Product management system, product management method, computer program, and recording medium

Abstract

A product management system (1) that comprises an acquisition means (10) that acquires product information that is information about products from products at a store, a generation means (20) that, on the basis of the product information, generates store-side data that is to be provided to staff of the store and customer-side data that is to be provided to customers that use the store, and an outputting means (30) that outputs at least one of the store-side data and the customer-side data. The present invention can thereby provide appropriate information to store staff and customers.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of a merchandise management system for managing merchandise in a store, a merchandise management method, a computer program, and a recording medium. [Background technology]

[0002] Known systems of this type manage product locations, inventory information, and the like, based on information read from each product in a store. For example, Patent Documents 1 to 5 disclose technologies for managing products in a store using information read from RFID (Radio Frequency IDentifier) ​​tags attached to the products. Patent Documents 6 and 7 disclose technologies for reading information from RFID tags using a robot. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-158455 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2005-320074 A [Patent Document 3] JP 2004-359363 A [Patent Document 4] JP 2009-205481 A [Patent Document 5] JP 2005-034358 A [Patent Document 6] JP 2007-217069 A [Patent Document 7] JP 2009-023740 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In the technologies described in Patent Documents 1 to 5 mentioned above, information read from products is output (e.g., displayed on a display screen, etc.) to store staff and customers. However, store staff and customers request different information from the system. For example, store staff request information about out-of-stock products in order to replenish products, while customers do not request such information very often. Conversely, customers request specific information about products (e.g., information about materials, specifications, etc.), while store staff do not request such information very often. As a result, a technical problem arises in that simply outputting information about products does not provide appropriate information to store staff and customers.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has an object to provide a product management system, a product management method, a computer program, and a recording medium that are capable of providing appropriate information to store staff and customers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the product management system of the present invention comprises an acquisition means for acquiring product information, which is information about the products, from products in a store, a generation means for generating store side data to be provided to staff of the store and customer side data to be provided to customers who use the store based on the product information, and an output means for outputting at least one of the store side data and the customer side data.

[0007] One aspect of the product management method of the present invention includes an acquisition step of acquiring product information, which is information about the products, from products in a store, a generation step of generating store side data to be provided to staff of the store and customer side data to be provided to customers who use the store based on the product information, and an output step of outputting at least one of the store side data and the customer side data.

[0008] One aspect of the computer program of the present invention causes a computer to execute an acquisition process for acquiring product information, which is information about the products, from products in a store; a generation process for generating store-side data to be provided to staff at the store and customer-side data to be provided to customers who use the store, based on the product information; and an output process for outputting at least one of the store-side data and the customer-side data.

[0009] One aspect of the computer program of the present invention is a computer program having the above-mentioned computer program recorded therein. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to one aspect of each of the above-mentioned merchandise management system, merchandise management method, computer program, and recording medium, it is possible to provide appropriate information to store staff and customers, thereby enabling merchandise to be managed appropriately. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing an overall configuration of a product management system according to an embodiment; [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of a product management device according to an embodiment; [Diagram 3] 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of operations of a product management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of displaying the positions of products on a floor map as customer side data. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of store-side data showing the location of a product that is out of stock; [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a case where information related to products is displayed in a list as store side data. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Hereinafter, embodiments of a product management system, a product management method, a computer program, and a recording medium will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0013] (System Configuration) First, the configuration of a product management system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the overall configuration of the product management system according to the embodiment. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a product management device according to the embodiment.

[0014] In FIG. 1, the product management system 1 of this embodiment is a system for managing products in a store, and is configured with an RF tag reading device 10, a product management device 20, and a data display device 30 as its main components.

[0015] The RF tag reading device 10 is configured to be able to read (i.e., obtain) product information from an RFID tag (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as an "RF tag") attached to a product. The "product information" here refers to various information related to the product, which is stored in advance in the RF tag. Examples of product information include the product name, product type, product size, product color, product material, product specifications, and product position (e.g., the product placement position). The RF tag reading device 10 may be one that reads the RF tag by the operation of a store staff member, or may be one that automatically executes the operation of reading the RF tag like a self-propelled robot. The product information read by the RF tag reading device 10 is configured to be output to the product management device 20.

