Information processing apparatus, and position management system

Abstract

To provide an information processing device and a position management system capable of, if a commodity placing table is moved, easily correcting managed position data of the commodity placing table.SOLUTION: An information processing device includes: an acquiring unit configured to acquire identification information for identifying a commodity placing table moved from a setting position; an updating unit configured to update a position information storing section that stores the identification information and position information indicating the setting position of the commodity placing table in association with each other; and an output unit configured to, if the acquiring unit acquires the identification information, output alert information concerning the update of the position information storing section.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing apparatus and a position management system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a store that sells products, for the purpose of services such as displaying and guiding the display position of products to customers, the position of a product stand (for example, a product display shelf) on which the product is placed has been managed. Since the position of the product stand may be changed during a store campaign or event, etc., it has become necessary to manage the position of the product stand. In addition, by managing the position of the product stand, there is also an advantage that shelf allocation for determining which product to arrange on which product stand can be efficiently performed.

[0003] Among the product stands used in stores, there are also product display shelves with casters and wagons with casters. Since these product stands can be easily moved, they may be moved by store employees or customers in a situation where the administrator who manages the position of the product stand does not notice. In this case, the position data of the product stand managed by the administrator does not match the actual position of the product stand.

[0004] As a result, there has been a problem that it hinders the operation of the store, such as the guidance of the display position of the product to the customer becoming inappropriate. For this reason, when the product stand is moved, it is desired to be able to easily correct the position data of the product stand to be managed.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a position management system capable of easily correcting the position data of a product stand to be managed when the product stand is moved.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The information processing apparatus according to the embodiment includes an acquisition unit that acquires identification information for identifying a product stand that has moved from an installation position, an update unit that updates a position information storage unit that stores the identification information in association with position information indicating the installation position of the product stand, and an output unit that outputs alert information regarding the update of the position information storage unit when the acquisition unit acquires the identification information.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0007]

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an information processing apparatus and a position management system according to an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. Note that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. For example, in the embodiments described below, an example in which a product placement stand is a product display shelf arranged in a store sales floor is described, but the product placement stand may be a shelf used in a warehouse or the like for storing products. That is, the position management system of the embodiment can be applied not only to the store sales floor but also to a warehouse or the like. Further, the position management system can be applied across a plurality of stores. For example, it is also possible to manage the positions of product placement stands in each store at the headquarters of a company operating a plurality of stores.

[0009] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, an information processing apparatus and a position management system according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the position management system. The position management system 1 of the present embodiment is applied, for example, to a supermarket sales floor where a plurality of product display shelves are arranged.

[0010] The position management system 1 includes a plurality of detection devices 2, a server device 3, and a plurality of operator terminals 4. These detection devices 2, server device 3, and operator terminals 4 are communicably connected to each other via a network N such as a wireless LAN (Local Area Network).

[0011] The detection device 2 is provided in each of a plurality of product display shelves S arranged in the sales floor. The detection device 2 uses a vibration sensor 22 (see FIG. 2) to detect that the product display shelf S has moved. Then, the detection device 2 transmits information indicating that the product display shelf S has moved (hereinafter also referred to as "detection information") and the shelf number of the product display shelf S to the server device 3. The shelf number is an example of identification information for identifying the product display shelf S, that is, the product placement table. The detection device 2 has the advantage that it can detect the movement of the product display shelf S with an inexpensive configuration by using the vibration sensor 22.

[0012] The product display shelf S is for placing products to be sold and is an example of a product placement table. The product display shelves S arranged in the sales floor include those that can be easily moved, such as product display shelves S with casters or wagons with casters. The product display shelf S in this specification is a concept including product display shelves S with casters, wagons with casters, and baskets that can be taken in and out of the product display shelf S.

[0013] The server device 3 is composed of, for example, an administrator's PC (Personal Computer) arranged in the store's backyard. The server device 3 is operated by an administrator who manages the position of the product display shelf S. When the server device 3 receives detection information from the detection device 2, it displays alert information on the display unit of the device itself. As a result, the administrator can recognize that the product display shelf S has moved and, for example, have a store employee located in the sales floor confirm the position of the moved product display shelf S.

