System, control device, control method, and computer program

Abstract

To provide a technique for reducing the time and effort for changing layout of commodities.SOLUTION: A system (10) includes a display panel (30) and a control apparatus (40). The display panel (30) is placed on a shelf. The control apparatus (40) controls display content of the display panel (30). The control apparatus (40) switches the content to be displayed for a store clerk and for customers on the display panel (30). The display content for customers includes, for example, one or more pieces of price label information. The display content for a store clerk includes, for example, change information indicating a change in layout of commodities on the shelf.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] An electronic shelf label can change the display content by transmitting and receiving data to and from a server.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes an electronic shelf label provided for each type of product displayed on a display shelf. In the technology of Patent Document 1, different shelf label management numbers are assigned to all the electronic shelf labels. Then, the product is identified by the shelf label management number, and the inventory status of the product is displayed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the technology of Patent Document 1, it was time-consuming to change the product display. For example, in Patent Document 1, since electronic shelf labels are provided for each product type, store employees had to move or replace the electronic shelf labels according to the display positions of each product.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a technology for reducing the labor involved in changing the product display.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] The system of the present invention includes a display panel installed on a shelf, and a control device that controls the display content of the display panel. The control device switches between the display content for store employees and the display content for customers and causes the display panel to display the switched content.

[0008] The control device of the present invention is a control device that controls the display content of a display panel installed on a shelf, switches between the display content for store employees and the display content for customers, and causes the display panel to display the switched content.

[0009] The program of the present invention is a computer program for realizing a control device that controls the display content of a display panel installed on a shelf, and causes a computer to function as the control device that switches between the display content for store employees and the display content for customers and causes the display panel to display the switched content.

[0010] The control method of the present invention is a control method for controlling the display content of a display panel installed on a shelf, wherein a computer switches between the display content for store employees and the display content for customers and causes the display panel to display the switched content.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the present invention, the labor required for changing the display of products can be reduced.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012] The above-described object, as well as other objects, features, and advantages, will become more apparent from the following preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings described below.

[0013]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0015] (First Embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a system 10 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the usage environment and display content of a display panel 30 according to the first embodiment. The system 10 according to the present embodiment includes a display panel 30 and a control device 40. The display panel 30 is installed on a shelf 20. The control device 40 controls the display content of the display panel 30. Then, the control device 40 determines the display area 310 of each price tag information on the display panel 30 using the display data of the shelf 20. This will be described in detail below.

[0016] The shelf 20 is installed in a store such as a supermarket or a convenience store. In the store, the product 210 is placed on the shelf 20, and thus the product 210 is displayed to customers. For example, when looking at the shelf 20 from the front, the same product is arranged in the front-to-back direction. However, when looking at the shelf 20 from the front, the same product may be stacked in the up-down direction, or the product 210 may be displayed in other ways. The display panel 30 is a display such as a liquid crystal, an organic EL, or an electronic paper, and at least temporarily displays the price tag information of the product 210. Then, the customer can purchase the product 210 by checking this price tag information.

[0017] The shelf 20 can be part of a display fixture. Examples of display fixtures include wagons and racks. The display fixture may include a plurality of shelves 20. In that case, a display panel 30 may be installed on each of all the shelves 20 of the display fixture, or a display panel 30 may be installed only on some of the shelves 20. Note that the shelf 20 is not limited to being provided on a display fixture. The shelf 20 may be, for example, attached to a wall.

[0018] FIGS. 3 and 4 are diagrams illustrating a display fixture 220 including a plurality of shelves 20. FIG. 3 shows a state of the display fixture 220 as viewed from the front, and FIG. 4 shows a state of the display fixture 220 as viewed from the side. A product can be displayed using such a display fixture 220. In the example of this figure, the display fixture 220 includes a back plate 221 and a plurality of shelves 20. As shown in FIG. 4, the ends of each shelf 20 are connected to the back plate 221. And a display panel 30 is attached to the end of each shelf 20 on the side opposite to the back plate 221 side. The display surface 301 of the display panel 30 faces the side opposite to the back plate 221 side.

[0019] As viewed from the display surface 301 side, the display panel 30 is, for example, rectangular. The length w1 of the long side of the display panel 30 is, for example, 2 times or more, preferably 5 times or more, the length w2 of the short side of the display panel 30. In the example of this figure, the display panel 30 is attached to the shelf 20 such that its long side direction is parallel to the product placement surface 201 of the shelf 20. For one shelf 20, it is preferable to install one display panel 30. By doing so, the display area 310 for each product can be provided more freely over a wide range of the shelf 20. When one display panel 30 is installed for one shelf 20, the length w1 of the long side of the display panel 30 is preferably 0.5 times or more, more preferably 0.8 times or more, the horizontal width w of the shelf 20 as viewed from the front. s As an example, for a shelf 20 with a width of w s = 90 cm, a display panel 30 with w1 of about 90 cm (for example, 85 cm or more and 95 cm or less) is installed. However, a plurality of display panels 30 may be installed on one shelf 20. For example, w sFor a shelf 20 with a width of = 90 cm, two display panels 30 with w1 of approximately 45 cm (for example, 40 cm or more and 50 cm or less) can be arranged side by side, or three display panels 30 with w1 of approximately 30 cm (for example, 25 cm or more and 35 cm or less) can be arranged side by side.

[0020] In this embodiment, by displaying a plurality of display areas 310 on the display surface 301, one display panel 30 functions as a plurality of shelf labels. Therefore, the number of display panels 30 used can be reduced with respect to the number of types of products. As a result, the installation work of the display panel 30 can be facilitated. Also, since the number of display panels 30 is small, the maintenance work of the display panel 30 is also facilitated. The display panel 30 may be driven by a power source other than a battery, such as a commercial power supply. In this case, the trouble of battery replacement can be saved. However, the display panel 30 may be driven by a battery. For example, when the display panel 30 uses electronic paper, a driving time of one month or more can be ensured, and the frequency of battery replacement can be suppressed.

[0021] A plurality of display fixtures 220 are arranged in the store. For each display panel 30, display fixture identification information for identifying the display fixture 220 to which the display panel 30 is attached and shelf identification information for identifying the shelf 20 are associated. For example, the plurality of shelves 20 included in the display fixture 220 can be numbered in order from the top, and the number can be used as the shelf identification information for each shelf 20.

[0022] As described above, the control device 40 determines each display area 310 of the price tag information on the display panel 30 using the display data of the shelf 20. On the display surface 301 of the display panel 30, display areas 310 can be provided for each type of product, that is, for each product code described later.

[0023] Here, as shown in FIG. 2, in the display panel 30, a display area 310 for the product 210 is provided at a position corresponding to the position of the product 210 displayed on the shelf 20 on which the display panel 30 is installed. Then, price tag information is displayed within each display area 310. Also, in the display panel 30, the display area 310 for the product 210 is provided with a width corresponding to the display width of the product 210. In this way, on the display panel 30, the price tag information of the plurality of products 210 displayed on the shelf 20 is displayed at an easy-to-see position and width. Here, the display width of the product 210 and the width of the display area 310 are the widths in the direction parallel to the product placement surface 201 when viewed from the front of the shelf 20. Also, the position of the product 210 and the position of the display area 310 are the positions in the direction parallel to the product placement surface 201 when viewed from the front of the shelf 20.

[0024] In the example of FIG. 2, a frame partitioning the display area 310 of each price tag information is displayed on the display surface 301. By doing so, a customer viewing the display panel 30 can more easily grasp the correspondence between the product 210 displayed on the shelf 20 and the price tag information.

