Inventory management system, inventory management method, and recording medium

Abstract

An inventory management system (1) facilitates inventory management work in a back room. The inventory management system (1) comprises: a wireless terminal (50) that can perform short-distance wireless communication; a wireless tag (40) comprising a short-distance wireless communication function and an inventory information output unit (43) that outputs information relating to the inventory of products in a packaging box; and a database (30) that stores inventory information (31) relating to the inventory of the products. The inventory information output unit of the wireless tag outputs, regarding a product specified by the wireless terminal, an output mode corresponding to the inventory information of the product.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of an inventory management system, an inventory management method, and a recording medium for managing store inventory.

Background Art

[0002] As this type of system, those using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology are known. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a system that attaches an RFID tag to a product and tracks the movement of the product going back and forth between a storage area and a sales area for application to inventory management. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a light-emitting tag configured to emit light when it is self-selected as a tag using RFID technology. Patent Document 3 also proposes a system that causes an electronic shelf label attached to a product display shelf on which target products are arrayed to emit light.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, in the case of the luminescent tag of Patent Document 2, it only senses that it has been selected and emits light, and cannot convey information beyond the fact of being selected by emitting light. Therefore, for example, even if this luminescent tag is adopted in the system of Patent Document 1, it is difficult to make the user recognize the information necessary for inventory management by the luminescent tag. Further, in the system of Patent Document 3, the electronic shelf label only emits light according to the instruction of the server, and does not emit light according to the selection of the user. Therefore, there is a technical problem that it is impossible to make the user recognize the information necessary for inventory management and simplify the complicated inventory management work in the back room.

[0005] The present invention has been made in view of the above-described technical problems, and an object thereof is to provide an inventory management system, an inventory management method, and a recording medium that enable a user to recognize information necessary for inventory management and simplify complicated inventory management work in a back room.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] One aspect of the inventory management system according to the present invention includes a wireless terminal having a short-range wireless communication function, a wireless tag having a short-range wireless communication function and an inventory information output unit that outputs information regarding the inventory of goods in a packing box, and a database that stores inventory information regarding the inventory of the goods. The inventory information output unit of the wireless tag outputs an output mode corresponding to the inventory information regarding the goods specified by the wireless terminal.

[0007] One aspect of the inventory management method according to the present invention is an inventory management method in an inventory monitoring system including a wireless terminal having a short-range wireless communication function, a wireless tag having a short-range wireless communication function, and a database that stores inventory information regarding the inventory of goods in a packing box. The wireless tag is provided with an inventory information output unit that outputs information regarding the inventory of the goods, and the inventory information output unit of the wireless tag is caused to output an output mode corresponding to the inventory information regarding the goods specified by the wireless terminal.

[0008] One aspect of the recording medium according to the present invention is a computer included in an inventory management system including a wireless terminal having a short-range wireless communication function, a wireless tag including a short-range wireless communication function and an inventory information output unit that outputs information regarding the inventory of products in a packaging box, and a database that stores inventory information regarding the inventory of the products, the computer being configured to cause the inventory information output unit of the wireless tag to output an output mode corresponding to the inventory information regarding the product specified by the wireless terminal. The recording medium has a computer program recorded thereon.

[0009] According to each aspect provided by the inventory management system, inventory management method, and recording medium described above, it is possible to cause a user to recognize information necessary for inventory management and facilitate complicated inventory management work in the back room.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0010]

Figure 1

Figure 2A

Figure 2B

Figure 3

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Figure 4B

Figure 5A

Figure 5B

Figure 5C

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Figure 10A

Figure 10B

MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0011] First, the overall configuration of the inventory management system 1 according to this embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is an example of the inventory management system 1. The inventory management system 1 is configured to facilitate the management of products (i.e., inventory in the back room) stored in the corrugated cardboard 10 as a packing box in the back room. In this embodiment, although clothing is adopted as an example of the product for explanation, the products of the inventory management system 1 are not limited to clothing.

[0012] In addition, as information for identifying a product (hereinafter referred to as "product identification information"), the identification information physically given to each individual product is called "product ID", and the identification information for identifying a product in units of SKU (Stock Keeping Unit) is called "SKU product ID". The SKU unit is, for example, a concept in which the same type of product is subdivided by a plurality of attributes such as color, pattern, and size, and the same product with respect to the plurality of attributes is regarded as one product. For example, when the same type of shirt is available in 5 colors and 4 sizes, there are 20 (5×4) SKU product IDs for the shirt of that type, that is, it is classified as 20 types of products. The product ID may also include information capable of identifying each attribute for specifying the SKU. Also, the unit for identifying a product with the SKU product ID may be at least one of a plurality of attributes such as type, color, pattern, and size, and may be appropriately set according to the product.

[0013] In the inventory management system 1, as a cloud-side configuration, it includes a server device 20 and a database group 30 accessible by the server device 20. As an edge-side configuration, it includes a wireless tag 40 associated with the cardboard box 10 stored in the back room and a portable wireless terminal 50. Further, the inventory management system 1 may include, as an edge-side configuration, a portable operation terminal 60 (an example of "other wireless terminal") and a gate sensor 90 provided at the incoming / outgoing gate 80 (hereinafter referred to as "gate 80") through which the cardboard box 10 passes when taken out from the back room. However, the inventory management system 1 may not include at least one of the operation terminal 60 and the gate sensor 90 as an edge-side configuration. The information included in the database group 30 is also accessible from systems other than the inventory management system 1. In FIG. 1, one cardboard box 10 is shown, but a plurality of cardboard boxes 10 may be stored in the back room. In this case, one wireless tag 40 is associated with each of the plurality of cardboard boxes 10. Between the wireless tag 40 and the wireless terminal 50, short-range wireless communication is possible to communicate information carried on radio waves or a magnetic field between the antennas of both non-contact. In this embodiment, for example, RFID technology may be used as the short-range wireless communication.

