Terminal device, product management system, product management method, and program

Abstract

A terminal device is provided that can easily and appropriately manage products to which a plurality of barcodes are attached. [Solution] The terminal device comprises a reading unit that reads a product code from the barcode of a target product; a first judgment unit that determines, based on the search results of an alternative code master, whether a first product code read from a first barcode of the target product matches a first judgment code stored in the alternative code master; a second judgment unit that, when it is determined that the first product code matches the first judgment code, determines whether a second product code read from a second barcode of the target product matches a second judgment code stored in the alternative code master corresponding to the first judgment code; and an issuing unit that issues a management barcode that represents, in a single barcode, the alternative code stored in the alternative code master corresponding to the second judgment code.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a terminal device, a product management system, a product management method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Products arriving at a warehouse are registered and managed in an inventory management database by reading the barcode printed on the product's tag. Generally, one barcode is attached to one product. This barcode records a code value including a product code that can identify the product.

[0003] Furthermore, there are cases where multiple barcodes (for example, a multi-stage barcode consisting of a combination of an upper stage barcode and a lower stage barcode) are attached to one product. Patent Document 1 describes a technology in which a reading device operated by a shopper at a retail store cash register or the like determines whether the reading device has read a multi-stage barcode attached to one product or single-stage barcodes attached to different products when multiple barcodes are read in a single reading operation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 7-129701 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] For example, in warehouses that manage products such as clothing, a barcode reader that reads each barcode individually is used to read the product code that identifies the product from the barcode printed on the product's tag, and inventory management (receiving and shipping, inventory taking, etc.) is carried out. Furthermore, the warehouse manages products from multiple brands. Because each brand may have its own unique product code, the number of barcodes printed on the tag may also differ for each brand. When multiple barcodes are printed on a tag, a conventional barcode reader that reads each barcode individually cannot obtain the correct product code, and this can make it impossible to manage products using the barcodes on the tag.

[0006] Therefore, for products with multiple barcodes printed on the tag, a sticker with a barcode printed on it, including an alternative code (in-house code) for management within the warehouse, was issued in advance, and when the product arrived, a worker had to visually check the barcode printed on the product's tag, find the sticker with the corresponding alternative code printed on it, and affix it to the product (or tag), a time-consuming task.

[0007] An object of the present invention is to provide a terminal device, a product management system, a product management method, and a program that can easily and appropriately manage products that have multiple barcodes attached to each product. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a terminal device includes: a reading unit that reads a product code from the barcode of a target product arriving at a warehouse in response to a user's operation; a first determination unit that determines, based on a search result of an alternative code master that stores, for a product having multiple barcodes, a first determination code represented by one of the multiple barcodes, a second determination code represented by another of the multiple barcodes, and an alternative code for managing the product, whether a first product code read from the first barcode of the target product matches a first determination code stored in the alternative code master; a second determination unit that, when it is determined that the first product code matches the first determination code, determines whether a second product code read from the second barcode of the target product matches a second determination code stored in the alternative code master corresponding to the first determination code; and an issuing unit that, when it is determined that the second product code matches the second determination code, issues a management barcode that represents, in a single barcode, the alternative code stored in the alternative code master corresponding to the second determination code.

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a product management system includes an alternative code master that stores, for a product having multiple barcodes attached thereto, a first determination code represented by one of the multiple barcodes, a second determination code represented by another of the multiple barcodes, and an alternative code for managing the product, in association with each other, and the terminal device described above.

[0010] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a product management system includes an alternative code master that stores, for a product having multiple barcodes attached thereto, a first determination code represented by one of the multiple barcodes, a second determination code represented by another of the multiple barcodes, and an alternative code for managing the product, in association with each other; a product master that stores the regular product code of each of the multiple products; and the terminal device described above.

[0011] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a product management method includes the steps of: receiving a user's operation to read a product code from a barcode of a target product arriving at a warehouse; determining, based on a search result of an alternative code master that stores, for a product having multiple barcodes, a first determination code represented by one of the multiple barcodes, a second determination code represented by another of the multiple barcodes, and an alternative code for managing the product, whether the first product code read from the first barcode of the target product matches the first determination code stored in the alternative code master; if it is determined that the first product code matches the first determination code, determining whether the second product code read from the second barcode of the target product matches the second determination code stored in the alternative code master in correspondence with the first determination code; and if it is determined that the second product code matches the second determination code, issuing a management barcode in which the alternative code stored in the alternative code master in correspondence with the second determination code is represented by a single barcode.

