Rack system, controller, control method for shelf, and program

Abstract

To make it easy to take articles in and out of an article rack, and to mount many articles in the article rack.SOLUTION: A rack system comprises an article rack and a controller. The article rack has a plurality of shelves. The plurality of shelves are arranged vertically and also arranged in at least two columns along the depth direction, and can move. The controller comprises acquisition means which acquires rack selection information indicative of an object shelf as a shelf selected by a person in front of the article rack, and control means which moves the object shelf to a predetermined height.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a shelf system, a control device, a shelf control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, in stores and warehouses, shelves are installed for placing items. These shelves have multiple shelves with different heights. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a method in which, when a store detects that a customer is gazing at a certain product for a predetermined period of time, the height of the shelf on which the gazed product is to be placed is determined by referring to information about the customer's height, and the shelf is moved to that height. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-129659 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is a demand for shelves that allow for easy loading and unloading of items, and that can accommodate many items. With the technology described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to load many items onto the shelves. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The shelving system of the present disclosure comprises: a storage shelf having a plurality of movable shelves, the shelves being arranged vertically and in at least two rows in the depth direction; a control device for controlling the position of the article shelf; Equipped with The control device an acquisition means for acquiring shelf selection information indicating a target shelf that is a shelf selected by a person standing in front of the article shelf; A control means for moving the target shelf to a predetermined height; Equipped with.

[0006] The control device of the present disclosure is used with a storage shelf having a plurality of movable shelves, The plurality of shelves are arranged vertically and in at least two rows in the depth direction, an acquisition means for acquiring shelf selection information indicating a target shelf that is a shelf selected by a person standing in front of the article shelf; A control means for moving the target shelf to a predetermined height; Equipped with.

[0007] The shelf control method in the present disclosure is a shelf control method executed by a computer and used with an article shelf having a plurality of movable shelves, The plurality of shelves are arranged vertically and in at least two rows in the depth direction, The computer Shelf selection information indicating a target shelf that is a shelf selected by a person standing in front of the article shelf is acquired, The target shelf is moved to a predetermined height.

[0008] The program in the present disclosure is a program for causing a computer to control a plurality of movable shelves, The plurality of shelves are part of an article shelf, and are arranged vertically and in at least two rows in the depth direction. The computer, an acquisition means for acquiring shelf selection information indicating a target shelf that is a shelf selected by a person standing in front of the article shelf; A control means for moving the target shelf to a predetermined height; Let them have it. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present disclosure, more items can be placed on the shelf, and items can be easily taken in and out of the shelf. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a shelf system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a store layout according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a control device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a control device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a control device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing performed by a control device according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a shelf system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a store layout according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a shelf system according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] Hereinafter, in this disclosure, the drawings relate to one or more embodiments. In all drawings, similar components are designated by similar reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be omitted as appropriate.

[0012] The shelving system includes a control device 10 and a storage shelf 20, as shown in FIG. 1, for example. The storage shelf 20 has a plurality of movable shelves 202. The shelves 202 move up and down. As an example, the shelves 202 rotate like a Ferris wheel. The plurality of shelves 202 are also arranged in at least two rows in the depth direction. The control device 10 controls the movement of the shelves 202.

[0013] In the example shown in this figure, multiple shelf levels 202 are arranged in two rows in the depth direction. Each row has the same number of shelf levels 202, for example, five shelf levels 202, arranged vertically. The shelf levels 202 in one row face a first area 310, and the shelf levels 202 in the other row face a second area 320. The goods shelf 20 is installed in a store or warehouse. When the goods shelf 20 is installed in a store, the first area 310 is what is known as the inside of the store, and is an area where customers can retrieve items 30 placed on the shelf levels 202. The second area 320 is what is known as the back yard, and is an area where store staff can replenish the shelf levels 202 with items 30.

[0014] The shelves 202 constituting one row move upward, reach the top, and then move to the top of the other row. The shelves 202 constituting the other row move downward, reach the bottom, and then move to the bottom of the one row. However, the movement of the shelves 202 is not limited to this example.