[0025] On the shelf 20, the same product 210 may be displayed in multiple rows. The number of these rows is called the number of faces of the product 210. For example, the width of the display area 310 in the display panel 30 is determined based on the number of faces of the product 210. Specifically, the width of the display area 310 is determined based on the product of the width of the product 210 and the number of faces. In the example of FIG. 2, the display area 310a is the display area 310 for a product with 1 face, and the display area 310b is the display area 310 for the product 210a with 2 faces.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the control device 40 according to the first embodiment. The control device 40 includes an acquisition unit 410, a display data generation unit 450, and a transmission unit 470. The acquisition unit 410 acquires the display data and the product information. The display data generation unit 450 generates the display data for one or more display panels 30 based on the display data and the product information. Then, the transmission unit 470 transmits the display data to each display panel 30. The control device 40 can control the display contents of the plurality of display panels 30. Each functional component will be described in detail below.

[0027] The acquisition unit 410 acquires the display data of the shelf 20 and the product information. The acquisition unit 410 can acquire these data and information from outside the control device 40. However, the acquisition unit 410 may acquire the pre-prepared display data and product information by reading them from a storage means (for example, the storage device 1080 described later) provided inside or outside the control device 40. The display data indicates the arrangement of products on at least one shelf 20. The display data may be configured for each display fixture 220. The product information includes information indicating at least the product name and price of the products arranged on the shelf 20. A product code is defined for each product. On the shelf 20, products with the same product code are arranged in the same row. Both the display data and the product information include the product code, enabling the association of products between the display data and the product information.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the product information according to the first embodiment. In the present embodiment, the product information includes, for each of a plurality of products, a product code, a product category, a product name, a product size, and a price. The product size includes the width, height, and depth of the product. Note that, in the present embodiment, the product information may not include at least any one of the product category, the height of the product, and the depth of the product.

[0029] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of display data according to the first embodiment. In this embodiment, the display data includes information indicating a display position and a product code for each of a plurality of products. In the example of this figure, the information indicating the display position includes a display start position ("display position (from)" in this figure) and a display end position ("display position (to)" in this figure). The display start position and the display end position are each represented by shelf identification information and a column number. Specifically, in the example of this figure, each position is represented in the form of "shelf identification information - column number". For example, the number when numbering in order from the left end of the shelf can be used as the column number. The display data in this figure includes shelf 20 where the shelf identification information is "1" and display information on shelf 20 where it is "2". In the example of this figure, "1-1" means the leftmost column in the uppermost row. Also, in the example of this figure, it can be seen that the number of faces of the product whose display start position is "1-1" and display end position is "1-2" is 2. On the other hand, the number of faces of a product whose display start position and display end position are the same is 1. That is, the relationship of "number of faces" = "column number of display end position" - "column number of display start position" + 1 holds. Each display data is associated with display fixture identification information.

[0030] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the arrangement of products based on the product information in FIG. 6 and the display data in FIG. 7. In FIG. 8, the information of each product is surrounded by a thick line. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the legend of the display of each product in FIG. 8. Note that the legend in FIG. 9 is also applicable to the following figures showing the arrangement of products. The width and position of the display area of each product in FIG. 8 reflect the display width and position of the product, respectively. In this example, the products are aligned to the left on each shelf 20, and the remaining space is left as a gap at the right end of shelf 20. However, the way of taking the gap is not limited to this example. For example, the left end can be a gap, or gaps can be provided at both the left and right ends so that the products are centered. Also, a gap can be arranged between products. FIG. 8 shows the arrangement of products on shelf 20 (upper row) where the shelf identification information is "1" and shelf 20 (lower row) where it is "2".

[0031] The display data generation means 450 determines the position and width of the display area 310 on the display panel 30 based on the product information and the display data. Specifically, the display data generation means 450 derives the number of faces of the product as described above. Also, the display data generation means 450 extracts the width of the product from the product information by referring to the product code. Then, the display data generation means 450 calculates the product of the number of faces and the width of the product. And the display data generation means 450 determines the width of the display area 310 of the product based on the product. Here, the calculated product may be directly used as the width of the display area 310, or a adjustment parameter may be further multiplied or added to the product to be used as the width of the display area 310. In this way, the width of the display area 310 for each product is determined.

[0032] In addition, the display data generation means 450 determines the display panel 30 that displays the price tag information of each product based on the shelf identification information of the display data. Also, the display data generation means 450 determines the order in which the price tag information of a plurality of products is displayed on each display panel 30 based on the column number of the display data. Then, the display data generation means 450 generates display data so as to provide a plurality of display areas 310 on each display panel 30 in the determined order and width. The price tag information displayed in the display area 310 includes, for example, the product name and price based on the product information. Each display data is associated with the display rack identification information and the shelf identification information.

[0033] The transmission means 470 transmits the generated display data to the display panel 30. Each display data is received by the display panel 30 to be displayed based on the display rack identification information and the shelf identification information associated with the display data. And the display content based on the received display data is displayed on the display panel 30.

[0034] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating a display panel 30 on which price tag information is displayed based on the product information of FIG. 6 and the display data of FIG. 7. In this figure, display panel 30a shows the display panel 30 installed on the topmost shelf 20 (shelf identification information is "1"), and display panel 30b shows the display panel 30 installed on the second shelf 20 from the top (shelf identification information is "2") in the same display fixture 220. In each display area 310, the price tag information of the product displayed immediately above each display area 310, specifically the corresponding position of shelf 20, is displayed. Further, comments such as "On Sale", "New Product", or "Recommended" may be displayed in display area 310. Also, a photo or description of the product may be displayed in display area 310. FIG. 10 shows an example where the display areas 310 are left-justified in display panel 30a, but the display areas 310 may be centered in display panel 30. The same applies to FIGS. 27, 29 to 35, 38, and 40 described later.

[0035] In this way, the display area 310 is determined based on the display data and the product information, and the price tag information is displayed. Therefore, there is no need to perform the work of replacing the price tags every time the display or the price is changed. That is, the labor of the store staff can be reduced, and the attachment mistakes and description mistakes of the price tags can be eliminated. Also, the display area 310 can be freely provided across the display surface 301 of the display panel 30. Therefore, compared with the case of displaying the price tag information on a plurality of displays, the degree of freedom in arranging the products increases, and the appearance also improves.

[0036] Note that when the store staff arranges products on a shelf 20 where nothing is placed, they can refer to the price tag information displayed on the display panel 30 for the work. By doing so, the products can be arranged efficiently and accurately regardless of the proficiency of the store staff.

[0037] The hardware configuration of the control device 40 will be described below. Each functional component of the control device 40 may be realized by hardware (e.g., hard-wired electronic circuits, etc.) that realizes each functional component, or may be realized by a combination of hardware and software (e.g., a combination of an electronic circuit and a program that controls it, etc.). Hereinafter, the case where each functional component of the control device 40 is realized by a combination of hardware and software will be further described.

[0038] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating a computer 1000 for realizing the control device 40. The computer 1000 is an arbitrary computer. For example, the computer 1000 may be a System On Chip (SoC), a Personal Computer (PC), a server machine, a tablet terminal, or a smartphone, etc. The computer 1000 may be a dedicated computer designed to realize the control device 40, or may be a general-purpose computer.

[0039] The computer 1000 has a bus 1020, a processor 1040, a memory 1060, a storage device 1080, an input / output interface 1100, and a network interface 1120. The bus 1020 is a data transmission path for the processor 1040, the memory 1060, the storage device 1080, the input / output interface 1100, and the network interface 1120 to transmit and receive data to and from each other. However, the method of connecting the processor 1040, etc. to each other is not limited to bus connection. The processor 1040 is various processors such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Graphics Processing Unit (GPU), or a Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA). The memory 1060 is a main storage device realized using a Random Access Memory (RAM), etc. The storage device 1080 is an auxiliary storage device realized using a hard disk, a Solid State Drive (SSD), a memory card, or a Read Only Memory (ROM), etc.