[0012] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a program causes a terminal device to execute the following steps: receiving a user's operation to read a product code from the barcode of a target product arriving at a warehouse; determining, based on a search result of an alternative code master that stores, for a product having multiple barcodes, a first determination code represented by one of the multiple barcodes, a second determination code represented by another of the multiple barcodes, and an alternative code for managing the product, whether the first product code read from the first barcode of the target product matches the first determination code stored in the alternative code master; if it is determined that the first product code matches the first determination code, determining whether the second product code read from the second barcode of the target product matches the second determination code stored in the alternative code master in correspondence with the first determination code; and if it is determined that the second product code matches the second determination code, issuing a management barcode in which the alternative code stored in the alternative code master in correspondence with the second determination code is represented by a single barcode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] According to the above aspect, it is possible to easily and appropriately manage products to which multiple barcodes are attached. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a product management system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a registration process to a master according to an embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a product code list stored in a product master according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a substitute code list stored in a substitute code master according to an embodiment. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of processing of a terminal device according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an example of a computer configuration of a terminal device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] First Embodiment Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] (Overall configuration of product management system) 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a product management system according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the product management system 1 includes a terminal device 10 and a management server 20.

[0017] The terminal device 10 is used by an operator in a warehouse for goods such as clothing when inspecting a target product P arriving at the warehouse. The terminal device 10 is an information processing device including a barcode reader that reads the product code of the target product P from the barcode B attached to the target product P.

[0018] The barcode B may be printed on a tag T attached to the target product P, or may be attached as a sticker to the package or the like of the target product P. In this embodiment, an example will be described in which the terminal device 10 reads the barcode B printed on the tag T.

[0019] Furthermore, target product P includes products with only one barcode printed on the tag T and products with multiple barcodes B printed on the tag T. In the example of FIG. 1, only barcode B1a is printed on the tag Ta of target product Pa, and two barcodes B1b and B2b are printed across two lines on the tag Tb of target product Pb. In the following explanation, the single barcode B1a attached to target product Pa and the upper barcode B1b of the multiple barcodes attached to target product Pb will also be referred to as the "first barcode B1." Furthermore, the lower barcode B2b of target product Pb will also be referred to as the "second barcode B2."

[0020] 1 shows an example in which the first barcode B1b and the second barcode B2b are printed vertically on the tag Tb, but this is not limiting. In other embodiments, the first barcode B1b and the second barcode B2b may be printed horizontally on the tag Tb. In other words, the arrangement of the first barcode B1b and the second barcode B2b may be set arbitrarily by each brand.

[0021] The management server 20 is a server device communicably connected to the terminal device 10 via the network NW. The management server 20 has a product master 21, an alternative code master 22, and an inventory management database (DB) 23. The management server 20 stores the product master 21, the alternative code master 22, and the inventory management database 23 in a storage device such as a hard disk. The management server 20 may also access the product master 21, the alternative code master 22, and the inventory management database 23 using a processor or the like to search for and record various data.

[0022] The product master 21 is a database that stores genuine product codes that can identify products managed in a warehouse. The product master 21 is a database owned, for example, by a logistics company that owns a warehouse. Genuine product codes are identification information that each brand (manufacturer, etc.) assigns to each of its products. Genuine product codes are assigned independently by each brand, and may contain codes with more digits than can be represented by a single barcode. Therefore, some brands split their genuine product codes into multiple barcodes B and print them on tags T.

[0023] The alternative code master 22 is a database that stores the first determination code represented by the first barcode B1, the second determination code represented by the second barcode B2, and an alternative code in association with each other for a product bearing multiple barcodes B. The alternative code master 22 is a database owned by, for example, a logistics company that owns a warehouse. The alternative code is an in-house code set with the number of digits that can be represented by a single barcode for management purposes in the warehouse.

[0024] The inventory management DB 23 records the regular product code or substitute code of the target product P in the warehouse, the number of items received, the date of arrival, and the like.