[0015] A sensor 204 is installed on the shelf 20. The sensor 204 generates information for identifying the shelf 202 selected by the person. For example, the sensor 204 detects the line of sight. In this case, an example of the sensor 204 is an imaging device. However, the sensor 204 is not limited to this.

[0016] In the example shown in the figure, a sensor 204 is attached to each of the multiple shelf levels 202. However, the sensor 204 may also be attached to a part of the shelf 20 other than the shelf levels 202, for example, to a pillar. In this case, for example, one sensor 204 may be attached to each shelf 20.

[0017] As described above, the shelves 20 are installed in, for example, a store 300. In this case, as shown in Fig. 2, the store 300 has a first area 310 where customers move around and a second area 320 where store staff perform their work. The shelves 20 are arranged, for example, in a U-shape between the first area 310 and the second area 320. In this way, all shelves 20 face the second area 320, making it easy for store staff to replenish the shelves 20 with items 30, i.e., merchandise.

[0018] An article shelf 40 is installed in the center of the first area 310. The shelves of the article shelf 40 do not need to be movable. It is preferable that the frequency with which articles 30 placed on the article shelf 40 are replenished is lower than the frequency with which articles 30 placed on the article shelf 20 are replenished.

[0019] A customer who enters the first area 310 from the entrance 330 of the store 300 moves in one direction along the goods shelves 20 and checks the goods 30 placed on the goods shelves 20. At this time, the customer can also check the goods 30 placed on the goods shelves 40, allowing the customer to move around the store efficiently.

[0020] The customer then picks up the item 30 they wish to purchase and moves to a location where a payment device 350 is installed. The payment device 350 also has a function for registering the item 30. The payment device 350 may be operated by a store clerk or by the customer. A product registration device may be provided separately from the payment device 350. The customer then uses the payment device 350 to register and pay for the item 30 they wish to purchase, and exits the store 300 through the entrance / exit 330.

[0021] In this way, customers can select items 30 and complete payment processes by simply moving in one direction within the store. This allows customers to move around the store efficiently. Furthermore, because customers tend to move in one direction, customer turnover is improved. Furthermore, because all of the shelves 20 face the second area 320, it is easy for store staff to replenish all of the shelves 20 with items 30.

[0022] The control device 10 includes an acquisition unit 110 and a control unit 120, as shown in FIG.

[0023] The acquisition unit 110 acquires shelf selection information. The shelf selection information indicates the target shelf, which is the shelf level 202 selected by the person standing in front of the goods shelf 20.

[0024] For example, the shelf selection information is generated using information detected by the sensor 204. The shelf selection information may be generated by the control device 10 or may be generated by a device different from the control device 10.

[0025] For example, when the sensor 204 generates information capable of detecting the line of sight of a person present in the first area 310 or the second area 320, the shelf selection information is generated using line of sight information indicating the person's line of sight. An example of such a sensor 204 is an imaging device. For example, when the line of sight information indicates that a person has been continuously looking at an item 30 placed on a certain shelf level 202 or at that shelf level 202 for a reference time or more, shelf selection information indicating that that shelf level 202 is the target shelf is generated. The reference time is, for example, a value between 5 seconds and 30 seconds, but is not limited to this.

[0026] The control unit 120 moves the target shelf to a predetermined height. The predetermined height is a height at which a person can easily remove the article 30 from the shelf level 202 and also place the article 30 on the shelf level 202.

[0027] The predetermined height may be a fixed value. In this case, the predetermined height is, for example, any value between 80 cm and 120 cm. The predetermined height may also be changed depending on the attributes of the person in front of the shelf 20, such as a customer or a store clerk. An example of this attribute is height, but is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 120 increases the predetermined height if the person is tall, and decreases the predetermined height if the person is short.