[0040] The input / output interface 1100 is an interface for connecting the computer 1000 and the input / output device. For example, input devices 1200 such as a mouse and a keyboard, and output devices 1210 such as a display device are connected to the input / output interface 1100.

[0041] The network interface 1120 is an interface for connecting the computer 1000 to a network. This communication network is, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The method by which the network interface 1120 connects to the network may be a wireless connection or a wired connection.

[0042] The storage device 1080 stores program modules that implement the respective functional components of the control device 40. The processor 1040 reads out and executes these program modules in the memory 1060, thereby implementing the functions corresponding to the respective program modules.

[0043] In the present embodiment, the display panel 30 is connected to the computer 1000 via the input / output interface 1100 or the network interface 1120.

[0044] Next, the operations and effects of the present embodiment will be described. According to the system 10 and the control device 40 according to the present embodiment, the display area 310 for information regarding each product on the display panel 30 is determined based on the display data. Therefore, it is not necessary to replace or move the shelf labels, and the labor required for changing the product display can be reduced. In addition, since the size of the display area 310 can be changed according to the number of faces, information regarding the product can be more strongly appealed to customers.

[0045] (Second Embodiment) FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the control device 40 according to the second embodiment. The system 10 and the control device 40 according to the present embodiment are the same as the system 10 and the control device 40 according to the first embodiment, respectively, except that the control device 40 includes the display data generation means 420. This will be described in detail below.

[0046] The control device 40 according to the present embodiment can be realized by a computer 1000 as shown in FIG. 11. The storage device 1080 of the computer 1000 further stores a program module that realizes the display data generation means 420. The processor 1040 further realizes the function of the display data generation means 420 by reading out and executing this program module to the memory 1060.

[0047] In the display data generation means 420, display data is generated. Examples of the method by which the display data generation means 420 generates display data include the following first processing example to the third processing example. The first processing example is a method in which the user manually determines the arrangement of products from product information. The second processing example is a method of generating display data based on the arrangement of the displayed products. The third processing example is a method of modifying the base display data to obtain new display data. Note that the user is, for example, a store clerk.

[0048] In the first processing example, a product list as shown in FIG. 6 is displayed on a display connected to the computer 1000 as an output device 1210. Also, an image diagram of the display on the display fixture 220 as shown in FIG. 8 is displayed on the display. Then, the user of the control device 40 uses the input device 1200 connected to the computer 1000 to select a product to be registered in the display data from the product list. Further, the user registers the product in the display data by specifying the position where the selected product is to be arranged in the image diagram of the display. At this time, the user can further set the number of faces of the product. When all the registration of the products to be displayed is completed, the user performs a confirmation operation. By doing so, display data is generated based on the display content of the image diagram displayed on the display.

[0049] In this example, the acquisition means 410 acquires product information in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Also, the acquisition means 410 receives each of the above inputs from the user by the input device 1200. Then, the display data generation means 420 generates display data based on the input content and the product information.

[0050] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of display data generated in the first processing example. In the example of this figure, the display data includes information indicating the display position, product code, number of faces, start position, and end position for each of a plurality of products. The display data generation means 420 can generate such display data based on the product code, display position, and number of faces based on the input content from the user, and the width of the product extracted using the product code from the product information.

[0051] In the second processing example, a reading means such as a barcode is connected to the computer 1000 as the input device 1200. And products are pre-displayed on the shelf 20. The user reads the barcodes of the products on each shelf 20 in order from the left. Here, for products arranged in two faces, the reading is performed twice. Also, the user performs the same operation on a plurality of shelves 20 in order.

[0052] In this example, the acquisition means 410 acquires product information in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Also, the acquisition means 410 acquires the barcode reading result from the input device 1200. The reading result includes information indicating the product code. The display data generation means 420 searches for the product code indicated in the reading result from the product information, and acquires the product name, price, and width of the product. Then, the display data generation means 420 generates display data based on the acquired product name, price, width of the product, and the number of faces based on the barcode reading result. Also in this example, similar to the first processing example, display data as shown in FIG. 13 can be generated.

[0053] In the third processing example, for example, an image diagram of the display on the display connected to the computer 1000 as the output device 1210 is displayed on a display as shown in Fig. 8 for the display case 220. Then, the user uses the input device 1200 to perform operations such as reducing the face (i.e., reducing the number of faces), enlarging the face (i.e., increasing the number of faces), deleting products, and inserting products on the displayed image diagram to create new display data.

[0054] Fig. 14 is a diagram illustrating an operation screen when reducing the face. Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the display data corresponding to the product arrangement in Fig. 14. In this example, first, an image diagram of the basic display data such as shown in Fig. 8 is displayed on the display connected to the computer 1000 as the output device 1210. Then, the user uses the input device 1200 connected to the computer 1000 to select the product for which the face is to be reduced on the screen and perform the operation of reducing the face. Fig. 14 shows a state where the number of faces of "〇〇 chips, consommé flavor" has been changed from 2 to 1 compared to the example in Fig. 8.

[0055] Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating an operation screen when enlarging the face. Fig. 17 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the display data corresponding to the product arrangement in Fig. 16. In this example, first, an image diagram of the basic display data such as shown in Fig. 8 is displayed on the display connected to the computer 1000 as the output device 1210. Then, the user uses the input device 1200 connected to the computer 1000 to select the product for which the face is to be enlarged on the screen and perform the operation of enlarging the face. Fig. 16 shows a state where the number of faces of "〇〇 chips, garlic flavor" has been changed from 1 to 2 compared to the example in Fig. 8.

[0056] However, in this case, due to the expansion of the face, the products at the right end of the upper shelf 20 will no longer fit into the display fixture 220. Therefore, the display data generation means 420 may warn the user by, for example, changing the display color of the products that will no longer fit on the shelf 20. A user who sees such a warning display can further change the position of the products or the number of faces. Specifically, the storage means 440 accessible from the display data generation means 420 holds the size information of the shelf 20 in advance. Note that the storage means 440 may be provided in the control device 40 or may be provided outside the control device 40. The display data generation means 420 reads the size information from the storage means 440 and determines whether the products can fit on the shelf 20 according to the user input. That is, it determines whether the sum of the widths of all the products registered for display on the shelf 20 is less than or equal to the width of the shelf 20. When it is determined that the products do not fit on the shelf 20, the display data generation means 420 changes the display so that the problematic products can be identified from other products on the display. Note that the determination based on the size information of the shelf 20 is not limited to the width. For example, the size information may include the height of the items that can be displayed on the shelf 20, and the determination based on the size information may include a determination as to whether the height of the product is less than or equal to the height of the items that can be displayed on the shelf 20.

[0057] FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an operation screen when deleting a product. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of display data corresponding to the product arrangement in FIG. 18. In this example, first, a schematic diagram of basic display data such as that in FIG. 8 is displayed on a display connected as an output device 1210 to a computer 1000. Then, the user uses an input device 1200 connected to the computer 1000 to select a product to be deleted from the display data on the screen and perform a deletion operation. FIG. 18 shows a state in which "〇〇 chips, consommé flavor" has been deleted with respect to the example in FIG. 8.

[0058] FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating an operation screen when inserting a product. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of display data corresponding to the product arrangement in FIG. 20. In this example, on the display connected to the computer 1000 as the output device 1210, a schematic diagram of the basic display data as shown in FIG. 18, for example, is displayed. Further, a list of products that can be added based on the product information is also displayed on the display. Then, the user uses the input device 1200 connected to the computer 1000 to select a product to be added to the display data on the screen and performs an insertion operation. FIG. 20 shows a state where "XX ebi sen mayonnaise flavor" is added to the example of FIG. 18.

[0059] As described above, the user who has changed the display by operations such as face reduction, face enlargement, product deletion, and product insertion further performs a display confirmation operation. By doing so, display data indicating the display state displayed on the display is generated.