[0025] (Functional configuration of terminal device) As shown in FIG. 1, the terminal device 10 includes a reading unit 101, a first determination unit 102, a second determination unit 103, an arrival processing unit 104, a notification unit 105, and an issuing unit 106.

[0026] The reading unit 101 is a barcode reader that accepts an operation from a user (receiving worker) and reads a product code from the barcode B of a target product P that is received in the warehouse. The reading unit 101 may be a barcode reader of any type, such as a CCD type or a laser type.

[0027] The first determination unit 102 determines whether the first product code read from the first barcode B1 of the target product P matches the regular product code stored in the product master 21. For example, the first determination unit 102 makes a search request based on the first product code to the management server 20, and determines based on the search results whether the first product code read from the first barcode B1 of the target product P matches the regular product code stored in the product master 21. Furthermore, if the read first product code does not match the regular product code, the first determination unit 102 determines whether the first product code matches the first determination code stored in the alternative code master 22. For example, the first determination unit 102 makes a search request based on the first product code to the management server 20, and determines based on the search results whether the first product code read from the first barcode B1 of the target product P matches the first determination code stored in the alternative code master 22.

[0028] When it is determined that the first product code matches the first determination code registered in the substitution code master 22, the second determination unit 103 determines whether the second product code read from the second barcode B2 of the target product P matches the second determination code stored in the substitution code master 22 in association with the first determination code. For example, the second determination unit 103 makes a search request based on the second product code to the management server 20, and determines based on the search results whether the second product code read from the second barcode B2 of the target product P matches the second determination code stored in the substitution code master 22.

[0029] The arrival processing unit 104 causes the management server 20 to perform a recording process related to the arrival of the target product P. When it is determined that the first product code of the target product P matches the regular product code, the arrival processing unit 104 causes the management server 20 to record the arrival of the target product P based on the regular product code. Furthermore, when it is determined that the first product code and second product code of the target product P match the first judgment code and second judgment code in the substitution code master 22, the arrival processing unit 104 performs a recording process of the arrival of the target product P based on the substitution code corresponding to the combination of the first judgment code and second judgment code. For example, the arrival processing unit 104 causes the inventory management DB 23 to record the regular product code or substitution code of the target product P, the number of items in stock, the arrival date, etc.

[0030] The notification unit 105 notifies the user of the result of reading the first barcode B1 and prompts the user to perform the next operation. The notification unit 105 may be a lamp (such as an LED) that notifies by light, a speaker that notifies by sound (such as a buzzer) or voice, a display device (liquid crystal display) that notifies by text, or a combination of these. For example, when it is determined that the first product code matches the first determination code in the substitute code master 22, the notification unit 105 notifies the user to prompt them to read the second barcode B2 of the target product P. Furthermore, when it is determined that the first product code matches the regular product code in the product master 21, the notification unit 105 may notify the user to prompt them to read the first barcode B1 of the next target product P.

[0031] The issuing unit 106 is a printer that issues a management barcode 50 on which an alternative code for management in the warehouse is printed. The issuing unit 106 may also be a printer that prints barcodes in the form of stickers. When the issuing unit 106 determines that the second product code matches the second determination code, it issues a management barcode 50 in which the alternative code stored in the alternative code master 22 in correspondence with the second determination code is represented by a single barcode. The management barcode 50 is printed on sticker paper, and the user affixes the management barcode 50 (sticker) output by the issuing unit 106 to the tag T, package, or the like of the target product P. Thereby, thereafter, by simply reading the management barcode 50 of the target product P once, tasks such as inventory and picking in the warehouse can be easily and appropriately performed.

[0032] (Master registration process) 2 is a flowchart showing an example of a master registration process according to an embodiment of the present invention, and the flow of the process of registering information in the product master 21 and the substitution code master 22 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0033] For example, a retailer that purchases and sells products acquires product information for products that are scheduled to arrive at a warehouse from each brand (step S101). The product information includes the product's official product code, the code values ​​of multiple barcodes attached to the product (first and second determination codes), the product name, color, size, a customer code that can identify the brand, and so on.