[0028] Attribute information indicating the attributes of a person standing in front of the shelf 20, such as height information, may be generated by the control device 10 or by a device different from the control device 10. For example, if the sensor 204 is an imaging device, the person's attributes may be generated by processing an image generated by the sensor 204. The control unit 120 then sets the predetermined height using this attribute information. The attribute information may further include gender and age.

[0029] The row of shelf levels 202 that is furthest forward in the depth direction, i.e., the front row, faces the first area 310. The row of shelf levels 202 that is furthest rearward in the depth direction, i.e., the last row, faces the second area 320. The second area 320 is, for example, an area where a store clerk replenishes items 30 on the shelf levels 202. In this case, when the shelf selection information is first shelf selection information corresponding to a person present in the first area 310, the control unit 120 moves the target shelf to a predetermined height in the front row. When the shelf selection information is second shelf selection information corresponding to a person present in the second area 320, the control unit 120 moves the target shelf to a predetermined height in the last row.

[0030] For example, when shelf selection information is generated using a sensor 204 provided on a shelf 202 belonging to the front row, this shelf selection information becomes first shelf selection information. When shelf selection information is generated using a sensor 204 provided on a shelf 202 belonging to the rearmost row, this shelf selection information becomes second shelf selection information.

[0031] 4, the control device 10 may further include a selection information generation unit 130. The selection information generation unit 130 uses the information generated by the sensor 204 to generate shelf selection information.

[0032] For example, if the sensor 204 is an imaging device, the selection information generation unit 130 generates line-of-sight information by processing images, such as multiple frame images, generated by the sensor 204. Also, if the sensor 204 generates and outputs line-of-sight information, the first area 310 processes this line-of-sight information to generate shelf selection information.

[0033] Then, when the gaze information indicates that a person has been continuously looking at an item 30 placed on a certain shelf 202 or at that shelf 202 for a reference period of time or more, the selection information generation unit 130 generates shelf selection information indicating that that shelf 202 is the target shelf.

[0034] The control device 10 has, as a hardware configuration, a bus 1010, a processor 1020, a memory 1030, a storage device 1040, an input / output interface 1050, and a network interface 1060, as shown in FIG.

[0035] The bus 1010 is a data transmission path for transmitting and receiving data among the processor 1020, memory 1030, storage device 1040, input / output interface 1050, and network interface 1060. However, the method of connecting the processor 1020 and the like to each other is not limited to bus connection.

[0036] The processor 1020 is implemented by a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), or the like.

[0037] The memory 1030 is a main storage device realized by a RAM (Random Access Memory) or the like.

[0038] The storage device 1040 is an auxiliary storage device realized by removable media such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a memory card, or a read-only memory (ROM), and has a recording medium. The recording medium of the storage device 1040 stores program modules that realize each function of the control device 10 (e.g., the acquisition unit 110, the control unit 120, and the selection information generation unit 130). The processor 1020 loads each of these program modules into the memory 1030 and executes them, thereby realizing each function corresponding to the program module.

[0039] The input / output interface 1050 is an interface for connecting the control device 10 to various input / output devices.

[0040] The network interface 1060 is an interface for connecting the control device 10 to a network. This network is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The network interface 1060 may connect to the network wirelessly or by wire. The control device 10 communicates with, for example, the goods shelf 20 and an input device 208 (described later) via the network interface 1060.

[0041] The control device 10 may be realized by a plurality of devices each having the configuration shown in FIG.

[0042] The control device 10 operates, for example, as shown in Fig. 6. First, the acquisition unit 110 acquires shelf selection information (step S10). Then, the control unit 120 moves the target shelf indicated by the shelf selection information to a predetermined height (step S20). As described above, if the shelf selection information is first shelf selection information corresponding to a person present in the first area 310, the control unit 120 moves the target shelf to a predetermined height in the front row. On the other hand, if the shelf selection information is second shelf selection information corresponding to a person present in the second area 320, the control unit 120 moves the target shelf to a predetermined height in the last row.

