0115] When the ordered product is not available in store, the inventory allocation unit 73 causes the inventory management device 20 to allocate the product to the store if the product is in stock.

[0116] The status information update unit 74 acquires status information relating to the preparation state of the ordered product (for example, stock allocation completed, product placement completed, deposit in locker completed, etc.) from the store clerk terminal 50 or the like.

[0117] The status information output unit 75 outputs status information relating to the preparation state of the product so that it can be displayed on the store clerk terminal 50. The status information output unit 75 also outputs code information (deposit code) to the store clerk terminal 50. The status information output unit 75 also outputs code information (pickup code) to a customer terminal (not shown) carried by the customer. The customer terminal is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet terminal, or a terminal device such as a personal computer.

[0118] The control unit 41 of the locker management device 40 deploys the control program 421 in the RAM 413 and operates it, thereby realizing the order number acquisition unit 45, code information acquisition unit 46, unlocking / locking instruction unit 47, and status information update unit 48 shown in Figure 10 as functional units.

[0119] The order number acquisition unit 45 acquires various information from the sales management device 30. For example, by transmitting code information (deposit code, receipt code) acquired by the code information acquisition unit 46 to the sales management device 30, the order number acquisition unit 45 refers to or acquires the order number, ordered item information, information related to locker pickup, and the like, which are associated with the code information and registered in the sales management file 322. The information acquired by the order number acquisition unit 45 is registered in the locker usage status management file 422 in association with the code information.

[0120] The code information acquisition unit 46 acquires the code information read by the code reading unit 66 from the locker 60 .

[0121] The unlock / lock instruction unit 47 instructs the locker 60 to unlock or lock the private room 67 according to the code information acquired by the code information acquisition unit 46 .

[0122] The status information update unit 48 manages the status of the locker 60 by cooperating with the lock / unlock instruction unit 47. The status information update unit 48 also notifies the sales management device 30 of the status of the locker 60.

[0123] Specifically, when the code information acquisition unit 46 acquires the code information, the unlocking / locking instruction unit 47 searches for an empty private room 67 in the locker 60 and unlocks the found private room 67. Furthermore, when the door of the unlocked private room 67 is closed, the unlocking / locking instruction unit 47 locks the private room 67.

[0124] More specifically, the locking / unlocking instruction unit 47 refers to the locker usage status management file 422 and determines whether the code information acquired by the code information acquisition unit 46 has been registered.

[0125] If the code information has not been registered, the unlocking / locking instruction unit 47 searches for a private room 67 with an empty status and unlocks the found private room 67. The unlocking / locking instruction unit 47 also registers the code information acquired by the code information acquisition unit 46 in the receipt code field of the locker number corresponding to the private room 67.

[0126] Here, the unlocking / locking instruction unit 47 cooperates with the order number acquisition unit 45 to check the locker location column of the sales management file 322, and if information specifying the installation location of the locker 60 is stored, it searches for an empty cubicle 67 among the lockers 60 in the specified installation location. Furthermore, when searching for a cubicle 67 with an empty status, the unlocking / locking instruction unit 47 may cooperate with the order number acquisition unit 45 to acquire from the sales management device 30 the size of the product included in the order item information corresponding to the code information, and select a cubicle 67 that can accommodate the product.

[0127] When the door of the unlocked private room 67 is closed, the unlock / lock instruction unit 47 locks the private room 67. In addition, in accordance with processing by the unlock / lock instruction unit 47, the status information update unit 48 updates the status of the locker usage status management file 422 corresponding to the locked private room 67 to "in use."

[0128] Furthermore, when the status information update unit 48 updates the status while the locker is in use, it notifies the sales management device 30 of the locker installation location (locker location), locker number, and code information (pickup code), thereby notifying the store location of the product. As a result, the sales management device 30 updates the locker number for locker pickup and other information stored in the sales management file 322 in association with the pick-up code.

[0129] In addition, when the status information update unit 48 updates the status during use, it may update the sales management file 322 by notifying the sales management device 30 that the status related to locker receipt has been deposited with the code number (receipt code).