[0014] The wireless tag 40 can be detachably attached to, for example, the surface of the cardboard box 10. The attachment manner may be physical or chemical. In this embodiment, the wireless tag 40 is a plate-shaped wireless tag having a back surface that can be detachably attached to the surface of the cardboard box 10. By making the wireless tag 40 detachable from the cardboard box 10, the wireless tag 40 can be reused even after the corresponding cardboard box 10 is disposed of. Further, on the back surface of the wireless tag 40, for example, a 2D code or the like in which identification information (hereinafter referred to as "tag ID") for identifying the wireless tag 40 is recorded may be provided.

[0015] The hardware configuration of the wireless tag 40 has, for example, as shown in FIG. 2A, a memory unit 41, a tag communication unit 42, a status output unit 43, and a tag control unit 44. The memory unit 41 includes a user memory 41a in addition to a RAM (Random Access Memory) and a ROM (Read Only Memory). The user memory 41a is a readable and writable non-volatile memory (for example, EE-PROM: Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). In the user memory 41a, for example, product information regarding the product packed in the corresponding cardboard box 10 is recorded. The product information includes, for example, product identification information (in this form, for example, product ID). The user memory 41a further includes the tag ID of the wireless tag 40 corresponding to the product information. Hereinafter, the product information and the tag ID recorded in the user memory 41a are referred to as tag information.

[0016] The tag communication unit 42 includes an antenna that transmits and receives radio waves (radio waves conforming to RFID technology in this form as described above) communicated with the wireless terminal 50, and is configured to be able to modulate the radio waves. The status output unit 43 is an example of an inventory information output unit, and in this form, is provided as a light emitting unit configured by a light emitting element (for example, a light emitting diode, an organic EL (Electro Luminescence), etc.) capable of outputting light, and is configured to emit light in the output mode (that is, the light emitting mode) indicated by the instruction from the wireless terminal 50 according to the instruction to execute the output. The number of light emitting elements constituting this light emitting unit may be one or more. The tag control unit 44 is configured to control the operations of each component 41 to 43 of the wireless tag 40, and is, for example, a circuit in which logic is incorporated so that such control is possible.

[0017] As shown in FIG. 2B, for example, the wireless terminal 50 includes a read / write communication unit 51, a server interface 52, a display unit 53, an operation input unit 54, and a wireless terminal control unit 55. The read / write communication unit 51 includes an antenna that transmits and receives radio waves (radio waves conforming to the RFID technology in this embodiment as described above) for communication with the wireless tag 40, and is configured to enable reading information from the user memory 41a, writing information to the user memory 41a, and transmitting various commands (instructions) to the wireless tag 40. The server interface 52 is configured to enable data communication with the server device 20. This data communication may be, for example, via a closed predetermined LAN (Local Area Network), or may be network communication via the Internet. Also, when the server device 20 is not in the backroom, wireless communication is preferably used regardless of wired / wireless.

[0018] The display unit 53 is, for example, a display and is configured to appropriately display necessary information to the user. The operation input unit 54 includes, for example, input keys and input buttons and is configured to appropriately receive input operations from the user. Further, the operation input unit 54 also has a code reading function capable of reading information recorded in various codes such as barcodes and 2D codes.

[0019] The wireless terminal control unit 55 is configured as a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and internal memories such as RAM and ROM necessary for its operation and other devices. The wireless terminal control unit 55 controls the operations of each component 51 to 54 of the wireless terminal 50 by executing a computer program stored in the ROM, and functions as, for example, a specific tag instruction unit 55a described later.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 3, for example, the server device 20 has a server communication unit 21 and a server control unit 22. The server communication unit 21 is configured to be capable of data communication with each piece of information 31 to 35 of each component 50, 60, 90 on the edge side and the database group 30. The server control unit 22 is configured as a computer including a CPU and internal memories such as RAM and ROM necessary for its operation and other devices. By executing the computer program stored in the ROM, the server control unit 22 controls the operation of each component of the server device 20 (for example, the server communication unit 21), and functions as, for example, an output mode specifying unit 22a, a tag specifying unit 22b, and an output instruction creating unit 22c described later.

[0021] Note that the server device 20 is a conceptual device constructed on the cloud and may be constructed as one theoretical server device by a server unit as one or more physical computer devices.

[0022] Returning to FIG. 1, the operation terminal 60 is configured to allow a user (for example, a store clerk, an employee, etc. in a store having a backyard) to input information necessary for processing in the server device 20 and to be able to transmit the input information to the server device 20. The operation terminal 60 is preferably, for example, a smartphone or a portable tablet that can be carried by the user. The input information may include not only the input information itself but also information related to the input, such as the input date and time.