[0034] Next, the retailer processes the product information acquired from the brand (step S102), and registers the product information in the product master 21 and the substitution code master 22 of the management server 20 (steps S103 to S104).

[0035] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a product code list stored in a product master according to an embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the product master 21 stores the regular product code of each product. When a retailer acquires product information from each brand (step S101), it extracts and processes only necessary information from the product information (step S102) and registers it in the product master 21 (step S103). FIG. 3 shows an example in which the retailer extracts the regular product code and the customer code from the product information in steps S102 and S103 and registers them in the product master 21. Note that in other embodiments, other information included in the product information (e.g., product name, color, size, etc.) may also be registered in the product master 21.

[0036] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a substitution code list stored in a substitution code master according to an embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the substitution code master 22 stores a first determination code represented by a first barcode B1 of each product, a second determination code represented by a second barcode B2, and a substitution code for managing the product in a warehouse, in association with each other. When a retailer acquires product information from each brand (step S101), it extracts and processes only necessary information from the product information (step S102) and registers the information in the substitution code master 22 (step S104). FIG. 4 illustrates an example in which the retailer extracts a first determination code, a second determination code, and a customer code from the product information in steps S102 and S104 and registers them in the substitution code master 22. In addition, in step S104, the management server 20 automatically generates a substitution code from information input by the retailer (e.g., the first determination code and the second determination code) in accordance with a predetermined rule and registers the code in the substitution code master 22. The substitution code may be manually generated and registered later by the distributor in accordance with predetermined rules. In another embodiment, other information included in the product information (e.g., a regular product code) may also be registered in the substitution code master 22. While FIG. 4 shows an example in which numbers are used as substitution codes, this is not limiting. The substitution code may include alphabets or symbols instead of or in addition to numbers.

[0037] (Example of terminal device processing) 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing performed by the terminal device 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The flow of processing performed by the terminal device 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0038] A user (a warehouse receiving worker) inspects a product (target product P) that has arrived at the warehouse using the terminal device 10. First, when the user starts the terminal device 10, the notification unit 105 outputs a notification prompting the user to read the first barcode B1 of the target product P (step S201).

[0039] The reading unit 101 accepts the user's operation, reads the first barcode B1 printed on the tag T of the target product P, and acquires the first product code (step S202).

[0040] Next, the first determination unit 102 determines whether a regular product code that matches the first product code read from the first barcode B1 is registered in the product master 21 (step S203).

[0041] For example, suppose that the reading unit 101 reads the first barcode B1a on the tag Ta of the target product Pa (FIG. 1). The target product Pa is affixed with only the first barcode B1a, and the first product code represented by this first barcode B1a is the regular product code of the target product Pa. The first determination unit 102 sends a search request to the management server 20 using the first product code as a key. The management server 20 searches the product master 21 based on the key and transmits the search results to the terminal device 10 (first determination unit 102). The first determination unit 102 refers to the search results received from the management server 20, and if a regular product code matching the first product code read from the first barcode B1a is registered in the product master 21 (step S203; YES), it obtains this regular product code from the product master 21 and outputs it to the receiving processing unit 104.

[0042] Then, the arrival processing unit 104 requests the management server 20 to record the arrival of the target product Pa based on the authorized product code output from the first determination unit 102. Then, the management server 20 records information related to the request in the inventory management DB 23 in response to the request (step S204). For example, the arrival processing unit 104 requests the management server 20 to record the arrival of the target product Pa, including the authorized product code and the arrival date. The management server 20 records the information related to the request in the inventory management DB 23. The management server 20 may record aggregated information as the number of arrivals for records (arrival records) with the same authorized product code and arrival date. The arrival records may also be different for each user. In this case, the terminal device 10 transmits a pre-stored user ID to the management server 20 when making the arrival record request. At this time, the notification unit 105 may notify the user that the arrival of the target product Pa has been recorded. The terminal device 10 then returns to step S201 and waits for processing of the next target product P.