[0130] On the other hand, if the code information has already been registered, the unlocking / locking instruction unit 47 unlocks the compartment 67 for which the corresponding code information has been registered. Then, when the door of the unlocked compartment 67 is closed, the unlocking / locking instruction unit 47 locks the compartment 67. In addition, in accordance with the processing of the unlocking / locking instruction unit 47, the status information updating unit 48 updates the status of the locker usage status management file 422 corresponding to the locked compartment 67 to empty. In addition, when the status information updating unit 48 updates the status to empty, it deletes the deposit date and time, the reservation deadline, the order number, and the pickup code from the locker usage status management file 422.

[0131] In addition, when the status information update unit 48 updates the status to vacant, it may update the sales management file 322 by notifying the sales management device 30 that receipt has been completed as a status related to locker receipt, along with the receipt code (or order number).

[0132] If the payment information corresponding to the order number indicates that the payment has not been completed, the unlocking / locking instruction unit 47 may refrain from unlocking the private room 67 related to that order number. In this case, it is preferable that the unlocking / locking instruction unit 47 cooperates with the sales management device 30 to notify the customer terminal to prompt the customer to make the payment.

[0133] The control unit 51 of the clerk terminal 50 deploys the control program 521 in RAM 513 and runs it, thereby realizing the order information acquisition unit 81, order information output unit 82, inventory confirmation instruction unit 83, inventory allocation instruction unit 84, status information update unit 85, and status information output unit 86 shown in Figure 10 as functional units.

[0134] The order information acquisition unit 81 acquires product order information ordered by a customer and receipt information related to the method of receiving the product, based on operation information of the operation device 542. The order information acquisition unit 81 is an example of a second order information acquisition unit in the present disclosure.

[0135] The order information output unit 82 outputs the product order information and receipt information acquired by the order information acquisition unit 81 to the sales management device 30.

[0136] The stock check instruction unit 83 sends an instruction to check the stock of the specified product to the sales management device 30. The stock check instruction unit 83 also acquires the stock check result from the sales management device 30.

[0137] The inventory allocation instruction unit 84 instructs the sales management device 30 on the products for which inventory is to be allocated and the number of such products.

[0138] The status information update unit 85 acquires code information (deposit code) from the sales management device 30. The status information update unit 85 also acquires information indicating that the product preparation status has been updated from the sales management device 30, and updates the status information. The status information update unit 85 also updates the status information relating to the product preparation status by, for example, acquiring operation information from a store clerk.

[0139] The status information output unit 86 outputs the status information updated by the status information update unit 85 to the sales management device 30.

[0140] The control unit (not shown) of the locker 60 implements a code information acquisition unit 61, a code information output unit 62, and an unlocking / locking execution unit 63 shown in FIG. 10 as functional units by expanding a control program into RAM and running it.

[0141] The code information acquisition unit 61 acquires the code information read by the code reading unit 66 .

[0142] The code information output unit 62 outputs the code information acquired by the code information acquisition unit 61 to the locker management device 40.

[0143] The locking / unlocking execution unit 63 receives an instruction from the locker management device 40 and unlocks or locks the corresponding private room 67 .

[0144] (Processing flow performed by the product sales support system) The flow of processing performed by the product sales support system 10 will be described using Figures 11, 12, and 13. Figure 11 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing up to when the product sales support system performs inventory allocation when the ordered product is not in stock at the store. Figure 12 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing up to when the product sales support system notifies the customer that the locker is ready for pickup after inventory allocation is completed and locker pickup is instructed. Figure 13 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the product sales support system when the customer picks up the product from the locker.

[0145] First, referring to Figure 11, the process flow from when the product sales support system 10 allocates inventory when a product ordered by a customer is not in stock at the store until the customer completes the transaction will be explained in chronological order to make it easier to understand the receipt and transmission of data between different devices.

[0146] The order information acquisition unit 81 of the store clerk terminal 50 acquires the product order information input by the store clerk's operation. Then, the order information output unit 82 of the store clerk terminal 50 outputs the product order information to the sales management device 30 (step S11).

[0147] The order information acquisition unit 71 of the sales management device 30 acquires the product order information from the store clerk terminal 50 (step S12).

[0148] Next, the stock check instruction unit 83 of the store clerk terminal 50 sends an instruction to the sales management device 30 to check the stock of the specified product (step S13).