[0023] As described above, the gate sensor 90 is provided on the gate 80. The gate sensor 90 is configured to read the tag ID from the wireless tag 40 attached to the cardboard 10 passing through the gate 80 and transmit the outgoing information based on the tag ID to the server device 20.

[0024] The database group 30 contains various information, for example, it has inventory information 31, sales history information 32, search history information 33, checkout history information 34, and output format information 35. However, the database group 30 does not necessarily have at least one of the inventory information 31, sales history information 32, search history information 33, checkout history information 34, and output format information 35.

[0025] The inventory information 31 is information regarding the inventory of products. For example, as shown in FIG. 4A, regarding the SKU product ID, for example, inventory quantity information, inventory product ID information, and tag ID information are associated. The inventory quantity information is information regarding the current inventory quantity of the product indicated by the SKU product ID in the storeroom. The inventory product ID information is information regarding the product ID of each product stored as cardboard 10 as inventory in the storeroom. The tag ID information is information regarding the wireless tag 40 corresponding to the cardboard 10 in which the product indicated by the SKU product ID is stored. The tag ID information may be associated with each product ID, for example.

[0026] The sales history information 32 is information regarding the sales history of the product indicated by the SKU product ID. For example, as shown in FIG. 4B, a sales history is associated with the SKU product ID. The sales history includes, for example, the quantity, date and time, and sales location of the product sold.

[0027] The search history information 33 is information regarding the search history of the product indicated by the SKU product ID. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, a search history is associated with the SKU product ID. The search history includes, for example, the date and time when the product was searched and the number of searches. The sales history information 32 and the search history information 33 are accessed and appropriately updated from, for example, sales-related systems such as a mail-order sales system or a POS (Point Of Sale) system. Note that the search history information 33 may also include the search history of the products searched in the search range specifying process described later on the operation terminal 60.

[0028] The checkout history information 34 is information regarding the checkout of the product indicated by the SKU product ID from the backroom. For example, as shown in FIG. 5B, a checkout history is associated with the SKU product ID. The checkout history includes, for example, the date and time when the product was checked out, the quantity, etc.

[0029] The output mode information 35 is information regarding the output mode of the status output unit 43 of the wireless tag 40. For example, as shown in FIG. 5C, an output mode corresponding to the inventory status (an example of "information regarding inventory") is set. The inventory status has, for example, multiple levels. Each level is set according to, for example, the tightness of the inventory quantity and the necessity of placing an order. As a judgment criterion for each level, for example, a table in which each numerical range of a plurality of parameters (for example, the current inventory quantity) for specifying the inventory status is associated may be provided. Alternatively, for each level, a range of calculated values obtained by inputting the values of the plurality of parameters into a predetermined formula may be associated.

[0030] Here, as the output mode, when the status output unit 43 is a light emitting unit, for example, a blinking mode (the length of each lighting and extinguishing, the rhythm and speed of lighting and extinguishing, etc.), the color of the light, the intensity of the light, the light emitting direction, the movement of the light emitting direction (circular movement, linear movement, etc.), and combinations thereof can be considered. For example, when the inventory tightness is low, a mode of emitting light with a low light intensity, when the inventory tightness is medium, a mode of setting the light intensity to medium and blinking, when the inventory tightness is high, a mode of increasing the light intensity higher than medium and also increasing the blinking speed higher than medium in order to make the user recognize the high tightness, etc. can be considered.

[0031] The processes executed in the inventory management system 1 will be described. In the following description, the processes in the server device 20 are controlled by the server control unit 22, the processes in the wireless tag 40 are controlled by the tag control unit 44, and the processes in the wireless terminal 50 are controlled by the wireless terminal control unit 55.

[0032] An example of the process performed when the cardboard box 10 in which the product is packed is received in the back room will be described with reference to FIG. 6. For example, when the cardboard box 10 is received, first, the wireless tag 40 before being attached to the cardboard box 10 is associated with the cardboard box 10. For this association, the association process is performed using the wireless terminal 50 (step S100).

[0033] In the association process, product information of the product in the cardboard box 10 is acquired from the cardboard box 10, and a tag ID is acquired from the wireless tag 40 to be attached to the cardboard box 10, and the acquired product information and the tag ID are associated with each other. As described above, the product information includes, for example, product identification information (e.g., product ID). The product information may be read from, for example, a barcode pre-recorded on the cardboard box 10, or may be read from a product tag of each product in the cardboard box 10 from the outside of the cardboard box 10. The tag ID may be read from, for example, a 2D code provided on the back surface of the wireless tag 40, or may be input according to a user's operation. The wireless tag 40 is attached to the surface of the corresponding cardboard box 10 after the association process.

[0034] Note that when the tag ID is input without using the back surface of the wireless tag 40 (for example, when the tag ID is input according to a user's operation), the process of FIG. 6 may be performed with the wireless tag 40 attached to the cardboard box 10.

[0035] After the association process is performed by the wireless terminal 50, the new inventory information is transmitted to the server device 20. The new inventory information includes information in which the product information acquired from the cardboard box 10 and the tag ID are associated with each other. In the server device 20, information update processing is performed on the inventory information 31 based on the received product information (step S101). For example, the SKU is specified from the product identification information of the product information, the inventory quantity information of the inventory information 31 of the corresponding SKU product ID is updated, and the inventory product ID information and the tag ID information are updated so that the SKU product ID, product ID, and tag ID included in the new inventory information are associated with each other.