[0014] In addition, the server device 3 manages the position data of the product display shelf S. For example, when the server device 3 acquires destination position information indicating the destination position of the moved product display shelf S from the operator terminal 4, it updates the position data of the product display shelf S based on the destination position information. The server device 3 is an example of an information processing device.

[0015] The responsible person terminal 4 is a mobile terminal each held by a store clerk located in the sales floor. For example, the responsible person terminal 4 has an application program installed that can obtain position information indicating the position where the product display shelf S is arranged by imaging an image of the product display shelf S including the background image of the sales floor. Thereby, the responsible person terminal 4 can obtain the moving destination position information of the moved product display shelf S by imaging it and transmit it to the server device 3. Note that the moving destination position information may be transmitted from the responsible person terminal 4 to the server device 3 by the responsible person inputting the position information recognized by the responsible person into the responsible person terminal 4. The responsible person terminal 4 is an example of a terminal device.

[0016] Next, the detection device 2 will be described in detail. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main hardware configuration of the detection device 2. The detection device 2 includes a control unit 20, a memory unit 21, a vibration sensor 22, and a communication unit 23. The control unit 20, the memory unit 21, the vibration sensor 22, and the communication unit 23 are connected to each other via a bus 24 or the like.

[0017] The control unit 20 has a computer configuration including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203. The CPU 201, the ROM 202, and the RAM 203 are connected to each other via the bus 24.

[0018] The CPU 201 controls the operation of the entire detection device 2. The ROM 202 stores various programs such as programs used for driving the CPU 201 and various data. The RAM 203 is used as a work area for the CPU 201 and expands various programs and various data stored in the ROM 202 and the memory unit 21. The control unit 20 executes various control processes of the detection device 2 by operating according to the control program stored in the ROM 202 and the memory unit 21 and expanded in the RAM 203.

[0019] The memory unit 21 is composed of a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory, and maintains the stored content even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 21 stores a control program 211, a threshold information unit 212, and a shelf number unit 213.

[0020] The control program 211 is a program that realizes functions such as detecting that the merchandise display shelf S has moved from its installation position, and transmitting the detection information and the shelf number of the merchandise display shelf S to the server device 3.

[0021] The threshold information unit 212 stores the thresholds used by the detection device 2 to detect the movement of the merchandise display shelf S. Specifically, the threshold information unit 212 stores a threshold A related to the magnitude of vibration and a threshold B related to the time of vibration. When the output from the vibration sensor 22 is equal to or greater than the threshold A, the detection device 2 determines that vibration has occurred in the merchandise display shelf S. Further, when the output from the vibration sensor 22 continues for a time equal to or greater than the threshold B while being equal to or greater than the threshold A, the detection device 2 determines that the merchandise display shelf S has moved.

[0022] The shelf number unit 213 stores the shelf number of the merchandise display shelf S where the detection device 2 is provided. The shelf number stored in the shelf number unit 213 is set when the detection device 2 is attached to the merchandise display shelf S.

[0023] The vibration sensor 22 is a generally well-known sensor that can detect the vibration of an object. The vibration sensor 22 changes its output value according to the vibration generated in the merchandise display shelf S.

[0024] The communication unit 23 is an interface for communicating with external devices such as the server device 3 and the person-in-charge terminal 4. By being connected to an external device via the communication unit 23, the control unit 20 can transmit and receive information (data) to and from the external device.

[0025] Next, the main functional configuration of the control unit 20 of the detection device 2 will be described. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit 20 of the detection device 2. The control unit 20 functions as an input unit 2001, a detection unit 2002, and a transmission unit 2003 by operating according to a control program stored in the ROM 202 and the memory unit 21 by the CPU 201. Note that each of these functions may be configured by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

[0026] An output value output from the vibration sensor 22 is input to the input unit 2001. The output value of the vibration sensor 22 input to the input unit 2001 changes according to the vibration detected by the vibration sensor 22.