[0043] Also, for example, suppose the reading unit 101 reads the first barcode B1b on the tag Tb of the target product Pb (FIG. 1). The target product Pb is affixed with a first barcode B1b and a second barcode B2b, and the first product code represented by the first barcode B1b is different from the regular product code of the target product Pb. The first determination unit 102 requests the management server 20 to search the product master 21 using the first product code as a key. If the management server 20 searches the product master 21 based on the key and finds that the regular product code matching the first product code read from the first barcode B1b is not registered in the product master 21 (step S203; NO), the management server 20 further searches the alternative code master 22 using the first product code as a key. The management server 20 then determines whether the alternative code master 22 contains a first determination code matching the first product code, and transmits the result to the terminal device 10 (step S205).

[0044] If the management server 20 searches the substitution code master 22 based on the search request and finds that the substitution code master 22 does not contain a registered first determination code that matches the first product code read from the first barcode B1b (step S205; NO), i.e., if the management server 20 returns no results, the first determination unit 102 determines that the target product Pb is an unscheduled product that is not registered in the product master 21 or the substitution code master 22. In this case, for example, the notification unit 105 notifies the user that the target product Pb is an unscheduled product (unscheduled product) that is not registered in the management server 20 (step S211), and the process returns to step S201. Upon receiving this notification, the user reports to the retailer that the target product Pb, which is an unscheduled product, has arrived. Furthermore, for example, if the user mistakenly reads the second barcode B2 of the target product Pb first, the user is also notified that the first determination code does not match and the product is an unscheduled product. In this case, the terminal device 10 also returns to step S201, and the user can receive the notification in step S201 and read the first barcode B1b of the target product Pb again.

[0045] On the other hand, if the search result acquired from the management server 20 indicates that a first determination code that matches the first product code read from the first barcode B1b is registered in the substitute code master 22 (step S205; YES), the first determination unit 102 determines that the target product Pb has the second barcode B2. In this case, the notification unit 105 outputs a notification urging the user to read the second barcode B2 (step S206).

[0046] The reading unit 101 accepts the user's operation, reads the second barcode B2b printed on the tag Tb of the target product Pb, and acquires the second product code (step S207).

[0047] Next, the second determination unit 103 requests the management server 20 to search the substitution code master 22 using the second product code read from the second barcode B2b as a key, and determines whether a second determination code matching the second product code is registered in the substitution code master 22 by referring to the result of the search request (step S208). At this time, in step S205, records having a first determination code matching the first product code are narrowed down from the multiple records stored in the substitution code master 22. Based on the search request from the terminal device 10 (second determination unit 103), the management server 20 searches these narrowed down records for records having a second determination code matching the second product code, and transmits the search result to the terminal device 10.

[0048] The second determination unit 103 makes a search request to the management server 20 using the second product code as a key, obtains the search results of the management server 20 searching the alternative code master 22 based on the key, and if the search results indicate that there is no record having a second determination code that matches the second product code read from the second barcode B2b (step S208; NO), that is, if the search result is zero, determines that the target product Pb is an unscheduled product that is not registered in the product master 21 and the alternative code master 22. In this case, for example, the notification unit 105 notifies the user that the target product Pb is an unscheduled product that is not registered in the management server 20 (step S211), and returns to step S201.

[0049] On the other hand, the second determination unit 103 makes a search request to the management server 20 using the second product code as a key, obtains the results of the management server 20 searching the substitution code master 22 based on the key, and if the search results indicate that a record having a second determination code that matches the second product code read from the second barcode B2b exists (step S208; YES), when the search results include the record, the second determination unit 103 reads out the substitution code included in this record and outputs it to the receiving processing unit 104 and the issuing unit 106. Note that when the second determination unit 103 receives only the information that the record exists as a search result from the management server 20, it may again request the contents of the record from the management server 20 and read out the substitution code included in the record.

[0050] Then, the arrival processing unit 104 requests the management server 20 to record the arrival of the target product Pb based on the substitution code output from the second determination unit 103. Then, the management server 20 records information related to the request in the inventory management DB 23 in response to the request (step S209). For example, the arrival processing unit 104 causes the management server 20 to record the substitution code, the number of items in stock, the arrival date, etc. in the inventory management DB 23.