[0043] In this way, the control device 10 moves the target shelf indicated by the shelf selection information, i.e., the shelf level 202 selected by the person, to a predetermined height. For example, a shelf level 202 that was located at the bottom moves up when a person takes an item in or out. Also, a shelf level 202 that was located at the top moves down when a person takes an item in or out. This makes it easier to take items in and out of the shelf level 202. Furthermore, in the goods shelf 20, the multiple shelf levels 202 are arranged in at least two rows in the depth direction. This makes it possible to increase the number of shelf levels 202 on the goods shelf 20, and as a result, more items can be placed on the goods shelf 20.

[0044] The shelving system may have an input device 208, as shown in Fig. 7. The input device 208 is installed in a position where it can be operated by a person in the second area 320. For example, the input device 208 may be installed on a column of the item shelf 20 facing the second area 320. The input device 208 may also be installed in the second area 320. In these cases, the input device 208 may have a selection switch or a touch panel. The input device 208 may also be a portable communication device that can be carried by a person.

[0045] Then, a person present in the second area 320, for example, a store clerk, inputs information that can identify the selected shelf level 202, for example, the number of the shelf level 202, into the input device 208. If the input device 208 has switches for each shelf level 202, the person present in the second area 320 presses the switch that corresponds to the selected shelf level 202. The switch for selecting the shelf level 202 may be displayed on, for example, a touch panel. Then, the acquisition unit 110 of the control device 10 acquires the information input into the input device 208 as second shelf selection information.

[0046] In this way, the possibility that the control device 10 will recognize the wrong shelf 202 as the target shelf is extremely low. Therefore, the control device 10 can reliably move the shelf 202 selected by a person present in the second area 320 to the predetermined height.

[0047] 7, the first shelf selection information is generated using sensor 204. In this way, the burden imposed on people present in first area 310, such as customers, when the first shelf selection information is generated is small. If this burden is acceptable, input device 208 may be installed in a position where it can be operated by people present in first area 310, and information input to this input device 208 may be used as the first shelf selection information.

[0048] The shelf system may also have a door 206 as shown in Fig. 7. The door 206 is made of, for example, a transparent plate, excluding the edges, such as a glass plate or a resin plate, and is installed between the first area 310 and the item shelf 20. Therefore, in order to remove an item 30 placed on the item shelf 20, the door 206 must be opened.

[0049] The control unit 120 can recognize whether the door 206 is open or closed. For example, if a sensor capable of detecting the opening and closing of the door 206 is attached to the door 206, the acquisition unit 110 acquires the detection result of this sensor. The control unit 120 uses this detection result to recognize whether the door 206 is open or closed.

[0050] When moving the target shelf to a predetermined height based on the second shelf selection information, i.e., when moving the target shelf selected by a person present in the second area 320 to a predetermined height, the control unit 120 may further use the recognition result of whether the door 206 is open or closed. For example, when at least the door 206 is closed, the control unit 120 moves the target shelf to a predetermined height based on the second shelf selection information. When the door 206 is open, the control unit 120 does not move the target shelf to the predetermined height even if the second shelf selection information is generated. In this way, it is possible to prevent the shelf level 202 from moving when a person present in the first area 310 is trying to remove an item 30.

[0051] The door 206 can be locked, that is, set to a state where it cannot be opened, and the control unit 120 may be able to control whether or not to lock the door 206. In this case, the control unit 120 may lock the door 206 while the shelf 202 is moving. In this case, it is possible to prevent a person from trying to remove the article 30 while the shelf 202 is moving.

[0052] The store 300 may have sensors 360 and 370 as shown in Fig. 8. The sensor 360 generates information indicating at least one of the position and attributes of a person present in the first area 310, and the sensor 370 generates information indicating the position of a person present in the second area 320. The sensor 370 may also generate information indicating the position of each part of the human body. An example of the sensors 360 and 370 is an imaging device, but the above information may also be generated by other methods.

[0053] The acquisition unit 110 of the control device 10 then acquires the information generated by the sensors 360 and 370. The control unit 120 of the control device 10 then controls the position of the shelf 202 by further using this information.