[0149] The stock checking unit 72 of the sales management device 30 receives a stock checking instruction from the store clerk terminal 50 (step S14).

[0150] Next, the inventory confirmation unit 72 of the sales management device 30 instructs the inventory management device 20 to confirm whether or not the specified product is in stock (step S15).

[0151] The stock check instruction acquisition unit 25 of the stock management device 20 checks the stock of the specified product against the stock master 222 (step S16).

[0152] The inventory information output unit 26 of the inventory management device 20 outputs the inventory confirmation result to the sales management device 30 (step S17).

[0153] The inventory confirmation unit 72 of the sales management device 30 acquires the inventory confirmation result from the inventory management device 20 (step S18).

[0154] The stock check instruction unit 83 of the store clerk terminal 50 acquires the stock check result from the sales management device 30 (step S19).

[0155] The inventory allocation instruction unit 84 of the store clerk terminal 50 instructs the sales management device 30 on the products for which inventory is to be allocated and the number of such products (step S20).

[0156] The inventory allocation unit 73 of the sales management device 30 receives an instruction to allocate inventory of a product from the store clerk terminal 50 (step S21).

[0157] Next, the inventory allocation unit 73 of the sales management device 30 instructs the inventory management device 20 to allocate inventory of the product (step S22).

[0158] The inventory allocation processing unit 27 of the inventory management device 20 acquires the products for which inventory is to be allocated and the number of products from the sales management device 30 (step S23).

[0159] The inventory allocation processing unit 27 of the inventory management device 20 performs an inventory allocation process to allocate the specified number of items in stock to the store specified by the sales management device 30 (step S24).

[0160] The inventory allocation processing unit 27 of the inventory management device 20 outputs information indicating that the inventory allocation has been completed to the sales management device 30 (step S25).

[0161] When the status information update unit 74 of the sales management device 30 acquires information indicating that the inventory allocation has been completed from the inventory management device 20, it updates the status to inventory allocation completion (step S26).

[0162] The status information update unit 85 of the store clerk terminal 50 acquires information indicating that the status has become inventory allocation complete from the sales management device 30, and updates the status information (step S27).

[0163] After the above process, the store clerk uses the store's POS terminal to make payment for the product whose inventory has been allocated. Specifically, the store clerk registers the product to be paid for in the POS terminal by having the barcode scanner of the POS terminal read the barcode containing the product's product code, and then performs payment processing for the registered product. The product barcode may be displayed on the display device 541 of the store clerk terminal 50, for example.

[0164] Next, using Figure 12, we will explain in chronological order the processing flow from when the product sales support system 10 notifies the customer that the locker is ready for pickup when locker pickup is instructed after inventory allocation has been completed, in order to make it easier to understand the receipt and transfer of data between different devices.

[0165] The order information output unit 82 of the store clerk terminal 50 outputs the receiving method (locker receiving) designated by the customer to the sales management device 30 (step S31).

[0166] The order information acquisition unit 71 of the sales management device 30 acquires the receiving method from the store clerk terminal 50 (step S32).

[0167] If the acquired receiving method is locker receiving, the order information acquiring unit 71 of the sales management device 30 issues code information (deposit code) for unlocking the locker 60 (step S33).

[0168] The status information output unit 75 of the sales management device 30 outputs code information to the store clerk terminal 50, and instructs the store clerk to deposit the reserved product in the locker 60 (step S34).

[0169] The status information update unit 85 of the store clerk terminal 50 obtains from the sales management device 30 an instruction to reserve the product and code information (deposit code) for unlocking the locker 60 when storing the reserved product in the locker 60 (step S35).

[0170] The store clerk carrying the store clerk terminal 50 carries the reserved item to the locker 60. Then, the store clerk presents the code information (deposit code) displayed on the store clerk terminal 50 to the code reader 66 of the locker 60 to have it read (step S36).

[0171] The code information acquisition unit 61 of the locker 60 acquires the code information read by the code reading unit 66 (step S37).

[0172] The code information output unit 62 of the locker 60 outputs the acquired code information to the locker management device 40 (step S38).

[0173] The code information acquisition unit 46 of the locker management device 40 acquires the code information from the locker 60 (step S39).