[0051] The issuing unit 106 also issues a management barcode 50 on which a barcode representing the substitution code output from the second determination unit 103 is printed (step S210). The user then affixes the management barcode 50 issued by the issuing unit 106 to, for example, the tag Tb of the target product Pb. This allows subsequent tasks such as inventory and picking in the warehouse to be easily and appropriately performed simply by reading the management barcode 50 of the target product P once. At this time, the notification unit 105 may also notify the user that the arrival of the target product Pb has been recorded. Thereafter, the terminal device 10 returns to step S201 and waits for processing of the next target product P.

[0052] By repeatedly executing the series of processes in FIG. 5, the terminal device 10 can record the arrival of each target product P arriving at the warehouse and issue a management barcode 50 as necessary.

[0053] (Computer Configuration) 6 is a schematic block diagram showing an example of the computer configuration of a terminal device. The computer 900 includes a processor 901, a main storage device 902, an auxiliary storage device 903, and an interface 904. The terminal device 10 described above is implemented in the computer 900. The operations of each processing unit of the terminal device 10 described above are stored in the auxiliary storage device 903 in the form of a program. The processor 901 reads the program from the auxiliary storage device 903, loads it into the main storage device 902, and executes the above-mentioned processing in accordance with the program. The processor 901 also allocates a storage area in the main storage device 902 to be used in the above-mentioned processing in accordance with the program.

[0054] The program may be for realizing part of the functions to be performed by the computer 900. For example, the program may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that performs a function in combination with another program already stored in the auxiliary storage device 903 or in combination with another program installed in another device.

[0055] Examples of the auxiliary storage device 903 include a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disc read-only memory (DVD-ROM), and a semiconductor memory. The auxiliary storage device 903 may be an internal medium directly connected to the bus of the computer 900, or an external medium (external storage device 910) connected to the computer 900 via the interface 904 or a communication line. Furthermore, when this program is distributed to the computer 900 via a communication line, the computer 900 that receives the program may load the program into the main storage device 902 and execute the above-described processing. In at least one embodiment, the auxiliary storage device 903 is a non-transitory tangible storage medium.

[0056] The computer 900 may have an input / output device (not shown). The input / output device includes a means for accepting user operations (such as a power button and a selection button), a display, a lamp, and a speaker that function as the notification unit 105. The input / output device also includes a printer that functions as the issuing unit 106 and a barcode reader that functions as the reading unit 101.

[0057] The hardware configuration of the management server 20 may also be the same as that of the computer 900 .

[0058] (Action and effect) As described above, the terminal device 10 according to this embodiment includes a reading unit 101 that reads a product code from the barcode B of the target product P arriving at the warehouse in response to a user operation; a first determination unit 102 that determines whether the first product code read from the first barcode B1 of the target product P matches the first determination code stored in the alternative code master 22 based on the search results of the alternative code master 22; a second determination unit 103 that, when it is determined that the first product code matches the first determination code, determines whether the second product code read from the second barcode B2 of the target product P matches the second determination code stored in the alternative code master 22 corresponding to the first determination code; and an issuing unit 106 that, when it is determined that the second product code matches the second determination code, issues a management barcode 50 in which the alternative code stored in the alternative code master 22 corresponding to the second determination code is represented by a single barcode.

[0059] In this way, for a target product P to which multiple barcodes B1, B2 are attached, the terminal device 10 can read these multiple barcodes B1, B2, obtain the corresponding alternative codes from the alternative code master 22, and issue a single barcode, the management barcode 50. By affixing this management barcode 50 to the target product P, the user can thereafter easily and appropriately perform tasks such as inventory taking and picking in the warehouse by simply reading the management barcode 50 of the target product P once.

[0060] The terminal device 10 further includes a notification unit 105 that, when the first product code matches the first determination code stored in the substitute code master 22, prompts the user to read the second barcode B2.

[0061] In this way, after reading the first barcode B1, the terminal device 10 can prompt the user to perform the next operation, which is to read the second barcode B2. This allows the user to perform the incoming inspection of the target product P without any confusion about the operation.

[0062] Furthermore, based on the search results of the product master 21, if the first product code read from the first barcode B1 does not match the regular product code stored in the product master 21, the first judgment unit 102 judges whether the first product code matches the first judgment code stored in the alternative code master 22.

[0063] By doing this, the terminal device 10 can determine, based on the search results of the product master 21, whether the target product P has only one barcode B (only the first barcode B1) attached to it, or whether the target product P has multiple barcodes B (the first barcode B1 and the second barcode B2) attached to it.