[0027] The detection unit 2002 detects that the product display stand has moved from the installation position. Specifically, the detection unit 2002 detects that the product display shelf S has moved from the installation position based on the output value of the vibration sensor 22 input to the input unit 2001. More specifically, the detection unit 2002 determines that the product display shelf S has moved from the installation position when the output value from the vibration sensor 22 is equal to or greater than the threshold value A stored in the threshold value information unit 212 and continues for a time equal to or greater than the threshold value B stored in the threshold value information unit 212.

[0028] The transmission unit 2003 transmits the shelf number for identifying the product display shelf S whose movement has been detected by the detection unit 2002 to the server device 3. Specifically, when the detection unit 2002 detects the movement of the product display shelf S, the transmission unit 2003 transmits the shelf number stored in the shelf number unit 213 to the server device 3 together with the detection information.

[0029] With the above configuration and functions, the detection device 2 can detect that the product display shelf S to which the device itself is attached has been moved, and transmit the detection information and the shelf number to the server device 3.

[0030] Next, the server device 3 will be described in detail. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main hardware configuration of the server device 3. The server device 3 includes a control unit 30, a memory unit 31, a display unit 32, an operation unit 33, and a communication unit 34. The control unit 30, the memory unit 31, the display unit 32, the operation unit 33, and the communication unit 34 are connected to each other via a bus 35 or the like.

[0031] The control unit 30 has a computer configuration including a CPU 301, a ROM 302, and a RAM 303. The CPU 301, the ROM 302, and the RAM 303 are connected to each other via the bus 35.

[0032] The CPU 301 controls the operation of the entire server device 3. The ROM 302 stores various programs such as programs used for driving the CPU 301 and various data. The RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301 and expands various programs and various data stored in the ROM 302 and the memory unit 31. The control unit 30 operates according to the control program stored in the ROM 302 and the memory unit 31 and expanded in the RAM 303, thereby executing various control processes of the server device 3.

[0033] The memory unit 31 is composed of a storage medium such as an HDD or a flash memory, and maintains the stored content even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 31 stores a control program 311, a position information management table 312, and a shelf information management table 313.

[0034] The control program 311 is a program that realizes functions such as acquiring the shelf number of the moved product display shelf S from the detection device 2, updating the position information management table 312 in which the shelf number is associated with the position information of the product display shelf S, and outputting alert information to cause the display unit 32 to display the alert information.

[0035] The location information management table 312 is a table that manages the locations of the product display shelves S arranged in the sales floor. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the data configuration of the location information management table 312. Each data registered in the location information management table 312 has the shelf number, location information, and information indicating the person in charge associated with each other. The location information management table 312 is an example of the location information storage unit. Note that the location information management table 312 may be stored in an external memory instead of the memory unit 31 of the server device 3.

[0036] In the item of the shelf number, the shelf number that identifies the product display shelf S is registered.

[0037] In the item of the location information, the location information indicating the location where the product display shelf S is installed is registered. In the present embodiment, data indicating the three-dimensional coordinates in the sales floor is registered. The coordinate X indicates the position in the width direction of the sales floor, the coordinate Y indicates the position in the depth direction of the sales floor, and the coordinate Z indicates the position in the height direction of the sales floor.

[0038] In the present embodiment, considering that multiple product display shelves S that overlap in the height direction are provided using hanging shelves or the like, the location information is three-dimensional data, but it may also be two-dimensional data. Further, data obtained by previously dividing the sales floor, such as the installation position X and the installation position Y, may be stored as the location information. The division of the sales floor in this case may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional.

[0039] In the item of the person in charge, information indicating the person in charge of the product display shelf S is registered. The information indicating the person in charge is, for example, the employee code of the person in charge or the name of the person in charge.

[0040] Note that when the location management system 1 is applied across a plurality of stores, information indicating the store is also registered in the location information management table 312. The information indicating the store is, for example, the store code or the store name that identifies the store.