[0060] The display data generation means 450 according to the present embodiment can generate the display data of the display panel 30 and display it on the display panel 30 in the same manner as in the first embodiment using the display data generated by the display data generation means 420. Further, the display data generated by the display data generation means 420 may be temporarily held in the storage means 440.

[0061] Further, the display data generation means 450 can change the display area 310 and the price tag information based on the display data. For example, when new display data is generated by the display data generation means 420 in a state where the price tag information is already displayed based on the existing display data, the display data generation means 450 generates new display data based on the display data. Then, based on the user's display switching operation, the transmission means 470 transmits the new display data to the display panel 30. As a result, a display based on the new display data is displayed on the display panel 30.

[0062] Next, the operations and effects of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the same operations and effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, in the control device 40, it is possible to easily create and change display data.

[0063] (Third Embodiment) FIG. 22 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the system 10 according to the third embodiment. The system 10 according to the present embodiment is the same as the system 10 according to at least one of the first and second embodiments, except for the points described below. Also, the control device 40 according to the present embodiment is the same as the control device 40 according to at least one of the first and second embodiments, except for the points described below.

[0064] In the present embodiment, the control device 40 switches the display content for the store clerk and the display content for the customer and causes the display panel 30 to display them. The display content for the customer includes one or more price tag information. The display content for the customer is as described in the first and second embodiments and can be shown, for example, in FIG. 2 or FIG. 10.

[0065] In the present embodiment, the control device 40 changes the display content of the display panel 30 from the content for the store clerk to the content for the customer or from the content for the customer to the content for the store clerk. Based on the control of the control device 40, the display content of the display panel 30 changes. Here, at least a part of the display content for the store clerk and the display content for the customer may be common. That is, the control device 40 may change only a part of the display content of the display panel 30. In other words, the control device 40 may replace at least a part of the display content of the display panel 30 from the content for the store clerk to the content for the customer or from the content for the customer to the content for the store clerk. Also, the control device 40 may switch only a part of the display area 310 of the display panel 30 from the display content for the store clerk to the display content for the customer or from the display content for the customer to the display content for the store clerk. In addition, the control device 40 may switch the display content of the display panel 30 to still other content, such as a standby mode.

[0066] As shown in FIG. 22, the system 10 according to the third embodiment further includes a store employee terminal 50. Then, based on the input to the store employee terminal 50, the control device 40 switches the display content for the store employee and the display content for the customer. The hardware that realizes the store employee terminal 50 is exemplified by a computer 1000 as shown in FIG. 11, similar to the control device 40. However, the computer 1000 that realizes the store employee terminal 50 may be provided separately from the computer 1000 that realizes the control device 40. The store employee terminal 50 is, for example, a mobile terminal such as a smartphone. The mobile terminal includes, for example, a touch panel that also serves as an input device 1200 and a display as an output device 1210. The store employee terminal 50 and the control device 40 can communicate with each other via at least one of, for example, a network interface 1120 and an input / output interface 1100.

[0067] The display content for the store employee includes information for assisting the store employee's work. In the present embodiment, the display content for the store employee includes change information indicating a change in the arrangement of products on the shelf 20. The change information is, for example, information indicating the work that the store employee should perform for changing the product display. Further, the control device 40 switches the change information based on the switching information indicating that the work content of the store employee has changed. By switching the change information, the work to be performed is sequentially shown to the store employee. Then, the store employee can efficiently proceed with the display change regardless of the proficiency level by performing the work in order according to the change information.

[0068] In the present embodiment, the switching information is information based on the input to the store employee terminal 50. Specifically, when the work displayed on the display panel 30 is completed, the store employee performs an operation on the store employee terminal 50 indicating that fact. Then, information indicating that the work completion operation has been performed is transmitted from the store employee terminal 50 to the control device 40. And the control device 40 switches the display content of the display panel 30 to the next change information. The store employee performs the next work according to the new change information displayed on the display panel 30.

[0069] The control device 40 generates display data indicating the display content for the store staff based on the first display data before the change in the arrangement of the products and the second display data after the change in the arrangement of the products. Specifically, the display data includes change information indicating the operations to be performed to realize the arrangement after the change from the arrangement before the change. The display data generation means 450 of the control device 40 generates a plurality of display data including the change information indicating the operations to be performed in sequence. Then, the transmission means 470 transmits those display data to the display panel 30 in sequence based on the switching information.

[0070] The processing performed in the system 10 and the method of using the system 10 will be described in detail below.

[0071] FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating the display screen of the store staff terminal 50 for switching the display content of the display panel 30. Assume that the display content for the customers is displayed on the display panel 30 before the switching. The store staff who wants to make a display change first designates the display fixture 220 for which the arrangement change is to be made on the store staff terminal 50. Also, the store staff designates the display data after the change. Then, the store staff performs an operation to start the work. Specifically, in the example of this figure, the store staff selects or inputs the rack number and the display data after the change, and then taps the start button 510. Note that the designation of the display fixture 220 may be performed by reading the code attached to the display fixture 220 with the camera of the store staff terminal 50.

[0072] When an operation to start the work is performed on the store staff terminal 50, the display data generation means 450 acquires the current display data of the display fixture 220 designated on the store staff terminal 50 as the first display data. Also, the display data after the change designated on the store staff terminal 50 is acquired as the second display data.

[0073] In the present embodiment, the configuration of the control device 40 can be exemplified in FIG. 5 or FIG. 12. In the present embodiment, the first array data and the second array data are acquired by the acquisition means 410 as described in the first embodiment. Alternatively, the first array data and the second array data are generated by the array data generation means 420 as described in the second embodiment. Also, one of the first array data and the second array data may be acquired by the acquisition means 410 and the other may be generated by the array data generation means 420. The display data generation means 450 may acquire each array data from the acquisition means 410, may acquire it from the array data generation means 420, or may acquire it by reading from the storage means 440.

[0074] Next, the display data generation means 450 extracts the difference between the first array data and the second array data as follows, and generates change information based on the difference.

[0075] The display change is composed of, for example, "operation of creating a space", "operation of moving a product", and "operation of introducing a product". The "operation of creating a space" is at least one of the operation of taking out a product from the shelf and the operation of reducing the face. The "operation of moving a product" is at least one of the operation of moving a product within the same shelf 20 and the operation of moving a product to a different shelf 20. The "operation of introducing a product" is at least one of the operation of expanding the face and the operation of adding a new product. The display data generation means 450 causes the change information to be displayed on the display panel 30 so that at least one of the "operation of creating a space", "operation of moving a product", and "operation of introducing a product" is performed. Here, it is preferable that the "operation of creating a space", "operation of moving a product", and "operation of introducing a product" are performed in this order. Each operation is performed for each column of products.

[0076] FIG. 24 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the second display data. FIG. 25 is a diagram showing the arrangement of products based on the display data of FIG. 24. Also, it is assumed that the first display data is shown in FIG. 13. The arrangement of products shown in FIG. 13 is schematically represented by FIG. 8. The display content for customers based on the first display data is illustrated in FIG. 10. With reference to these examples of the first display data and the second display data, display support will be described in detail below. However, the first display data and the second display data are not limited to this example.

[0077] FIG. 26 is a flowchart illustrating the processing performed by the display data generation means 450 to display the display content for store employees on the display panel 30. When the display data generation means 450 acquires the first display data and the second display data, it performs step S10. In step S10, the display data generation means 450 extracts the products to be taken out from the first display data. That is, the display data generation means 450 extracts, as the products to be taken out, the products that are included in the first display data and not included in the second display data. Then, the display data generation means 450 generates change information indicating that the extracted products are to be taken out, and display data to be displayed on the display panel 30. The generated display data is transmitted to the display panel 30, and the change information is displayed on the display panel 30. If there are no products to be taken out, the display data generation means 450 performs step S12 without generating display data.