[0036] Furthermore, the wireless terminal 50 writes the association information into the user memory 41a of the wireless tag 40 (step S102). The association information includes the product information obtained from the cardboard 10 and the tag ID associated with the product information. As a result, the associated product information and its own tag ID are recorded as tag information in the user memory 41a.

[0037] Next, the process of searching for the product set as the search target on the operation terminal 60 in the backroom will be described with reference to FIG. 7. First, in the operation terminal 60, a search range specifying process is performed (step S200). In the search range specifying process, for example, a list of searchable product lists is displayed on the screen, and the user is allowed to select the product to be searched. In addition to the product name, the product list displays, for example, character information indicating each attribute for determining the SKU, a color photo of the product, etc., and allows the user to select each attribute. By this selection operation, the range of the product to be searched (hereinafter referred to as "search target product"), that is, the search range (that is, the SKU) is specified. When the search range is specified, the search range information is transmitted to the server device 20. The search range information includes, for example, information related to the SKU product ID corresponding to the search range and search time information indicating the search date and time.

[0038] In the server device 20, a search product process is performed based on the search range information (step S201). In the search product process, a process for creating an output instruction regarding the search target product included in the search range information is performed. For example, the server control unit 22 refers to the stock quantity information associated with the SKU product ID corresponding to the search target product in the stock information 31, and specifies the stock status (for example, the above level) based on this stock quantity information. Then, the server control unit 22 refers to the output mode information 35 and specifies the output mode corresponding to the specified stock status. As a result, the server control unit 22 functions as an output mode specifying unit 22a.

[0039] In addition, the server control unit 22 specifies, in the inventory information 31, the tag ID associated with the SKU product ID corresponding to the product to be searched for as the tag corresponding to the cardboard box 10 in which the product to be searched for is stored. Thereby, the server control unit 22 functions as a tag specifying unit 22b. When the output mode and the tag ID are specified, the server control unit 22 creates an output instruction so that the output mode of the status output unit 43 of the wireless tag 40 corresponding to the specified tag ID becomes the output mode specified by the server control unit 22, and transmits this to the wireless terminal 50. Thereby, the server control unit 22 functions as an output instruction creation unit 22c.

[0040] Furthermore, in the search product process, the server device 20 updates the search history information 33 based on the search range information. For example, the server device 20 adds the search time information included in the search range information to the search history of the product to be searched for and updates the number of searches.

[0041] Note that when the server control unit 22 specifies the inventory status, in addition to the inventory quantity information in the inventory information 31, for example, regarding the product to be searched for, at least one of the sales history in the sales history information 32, the search history in the search history information 33, and the checkout history in the checkout history information 34 may be referred to, and the inventory status may be specified in consideration of these histories. For example, based on these histories, when it is determined that the product to be searched for is a popular product (for example, when the number of sales, the number of searches, and the number of checkouts are increasing), the level (inventory shortage level) corresponding to the inventory quantity within a predetermined range may be specified to be higher than in the normal case. Or, for example, when there is a sales trend such that the number of sales changes according to the season, the inventory status (inventory shortage level) may be specified in consideration of the current season's sales trend.

[0042] In the wireless terminal 50, a search execution process is performed based on an output instruction (step S202). In the search execution process, the wireless terminal control unit 55 transmits a radio wave for identifying the wireless tag 40 corresponding to the tag ID indicated by the output instruction (that is, the tag ID specified by the server device 20), and transmits an output execution instruction including a command for causing the status output unit 43 to be output in the output mode indicated by the output instruction to the identified wireless tag 40. Thereby, the wireless terminal control unit 55 functions as the specific tag instruction unit 55a. The user can recognize that the search target product is stored in the corresponding cardboard box 10 and the inventory status of the product by the light emission of the status output unit 43. In the case where the inventory of the search target product is not in the back room, for example, the server device 20 may create an output instruction including information indicating that there is no inventory, and the wireless terminal 50 may display that there is no search target product on the display unit 53.

[0043] In the wireless tag 40, a search result process is performed according to the command included in the output execution instruction (step S203). Thereby, the wireless tag 40 outputs (emits light) the status output unit 43 (light emitting unit) so as to be in the output mode specified by the server device 20.

[0044] In the inventory management system 1, when a product is taken out from the back room and the inventory count changes, the inventory information 31 is appropriately updated. The process of updating the inventory information 31 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. Note that the processing of the server device 20 in FIGS. 8 and 9 may be performed by the incoming / outgoing detection unit of the server control unit 22.

[0045] An example of the process when taking out a product (for example, product A) from the cardboard box 10 in the back room will be described with reference to FIG. 8. First, the wireless terminal 50 performs a process of acquiring information on the product to be taken out (step S300). In the process of acquiring information on the product to be taken out, for example, the user reads the product ID from the product tag of the product A to be taken out using the wireless terminal 50. The wireless terminal 50 specifies the date and time when the product ID was read as the take-out time information, and transmits take-out information including the read product ID, the take-out quantity, and the take-out time information to the server device 20. The take-out quantity may be acquired by the wireless terminal 50 in response to an input operation by the user, for example.