[0041] The shelf information management table 313 is a table for managing the products displayed on the product display shelf S. The information stored in the shelf information management table 313 is utilized, for example, when providing a service to guide customers to the location of products, or when determining the shelf allocation for deciding which products to place on which product display shelf S. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the data configuration of the shelf information management table 313. Each data registered in the shelf information management table 313 has a shelf number and each piece of information indicating a product associated therewith.

[0042] In the item of the shelf number, the shelf number identifying the product display shelf S is registered. In the item of the product, product identification information for identifying the product is registered. The product identification information is, for example, a product code, a product name, or the like.

[0043] Returning to FIG. 4, the hardware of the server device 3 will be described. The display unit 32 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel and displays various information. For example, the display unit 32 displays alert information. Further, the display unit 32 displays an input screen or the like for inputting data into the position information management table 312 and the shelf information management table 313.

[0044] The operation unit 33 is for inputting information to the control unit 30 and is composed of, for example, a keyboard, a touch panel provided on the surface of the display unit 32, and the like. The operation unit 33 inputs various information to the control unit 30. For example, the operation unit 33 inputs the data registered in the position information management table 312 and the shelf information management table 313 to the control unit 30.

[0045] The communication unit 34 is an interface for communicating with external devices such as the detection device 2 and the operator terminal 4. The control unit 30 can transmit and receive information (data) to and from the external device by being connected to the external device via the communication unit 34.

[0046] Next, the main functional configuration of the control unit 30 of the server device 3 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit 30 of the server device 3. The control unit 30 functions as an acquisition unit 3001, an extraction unit 3002, an output unit 3003, a destination position information acquisition unit 3004, and an update unit 3005 by operating according to a control program stored in the ROM 302 and the memory unit 31 by the CPU 301. Note that each of these functions may be configured by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

[0047] The acquisition unit 3001 acquires identification information for identifying a product placement table that has moved from the installation position. Specifically, the acquisition unit 3001 acquires detection information indicating that the product display shelf S has moved and the shelf number of the product display shelf S from the detection device 2.

[0048] The extraction unit 3002 extracts information to be included in the alert information from the position information management table 312 and the shelf information management table 313. Specifically, the extraction unit 3002 extracts arbitrary information corresponding to the shelf number acquired by the acquisition unit 3001 from the position information management table 312 and the shelf information management table 313. In the present embodiment, the extraction unit 3002 extracts information indicating the person in charge (hereinafter also referred to as "person-in-charge information") corresponding to the shelf number acquired by the acquisition unit 3001 from the position information management table 312.

[0049] Note that the information extracted by the extraction unit 3002 can be arbitrarily set by the administrator. For example, when the administrator wants to include the position information of the product display shelf S in the alert information, the extraction unit 3002 may extract the position information corresponding to the shelf number acquired by the acquisition unit 3001 from the position information management table 312. Also, when the administrator wants to include information on the products displayed on the moved product display shelf S in the alert information, the extraction unit 3002 may extract the product information corresponding to the shelf number acquired by the acquisition unit 3001 from the shelf information management table 313.

[0050] When the acquisition unit 3001 acquires the identification information, the output unit 3003 outputs alert information regarding the update of the position information storage unit. Specifically, when the acquisition unit 3001 acquires the detection information and the shelf number from the detection device 2, the output unit 3003 outputs alert information including the shelf number, the person-in-charge information extracted by the extraction unit 3002, and a message prompting the update of the position information management table 312 to the display unit 32.

[0051] Note that the output unit 3003 may output the alert information to the person-in-charge terminal 4. In this case, the person in charge can view the alert information on the person-in-charge terminal 4 that they possess and can immediately check the moved product display shelf S.

[0052] The above shelf number, person-in-charge information, and the message prompting the update of the position information management table 312 are useful information for the administrator to update the position information management table 312 and are an example of alert information regarding the update of the position information storage unit. The alert information regarding the update of the position information storage unit includes any information registered in the position information management table 312 or the shelf information management table 313 and includes at least the moved shelf number.