[0174] The unlocking / locking instruction unit 47 of the locker management device 40 instructs the lockers 60 to unlock based on the code information acquired by the code information acquisition unit 46 (step S40). At this time, the unlocking / locking instruction unit 47 of the locker management device 40 instructs the private rooms 67 of the lockers 60 whose status is blank to unlock. The unlocking / locking instruction unit 47 registers the code information acquired by the code information acquisition unit 46 in the receipt code field of the locker usage status management file 422 corresponding to the private room 67 that has been instructed to be unlocked.

[0175] The locking / unlocking execution unit 63 of the locker 60 receives an instruction from the locker management device 40 and unlocks the designated private room 67 (step S41).

[0176] The store clerk places the reserved product in the unlocked private room 67 (step S42).

[0177] Once the product has been stored, the locking / unlocking unit 63 of the locker 60 locks the compartment 67 (step S43).

[0178] When the deposit of the merchandise is completed, the store clerk inputs information indicating that the deposit of the merchandise is completed into the store clerk terminal 50 (step S44).

[0179] The status information update unit 85 of the clerk terminal 50 receives the input operation from the clerk and updates the status information to indicate that the deposit has been completed (step S45).

[0180] The status information update unit 74 of the sales management device 30 acquires the updated status information (deposit completed) from the store clerk terminal 50 and updates the status (step S46).

[0181] The status information output unit 75 of the sales management device 30 outputs code information to unlock the locker 60 to the customer terminal carried by the customer (step S47). The code information is sent to the customer terminal together with a store visit notification indicating that the ordered product is available for pickup.

[0182] Next, with reference to FIG. 13, the flow of processing performed by the product sales support system 10 when a customer receives a product from the locker 60 will be explained in chronological order to make it easier to understand the reception and transmission of data between different devices.

[0183] When a customer presents the code information displayed on the customer terminal they carry to the code reading unit 66 of the locker 60, the code information acquisition unit 61 of the locker 60 acquires the code information read by the code reading unit 66 (step S51).

[0184] The code information output unit 62 of the locker 60 outputs the acquired code information to the locker management device 40 (step S52).

[0185] The code information acquisition unit 46 of the locker management device 40 acquires the code information from the locker 60 (step S53).

[0186] When the locking / unlocking instruction unit 47 of the locker management device 40 determines that the acquired code information is registered in the locker usage status management file 422, it instructs the locker 60 to unlock (step S54). At this time, the locking / unlocking instruction unit 47 of the locker management device 40 instructs the private room 67 of the locker 60 corresponding to the acquired code information to unlock.

[0187] The locking / unlocking execution unit 63 of the locker 60 receives the instruction from the locker management device 40 and unlocks the designated private room 67 (step S55).

[0188] The status information update unit 48 of the locker management device 40 obtains information from the locker 60 indicating that the customer has unlocked the private room 67, and updates the status information regarding the preparation status of the ordered item to indicate that receipt has been completed (step S56).

[0189] The status information update unit 74 of the sales management device 30 acquires the updated status information (received completed) from the locker management device 40 and updates the status. In addition, the status information output unit 75 of the sales management device 30 outputs the updated status information to the store clerk terminal 50 (step S57).

[0190] The status information update unit 85 of the store clerk terminal 50 acquires the updated status information (received) from the sales management device 30 and updates the status (step S58).

[0191] The customer takes out the product he or she ordered from the unlocked private room 67 (step S59).

[0192] The status information output unit 75 of the sales management device 30 transmits a receipt completion notice to the customer terminal, indicating that receipt of the product has been completed (step S60).

[0193] (Example of the screen displayed on the store clerk's terminal when searching for and ordering products) 14, 15, and 16, examples of typical screens that the product sales support system 10 displays on the display device 541 of the salesperson terminal 50 will be described. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that is displayed on the salesperson terminal when a product search is performed. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a product search result. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for ordering a product.

[0194] A customer selects a product to purchase at a store. If the customer wants to search for a product that is not available in store, the store clerk, while facing the customer, performs a product search on the store clerk terminal 50. Figure 14 shows an example of a screen for selecting a product category to search for when performing a product search.