[0078] FIG. 27 is a diagram illustrating the display panel 30 on which change information indicating that a product is to be taken out is displayed. From the first display data in FIG. 13, the product with the product code "10020" is extracted in step S10. Then, a display prompting extraction is made in the display area 310 of the product corresponding to this product code. The store employee who sees this takes out the product according to the display. Note that price tag information may be displayed in the display area 310 of products that are not the work target. By doing so, even while the store employee is working, the customer can check the price of the product. Further, a display indicating that it is display content for store employees, such as "During work mode", may be displayed in the display area 310.

[0079] FIG. 28 is a display screen of the store clerk terminal 50 for transmitting switching information to the control device 40. During the operation, the store clerk terminal 50 is displayed as shown in this figure. Then, when the operation displayed on the display panel 30 is completed, the store clerk inputs to the store clerk terminal 50 that the operation has been completed. Specifically, the store clerk taps the completion button 520. Then, the switching information based on the input to the store clerk terminal 50 is transmitted from the store clerk terminal 50 to the control device 40. When the control device 40 receives the switching information, the display data generation means 450 accepts it (step S11), and then performs the process of step S12. When there are a plurality of products extracted in step S10, the display data generation means 450 that has received the switching information generates display data for displaying change information indicating that the next product is to be taken out. Then, when the change information for all the products extracted in step S10 is displayed and the switching information is received, the process proceeds to step S12.

[0080] In step S12, the display data generation means 450 extracts from the first display data the products whose faces are to be reduced. That is, the display data generation means 450 compares the number of faces of the products included in the first display data other than the products extracted in step S10 with the number of faces of the products included in the second display data. Then, the products whose number of faces in the second display data is smaller than the number of faces in the first display data are extracted as the products whose faces are to be reduced. Next, the display data generation means 450 generates display data for displaying on the display panel 30 the change information indicating that the faces of the extracted products are to be reduced. The generated display data is transmitted to the display panel 30, and the change information is displayed on the display panel 30. When there are no products whose faces are to be reduced, the display data generation means 450 performs step S14 without generating display data.

[0081] FIG. 29 and FIG. 30 are diagrams illustrating a display panel 30 on which change information indicating reduction of the face of a product is displayed. From the first display data in FIG. 13, products with product codes "10060" and "10061" are extracted in step S12. First, as shown in FIG. 29, a display prompting reduction of the face is made in the display area 310 of the product corresponding to one of the product codes. This display may include the number of faces after the change. Here, the display data generation means 450 may compare the first display data and the second display data and display the direction of reducing the face with an arrow or the like. In the example of this figure, although the change information is displayed in the display area 310 before the face is reduced, the change information may be displayed only in the display area 310 after the face is reduced. By doing so, it becomes easier for the store clerk to grasp in which area the face should be reduced. Also, the progress of the work may be reflected in the displays of the display panels 30a and 30b at each step. For example, in the example of this figure, the display area 310 is not displayed in the part that has become available due to the extraction of the product in the previous work.

[0082] The store clerk who sees the display panel 30 reduces the face of the product according to the display. Then, when the work displayed on the display panel 30 is completed, as in step S11, the store clerk inputs to the store clerk terminal 50 that the work has been completed. Then, as shown in FIG. 30, a display prompting reduction of the face is made in the display area 310 of the product corresponding to the other product code. In this way, the change information for all the extracted products is displayed, and when the switching information based on the input to the store clerk terminal 50 is transmitted from the store clerk terminal 50 to the control device 40 (step S13), then the display data generation means 450 performs step S14.

[0083] In step S14, the display data generation means 450 extracts the products to be moved within the same shelf 20 from the first display data. That is, the display data generation means 450 compares the shelf identification information of the products other than the products extracted in step S10 among the products included in the first display data with the shelf identification information of the products included in the second display data. Then, the display data generation means 450 extracts the products whose shelf identification information matches between the display data. Further, the display data generation means 450 compares the positions of the extracted products between the first display data and the second display data, and extracts the products whose positions need to be changed as the products to be moved within the same shelf 20. Next, the display data generation means 450 generates display data for causing the display panel 30 to display change information indicating that the extracted products are to be moved. The generated display data is transmitted to the display panel 30, and the change information is displayed on the display panel 30. If there are no products to be moved within the same shelf 20, the display data generation means 450 performs step S16 without generating display data.

[0084] FIG. 31 is a diagram illustrating the display panel 30 on which change information indicating that products are to be moved within the same shelf 20 is displayed. From the first display data in FIG. 13, products with product codes "10060", "10061", and "10059" are extracted in step S14. Then, a display prompting movement is made in the display areas 310 of the products corresponding to these product codes. The store clerk who sees this moves the products according to the display. In the example of this figure, since the arrangement of the products after movement is shown on the display panel 30 as the arrangement of the display areas 310, the work can be performed efficiently. After finishing the work displayed on the display panel 30, similar to step S11, the store clerk inputs to the store clerk terminal 50 that the work has been completed. Then, switching information based on the input to the store clerk terminal 50 is transmitted from the store clerk terminal 50 to the control device 40. When the display data generation means 450 receives the switching information (step S15), it then performs step S16.

[0085] In step S16, the display data generation means 450 extracts the products to be moved to different shelves 20 from the first display data. That is, the display data generation means 450 compares the shelf identification information of the products other than the products extracted in step S10 among the products included in the first display data with the shelf identification information of the products included in the second display data. Then, the display data generation means 450 extracts the products whose shelf identification information does not match between the display data as the products to be moved to different shelves 20. Next, the display data generation means 450 generates display data for causing the display panel 30 to display change information indicating that the extracted products are to be moved. The generated display data is transmitted to the display panel 30, and the change information is displayed on the display panel 30. If there are no products to be moved to different shelves 20, the display data generation means 450 performs step S18 without generating display data.

[0086] FIG. 32 is a diagram illustrating the display panel 30 on which change information indicating that products are to be moved to different shelves 20 is displayed. From the first display data in FIG. 13, the product with the product code "10088" is extracted in step S16. Then, a display prompting the movement is made in the display area 310 of the product corresponding to this product code. Specifically, this display is a display prompting the removal of the product from the source shelf 20 and a display prompting the introduction of the product to the destination shelf 20. In the example of this figure, since the arrangement of the products after movement is shown on the display panel 30 as the arrangement of the display area 310, the work can be performed efficiently.

[0087] The store clerk who sees the display panel 30 moves the products according to the display. Then, when finishing the work displayed on the display panel 30, similar to step S11, the store clerk inputs to the store clerk terminal 50 that the work has been completed. Then, switching information based on the input to the store clerk terminal 50 is transmitted from the store clerk terminal 50 to the control device 40. When the display data generation means 450 receives the switching information (step S17), it then performs step S18. When there are a plurality of products extracted in step S16, the display data generation means 450 that has received the switching information generates display data for displaying change information indicating that the next product is to be moved. Then, when the change information for all the products extracted in step S16 is displayed and the switching information is received, the process proceeds to step S18.

[0088] In step S18, the display data generation means 450 extracts from the first display data the product whose face is to be enlarged. That is, the display data generation means 450 compares the number of faces of the products other than the products extracted in step S10 among the products included in the first display data with the number of faces of the products included in the second display data. Then, the products whose number of faces in the second display data is larger than the number of faces in the first display data are extracted as the products whose faces are to be enlarged. Next, the display data generation means 450 generates display data for displaying on the display panel 30 the change information indicating that the face of the extracted product is to be enlarged. The generated display data is transmitted to the display panel 30, and the change information is displayed on the display panel 30. When there is no product whose face is to be enlarged, the display data generation means 450 performs step S20 without generating display data.