[0016] The product information does not necessarily have to be stored in an RF tag, but may be readable from the product itself or a tag attached to the product. For example, the product information may be attached to the product as code information such as a barcode or a QR code (registered trademark). In that case, the RF tag reader 10 may be configured as a code reader.

[0017] The product management device 20 is configured to be able to generate customer-side data to be provided to customers of the store and store-side data to be provided to store staff, based on the product information acquired by the RF tag reading device 10. The product management device 20 includes a customer-side data generation unit 210 and a store-side data generation unit 220 as logical processing blocks or physical hardware.

[0018] The customer-side data generating unit 210 generates customer-side data based on the product information. The customer-side data is data generated for customers who purchase products at a store, and is generated, for example, by performing processing on various information contained in the product information in order to provide the information to customers in an easily understandable manner (for example, visualization of information, rearrangement, selection, etc.). Specific examples of customer-side data will be described in detail later. The customer-side data generated by the customer-side data generating unit 210 is configured to be output to the data display device 30.

[0019] The store-side data generating unit 220 generates store-side data based on the product information. The store-side data is data generated for store staff (including not only sales staff but also staff in the management department, etc.), and is generated, for example, by performing processing on various information included in the product information to provide the information to the store staff in an easy-to-understand manner (for example, visualization of information, sorting, selection, etc.). Specific examples of store-side data will be described in detail later. The store-side data generated by the store-side data generating unit 220 is configured to be output to the data display device 30.

[0020] 2, the product management device 20 according to this embodiment includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 12, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 13, and a storage device 14. The product management device 20 may further include an input device 15 and an output device 16. The CPU 11, RAM 12, ROM 13, storage device 14, input device 15, and output device 16 are connected via a data bus 17.

[0021] The CPU 11 reads a computer program. For example, the CPU 11 may read a computer program stored in at least one of the RAM 12, the ROM 13, and the storage device 14. For example, the CPU 11 may read a computer program stored in a computer-readable storage medium using a storage medium reading device (not shown). The CPU 11 may obtain (i.e., read) a computer program from a device (not shown) disposed outside the product management device 20 via a network interface. The CPU 11 controls the RAM 12, the storage device 14, the input device 15, and the output device 16 by executing the computer program that it reads. In particular, in this embodiment, when the CPU 11 executes the computer program that it reads, a functional block for managing products in a store is realized in the CPU 11. That is, the CPU 11 can function as a controller for managing products. The above-mentioned customer-side data generating unit 210 and store-side data generating unit 220 are realized in the CPU 11, for example.

[0022] The RAM 12 temporarily stores a computer program executed by the CPU 11. The RAM 12 temporarily stores data that is temporarily used by the CPU 11 when the CPU 11 is executing the computer program. The RAM 12 may be, for example, a D-RAM (Dynamic RAM).

[0023] The ROM 13 stores computer programs executed by the CPU 11. The ROM 13 may also store other fixed data. The ROM 13 may be, for example, a programmable ROM (P-ROM).

[0024] The storage device 14 stores data that is to be stored long-term by the product management system 1. The storage device 14 may operate as a temporary storage device for the CPU 11. The storage device 14 may include, for example, at least one of a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a disk array device.

[0025] The input device 15 is a device that receives input instructions from a user of the product management system 1. The input device 15 may include, for example, at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel.

[0026] The output device 16 is a device that outputs information related to the product management system 1 to the outside. For example, the output device 16 may be a display device that can display information related to the product management system 1.

[0027] Returning to FIG. 1, the data display device 30 is configured as a device having a display unit such as a display, and displays at least one of the customer data and the store data generated by the product management device 20 (specifically, the customer data generation unit 210 and the store data generation unit 220). The data display device 30 is configured as, for example, digital signage installed in a store or a terminal (for example, a smartphone, etc.) held by a customer, and displays the customer data to customers in the store. Alternatively, the data display device 30 is configured as a monitor installed at a cash register counter or a terminal (for example, a tablet, etc.) held by a store staff member, and displays the store data to the store staff member. The data display device 30 may also be configured as a common terminal that can be used by both customers and store staff, and configured to be able to switch between displaying the customer data and the store data.