[0195] When a product search icon 101 is tapped on the home screen, a product search screen shown in Fig. 14 is displayed on the store clerk terminal 50. A keyword input field 102, a brand selection field 103, and a category selection field 104 are displayed on the product search screen.

[0196] A free keyword can be entered in the keyword entry field 102. After the free keyword is entered, a search for a corresponding product is performed.

[0197] If you don't know the free keyword, you can also search for products by brand name or category name. For example, tapping the brand selection field 103 or category selection field 104 displays the corresponding pull-down menu or sub-window. After selecting an option displayed in the pull-down menu or sub-window (e.g., selecting Brand A or Woman), tap the corresponding category in product category 105 and select sub-categorization information (not shown) (e.g., sub-categorization information for tops, such as "All Tops," "Shirts & Blouses," "Inner Tops," or "Knitwear & Sweaters") to search for products that fit the selected category. Search results are displayed, for example, as multiple thumbnails showing the product's appearance.

[0198] 15 shows an example of a product screen that displays product information for a specific product when a user taps a thumbnail of their choice from among multiple displayed product thumbnails. The product screen includes a product image 111, product information 112, and inventory information 113.

[0199] The product image 111 is a color image showing the appearance of the product.

[0200] The product information 112 indicates the product name and price.

[0201] The inventory information 113 is the number of items in stock, including different colors and sizes of the relevant product. The inventory number reflects the result of the product sales support system 10 requesting the inventory management device 20 to check the current inventory number. By scrolling up and down in the inventory information 113 column, it is possible to view information that is not displayed on the screen (see FIG. 16).

[0202] Additionally, a request button 114 is arranged for each product in the inventory information 113 field. By tapping the request button 114, it becomes possible to input the order quantity of the corresponding product. This will be described in detail later (see FIG. 16).

[0203] FIG. 16 shows a screen that is displayed when the stock information 113 column in FIG. 15 is scrolled up or down.

[0204] The clerk accepts the order after having the customer confirm the contents of the inventory information 113. When the clerk officially accepts the order, he taps the request button 114 for the corresponding product. Then, the clerk inputs the order quantity of the product at the position of the tapped request button 114. For example, FIG. 16 shows the state where one orange small size shirt is ordered.

[0205] The order quantity entered in the place of the request button 114 is reflected in the order quantity field 115 .

[0206] Below the stock information 113, a decision button 116 and an add button 117 are arranged.

[0207] The decision button 116 is an operator for confirming the input order quantity. That is, when the decision button 116 is pressed after inputting the order quantity, the order quantity input at the position of the request button 114 at that time is confirmed.

[0208] The add button 117 is an operator that is pressed, for example, when ordering another product at the same time. Although a detailed explanation of the operation will be omitted, when the add button 117 is pressed, for example, a product search screen (see FIG. 14) is displayed on the store clerk terminal 50, and the state transitions to a state where another product search can be performed.

[0209] (Example of inventory allocation instructions and screens displayed on the store clerk terminal when paying for ordered items) 17 and 18, examples of typical screens that the product sales support system 10 displays on the display device 541 of the salesperson terminal 50 will be described. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for issuing an inventory allocation instruction. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that is displayed on the salesperson terminal when a customer is paying for an ordered product.

[0210] 17 is a screen showing detailed inventory check results from the inventory management device 20. The inventory check results include a list of warehouses and stores, the number of items in stock available for sale at each location, and an order quantity column 121.

[0211] For example, the store clerk selects a warehouse or store that takes as little time as possible to order the product (for example, one that is close to the store), and inputs the quantity to be allocated (i.e., the number of orders) in the order quantity field 121. Figure 17 shows an example of requesting inventory allocation of one item from warehouse C1.

[0212] After entering the inventory allocation quantity in the order quantity field 121, the inventory allocation for the corresponding product is completed by pressing the confirm button 122. Note that since the warehouse or store that holds the inventory varies depending on the product, if multiple products are ordered, the inventory allocation source can be changed for each product by repeating the same operation for each product.

[0213] FIG. 18 is an example of a screen displayed on the store clerk terminal 50 when the payment for the ordered items is processed.

[0214] When the decision button 122 in Fig. 17 is pressed, the checkout screen shown in Fig. 18 is displayed on the display device 541 of the store clerk terminal 50. The checkout screen includes product information 141, status information 142, a code symbol 143, and a delivery destination designation button 144.