[0046] When the server device 20 acquires the take-out information, it determines that the product A has been taken out from the back room, and performs an information update process based on the take-out information (step S301). In the information update process of step S301, the server device 20 updates, for example, the inventory information 31 and the take-out history information 34. Regarding the inventory information 31, the server device 20 updates the inventory quantity information based on, for example, the take-out quantity indicated by the take-out information, and may associate information indicating that it has been taken out with the product ID (i.e., the inventory product ID) indicated by the take-out information, or delete the product ID. Regarding the take-out history information 34, the server device 20 adds, for example, the take-out quantity and the take-out time information included in the take-out information to the take-out history of the SKU product ID corresponding to the product ID indicated by the take-out information.

[0047] On the other hand, the wireless tag 40 performs a tag information update process (step S302). In the tag information update process, for example, when the user performs an operation of writing the product ID of the taken-out product into the user memory 41a of the wireless tag 40, the tag information held by the user memory 41a is updated. For example, information indicating that it has been taken out may be associated with the product ID of the taken-out product, or the product ID may be deleted.

[0048] Next, an example of the process when the cardboard box 10 is taken out of the back room and passes through the gate 80 will be described with reference to FIG. 9. First, when the gate sensor 90 detects the wireless tag 40 (for example, the tag ID), a tag detection process is performed (step S400). In the tag detection process, for example, the gate sensor 90 identifies the date and time when the wireless tag 40 is detected as the take-out time information, and transmits gate take-out information (an example of "shipping time information") including the detected tag ID and the take-out time information to the server device 20. The server device 20 that has received the gate take-out information determines that the cardboard box 10 (i.e., the product) has been taken out of the back room, and performs an information update process based on the gate take-out information (step S401). In the information update process of step S401, from the inventory information 31, the SKU product ID and the inventory product ID of the product in the cardboard box 10 taken out based on the tag ID included in the gate take-out information are identified. The process for updating the inventory information 31 and the take-out history information 34 after the identification of the SKU product ID, etc. may be the same as the information update process executed in step S301.

[0049] In the information update processes of step S301 (FIG. 8) and step S401 (FIG. 9), the timings at which the inventory information 31 and the take-out history information 34 are updated do not necessarily have to be performed every time a product or the cardboard box 10 is taken out of the back room. For example, at least one of the inventory information 31 and the take-out history information 34 may be updated by aggregating the taken-out products at predetermined intervals, or may be updated when the number of taken-out products reaches a predetermined number. Note that the gate sensor 90 may also be able to detect the cardboard box 10 or the product being stocked in the back room using the tag ID or the product ID. For the determination of whether it is stocking or shipping, a known moving direction determination method may be adopted. For example, the moving direction may be determined based on the time difference in the detection timings of two or more sensors included in the gate sensor 90 and arranged in the direction in which the product or the cardboard box 10 passes through the gate 80.

[0050] In addition to the processing in the above-described embodiment, when a plurality of cardboard boxes 10 are stored distributed in a plurality of back rooms, the inventory management system 1 can be configured to cause the status output unit 43 of the wireless tag 40 to output indicating that the product to be searched for also exists in other back rooms. Hereinafter, the processing different from the above-described embodiment and the additional processing will be described.

[0051] For example, instead of the inventory information 31, as shown in FIG. 10A, the inventory information 31a in which room information (an example of "location information") is added to the inventory information 31 is included in the database group 30. The room information stores information about the room including the identification information (hereinafter "room ID") of the back room in which the product with the corresponding SKU product ID is stored.

[0052] At the time of the association processing in FIG. 6, for example, the room ID of the back room in which the cardboard box 10 to be processed is stored is included in the new inventory information and the association information. The room ID may be directly input by the user to the wireless terminal 50, or the corresponding room ID may be specified based on the information input by the user (for example, the room name). In the information update process of step S101, the inventory information 31a is updated based on the new inventory information. In the information update process, the same processing as in the above-described embodiment is performed except that the room ID is stored as the room information of the corresponding SKU product ID. Also, in the writing process (step S102), product information, tag ID, and room ID are recorded in the user memory 41a as the association information.

[0053] In the search product process of step S201 in FIG. 7, for example, when a plurality of room IDs are set in the room information of the inventory information 31, the output instruction creation unit 22c of the server device 20, in addition to the output mode specified according to the inventory status, creates an output instruction so that the status output unit 43 outputs in a predetermined output mode (room output mode) indicating that the product to be searched is stored in a plurality of back rooms, and transmits this to the wireless terminal 50. In the search execution process of step S202, the specific tag instruction unit 55a of the wireless terminal 50 instructs the wireless tag 40 corresponding to the tag ID to execute the output so that the output of the status output unit 43 is executed in a predetermined room output mode in addition to the output mode according to the inventory status. As the predetermined room output mode, for example, when the status output unit 43 outputs light as in this embodiment, it is conceivable that the light emission makes a predetermined movement.

[0054] Furthermore, when there are two or more back rooms, colors may be determined for each room, and the status output unit 43 may be configured to emit light in the color corresponding to the other back rooms where the product to be searched exists. In this case, for example, the following processing is conceivable. In the database group 30, information regarding the output mode of the status output unit 43 corresponding to each room ID is stored. For example, as shown in FIG. 10B, the database group 30 further includes multiple room output mode information 36 in which multiple room-specific output modes are associated with the room ID. In the multiple room output mode, different output modes are set for each back room (i.e., room ID) so that each back room can be identified by the output of the status output unit 43. For example, when the output is light, it is conceivable to set different colors for each room.