[0053] The destination position information acquisition unit 3004 acquires destination position information indicating the position to which the product stand has moved. Specifically, the destination position information acquisition unit 3004 acquires the destination position information indicating the position to which the product display shelf S has moved and the shelf number of the product display shelf S from the person-in-charge terminal 4. Note that the destination position information acquisition unit 3004 may acquire the destination position information from another external device that detects the destination position of the product display shelf S. Also, the destination position information acquisition unit 3004 may acquire the destination position information input from the operation unit 33 by the operation of the administrator who has acquired the destination position information.

[0054] The update unit 3005 updates the position information storage unit that stores by associating identification information with position information indicating the installation position of the product stand. Specifically, when the moving destination position information acquisition unit 3004 acquires the moving destination position information and the shelf number of the product display shelf S, the update unit 3005 rewrites the position information corresponding to the shelf number in the position information management table 312 with the moving destination position information. In addition, the update unit 3005 can also rewrite each piece of information registered in the position information management table 312 according to the operation of the administrator.

[0055] Next, the operation of the position management system 1 with the above configuration will be described. FIG. 8 is a sequence chart showing the operation flow of the position management system 1. This sequence chart shows the operation when the detection device 2 detects that the product display shelf S has moved from the installation position.

[0056] When the product display shelf S moves from the installation position in the sales floor, the detection device 2 detects the movement of the product display shelf S (step S1). The detection device 2 transmits the shelf number and the detection information of the moved product display shelf S to the server device 3 (step S2).

[0057] The server device 3 extracts the person-in-charge information corresponding to the received shelf number from the position information management table 312 (step S3). The server device 3 displays the alert information including the extracted person-in-charge information on the display unit 32 (step S4).

[0058] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing the alert display screen displayed on the display unit 32 in the process of step S4. In the display area 321 of the display unit 32, an alert list screen notified by the position management system 1 that the administrator is checking is displayed. On the alert list screen, a confirmation check box display unit 3211, a date and time display unit 3212, an alert content display unit 3213, etc. are displayed. Examples of alerts to be notified include that the product display shelf S has been moved and that a system error has occurred.

[0059] When the check box on the alert list screen is checked, the alert information display section 322 is popped up and displayed. The alert information display section 322 displays alert information. The alert information display section 322 includes a message display section 3221, a date and time display section 3222, a shelf number display section 3223, and an in-charge person display section 3224.

[0060] The message display section 3221 displays a message prompting the update of the location information management table 312. The date and time display section 3222 displays the date and time when the detection device 2 detected the movement of the product display shelf S. The shelf number display section 3223 displays the shelf number of the product display shelf S where the detection device 2 detected the movement. The in-charge person display section 3224 displays the name of the in-charge person of the product display shelf S where the detection device 2 detected the movement.

[0061] The alert information displayed on the display section 32 when the detection device 2 detects the movement of the product display shelf S includes not only the shelf number of the moved product display shelf S but also the information of the in-charge person extracted from the location information management table 312. As a result, the administrator who views the alert information can grasp not only the shelf number of the moved product display shelf S but also the in-charge person to be contacted. Therefore, the convenience of the administrator can be improved. Note that a button for closing the alert information display section 322 is also displayed on the alert information display section 322.

[0062] Returning to FIG. 8, the operation of the location management system 1 will be described. When the administrator checks the in-charge person by the alert information display section 322, a confirmation instruction input is made by the administrator to the server device 3 (step S5). The server device 3 transmits the shelf number and the confirmation instruction received from the detection device 2 to the in-charge person's terminal 4 included in the input confirmation instruction (step S6).

[0063] The person in charge goes to the product display shelf S with the shelf number received by the person-in-charge terminal 4 they possess, and takes an image of the product display shelf S including the background image of the sales floor. The position information of the imaged product display shelf S, that is, the destination position information, is input into the person-in-charge terminal 4 by the application program installed in the person-in-charge terminal 4 (step S7). The person-in-charge terminal 4 transmits the shelf number and the destination position information to the server device 3 (step S8).