[0215] Product information 141 is product information about the ordered product.

[0216] The status information 142 indicates the current preparation status of the ordered product. Fig. 18 shows that the inventory allocation for the ordered product has been completed.

[0217] The code symbol 143 is a barcode including the product code of the product related to the product information 141. The store clerk registers the product by having a barcode scanner (not shown) of the POS terminal read the displayed code symbol 143.

[0218] Instead of having the code symbol 143 read by the barcode scanner of the POS terminal, a registration button (not shown) may be placed on the checkout screen of Figure 18, and when the registration button is pressed, a message may be output to the POS terminal indicating that the product corresponding to the code symbol 143 has been registered.

[0219] The delivery destination specification button 144 is an operator that is pressed when a customer specifies delivery of a product and inputs the delivery destination of the product. When the delivery destination specification button 144 is pressed, a delivery destination input screen is displayed on the store clerk terminal 50 (see FIG. 19).

[0220] (Example of the screen displayed on the store clerk's terminal when specifying the product receiving method) An example of a typical screen that the product sales support system 10 displays on the display device 541 of the store clerk terminal 50 will be described with reference to Fig. 19. Fig. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that is displayed on the store clerk terminal and allows a customer to select a method of receiving the product that they have ordered.

[0221] When the delivery destination specification button 144 is pressed on the checkout screen of FIG. 18, the receipt method selection screen shown in FIG. 19 is displayed on the store clerk terminal 50.

[0222] The receipt method selection screen includes a payment status 151, a receipt method 152, customer information 153, and a confirm button 154.

[0223] The payment status 151 is information indicating whether the payment for the product ordered by the customer has been completed at that time. Fig. 19 shows that the payment has been completed.

[0224] Pickup method 152 is a selection of how to receive the ordered product. The store clerk listens to the customer's request and selects the method of receiving the product by pressing the option that best suits the customer's needs. Figure 19 shows that "Pickup at locker" was selected from "Visit the store (pickup at store)," "Delivery," and "Pickup at locker."

[0225] Customer information 153 is information indicating the delivery destination to be entered when the customer selects "Delivery." If the customer has registered as a member of the product sales support system 10, the customer can enter their customer number and the address, name, and telephone number information will be automatically entered.

[0226] The decision button 154 is an operator for confirming the content specified on the receipt method selection screen. That is, when the decision button 154 is pressed, the receipt method 152 and customer information 153 specified on the receipt method selection screen are confirmed.

[0227] (Example of the screen displayed on the store clerk terminal when setting the product preparation status) An example of a typical screen that the product sales support system 10 displays on the display device 541 of the salesperson terminal 50 will be described with reference to Fig. 20. Fig. 20 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on the salesperson terminal for setting the status of a product ordered by a customer.

[0228] If the customer selects to have the ordered item picked up from the locker, the store clerk stores the reserved item in the locker 60. Then, when the item has been stored, the store clerk opens the status setting screen shown in Fig. 20 on the store clerk terminal 50 and sets the status related to the preparation state of the item.

[0229] The status setting screen includes product information 161, a status selection field 162, and a registration button 163.

[0230] Product information 161 shows product information for the product ordered by the customer. The product information 161 includes a thumbnail showing the appearance of the product, as well as the color, size, and quantity of the product. The store clerk checks the contents of the product information 161 and prepares the product.

[0231] The status selection field 162 is a field for selecting and setting status information that indicates the preparation state of the product related to the product information 161. Fig. 20 shows that the product shown in the product information 161 has been allocated from the inventory of the C1 warehouse and is currently stored in the store.

[0232] When the status selection field 162 is tapped, a pull-down menu or a sub-window is displayed. By selecting a status option displayed in the displayed pull-down menu or sub-window, the current status information can be set. For example, if a customer selects "locker pickup" as the method of receiving the product, the clerk selects "deposited" from the status selection field 162 when the reserved product is placed in the locker 60. Also, if a customer selects "delivery" as the method of receiving the product, the clerk selects "delivered" from the status selection field 162 when the product is ready for delivery and the shipping procedure is completed.