[0055] In the search product process of step S201 in FIG. 7, for example, the server device 20 identifies a plurality of colors (multiple room output modes) corresponding to the room IDs of the room information in the referenced inventory information 31a by referring to the multiple room output mode information 36. The output instruction creation unit 22c creates an output instruction so that the status output unit 43 outputs in the identified multiple colors in addition to the output mode identified according to the inventory status, and transmits this to the wireless terminal 50. In the search execution process of step S202, the wireless terminal 50, for example, transmits an output instruction to the wireless tag 40 so that the wireless tag 40 emits light in the multiple colors indicated by the output instruction in addition to the output mode identified according to the inventory status. As a mode of emitting multiple colors, for example, it may be configured to switch between multiple colors in a short time, or when there are multiple light emitting elements, it may be configured to share the colors emitted by the multiple light emitting elements. Note that the "room output mode" and the "multiple room output mode" are examples of the "output mode corresponding to location information". Also, the room output mode and the multiple room output mode may be, for example, by character output or voice output. It may be output from an output unit different from the output of the status output unit 43 of the wireless tag 40 (for example, a voice output unit or a character output unit). Furthermore, an output unit that outputs in an output mode corresponding to the room information may be provided in the wireless terminal 50.

[0056] In this embodiment, the situation output unit 43 is a light emitting unit that outputs light. However, instead of or in addition to the light emitting unit, it may function as a sound generating unit. In this case, according to the inventory situation, instead of or in addition to light emission, melodies, sound effects, voices, etc. may be output in a predetermined manner. Also, the product identification information recorded on the cardboard 10 or the tag information may be the SKU product ID. The system according to this embodiment is constructed such that a user alerted in an output mode according to the inventory situation places an order for a product that is lacking or likely to be lacking. However, at least a part of the processing related to the order may be constructed to be executed on the server device 20 side. That is, it may be constructed such that the user can perform a confirmation operation from the output of the situation output unit 43 to confirm that at least a part of the processing related to the order is being performed at an appropriate timing on the server device 20 side. Furthermore, depending on the processing ability of the wireless terminal 50, at least a part of the above-described processing by the server device 20 may be configured to be performed by the wireless terminal 50.

[0057] <Supplementary Note> Some or all of the embodiments described above may be described as follows in the supplementary note, but are not limited thereto.

[0058] (Supplementary Note 1) The inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 1 includes a wireless terminal having a short-range wireless communication function, a short-range wireless communication function, a wireless tag including an inventory information output unit that outputs information regarding the inventory of products in a packing box, and a database that stores inventory information regarding the inventory of the products. The inventory information output unit of the wireless tag outputs an output mode corresponding to the inventory information regarding the product specified by the wireless terminal. It is characterized by being an inventory management system.

[0059] According to the inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 1, the inventory information output unit provided in the wireless tag outputs information regarding inventory in an output mode corresponding to the inventory information of the product in the packing box for the product specified by the wireless terminal. For example, when the wireless terminal is used in the back room, information regarding the inventory of the target product can be made recognizable to the user according to the output mode of the inventory information output unit. Thereby, for example, the necessity of ordering a product can be easily determined by the user in the back room. In this way, it becomes possible to facilitate the inventory management work in the back room by using the wireless terminal and the wireless tag capable of communicating by short-range wireless communication.

[0060] The output performed by the inventory information output unit may be an output that can be sensed using the user's vision or hearing. For example, light, melody, sound effect, voice, etc. are conceivable. "Short-range wireless communication" may be any type of communication method that transmits and receives information by loading the information on radio waves or a magnetic field over a relatively short communication distance (for example, within several tens of meters). Note that the specification of the output mode corresponding to the inventory information may be performed by any configuration within the inventory management system. For example, it may be performed by the wireless terminal or by the server device.

[0061] (Supplementary Note 2) The inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 2 is the inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 1, wherein the database includes withdrawal history information regarding the history of the product being taken out of the back room, sales history information regarding the history of the product being sold, and search history information regarding the history of the product being searched, and the inventory information output unit outputs, in addition to the inventory information, an output mode corresponding to at least one of the withdrawal history information, the sales history information, and the search history information of the product.

[0062] According to the inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 2, an output mode that takes into account not only the inventory information of products but also sales history information, search history information, and / or carry-out history information is output. Therefore, additional information such as the popularity and sales trends of products can be grasped from these history information, and inventory management considering these additional information becomes possible.

[0063] (Supplementary Note 3) The inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 3 further includes a server device capable of data communication with the wireless terminal. The server device includes an output mode specifying unit that specifies the output mode based on the inventory information of the product. The inventory information output unit of the wireless tag outputs information regarding the inventory in the output mode specified by the output mode specifying unit, which is the inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 1 or 2.