[0064] Based on the received shelf number and destination position information, the server device 3 updates the position information management table 312 (step S9). More specifically, the server device 3 rewrites the position information corresponding to the received shelf number in the position information management table 312 with the destination position information.

[0065] By the operation of the above position management system 1, the administrator can grasp the movement of the product display shelf S, have the person in charge confirm the product display shelf S, and update the position information management table 312.

[0066] Next, the detection process executed by the detection device 2 will be described. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the detection process by the control unit 20 of the detection device 2.

[0067] The detection unit 2002 determines whether the output value of the vibration sensor 22 input to the input unit 2001 is equal to or greater than the threshold value A stored in the threshold value information unit 212 (step S11). If the output value of the vibration sensor 22 input to the input unit 2001 is not equal to or greater than the threshold value A (N in step S11), the control unit 20 returns to the process of step S11 and waits.

[0068] When the output value of the vibration sensor 22 input to the input unit 2001 is equal to or greater than the threshold value A (Y in step S11), the detection unit 2002 determines that vibration has occurred, and determines whether the vibration has continued for a predetermined time, that is, whether the vibration has continued for a time equal to or greater than the threshold value B stored in the threshold value information unit 212 (step S12). If the predetermined time has not elapsed (N in step S12), the control unit 20 returns to the process of step S11.

[0069] When the vibration detected by the detection unit 2002 continues for a predetermined time (Y in step S12), the transmission unit 2003 transmits the shelf number of the merchandise display shelf S and the detection information to the server device 3. Then, the control unit 20 ends the detection process.

[0070] Through the above detection process, the detection device 2 can detect the movement of the merchandise display shelf S without using an expensive sensor for detecting the position information of the merchandise display shelf S.

[0071] Next, the alert display process executed by the server device 3 will be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the alert display process by the control unit 30 of the server device 3.

[0072] The control unit 30 determines whether the acquisition unit 3001 has acquired the detection information and the shelf number from any of the detection devices 2 (step S21). If not acquired (N in step S21), the process returns to step S21 and waits.

[0073] When the acquisition unit 3001 acquires the detection information and the shelf number (Y in step S21), the extraction unit 3002 extracts the person-in-charge information corresponding to the shelf number acquired by the acquisition unit 3001 from the position information management table 312 (step S22).

[0074] Subsequently, the output unit 3003 outputs alert information including the shelf number acquired by the acquisition unit 3001, the person-in-charge information extracted by the extraction unit 3002, and a message prompting an update of the position information management table 312 to the display unit 32, and the display unit 32 displays the alert information (step S23). Then, the control unit 30 ends the alert display process.

[0075] Through the above alert display process, the server device 3 can notify the administrator that the merchandise display shelf S has moved.

[0076] Next, the update process executed by the server device 3 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the update process by the control unit 30 of the server device 3. The update process is executed following the alert display process.

[0077] The control unit 30 determines whether a confirmation instruction input together with the shelf number has been input from the operation unit 33 (step S31). If not (N in step S31), the process returns to step S31 and waits. The confirmation instruction is an instruction for the administrator to instruct the person in charge to confirm the position of the product display shelf S.

[0078] When a confirmation instruction input is received from the operation unit 33 (Y in step S31), the output unit 3003 transmits the shelf number and the confirmation instruction to the person-in-charge terminal 4 (step S32). Specifically, when a confirmation instruction input is made to the operation unit 33 with the alert information display unit 322 shown in FIG. 12 being displayed, the output unit 3003 reads out the alert information from the RAM 303 that stores the alert information displayed on the display unit 32. Then, the output unit 3003 refers to a person-in-charge information storage unit (not shown) that stores the association between the person in charge and the notification destination (such as the IP address of the person-in-charge terminal 4) of the person in charge, and identifies the notification destination of the person in charge included in the read alert information. The output unit 3003 transmits the confirmation instruction and the shelf number included in the alert information to the person-in-charge terminal 4 of the person in charge specified.