[0089] FIG. 33 is a diagram illustrating a display panel 30 on which change information indicating an enlargement of the face of a product is displayed. From the first display data in FIG. 13, the product with the product code "10099" is extracted in step S18. Then, a display prompting the enlargement of the face is made in the display area 310 of the product corresponding to this product code. This display may include the number of faces after the change. Here, the display data generation means 450 may compare the first display data and the second display data and display the direction of enlarging the face with an arrow or the like. In the example of this figure, the change information is displayed in the display area 310 after the face enlargement. This makes it easier for the store clerk to grasp how much the face should be enlarged.

[0090] The store clerk who sees the display panel 30 enlarges the face of the product according to the display. Then, when the operation displayed on the display panel 30 is completed, similar to step S11, the store clerk inputs to the store clerk terminal 50 that the operation has been completed. Then, switching information based on the input to the store clerk terminal 50 is transmitted from the store clerk terminal 50 to the control device 40. When the display data generation means 450 receives the switching information (step S19), it then performs step S20. When there are a plurality of products extracted in step S18, the display data generation means 450 that has received the switching information generates display data for displaying change information indicating that the face of the next product is to be enlarged. Then, when the change information for all the products extracted in step S18 is displayed and the switching information is received, the process proceeds to step S20.

[0091] In step S20, the display data generation means 450 extracts the products to be introduced from the second display data. That is, the display data generation means 450 extracts the products that are included in the second display data and not included in the first display data as the products to be introduced. Next, the display data generation means 450 generates display data for causing the display panel 30 to display change information indicating that the extracted products are to be introduced. The generated display data is transmitted to the display panel 30, and the change information is displayed on the display panel 30. Note that if there are no products to be introduced, the display data generation means 450 proceeds to step S22 without generating display data.

[0092] FIG. 34 is a diagram illustrating the display panel 30 on which change information indicating that a product is to be introduced is displayed. From the second display data in FIG. 24, the product with the product code "10046" is extracted in step S20. Then, a display prompting introduction is made in the display area 310 of the product corresponding to this product code. In the example of this figure, since the arrangement of the product to be introduced is shown on the display panel 30 as the arrangement of the display area 310, the work can be carried out efficiently.

[0093] The store clerk who sees the display panel 30 introduces the product according to the display. Then, when finishing the work displayed on the display panel 30, similar to step S11, the store clerk inputs to the store clerk terminal 50 that the work has been completed. Then, switching information based on the input to the store clerk terminal 50 is transmitted from the store clerk terminal 50 to the control device 40. When the display data generation means 450 receives the switching information (step S21), the process ends. Note that if there are a plurality of products extracted in step S20, the display data generation means 450 that has received the switching information generates display data for causing the display panel 30 to display change information indicating that the next product is to be introduced. Then, when the change information for all the products extracted in step S20 is displayed and the switching information is received, the process proceeds to step S22.

[0094] In step S22, the display data generation means 450 switches the display content of the display panel 30 from being for store clerks to being for customers. Here, the customer-oriented display content after the switch includes the price tag information after the display change based on the second display data. In addition to the arrangement of the products, the price of the product information and the like may also be updated. The display data generation means 450 may acquire new product information and cause the display panel 30 to display the changed price tag information based on the product information.

[0095] FIG. 35 is a diagram illustrating the customer-oriented display content after the display change.

[0096] In the above processing, the control device 40 may switch at least a part of the colors of the display content for store clerks based on the type of work content. For example, at least any one of the background color, the character color, and the frame color of the display area 310 for displaying the change information can be made different among "face reduction", "face enlargement", "product removal", "product introduction", and "product movement". By doing so, the store clerk can intuitively grasp the work content.

[0097] Next, the operations and effects of the present embodiment will be described. In the present embodiment, the same operations and effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, the display on the display panel 30 enables the support of the work of the store clerk.

[0098] (Fourth Embodiment) FIG. 36 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the system 10 according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 37 is a diagram illustrating the usage environment and the display content of the display panel 30 according to the fourth embodiment. The system 10 and the control device 40 according to the present embodiment are the same as the system 10 and the control device 40 according to the third embodiment, except for the points described below.

[0099] The system 10 according to this embodiment includes a reading means 250. A wireless communication tag 230 is attached to the product 210. The shelf 20 is provided with a reading means 250 for the wireless communication tag 230. And the switching information is information based on the reading result of the reading means 250. This will be described in detail below.

[0100] The wireless communication tag 230 is, for example, an RFID (radio frequency identifier), and the reading means 250 is an RFID reader. The wireless communication tag 230 holds the product identification information (ID) of the product 210 to which the wireless communication tag 230 is attached. The reading means 250 is, for example, sheet-shaped and is laid on the product placement surface 201 of the shelf 20. In that case, the reading means 250 will be located between the shelf 20 and the product 210. And the reading means 250 can read the product identification information from the wireless communication tag 230. The product identification information is given, for example, for each individual product 210. On the other hand, the storage means 440 holds product management data. The product management data is, for example, data indicating the inventory status of the product 210 in the store. The product management data includes a plurality of product identification information. Also, the product management data includes a product code, an expiration date for display, etc., associated with each product identification information.

[0101] The control device 40 is connected to the reading means 250 via the network interface 1120 or the input / output interface 1100. The acquisition means 410 of the control device 40 can acquire the reading result of the wireless communication tag 230 from the reading means 250, that is, the product identification information.

[0102] The processing performed by the display data generation means 450 according to this embodiment to cause the display panel 30 to display the display content for the store staff can be illustrated by a flowchart similar to FIG. 26. However, the display data generation means 450 can switch the change information to be displayed on the display panel 30 based on the reading result of the reading means 250.

[0103] In this embodiment, when the display data generation means 450 causes the change information to be displayed on the display panel 30, the store clerk performs operations such as moving, taking out, and introducing the product 210 according to the display content. During the operation, that is, while the change information is being displayed, the reading means 250 reads the product identification information from the wireless communication tag 230 of the product 210 arranged on the shelf 20 and transmits it to the control device 40. When the display data generation means 450 acquires the product identification information, it collates it with the product management data read from the storage means 440 and extracts the product code of that product. Further, the control device 40 can acquire information indicating at which position on the shelf 20 each wireless communication tag 230 was detected from the reading means 250. By doing so, the number and arrangement of the products 210 with each product code on the shelf 20 are specified in the display data generation means 450. Then, the display data generation means 450 can monitor whether the operation on the product 210 is being performed as per the change information displayed on the display panel 30.

[0104] FIG. 38 is a diagram illustrating the display panel 30 on which a warning is displayed. For example, when a change operation is performed on a product that does not require a change, or when a product different from the product to be introduced is introduced, the display data generation means 450 displays a warning on the display panel 30. By doing so, operation errors and the like can be suppressed, and the working time of the store clerk can be shortened.

[0105] Also, in steps S11, 13, 15, 17, 19, and 21, the display data generation means 450 determines whether the operation indicated by the change information has been completed based on the reading result of the reading means 250. And when it is determined that the operation has been completed, the process proceeds to the next step. Specifically, the display data generation means 450 determines that the operation has been completed when the arrangement of the products on the shelf 20 has reached the state after the change based on each change information. By doing so, the change information can be switched without the store clerk operating the store clerk terminal 50.

[0106] Note that, based on the reading result of the reading means 250, even if the display data generation means 450 has not determined that the work is completed, when an input indicating that the work has been completed is made to the store clerk terminal 50 as described in the third embodiment, the display data generation means 450 may switch the change information to be displayed on the display panel 30.

[0107] Next, the operation and effects of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the same operations and effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, the display change work can be made more efficient.

[0108] (Fifth Embodiment) The system 10 and the control device 40 according to the fifth embodiment are the same as the system 10 and the control device 40 according to the fourth embodiment, respectively, except for the points described below.