[0064] In addition, the terminal device 10 further includes an arrival processing unit 104 that records the arrival of the target product P, and when it is determined that the first product code matches the regular product code stored in the product master 21, the arrival processing unit 104 records the arrival of the target product P based on the regular product code.

[0065] By doing this, the terminal device 10 can record the arrival of a target product P that has only one barcode B (only the first barcode B1) attached based on the genuine product code, simply by the user performing the operation of reading the first barcode B1 once.

[0066] Furthermore, when the arrival processing unit 104 determines that the first product code does not match the regular product code stored in the product master 21, and determines that the first product code and the second product code match the first judgment code and the second judgment code stored in the alternative code master 22, it records the arrival of the target product P based on the alternative code stored in the alternative code master 22 corresponding to the first judgment code and the second judgment code.

[0067] By doing this, the terminal device 10 can record the arrival of a target product P that has multiple barcodes B (first barcode B1 and second barcode B2) attached based on the replacement code simply by the user reading the first barcode B1 and the second barcode B2 in sequence.

[0068] <Other embodiments> Although one embodiment has been described in detail above with reference to the drawings, the specific configuration is not limited to the above, and various design modifications are possible. That is, in other embodiments, the order of the above-described processes may be changed as appropriate. Furthermore, some processes may be executed in parallel.

[0069] For example, in the above embodiment, an example was described in which the target product Pb is affixed with two barcodes, a first barcode B1b and a second barcode B2b, but this is not limited to this. In other embodiments, the target product Pb may be affixed with two or more second barcodes B2b. In other words, a total of three or more barcodes B may be affixed to one target product P.

[0070] In this case, a plurality of second determination codes are registered in the substitution code master 22 of Fig. 4. Furthermore, the second determination unit 103 determines that the target product Pb has another second barcode B2 by referring to the record searched for in step S208. In this case, the terminal device 10 repeats the processes of steps S206 to S208 again to search for a record that matches the combination of the first product code and a plurality of second product codes.

[0071] In this way, even for a target product P with three or more barcodes attached, it is possible to record the arrival and issue a management barcode 50.

[0072] Some or all of the above embodiments can be described as, but are not limited to, the following supplementary notes.

[0073] (Appendix 1) a first determination unit that, based on a search result of an alternative code master that stores a first determination code represented by one of a plurality of barcodes of a commodity, a second determination code represented by another of the plurality of barcodes, and an alternative code for managing the commodity, determines whether a first product code read from a first barcode of the commodity matches a first determination code stored in the alternative code master when it is determined that the first product code matches the first determination code; and an issuance unit that, when it is determined that the second product code matches the second determination code, issues a management barcode in which the alternative code stored in the alternative code master in correspondence with the second determination code is represented by a single barcode.

[0074] (Appendix 2) The terminal device described in Appendix 1 further includes a notification unit that prompts the user to read the second barcode when the first product code matches the first determination code stored in the alternative code master.

[0075] (Appendix 3) The terminal device described in Appendix 1 or 2, wherein the first determination unit determines whether the first product code read from the first barcode matches the first determination code stored in the alternative code master based on the search results of a product master that stores the regular product codes of each of a plurality of products, when the first product code read from the first barcode does not match the regular product code stored in the product master.

[0076] (Appendix 4) The terminal device described in Appendix 3 further includes an arrival processing unit that records the arrival of the target product, and when it is determined that the first product code matches the regular product code stored in the product master, the arrival processing unit records the arrival of the target product based on the regular product code.

[0077] (Appendix 5) The terminal device described in Appendix 4, wherein the arrival processing unit records the arrival of the target product based on the alternative code stored in the alternative code master corresponding to the first determination code and the second determination code when it is determined that the first product code does not match the regular product code stored in the product master and that the first product code and the second product code match the first determination code and the second determination code stored in the alternative code master.

[0078] (Appendix 6) A product management system comprising: an alternative code master that stores, for a product having multiple barcodes attached thereto, a first determination code represented by one of the multiple barcodes, a second determination code represented by another of the multiple barcodes, and an alternative code for managing the product, in association with each other; and a terminal device described in Appendix 1 or 2.