[0079] Next, the control unit 30 determines whether the shelf number and the destination position information transmitted in step S32 have been acquired from the person-in-charge terminal 4 by the destination position information acquisition unit 3004 (step S33). If not (N in step S33), the process returns to step S33 and waits.

[0080] When the destination position information acquisition unit 3004 acquires the shelf number and the destination position information from the person-in-charge terminal 4 (Y in step S33), the update unit 3005 accesses the memory unit 31 and updates the position information management table 312 (step S34). Then, the control unit 30 ends the update process.

[0081] (Second Embodiment) Next, the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, it is different from the first embodiment in that the detection device 2 can detect the position information of the product display shelf S, and the server device 3 acquires the destination position information from the detection device 2 and automatically updates the position information management table 312. Hereinafter, the description of the same configurations and functions as those in the first embodiment may be omitted. This is to avoid making the following description unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate the understanding of those skilled in the art.

[0082] The detection device 2 includes a positioning unit (not shown). The positioning unit is for specifying the self-position of the product display shelf S in the sales floor, in other words, the detection device 2 attached to the product display shelf S. The positioning unit is composed of, for example, a GPS (Global Positioning System) receiver. Note that the method for specifying the position of the product display shelf S is not limited to GPS positioning. For example, the positioning unit may specify the position of the product display shelf S by receiving a reference signal transmitted from a plurality of beacon transmitters installed in the sales floor.

[0083] The detection device 2 transmits to the server device 3 the position information indicating the position of the product display shelf S measured by the positioning unit and the shelf number of the product display shelf S. When the detection unit 2002 determines that the product display shelf S has moved and is located at the destination, the detection device 2 transmits the position information to the server device 3. This position information indicates the position of the destination of the product display shelf S and is the destination position information. Note that the detection device 2 may periodically output the position information measured by the positioning unit to the server device 3. In this case, the server device 3 specifies the destination of the product display shelf S based on the position information acquired periodically.

[0084] The server device 3 updates the position information management table 312 based on the shelf number and the destination position information received from the detection device 2. More specifically, the server device 3 rewrites the position information corresponding to the received shelf number in the position information management table 312 with the received destination position information.

[0085] The display and update process executed by the server device 3 of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the display and update process by the control unit 30 of the server device 3.

[0086] The control unit 30 determines whether the acquisition unit 3001 has acquired detection information and a shelf number from any of the detection devices 2 (step S41). If not (N in step S41), the process returns to step S41 and waits.

[0087] When the acquisition unit 3001 acquires the detection information and the shelf number (Y in step S41), the control unit 30 determines whether the shelf number and the destination position information acquired in step S41 have been acquired by the destination position information acquisition unit 3004 (step S42).

[0088] If the destination position information acquisition unit 3004 has not acquired the shelf number and the destination position information (N in step S42), the control unit 30 returns to the process of step S42 and waits. When the destination position information acquisition unit 3004 acquires the shelf number and the destination position information (Y in step S42), the update unit 3005 accesses the memory unit 31 and updates the position information management table 312 (step S43).

[0089] Next, the output unit 3003 outputs alert information to the display unit 32, and the display unit 32 displays the alert information (step S44). Then, the control unit 30 ends the display and update process.

[0090] The alert information of this embodiment includes a message indicating that the shelf number and location information management table 312 have been updated. The message indicating that the shelf number and location information management table 312 have been updated is an example of alert information regarding the update of the location information storage unit. In the first embodiment, in order to facilitate obtaining the destination location information from the person-in-charge terminal 4, the person-in-charge information was displayed on the display unit 32 as part of the alert information. However, in this embodiment, it is not necessary to display the person-in-charge information. This is because the server device 3 has already obtained the destination location information from the detection device 2 and does not need to output a confirmation instruction to the person-in-charge terminal 4.