[0054] For example, the control unit 120 uses information generated by the sensor 360 to identify the position of a person present in the first area 310 and changes in that position. This process is performed, for example, by image analysis. In other words, the information generated by the sensor 360 is an example of position information that can identify changes in the position of a person present in the first area 310. When the change in the person's position meets a criterion, the control unit 120 moves the target shelf to a predetermined height or determines that the first shelf selection information is valid. For example, when a person stays in front of the item shelf 20 having the target shelf for a predetermined period of time or longer, the control unit 120 moves the target shelf to a predetermined height. This prevents the control unit 120 from erroneously moving a shelf level 202 that a person in the first area 310 does not intend to select to a predetermined height.

[0055] The control unit 120 may move the target shelf to a predetermined height based on the second shelf selection information when there is no person within a predetermined range defined based on the front shelf 202 in the first area 310. The predetermined range is, for example, a range within which a person can remove an item 30 from the front shelf 202. An example of the boundary of this range is any value between 0.5 m and 1.5 m from the front shelf 202 in a plan view.

[0056] In this way, when a person in the first area 310 is about to take out an article 30, the shelf level 202 can be prevented from moving based on the second shelf selection information.

[0057] In this example, the presence of a person is identified using information generated by sensor 360. That is, the information generated by sensor 360 is an example of first person presence information that can identify whether or not a person is present within the predetermined range. Then, control unit 120 uses the information generated by sensor 360 to identify whether or not a person is present within the predetermined range.

[0058] The control unit 120 may move the target shelf to a predetermined height based on the second shelf selection information when at least part of a human body is not present within a predetermined range defined based on the last shelf 202 in the second area 320. An example of a part of a human body is a hand, but it may be something else. The predetermined range is, for example, a range within which a person can place an item 30 on or take out an item 30 from the last shelf 202. An example of the boundary of this range is any value between 0.1 m and 1.0 m from the last shelf 202 in a plan view.

[0059] In this way, when a person in the second area 320 is trying to take out or put in an article 30, the shelf level 202 can be prevented from moving based on the second shelf selection information.

[0060] In this example, the presence of at least a part of a human body is identified using information generated by sensor 370. That is, the information generated by sensor 370 is an example of second person presence information that can identify whether or not at least a part of a human body is present within the predetermined range. Then, control unit 120 uses the information generated by sensor 370 to identify whether or not at least a part of a human body is present within the predetermined range.

[0061] When the goods shelf 20 is installed in a store, the same goods 30A may be placed on at least two of the multiple shelf levels 202 of the goods shelf 20, as shown in Fig. 9. In this case, if one of the shelf levels 202 on which the goods shelf 20 carries the goods 30A is the target shelf and the goods 30A is not placed on this shelf level 202, i.e., if the shelf level 202 is empty, the control unit 120 may change the target shelf to another shelf level 202 on which the goods 30A is placed.

[0062] 9, the shelf 20 has an even number of shelves 202. The same item 30 is placed on two shelves 202 that are diagonally opposite each other. For example, if the shelf 20 has 10 shelves 202, the shelves 202 for placing item 30A, 202 for placing item 30B, 202 for placing item 30C, 202 for placing item 30D, 202 for placing item 30E, 202 for placing item 30A, 202 for placing item 30B, 202 for placing item 30C, 202 for placing item 30D, and 202 for placing item 30E are arranged in this order.

[0063] In this way, the possibility of losing a sales opportunity due to the item 30 being out of stock at the store is reduced.

[0064] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present disclosure within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined with other embodiments as appropriate.

[0065] In addition, although the flowcharts used in the above description show multiple steps (processes) in a sequential order, the order of the steps executed in each embodiment is not limited to the order shown. In each embodiment, the order of the steps shown in the drawings can be changed as long as it does not cause any problems in terms of the content.