[0233] The register button 163 is an operator for registering the status selected in the status selection field 162. When the register button 163 is pressed, the status information selected in the status selection field 162 is output to the sales management device 30.

[0234] (Example of the screen displayed on the staff terminal when depositing an item in a locker) An example of a typical screen that the product sales support system 10 displays on the display device 541 of the store clerk terminal 50 will be described using Fig. 21. Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a screen that is displayed on the store clerk terminal when the store clerk deposits the product that has been ordered for locker pickup in the locker.

[0235] When the sales management device 30 issues code information for unlocking the locker 60, it outputs the issued code information to the store clerk terminal 50.

[0236] At this time, the store clerk terminal 50 displays the order information 171 and the code information 172 shown in FIG.

[0237] Order information 171 indicates the details of a customer's order. In the case of Fig. 21, the customer has ordered a product at store A, has already paid, and wishes to receive the product in a locker.

[0238] The code information 172 is a deposit code issued by the sales management device 30 and used to unlock the locker 60 when the store clerk places an item in the locker 60. Here, the code information 172 is a two-dimensional code, but the code information 172 may be another code symbol such as a barcode.

[0239] The store clerk picks up the reserved item, goes to locker 60, and holds code information 172 over code reader 66 of locker 60 to unlock locker 60. The store clerk then stores the item in locker 60.

[0240] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, the product sales support system 10 of the embodiment includes a sales clerk terminal 50 carried by a sales clerk, an order information acquisition unit 71 (first order information acquisition unit) that is communicably connected to the sales clerk terminal 50 and acquires, from the sales clerk terminal 50, order information relating to the product ordered by the customer and receipt information relating to the method of receiving the product, an inventory allocation unit 73 that, when the ordered product is not in stock at the store, instructs the inventory management device 20 to allocate the product to its own store if the product is in stock, and a status information relating to the preparation status of the product to the sales clerk terminal 50. The inventory management device 20 includes a sales management device 30 having a status information output unit 75 that outputs information so as to be displayed, an inventory confirmation instruction acquisition unit 25 (inquiry acquisition unit) that is communicatively connected to the sales management device 30 and acquires product inventory inquiries from the sales management device 30, an inventory information output unit 26 that outputs inventory information including at least the number of products in stock to the sales management device 30, and an inventory allocation processing unit 27 that acquires inventory allocation instructions from the sales management device 30 and allocates designated products to designated stores. Therefore, when a product is out of stock at the store, it is easy to check the inventory and allocate it to the store.

[0241] The product sales support system 10 of the embodiment further includes a locker management device 40 that manages lockers 60 in which products are temporarily stored. When a customer selects locker pickup as the method of receiving the product, the sales management device 30 issues code information (unlock code) for unlocking the locker in which the product is stored and outputs the code information to the store clerk terminal 50 and the customer terminal carried by the customer. The locker management device 40 then unlocks the locker in response to the input of the code information. Therefore, the customer can receive the ordered product even outside the store's business hours.

[0242] In the product sales support system 10 according to the embodiment, the sales management device 30 issues an unlocking code associated with an order number that can identify the ordered product. Therefore, the ordered product can be associated with the unlocking code of the locker 60 without any error.

[0243] Furthermore, in the product sales support system 10 of the embodiment, when a customer specifies that the ordered product be picked up in a locker, and the product has been stored in the locker 60, the sales management device 30 updates the status information to information indicating that the product has been deposited in the locker, associates the updated status information with the unlocking code, and outputs the code to the customer terminal carried by the customer. Therefore, the customer can reliably and immediately share the fact that the product he or she ordered has been deposited in the locker 60.

[0244] Furthermore, the store clerk terminal 50 of the embodiment includes an order information acquisition unit 81 (second order information acquisition unit) that acquires order information related to the product ordered by the customer and receipt information related to the method of receiving the product, an order information output unit 82 that outputs the order information and receipt information to the sales management device 30 that manages the sales of the product, an inventory confirmation instruction unit 83 that causes the inventory management device 20 that manages the inventory of the product to check the inventory of the product when the product is out of stock at the store, an inventory allocation instruction unit 84 that instructs the inventory management device 20 to execute inventory allocation processing to allocate the inventory of the product to its own store, a status information update unit 85 that updates status information related to the preparation state of the product, and a status information output unit 86 that outputs the status information updated by the status information update unit 85 to the sales management device 30. Therefore, when the product is out of stock at its own store, the store clerk can easily check the inventory and allocate it to its own store.