[0109] According to the system 10 according to this embodiment, the display content for the store clerk includes information indicating the presence or absence of products with expired display periods. It is possible to support the management of the display periods of products in the store. For the products in the store, display periods are defined, for example, based on the expiration dates of foods. Product identification information is given, for example, for each individual product, and the display period is included in the product management data as described in the fourth embodiment. The display data generation means 450 can identify the display period of each product arranged on the shelf 20 by comparing the reading result obtained from the reading means 250 with the product management data.

[0110] FIG. 39 is a diagram illustrating a display screen of the store clerk terminal 50 for managing the display deadline. FIG. 40 is a diagram illustrating the display panel 30 on which a display prompting the removal of a product is shown. The store clerk can start the deadline management mode by specifying the display fixture identification information to the store clerk terminal 50 and performing a change operation to the deadline management mode. When the deadline management mode starts, the display data generation means 450 identifies the display deadlines of the products arranged on each shelf 20 of the display fixture 220 based on the reading result of the reading means 250 and the product management data. Then, the display data generation means 450 determines whether each of the identified display deadlines is before the current date, month, and time. When it is determined that the display deadline is before the current date, month, and time, the display data generation means 450 causes the display panel 30 to display the display content prompting the removal of the product with that display deadline as shown in FIG. 40. In the example of this figure, a display prompting the operation is shown in the display area 310 of the column where there are products to be removed with expired display deadlines. The number and position of the products to be removed may be further displayed on at least one of the display panel 30 and the store clerk terminal 50. Also, as shown in FIG. 39, the work content that the store clerk should perform may be displayed on the store clerk terminal 50.

[0111] The store clerk searches for the expired products according to the display on the display panel 30 and removes them from the shelf 20. When all the expired products 210 are removed, the display data generation means 450 determines that the work is completed based on the reading result of the reading means 250 and ends the deadline management mode. Also, when the store clerk performs an operation (for example, tapping the completion button 530) indicating that the work is completed on the store clerk terminal 50, the deadline management mode may be ended. Note that necessary processing for the product management data, such as disposal registration, may be performed on the spot.

[0112] Next, the operation and effect of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the same operations and effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, the management of the display deadline can be performed efficiently and accurately.

[0113] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than those described above can also be adopted. For example, in the sequence diagrams and flowcharts used in the above description, a plurality of steps (processes) are described in order. However, the execution order of the steps executed in each embodiment is not limited to the order described. In each embodiment, the order of the steps shown can be changed within a range that does not interfere with the content. In addition, the above-described embodiments can be combined within a range where the contents do not conflict with each other.

[0114] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings. However, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than those described above can also be adopted.

[0115] Some or all of the above embodiments can also be described as follows in the appended claims, but are not limited thereto. 1-1. A display panel installed on a shelf, and a control device that controls the display content of the display panel, wherein the control device is a system that switches between display content for store employees and display content for customers and causes the display panel to display the content. 1-2. In the system according to 1-1., the display content for store employees includes change information indicating a change in the arrangement of products on the shelf. 1-3. In the system according to 1-2., the control device generates display data indicating the display content for store employees based on first display data before the change in the arrangement of the products and second display data after the change in the arrangement of the products. 1-4. In the system according to 1-2. or 1-3., the control device switches the change information based on switching information indicating that the work content of the store employee has changed. 1-5. In the system according to 1-4., the switching information is information based on an input to a store employee terminal. 1-6. In the system according to 1-4., The product is attached with a wireless communication tag, the shelf is provided with a reading means for the wireless communication tag, and the switching information is information based on the reading result of the reading means. A system. 1-7. In the system according to any one of 1-4. to 1-6., the control device switches at least a part of the color of the display content for the store clerk based on the type of the work content. A system. 1-8. In the system according to any one of 1-1. to 1-7., the control device switches the display content for the store clerk and the display content for the customer based on an input to the store clerk terminal. A system. 1-9. In the system according to any one of 1-1. to 1-8., the display content for the customer includes one or more price tag information. A system. 1-10. In the system according to 1-9., the length of the long side of the display panel is 2 times or more the length of the short side of the display panel, and the control device determines a display area for each of the price tag information in the display panel using the shelf display data. A system. 2-1. A control device for controlling the display content of a display panel installed on a shelf, the control device switches the display content for the store clerk and the display content for the customer and causes the display content to be displayed on the display panel. 2-2. In the control device according to 2-1., the display content for the store clerk includes change information indicating a change in the arrangement of products on the shelf. A control device. 2-3. In the control device according to 2-2., a control device that generates display data indicating the display content for the store clerk based on first display data before the change in the arrangement of the products and second display data after the change in the arrangement of the products. 2-4. In the control device according to 2-2. or 2-3., A control device that switches the change information based on switching information indicating that the work content of the clerk changes. 2-5. In the control device according to 2-4., The switching information is information based on an input to a clerk terminal. A control device. 2-6. In the control device according to 2-4., A wireless communication tag is attached to the product, The shelf is provided with a reading means for the wireless communication tag, The switching information is information based on the reading result of the reading means. A control device. 2-7. In the control device according to any one of 2-4. to 2-6., A control device that switches at least a part of the color of the display content for the clerk based on the type of the work content. 2-8. In the control device according to any one of 2-1. to 2-7., A control device that switches the display content for the clerk and the display content for the customer based on an input to a clerk terminal. 2-9. In the control device according to any one of 2-1. to 2-8., The display content for the customer includes one or more price tag information. A control device. 2-10. In the control device according to 2-9., The length of the long side of the display panel is 2 times or more the length of the short side of the display panel, A control device that determines a display area of each of the price tag information on the display panel using the display data of the shelf. 3-1. A computer program for realizing a control device that controls the display content of a display panel installed on a shelf, A computer program that causes a computer to function as the control device that switches the display content for the clerk and the display content for the customer and displays them on the display panel. 3-2. In the computer program according to 3-1., The display content for the store staff is a computer program including change information indicating a change in the arrangement of products on the shelf. 3-3. In the computer program according to 3-2., The control device is a computer program that generates display data indicating the display content for the store staff based on first display data before the change in the arrangement of the products and second display data after the change in the arrangement of the products. 3-4. In the computer program according to 3-2. or 3-3., The control device is a computer program that switches the change information based on switching information indicating that the work content of the store staff has changed. 3-5. In the computer program according to 3-4., The switching information is a computer program that is information based on an input to the store staff terminal. 3-6. In the computer program according to 3-4., A wireless communication tag is attached to the product, The shelf is provided with means for reading the wireless communication tag, The switching information is a computer program that is information based on the reading result of the reading means. 3-7. In the computer program according to any one of 3-4. to 3-6., The control device is a computer program that switches at least a part of the color of the display content for the store staff based on the type of the work content. 3-8. In the computer program according to any one of 3-1. to 3-7., The control device is a computer program that switches the display content for the store staff and the display content for the customers based on an input to the store staff terminal. 3-9. In the computer program according to any one of 3-1. to 3-8., The display content for the customers is a computer program including one or more price tag information. In the computer program according to 3-10 and 3-9, the length of the long side of the display panel is 2 times or more the length of the short side of the display panel, The control device is a computer program that determines a display area of each price tag information on the display panel using the display data of the shelf. 4-1. A control method for controlling the display content of a display panel installed on a shelf, A control method in which a computer switches between display content for store employees and display content for customers and causes the display panel to display the content. 4-2. In the control method according to 4-1, the display content for store employees includes change information indicating a change in the arrangement of products on the shelf. 4-3. In the control method according to 4-2, The computer generates display data indicating the display content for store employees based on first display data before the change in the arrangement of the products and second display data after the change in the arrangement of the products. 4-4. In the control method according to 4-2 or 4-3, The computer switches the change information based on switching information indicating that the work content of the store employee has changed. 4-5. In the control method according to 4-4, the switching information is information based on an input to a store employee terminal. 4-6. In the control method according to 4-4, a wireless communication tag is attached to the product, a reading means for the wireless communication tag is provided on the shelf, the switching information is information based on a reading result of the reading means. 4-7. In the control method according to any one of 4-4 to 4-6, the computer switches at least a part of the color of the display content for store employees based on the type of the work content. 4-8. In the control method according to any one of 4-1. to 4-7., The computer is a control method for switching between the display content for the store clerk and the display content for the customer based on an input to the store clerk terminal. 4-9. In the control method according to any one of 4-1. to 4-8., The control method in which the display content for the customer includes one or more price tag information. 4-10. In the control method according to 4-9., The length of the long side of the display panel is 2 times or more the length of the short side of the display panel, The computer is a control method for determining the display area of each price tag information on the display panel using the display data of the shelf.