[0066] Some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes. 1. A storage shelf having a plurality of movable shelves arranged vertically and in at least two rows in the depth direction; a control device for controlling the position of the article shelf; Equipped with The control device an acquisition means for acquiring shelf selection information indicating a target shelf that is a shelf selected by a person standing in front of the article shelf; A control means for moving the target shelf to a predetermined height; A shelving system comprising: 2. In the shelf system described in 1 above, The control device is a shelf system comprising a selection information generation means for generating the shelf selection information using line-of-sight information indicating the line of sight of the person. 3. In the shelf system described in 2 above, the acquiring means acquires location information capable of identifying a change in the location of the person; A shelving system wherein the control means moves the target shelf to a predetermined height when a change in the person's position satisfies a criterion. 4. In the shelf system described in any one of 1 to 3 above, The shelf is disposed in a store, a front row, which is the row of shelves furthest forward in the depth direction, faces a first area where customers of the store move; The rearmost row of the shelves in the depth direction faces a second area where a store clerk replenishes the shelves with articles, The control means When the shelf selection information is first shelf selection information corresponding to the person present in the first area, the target shelf is moved to a predetermined height in the front row; A shelving system that moves the target shelf to a predetermined height in the last row when the shelf selection information is second shelf selection information corresponding to a person present in the second area. 5. In the shelf system described in 4 above, a selection information generating means for generating the first shelf selection information using line-of-sight information of a person present in the first area; an input device that is disposed in the second area and receives input from a person present in the second area to generate the second shelf selection information; A shelving system comprising: 6. In the shelf system described in 4 or 5 above, the acquisition means acquires first person presence information capable of identifying whether or not a person is present within a predetermined range defined based on the front row in the first area, A shelf system in which the control means moves the target shelf to a predetermined height based on the second shelf selection information, at least when the first person presence information indicates that no person is present. 7. In the shelf system described in any one of 4 to 6 above, a door between the first area and the front row; The control means moves the target shelf to a predetermined height based on the second shelf selection information, at least when the door is not open. 8. In the shelf system described in any one of 4 to 7 above, the acquisition means acquires second person presence information capable of identifying whether at least a part of a human body is present within a predetermined range defined with reference to the last row in the second area, and A shelf system in which the control means moves the target shelf to a predetermined height based on the second shelf selection information, at least when the second person presence information indicates that no human body is present. 9. In the shelf system described in any one of 1 to 8 above, The shelf is disposed in a store, At least two of the plurality of shelves have the same first article placed thereon, A shelf system in which, when one of the shelf levels on which the first item is placed is the target shelf and the first item is not placed on that target shelf, the control means changes the target shelf to another shelf level on which the first item is placed. 10. In the shelf system described in any one of 1 to 9 above, The shelf is disposed in a store, a front row, which is the row of shelves furthest forward in the depth direction, faces a first area where customers of the store move; a lockable door between the first area and the front row; The control means locks the door while the shelf is moving. 11. In the shelf system described in any one of 1 to 10 above, the acquiring means acquires height information indicating a height of the person; A shelf system in which the control means sets the predetermined height using the height information. 12. A control device for use with a storage shelf having a plurality of movable shelves, comprising: The plurality of shelves are arranged vertically and in at least two rows in the depth direction, an acquisition means for acquiring shelf selection information indicating a target shelf that is a shelf selected by a person standing in front of the article shelf; A control means for moving the target shelf to a predetermined height; A control device comprising: 13. A computer-implemented shelf control method for use with a storage shelf having a plurality of movable shelves, comprising: The plurality of shelves are arranged vertically and in at least two rows in the depth direction, The computer Shelf selection information indicating a target shelf that is a shelf selected by a person standing in front of the article shelf is acquired, A shelf control method for moving the target shelf to a predetermined height. 14. A program for causing a computer to control a plurality of movable shelves, The plurality of shelves are part of an article shelf, and are arranged vertically and in at least two rows in the depth direction. The computer, an acquisition means for acquiring shelf selection information indicating a target shelf that is a shelf selected by a person standing in front of the article shelf; A control means for moving the target shelf to a predetermined height; A program that allows you to have 15. A recording medium on which the program described in 14 above is recorded.