[0091] Through the above display and update processing, when the merchandise display shelf S moves from the installation position indicated by the location information stored in the location information management table 312 to another installation position, the server device 3 can automatically update the location information management table 312. Thereby, the position of the merchandise display shelf S can be easily managed.

[0092] As described above, the information processing apparatus (server device 3) in the first embodiment and the second embodiment includes an acquisition unit 3001 that acquires identification information (shelf number) for identifying a merchandise placement table (merchandise display shelf S) that has moved from an installation position, an update unit 3005 that updates a location information storage unit (location information management table 312) that stores the identification information in association with location information indicating the installation position of the merchandise placement table, and an output unit 3003 that outputs alert information regarding the update of the location information storage unit when the acquisition unit 3001 acquires the identification information.

[0093] Thereby, when the merchandise display shelf S is moved, the administrator can easily recognize the existence of the moved merchandise display shelf S. As a result, the administrator can easily update the location information management table 312.

[0094] Also, the output unit 3003 of the server device 3 in the first embodiment outputs alert information including the shelf number of the merchandise display shelf S that has moved from the installation position and a message prompting the update of the location information management table 312.

[0095] This can prevent the administrator from forgetting to update the location information management table 312. Therefore, when a movement occurs in the product display shelf S, the location information management table 312 that manages the location of the product display shelf S can be surely updated.

[0096] Furthermore, the server device 3 in the first and second embodiments further includes a destination location information acquisition unit 3004 that acquires destination location information indicating the location to which the product display shelf S has moved, and the update unit 3005 updates the location information management table 312 based on the destination location information acquired by the destination location information acquisition unit 3004.

[0097] This enables the administrator to easily perform data input for updating the location information management table 312.

[0098] In each of the above embodiments, the control programs executed by the detection device 2, the server device 3, and the person-in-charge terminal 4 may be configured to be recorded and provided on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM. Further, the control programs executed by the above devices may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network, and furthermore, may be configured to be provided via a network such as the Internet.

[0099] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The above embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and its equivalent scope.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0100] 1 Location management system 2 Detection device 3 Server device (information processing device) 22 Vibration sensor 312 Location information management table (location information storage unit) 3001 Acquisition unit 3003 Output unit 3004 Destination location information acquisition unit 3005 Update unit

Prior art documents

Patent documents

[0101]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. An acquisition unit that acquires identification information for identifying a product stand that has moved from its installation position; An update unit that updates a position information storage unit that stores the identification information in association with position information indicating the installation position of the product stand; An output unit that outputs alert information regarding the update of the position information storage unit when the acquisition unit acquires the identification information; An information processing apparatus comprising the above.

2. The output unit outputs alert information including the identification information of the product stand that has moved from its installation position and a message prompting the update of the position information storage unit. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1.

3. Further comprising a destination position information acquisition unit that acquires destination position information indicating the position to which the product stand has moved, The update unit updates the position information storage unit based on the destination position information acquired by the destination position information acquisition unit. The information processing apparatus according to Claim 1 or Claim 2.

4. A position management system comprising a detection device that detects the movement of a product stand and an information processing apparatus communicably connected to the detection device, The detection device A detection unit that detects that the product stand has moved from its installation position; A transmission unit that transmits identification information for identifying the product stand whose movement has been detected by the detection unit to the information processing apparatus; The information processing apparatus An acquisition unit that acquires the identification information transmitted by the transmission unit; An update unit that updates a position information storage unit that stores the identification information in association with position information indicating the installation position of the product stand; An output unit that outputs alert information regarding the update of the position information storage unit when the acquisition unit acquires the identification information; A position management system comprising the above.

5. Further comprising a terminal device that acquires the alert information output by the output unit. The position management system according to Claim 4.

6. The detection device includes a vibration sensor, The detection unit detects the movement of the product stand based on the magnitude and time of the vibration detected by the vibration sensor. The position management system according to Claim 4 or Claim 5.

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