[0028] The data display device 30 may be configured to be able to change the display mode (display content, display format, displayed hierarchy, etc.) of the customer side data or the store side data in response to an operation by a customer or a store staff member. Furthermore, the data display device 30 may output the customer side data and the store side data in other ways (e.g., audio, etc.) in addition to or instead of displaying the customer side data and the store side data. In other words, the format of the customer side data and the store side data is not limited to image data or text data, and may be other formats.

[0029] (Operation description) Next, the flow of operations of the product management system 1 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations of the product management system according to the embodiment.

[0030] As shown in FIG. 3, when the product management system 1 according to this embodiment is operating, first, the RF tag reader 10 acquires product information from a product (step S101). The reading of product information is typically performed during hours when the store is closed (e.g., at night, etc.). Specifically, after the store is closed, a store staff member operates the RF tag reader 10 to read the product information. Alternatively, the RF tag reader 10 configured as a self-propelled robot may automatically read the product information in an unmanned state after the store staff has left. The reading of product information may also be performed during the store's business hours (in other words, when there are customers in the store).

[0031] When the product information is acquired, the customer-side data generating unit 210 generates customer-side data based on the acquired product information (step S102). The store-side data generating unit 220 generates store-side data based on the acquired product information (step S103). Note that the processes of steps S102 and S103 may be executed in tandem or simultaneously in parallel.

[0032] When the customer data and store data are generated, the data display device 30 outputs at least one of them (step S104). For example, the data display device 30 displays the customer data and store data as images to a customer or store staff. The data display device 30 may output the customer data and store data immediately after generation, or may output the customer data and store data appropriately in response to operations by the customer or store staff. The data display device 30 may also change the customer data and store data to be automatically output every time new customer data and store data are generated (in other words, every time the customer data and store data are updated).

[0033] (Example of customer data display) Next, a specific example of displaying customer-side data will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of displaying the position of a product on a floor map as customer-side data. Note that the following description will be given taking as an example a case in which the product management system 1 according to this embodiment is applied to an apparel shop (i.e., a clothing retail store).

[0034] As shown in FIG. 4, the customer-side data may be generated as data indicating the location of a product in a store. In this case, the data display device 30 displays a floor map of the store and a mark (black circle in the figure) indicating the location of the product searched for by the customer. Displaying such customer-side data makes it easier for the customer to find the product he or she wants to purchase. Note that if there are multiple products in the store that match the customer's search criteria, multiple marks may be displayed. In this case, the color, size, etc. of the mark may be changed for each product.

[0035] Even if the product searched for by the customer is present in the store, for example, if the product is not on display (for example, in a warehouse or on an aisle, or in a location other than a display shelf), information about such a product may not be displayed. In other words, information about products that are not available for purchase by customers may not be included in the customer-side data. In this way, by intentionally excluding information about specific products that meet preset conditions from the customer-side data, it is possible to provide more appropriate information to customers.

[0036] In addition, customer data may include coordination / styles that include the products searched for by the customer, product descriptions (materials, specifications, handling, etc.), product reviews (word of mouth), and link screens to EC (Electronic Commerce) sites that sell in-store products on the Internet.

[0037] (Example of store data display) Next, specific examples of display of store-side data will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of store-side data in which the location of a product that is out of stock is displayed. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of store-side data in which information related to products is displayed in a list. As with the example of Fig. 4, the following description will be given taking as an example a case in which the product management system 1 according to this embodiment is applied to an apparel shop.