[0067] Furthermore, some or all of the configurations described in Supplementary Notes 2 to 11, which are dependent on Supplementary Note 1, may also be dependent on Supplementary Notes 12, 13, 14, and 15 in the same dependent relationship as Supplementary Notes 2 to 11. Furthermore, not limited to Supplementary Notes 1, 12, 13, 14, and 15, some or all of the configurations described as Supplements may be made dependent on various hardware, software, various recording means for recording software, or systems, within the scope of each of the above-mentioned embodiments. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 10 Control device 20 Goods shelf 30 Goods 40 Goods shelf 110 Acquisition Department 120 control section 130 Selection information generation unit 202 Shelf 204 Sensors 206 Door 208 Input Devices 300 stores 310 1st area 320 Second area 330 Entrance / Exit 340 Entrance / Exit 350 Settlement device 360 Sensor 370 Sensors

Claims

1. a storage shelf having a plurality of movable shelves, the shelves being arranged vertically and in at least two rows in the depth direction; a control device for controlling the position of the article shelf; Equipped with The control device an acquisition means for acquiring shelf selection information indicating a target shelf that is a shelf selected by a person standing in front of the article shelf; A control means for moving the target shelf to a predetermined height; A shelving system comprising:

2. 10. The shelving system of claim 1, The control device is a shelf system comprising a selection information generation means for generating the shelf selection information using line-of-sight information indicating the line of sight of the person.

3. 3. The shelving system of claim 2, the acquiring means acquires location information capable of identifying a change in the location of the person; A shelving system wherein the control means moves the target shelf to a predetermined height when a change in the person's position satisfies a criterion.

4. The shelving system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The shelf is disposed in a store, a front row, which is the row of shelves furthest forward in the depth direction, faces a first area where customers of the store move; a rearmost row of the shelves in the depth direction faces a second area where a store clerk replenishes the shelves with articles; The control means When the shelf selection information is first shelf selection information corresponding to a person present in the first area, the target shelf is moved to a predetermined height in the front row; A shelving system that moves the target shelf to a predetermined height in the last row when the shelf selection information is second shelf selection information corresponding to a person present in the second area.

5. 5. The shelving system of claim 4, the acquisition means acquires first person presence information capable of identifying whether or not a person is present within a predetermined range defined based on the front row in the first area, A shelf system in which the control means moves the target shelf to a predetermined height based on the second shelf selection information, at least when the first person presence information indicates that no person is present.

6. 5. The shelving system of claim 4, a door between the first area and the front row; The control means moves the target shelf to a predetermined height based on the second shelf selection information, at least when the door is not open.

7. The shelving system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The shelf is disposed in a store, At least two of the plurality of shelves have the same first article placed thereon, A shelf system in which, when one of the shelf levels on which the first item is placed is the target shelf and the first item is not placed on the target shelf, the control means changes the target shelf to another shelf level on which the first item is placed.

8. A control device for use with a storage shelf having a plurality of movable shelves, The plurality of shelves are arranged vertically and in at least two rows in the depth direction, an acquisition means for acquiring shelf selection information indicating a target shelf that is a shelf selected by a person standing in front of the article shelf; A control means for moving the target shelf to a predetermined height; A control device comprising:

9. 1. A computer-implemented shelf control method for use with a storage shelf having a plurality of movable shelves, comprising: The plurality of shelves are arranged vertically and in at least two rows in the depth direction, The computer Shelf selection information indicating a target shelf that is a shelf selected by a person standing in front of the article shelf is acquired, A shelf control method for moving the target shelf to a predetermined height.

10. A program for causing a computer to control a plurality of movable shelves, The plurality of shelves are part of an article shelf, and are arranged vertically and in at least two rows in the depth direction. The computer, an acquisition means for acquiring shelf selection information indicating a target shelf that is a shelf selected by a person standing in front of the article shelf; A control means for moving the target shelf to a predetermined height; A program that allows you to have

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