[0245] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are merely examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0246] 10 Product sales support system 20 Inventory control device 25 Stock confirmation instruction acquisition unit (inquiry acquisition unit) 26 Stock information output section 27 Inventory Allocation Processing Section 30 Sales management device 40 Locker management device 45 Order Number Acquisition Department 46 Receipt Code Issuance Department 47 Code information acquisition unit 48 Unlock / lock indicator 49 Status information update section 50 Store clerk terminal 60 Locker 61 Code information acquisition unit 62 Code information output section 63 Unlocking and Locking Department 71 Order information acquisition unit (first order information acquisition unit) 72 Inventory Check Department 73 Inventory Allocation Department 74 Status information update section 75 Status information output section 81 Order information acquisition unit (second order information acquisition unit) 82 Order information output section 83 Inventory Check Instructions 84 Inventory Allocation Instructions Department 85 Status information update section 86 Status information output section [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0247] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2010-176605

Claims

1. A store clerk terminal carried by a store clerk; Communicatively connected to the store clerk terminal, a first order information acquisition unit that acquires, from the store clerk terminal, order information relating to the product ordered by the customer and receipt information relating to a method of receiving the product; an inventory allocation unit that, when the ordered product is not available in store, causes an inventory management device to allocate the product to its own store if the product is in stock; a sales management device having a status information output unit that outputs status information relating to the preparation state of the product so as to be displayable on the store clerk terminal; Communicatively connected to the sales management device, an inquiry acquisition unit that acquires an inquiry about inventory of the product from the sales management device; an inventory information output unit that outputs inventory information including at least the inventory quantity of the product to the sales management device; an inventory management device having an inventory allocation processing unit that receives an inventory allocation instruction from the sales management device and allocates designated products to designated stores; Product sales support system.

2. The product sales support system includes: The system further includes a locker management device that manages lockers for temporarily storing the products, When the customer selects locker reception using the locker as a method of receiving the product, the sales management device issues an unlocking code for unlocking the locker in which the product is stored, and outputs the unlocking code to the store clerk terminal and a customer terminal carried by the customer; The locker management device unlocks the locker in response to input of the unlock code. The product sales support system according to claim 1.

3. the sales management device issues an unlocking code associated with an order number that can identify the ordered product; The product sales support system according to claim 2.

4. When the customer specifies the locker pickup and the product has been stored in the locker, the sales management device updates the status information to information indicating that the product has been deposited in the locker, associates the updated status information with the unlocking code, and outputs the associated information to the customer terminal carried by the customer. The product sales support system according to claim 3.

5. a second order information acquisition unit that acquires order information relating to a product ordered by a customer and receipt information relating to a method of receiving the product; an order information output unit that outputs the order information and the receipt information to a sales management device that manages sales of merchandise; an inventory check instruction unit that, when the product is not in stock at the store, causes an inventory management device that manages product inventory to check the inventory of the product; an inventory allocation instruction unit that instructs the inventory management device to execute an inventory allocation process to allocate inventory of the product to its own store; a status information update unit that updates status information related to the preparation status of the product; a status information output unit that outputs the status information updated by the status information update unit to the sales management device, Store clerk terminal.

6. A computer that controls a sales management device that manages sales of goods, a first order information acquisition unit that acquires order information relating to the product ordered by the customer and receipt information relating to a method of receiving the product from a store clerk terminal carried by the store clerk; an inventory allocation unit that, when the ordered product is not available in store, causes an inventory management device to allocate the product to its own store if the product is in stock; a status information output unit that outputs status information relating to the preparation state of the product so as to be displayable on the store clerk terminal; a computer that is communicably connected to the sales management device and controls an inventory management device that manages inventory of goods; an inquiry acquisition unit that acquires an inquiry about inventory of the product from the sales management device; an inventory information output unit that outputs inventory information including at least the inventory quantity of the product to the sales management device; and functioning as an inventory allocation processing unit that acquires an inventory allocation instruction from the sales management device and allocates designated products to designated stores. program.

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