[0038] As shown in FIG. 5, the store data may be generated as data indicating products that are out of stock in the store (i.e., there is zero or very little remaining). In this case, the data display device 30 displays images in different display forms depending on whether or not there is a shortage. In the example shown in the figure, the shelves with products that are out of stock are displayed darker than other shelves that are not out of stock. In addition, for products that are out of stock, specific product names (here, "sweatpants" and "slim pants") are displayed. By displaying such store data, store staff can intuitively know the type of product that is out of stock and the location of the out-of-stock product. This makes it possible to efficiently carry out tasks such as replenishing out-of-stock products.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 6, the store data may be generated as data that displays products handled in the store in a list format. The products on the list may be rearranged according to various conditions. Alternatively, in order to efficiently execute replenishment work, products with fewer remaining quantities (quantities) may be automatically displayed at the top.

[0040] In addition, a "priority" may be displayed as a guide for replenishing work. The priority here may be set, for example, in consideration of not only the remaining number of items but also sales of the items. Specifically, for items that sell well (i.e., items that go down quickly), a high priority for replenishing may be set (for example, see "sweatpants" in the figure) even if the quantity is relatively large, and for items that sell poorly (i.e., items that go down slowly), a low priority for replenishing may be set (for example, see "slim pants" in the figure) even if the quantity is relatively small.

[0041] (Technical effect) Next, technical effects obtained by the product management system 1 according to the embodiment will be described.

[0042] 1 to 6, according to the product management system 1 of this embodiment, "customer data" and "store data" are generated based on product information, so that appropriate information can be output to customers and store staff, respectively. This allows for more optimal product management compared to the case where the customer data and store data are not separated (i.e., the same data is output to both customers and store staff).

[0043] The customer data and store data described in this embodiment are merely examples, and separate data (i.e., customer data and store data) may be generated as appropriate depending on the type of products handled in the store and the type of store. The customer data and store data may be at least partially different, and may overlap with each other. Specifically, even if the display format of the customer data and the store data is the same, the above-mentioned technical effect can be appropriately obtained as long as the type and number of product information contained therein are different between the customer-oriented and store staff-oriented data. Alternatively, even if the type and number of product information contained in the customer data and the store data are the same, the above-mentioned technical effect can be appropriately obtained as long as the display format is partially different between the customer-oriented and store staff-oriented data.

[0044] <Additional Notes> The following supplementary notes are further disclosed regarding the above-described embodiment.

[0045] (Appendix 1) The product management system described in Appendix 1 is a product management system characterized by comprising an acquisition means for acquiring product information, which is information relating to products, from products in a store, a generation means for generating store side data to be provided to staff of the store and customer side data to be provided to customers who use the store based on the product information, and an output means for outputting at least one of the store side data and the customer side data.

[0046] (Appendix 2) The product management system described in Appendix 2 is a product management system described in Appendix 2, characterized in that the output means is capable of switching between outputting the store side data and the customer side data.

[0047] (Appendix 3) The product management system described in Appendix 3 is the product management system described in Appendix 1 or 2, characterized in that the product information includes information regarding the remaining quantity of the product in the store, and the generation means generates at least one of the store side data and the customer side data as image data whose display manner differs depending on the remaining quantity.

[0048] (Appendix 4) The product management system described in Appendix 4 is a product management system described in any one of Appendixes 1 to 3, characterized in that the generation means generates the store side data to include information indicating products that should be replenished by staff of the store.

[0049] (Appendix 5) The product management system described in Appendix 5 is the product management system described in claim 4, characterized in that the generation means generates the store side data to include information indicating the priority of products to be replenished by staff of the store.

[0050] (Appendix 6) The product management system described in Appendix 6 is a product management system described in any one of Appendixes 1 to 5, characterized in that the generation means generates the customer-side data so as not to include information regarding specific products among the products that meet predetermined conditions.

[0051] (Appendix 7) The product management system described in Supplementary Note 7 is the product management system described in Supplementary Note 6, characterized in that the specified product is the product before it is put on display.

[0052] (Appendix 8) The product management system described in Supplementary Note 8 is the product management system described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 7, characterized in that the acquisition means is a self-propelled robot and automatically acquires the product information.

[0053] (Appendix 9) The product management method described in Appendix 9 is a product management method characterized by including an acquisition step of acquiring information about products from products in a store, a generation step of generating store side data to be provided to staff of the store and customer side data to be provided to customers who use the store based on the product information, and an output step of outputting at least one of the store side data and the customer side data.