[0116] 5-1. A display panel installed on a shelf, And a control device for controlling the display content of the display panel, The control device is a system that generates display data indicating the display content for the store clerk to be displayed on the display panel based on the first display data before the change and the second display data after the change of the arrangement of the products on the shelf. 5-2. In the system according to 5-1., The display content for the store clerk includes change information indicating a change in the arrangement of the products on the shelf. 5-3. In the system according to 5-2., The control device is a system that switches the change information based on switching information indicating that the work content of the store clerk has changed. 5-4. In the system according to 5-3., The switching information is information based on an input to the store clerk terminal. 5-5. In the system according to 5-3., A wireless communication tag is attached to the product, The shelf is provided with a reading means for the wireless communication tag, The switching information is information based on the reading result of the reading means. In the system according to any one of 5-6. to 5-3., the control device is a system that switches at least a part of the color of the display content for the store clerk based on the type of the work content. A control device for controlling the display content of a display panel installed on a shelf, a control device that generates display data indicating display content for store clerks to be displayed on the display panel based on first display data before change and second display data after change of the arrangement of products on the shelf. In the control device according to 6-1., the display content for the store clerk includes change information indicating a change in the arrangement of products on the shelf. In the control device according to 6-2., the control device that switches the change information based on switching information indicating that the work content of the store clerk has changed. In the control device according to 6-3., the switching information is information based on an input to a store clerk terminal. In the control device according to 6-3., a wireless communication tag is attached to the product, a reading means for the wireless communication tag is provided on the shelf, the switching information is information based on a reading result of the reading means. In the control device according to any one of 6-3. to 6-5., the control device that switches at least a part of the color of the display content for the store clerk based on the type of the work content. A computer program for realizing a control device for controlling the display content of a display panel installed on a shelf, causing a computer to, A computer program that functions as a control device to generate display data indicating the display content for store employees to be displayed on the display panel based on the first display data before the change and the second display data after the change of the arrangement of products on the shelf. 7-2. In the computer program according to 7-1., The computer program in which the display content for store employees includes change information indicating a change in the arrangement of products on the shelf. 7-3. In the computer program according to 7-2., The computer program in which the control device switches the change information based on the switching information indicating that the work content of the store employee has changed. 7-4. In the computer program according to 7-3., The computer program in which the switching information is information based on an input to a store employee terminal. 7-5. In the computer program according to 7-3., A wireless communication tag is attached to the product, The shelf is provided with a reading means for the wireless communication tag, The computer program in which the switching information is information based on the reading result of the reading means. 7-6. In the computer program according to any one of 7-3. to 7-5., The computer program in which the control device switches at least a part of the color of the display content for store employees based on the type of the work content. 8-1. A control method for controlling the display content of a display panel installed on a shelf, A control method in which a computer generates display data indicating the display content for store employees to be displayed on the display panel based on the first display data before the change and the second display data after the change of the arrangement of products on the shelf. 8-2. In the control method according to 8-1., The control method in which the display content for store employees includes change information indicating a change in the arrangement of products on the shelf. 8-3. In the control method according to 8-2., a control method in which the computer switches the change information based on switching information indicating that the work content of the store clerk has changed. 8-4. In the control method according to 8-3., a control method in which the switching information is information based on an input to a store clerk terminal. 8-5. In the control method according to 8-3., a wireless communication tag is attached to the product, a reading means for the wireless communication tag is provided on the shelf, a control method in which the switching information is information based on a reading result of the reading means. 8-6. In the control method according to any one of 8-3. to 8-5., a control method in which the computer switches at least a part of the color of the display content for the store clerk based on the type of the work content.

[0117] 9-1. A display panel installed on a shelf, and a control device that controls the display content of the display panel, a system in which the control device determines a display area of price tag information on the display panel using the display data of the shelf. 9-2. In the system according to 9-1., a system in which the length of the long side of the display panel is 2 times or more the length of the short side of the display panel. 10-1. A control device that controls the display content of a display panel installed on a shelf, a control device that determines a display area of price tag information on the display panel using the display data of the shelf. 10-2. In the control device according to 10-1., a control device in which the length of the long side of the display panel is 2 times or more the length of the short side of the display panel. 11-1. A computer program for realizing a control device that controls the display content of a display panel installed on a shelf, A computer program that causes a computer to function as the control device for determining the display area of the price tag information on the display panel using the display data of the shelf. 11-2. In the computer program according to 11-1., A computer program in which the length of the long side of the display panel is 2 times or more the length of the short side of the display panel. 12-1. A control method for controlling the display content of a display panel installed on a shelf, A control method in which a computer determines the display area of the price tag information on the display panel using the display data of the shelf. 12-2. In the control method according to 12-1., A control method in which the length of the long side of the display panel is 2 times or more the length of the short side of the display panel.

[0118] This application claims the priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-232701 filed on Dec. 12, 2018, and incorporates all of the disclosure thereof herein.

Claims

1. A display panel installed on a shelf, and a control device for controlling the display content of the display panel, wherein the control device switches between display content for store clerks and display content for customers including price tag information, and causes the display panel to display the switched content, and when the display content for customers is being displayed and there is work that the store clerk should perform on the shelf, the control device causes the display panel to display a prompt for the store clerk to perform the work together with the display content for customers system.

2. In the system according to claim 1, the control device causes the display panel to display a display including a prompt for the store clerk to perform the work and the price tag information system.

3. In the system according to claim 1 or 2, the control device causes the display panel to display a prompt for the store clerk to perform the work in the display area of the product to be worked on, and causes the display panel to display the price tag information in the display area of the product that is not the work target system.

4. In the system according to claim 3, the control device determines the display area of each product on the display panel using the shelf display data system.

5. In the system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, the display content for store clerks includes change information indicating a change in the arrangement of products on the shelf system.

6. In the system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, the control device switches at least a part of the color of the display content for store clerks based on the type of work content of the store clerk system.

7. In the system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, the control device switches between the display content for store clerks and the display content for customers based on an input to a store clerk terminal system.

8. A control device for controlling the display content of a display panel installed on a shelf, which switches between display content for store clerks and display content for customers including price tag information, and causes the display panel to display the switched content, and when the display content for customers is being displayed and there is work that the store clerk should perform on the shelf, the control device causes the display panel to display a prompt for the store clerk to perform the work together with the display content for customers control device.

9. A computer program for realizing a control device for controlling the display content of a display panel installed on a shelf, which causes a computer to Switch between the display content for store clerks and the display content for customers including price tag information, and cause the display panel to display the content. When the display content for customers is being displayed and there is work that the store clerk should perform on the shelf, cause the display panel to display a prompt for the store clerk to perform the work together with the display content for customers. Program.

10. A control method for controlling the display content of a display panel installed on a shelf, wherein a computer switches between the display content for store clerks and the display content for customers including price tag information, and causes the display panel to display the content. When the display content for customers is being displayed and there is work that the store clerk should perform on the shelf, causes the display panel to display a prompt for the store clerk to perform the work together with the display content for customers. Control method.

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