[0064] According to the inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 3, it is possible for the server device to identify the output mode of the inventory information output unit based on the inventory information in the database. As a result, even a wireless terminal with controlled processing power can be applied to the inventory management system according to the present invention. "Data communication" may be a communication method commonly used in a client-server system, such as communication via a closed LAN or communication via a wide area network such as the Internet, or a Peer to Peer method. Also, it doesn't matter whether it is wireless or wired. In the case of an inventory management system including a wireless terminal, a wireless tag, and a server device, for example, it can be configured as follows. A wireless terminal having a short-range wireless communication function, a wireless tag having a short-range wireless communication function and provided with a status output unit that is associated with each of a plurality of packing boxes in the backroom and outputs the inventory status of the goods in each said packing box in an output mode perceptible to the user according to an instruction to execute the output from the wireless terminal, a server device capable of data communication with the wireless terminal, and a database storing inventory information regarding the inventory status of each item in each said packing box corresponding to each said wireless tag. The server device includes an output mode specifying unit that specifies the inventory status of one item based on the inventory information and specifies the output mode of the status output unit provided in the wireless tag corresponding to the one item according to the specified inventory status of the one item, a tag specifying unit that specifies the wireless tag corresponding to the item, and an output instruction creating unit that creates an output instruction to the wireless terminal so that the status output unit in the specified wireless tag outputs the inventory status in the specified output mode. The wireless terminal includes a specific tag instruction unit that instructs the execution of the output so that the status output unit outputs the inventory status in the specified output mode to the specified wireless tag indicated by the output instruction. This makes it possible to apply the present invention to any wireless terminal having a function of transmitting a command code for controlling the operation of the wireless tag.

[0065] (Supplementary Note 4) The inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 4 is such that the wireless terminal can read the code recorded on the packing box, the wireless tag holds tag identification information for identifying the wireless tag itself, the wireless terminal acquires information regarding the product in the packing box from the code and transmits it to the server device, and also acquires the tag identification information from the wireless tag corresponding to the packing box and transmits it to the server device. The server device updates the inventory information so that the tag identification information and the information regarding the product are associated with each other. This is the inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 2.

[0066] According to the inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 4, a wireless terminal can associate a wireless tag with a product in a packing box, and it becomes possible to update the inventory information based on this association. For example, when a packing box newly enters the storeroom, it becomes possible to easily and quickly update the inventory information.

[0067] (Supplementary Note 5) The inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 5 is the inventory management system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein the output mode is an output mode by a light-emitting means constituted by at least one light-emitting element.

[0068] According to the inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 5, information regarding the inventory can be notified to the user by light emission. For example, compared with the case where the output of the inventory information output unit is an auditory output, it is suitable for an environment where quietness is required. Also, even when a plurality of different products are searched at once, the possibility that the outputs interfere with each other is reduced.

[0069] (Supplementary Note 6) The inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 6 is the inventory management system according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, wherein the inventory information includes location information where the packing box corresponding to the product is stored, and for the product specified by the wireless terminal, the wireless tag or the wireless terminal is caused to output in an output mode corresponding to the location information.

[0070] According to the inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 6, for example, it is possible to easily and quickly notify the user that packing boxes in which products are packed exist in a plurality of back rooms. The output based on the location information may be, for example, character output, sound effect output, or voice output. Further, in the case of a wireless tag, the output based on the location information may be output from the inventory information output unit.

[0071] (Supplementary Note 7) The inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 7 is the above inventory management system, wherein the inventory information includes inventory quantity information regarding the inventory quantity of the product, and the inventory information output unit may output the output mode corresponding to the inventory information of the product based on the inventory quantity information.

[0072] According to the inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 7, it is possible to specify the inventory status of a product based on the current inventory quantity.

[0073] (Supplementary Note 8) The inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 8 is the above inventory management system, which has an in-out detection unit that determines whether the product in the packing box is being taken in or out of the back room. The in-out detection unit acquires outgoing time information regarding the time when the detected product is shipped out, and further, may update the inventory information and the outgoing history information using the outgoing time information.

[0074] According to the inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 8, a product shipped out from the back room can be detected by the in-out detection unit, and the inventory information and the outgoing history information can be updated.

[0075] (Supplementary Note 9) The inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 9 is the above inventory management system, which further includes another wireless terminal that designates any product, and may update the search history information in the database regarding the designated product.

[0076] According to the inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 9, a user can specify a product. For example, by specifying a product that the user wants to search for in the backroom, the user can not only perceive the product but also information regarding the inventory of that product. In particular, since this specifying operation is performed using a wireless terminal, the user does not need to be in the backroom and can specify a desired product from anywhere.

[0077] (Supplementary Note 10) In the inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 10, in the above inventory management system, the product may be identified in at least one or more units of product type, color, pattern, and size.

[0078] According to the inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 10, the products in the packing box can be managed in at least one or more units (so-called SKU units) of product type, color, pattern, and size.

[0079] (Supplementary Note 11) In the inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 11, in the above inventory management system, the wireless tag may be detachably attached to the surface of the corresponding packing box.

[0080] According to the inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 11, it is possible to easily make the user recognize the correspondence relationship between the packing box associated with the wireless tag, and since the wireless tag is detachable from the packing box, it can be reused even after the packing box has been disposed of.

[0081] (Supplementary Note 12) In the inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 12, in the above inventory management system, the short-range wireless communication may be communication using RFID technology.

[0082] According to the inventory management system described in Supplementary Note 12, the wireless terminal can perform wireless communication even when there is a certain distance (for example, several meters when using UHF waves) from the wireless tag. Also, it is possible to batch-read information from multiple wireless tags, making it possible to streamline inventory management.

[0083] (Appendix 13) The inventory management method described in Appendix 13 is an inventory management method in an inventory monitoring system including a wireless terminal having a short-range wireless communication function, a wireless tag having a short-range wireless communication function, and a database storing inventory information regarding the inventory of products in a packing box. The wireless tag is provided with an inventory information output unit that outputs information regarding the inventory of the product, and the inventory information output unit of the wireless tag is caused to output an output mode corresponding to the inventory information with respect to the product specified by the wireless terminal. This is the gist of the inventory management method.