[0054] (Appendix 10) The computer program described in Appendix 10 is a computer program characterized by causing a computer to execute an acquisition process of acquiring product information, which is information about the products, from products in a store; a generation process of generating store side data to be provided to staff of the store and customer side data to be provided to customers who use the store, based on the product information; and an output process of outputting at least one of the store side data and the customer side data.

[0055] (Appendix 11) The recording medium according to claim 11 is a recording medium having the computer program according to claim 10 recorded thereon.

[0056] The present invention can be modified as appropriate within the scope that does not contradict the gist or idea of ​​the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification, and the product management system, product management method, computer program, and recording medium that involve such modifications are also included in the technical idea of ​​the present invention.

[0057] To the extent permitted by law, this application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-143765, filed on August 5, 2019, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein in its entirety. In addition, to the extent permitted by law, all publications and papers described in this specification are incorporated herein by reference. [Explanation of symbols]

[0058] 1 Product Management System 10 RF tag reader 20 Product management device 30 Data display device

Claims

1. An acquisition means for acquiring product information, which is information related to a product, from an RFID tag attached to the product in the store; a generating means for generating store side data to be provided to staff of the store and customer side data to be provided to customers who use the store, based on the product information; an output means for outputting at least one of the store side data and the customer side data; Equipped with the output means is capable of switching between outputting the store side data and the customer side data, The product information includes information regarding the remaining quantity of the product in the store, The generating means generates the store-side data as image data that has a different display form depending on the remaining quantity, and the image data includes at least one of data for displaying a shelf with a product that is out of stock in a darker color than other shelves with no shortages, and data for displaying a list in which the products with the fewest remaining quantities are displayed at the top of the list. A merchandise management system comprising:

2. The product management system according to claim 1, characterized in that the output means is capable of switching between outputting the store side data and the customer side data on a common terminal used by both the store staff and the customer.

3. 3. The merchandise management system according to claim 1, wherein the generating means generates the store-side data so as to include information indicating merchandise to be replenished by staff of the store.

4. 4. The product management system according to claim 3, wherein the generating means generates the store-side data including information indicating a priority order of products to be replenished by staff of the store.

5. A product management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the generation means generates the customer-side data so as not to include information regarding a specific product among the products that meets a preset condition.

6. 6. The merchandise management system according to claim 5, wherein the predetermined merchandise is the merchandise before it is put on display.

7. The merchandise management system according to claim 1 , wherein the acquisition means is a self-propelled robot and automatically acquires the merchandise information.

8. 1. A merchandise management method executed by at least one computer, comprising: Acquiring product information, which is information about a product, from an RFID tag attached to the product in the store; generating store side data to be provided to staff of the store and customer side data to be provided to customers who use the store based on the product information; outputting at least one of the store-side data and the customer-side data by an output means capable of outputting the store-side data and the customer-side data by switching between them; Including, The product information includes information regarding the remaining quantity of the product in the store, The generating step includes generating the store-side data as image data having different display modes depending on the remaining number, The image data includes at least one of data for displaying shelves with out-of-stock items in a darker color than other shelves with no out-of-stock items, and data for displaying a list in which the items with the fewest remaining items are displayed at the top of the list. A merchandise management method comprising:

9. Acquiring product information, which is information about a product, from an RFID tag attached to the product in the store; generating store side data to be provided to staff of the store and customer side data to be provided to customers who use the store based on the product information; outputting at least one of the store-side data and the customer-side data by an output means capable of outputting the store-side data and the customer-side data by switching between them; A product management method including: The product information includes information regarding the remaining quantity of the product in the store, The generating step includes generating the store-side data as image data having different display modes depending on the remaining number, The image data includes at least one of data for displaying shelves with out-of-stock items in a darker color than other shelves with no out-of-stock items, and data for displaying a list in which the items with the fewest remaining items are displayed at the top of the list. A computer program for causing a computer to execute a product management method.

Images