[0084] According to the inventory management method described in Appendix 13, the inventory management system described in Appendix 1 can be realized.

[0085] (Appendix 14) The computer program described in Appendix 14 is a computer program included in an inventory management system including a wireless terminal having a short-range wireless communication function, a short-range wireless communication function, a wireless tag provided with an inventory information output unit that outputs information regarding the inventory of products in a packing box, and a database storing inventory information regarding the inventory of the product. The computer is configured to cause the inventory information output unit of the wireless tag to output an output mode corresponding to the inventory information with respect to the product specified by the wireless terminal.

[0086] According to the computer program described in Appendix 14, the inventory management system described in Appendix 1 can be realized.

[0087] (Appendix 15) The recording medium described in Appendix 15 is a recording medium on which the computer program described in Appendix 14 is recorded.

[0088] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be appropriately modified without departing from the gist or spirit of the invention that can be read from the claims and the entire specification. An inventory management system, an inventory management method, and a recording medium accompanied by such modifications are also included in the technical idea of the present invention.

[0089] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2020-159484 filed on September 24, 2020, and incorporates all of the disclosure thereof herein.

Claims

1. A wireless terminal having a short-range wireless communication function, A wireless tag having a short-range wireless communication function, attached to the surface of a packing box in which a product is packed as inventory, and including an inventory information output unit that outputs information regarding the inventory, A database that stores inventory information regarding the product, in which inventory quantity information regarding the quantity of the product in the packing box is associated with tag ID information for identifying the wireless tag attached to the packing box, An output instruction creation unit that creates an output instruction for causing the inventory information output unit of the wireless tag specified by the tag ID information associated with the product to output an output mode corresponding to the inventory status based on the inventory quantity information, The wireless terminal, based on the output instruction, identifies the wireless tag indicated by the output instruction, and transmits an output execution instruction for causing the inventory information output unit of the wireless tag to output the output mode, The inventory information output unit of the wireless tag outputs the output mode according to the output execution instruction. A stock management system characterized by the above.

2. The database includes withdrawal history information regarding the history of the product being taken out of the backroom, sales history information regarding the history of the product being sold, and search history information regarding the history of the product being searched, The output instruction creation unit creates the output instruction for causing the inventory information output unit to output the output mode corresponding to the inventory status specified by at least one of the withdrawal history information, the sales history information, and the search history information of the product in addition to the inventory quantity information. The inventory management system according to Claim 1.

3. Further includes a server device that is accessible to the database and capable of data communication with the wireless terminal, The server device includes the output instruction creation unit and transmits the output instruction to the wireless terminal. The inventory management system according to Claim 1 or 2.

4. The wireless terminal is capable of reading the code recorded on the packing box, The wireless tag holds tag ID information for identifying the wireless tag itself, The wireless terminal acquires information regarding the product in the packing box from the code, transmits it to the server device, and acquires the tag ID information from the wireless tag corresponding to the packing box and transmits it to the server device, The server device updates the inventory information so that the tag ID information and the information regarding the product are associated with each other. The inventory management system according to claim 3.

5. The output mode is an output mode by a light emitting means composed of at least one light emitting element. The inventory management system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The inventory information includes location information indicating that the packing box corresponding to the product is stored in a plurality of rooms, The output instruction creation unit creates the output instruction so that the inventory information output unit of the wireless tag outputs in an output mode corresponding to the location information in addition to the output mode corresponding to the inventory status. The inventory management system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A wireless terminal having a short-range wireless communication function, A wireless tag having a short-range wireless communication function and attached to the surface of a packing box in which a product as inventory is packed, and including an inventory information output unit for outputting information regarding the inventory, A database that stores inventory information regarding the product, in which inventory quantity information regarding the inventory quantity of the product in the packing box and tag ID information for identifying the wireless tag attached to the packing box are associated with each other, In an inventory management method in an inventory monitoring system including: An output instruction for causing the inventory information output unit of the wireless tag specified by the tag ID information associated with the product to output an output mode corresponding to the inventory status based on the inventory quantity information is created, The wireless terminal identifies the wireless tag indicated by the output instruction based on the output instruction, and transmits an output execution instruction for causing the inventory information output unit of the wireless tag to output the output mode. The inventory information output unit of the wireless tag outputs the output mode according to the output execution instruction. A method for inventory management is characterized by this.

8. A wireless terminal having a short-range wireless communication function, A wireless tag having a short-range wireless communication function, attached to the surface of a packing box in which a product as inventory is packed, and including an inventory information output unit for outputting information related to the inventory. A computer included in an inventory management system, comprising a database for storing inventory information related to the product, in which inventory quantity information related to the quantity of the product in the packing box and tag ID information for identifying the wireless tag attached to the packing box are associated. Create an output instruction for causing the inventory information output unit of the wireless tag specified by the tag ID information associated with the product to output an output mode corresponding to the inventory status based on the inventory quantity information. A computer program configured such that the computer of the wireless terminal identifies the wireless tag indicated by the output instruction based on the output instruction and transmits an output execution instruction for causing the inventory information output unit of the wireless tag to output the output mode.

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