[0079] (Appendix 7) an alternative code master that stores, for a commodity to which a plurality of barcodes are attached, a first determination code represented by one of the plurality of barcodes, a second determination code represented by another of the plurality of barcodes, and an alternative code for managing the commodity, in association with each other; A product management system comprising: a product master that stores a genuine product code for each of a plurality of products; and a terminal device according to any one of Supplementary Note 3 to Supplementary Note 5.

[0080] (Appendix 8) a step of receiving a user's operation to read a product code from a barcode of a target product arriving at a warehouse; a step of determining, based on a search result of an alternative code master that stores, for a product having multiple barcodes, a first determination code represented by one of the multiple barcodes, a second determination code represented by another of the multiple barcodes, and an alternative code for managing the product, whether a first product code read from the first barcode of the target product matches a first determination code stored in the alternative code master; if it is determined that the first product code matches the first determination code, a step of determining whether a second product code read from a second barcode of the target product matches a second determination code stored in the alternative code master in correspondence with the first determination code; and if it is determined that the second product code matches the second determination code, a step of issuing a management barcode in which the alternative code stored in the alternative code master in correspondence with the second determination code is represented by a single barcode.

[0081] (Appendix 9) a step of receiving a user's operation to read a product code from the barcode of a target product arriving at a warehouse; a step of determining, based on a search result of an alternative code master that stores, for a product having multiple barcodes, a first determination code represented by one of the multiple barcodes, a second determination code represented by another of the multiple barcodes, and an alternative code for managing the product, whether the first product code read from the first barcode of the target product matches the first determination code stored in the alternative code master; a step of determining, if it is determined that the first product code matches the first determination code, whether the second product code read from the second barcode of the target product matches the second determination code stored in the alternative code master in correspondence with the first determination code; and a step of issuing, if it is determined that the second product code matches the second determination code, a management barcode in which the alternative code stored in the alternative code master in correspondence with the second determination code is represented by a single barcode. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 1 Product management system 10 Terminal Equipment 101 Reading unit 102 1st Judgment Section 103 Second Judgment Section 104 Receiving Processing Department 105 Notification Department 106 Publishing Department 20 Management Server 21 Product Master 22 Alternative Code Master 23 Inventory Management Database (DB) 50 Management barcode

Claims

1. a reading unit that accepts a user's operation and reads a product code from the barcode of a target product arriving at a warehouse; a first determination unit that determines whether a first product code read from a first barcode of a target product matches a first determination code stored in an alternative code master that stores, in association with each other, a first determination code represented by one of the barcodes, a second determination code represented by another of the barcodes, and an alternative code for managing the product, for the product to which multiple barcodes are attached; and a second determination unit that, when it is determined that the first product code matches the first determination code, determines whether the second product code read from the second barcode of the target product matches the second determination code stored in the substitution code master in correspondence with the first determination code; an issuing unit that, when it is determined that the second product code matches the second determination code, issues a management barcode that represents, in one barcode, the substitution code stored in the substitution code master in correspondence with the second determination code; A terminal device comprising:

2. a notification unit that prompts the user to read the second barcode when the first product code matches the first determination code stored in the substitute code master; The terminal device according to claim 1 , further comprising:

3. the first determination unit, based on a search result of a product master storing regular product codes of each of a plurality of products, determines whether the first product code read from the first barcode matches the first determination code stored in the alternative code master when the first product code does not match the regular product code stored in the product master; 3. The terminal device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. further comprising a receiving processing unit that records the receiving of the target product; When it is determined that the first product code matches the regular product code stored in the product master, the receiving processing unit records the receiving of the target product based on the regular product code. The terminal device according to claim 3.

5. when it is determined that the first product code does not match the regular product code stored in the product master, and the first product code and the second product code match the first determination code and the second determination code stored in the alternative code master, the arrival processing unit records the arrival of the target product based on the alternative code stored in the alternative code master in correspondence with the first determination code and the second determination code. The terminal device according to claim 4.

6. an alternative code master that stores, for a commodity having a plurality of barcodes, a first determination code represented by one of the plurality of barcodes, a second determination code represented by another of the plurality of barcodes, and an alternative code for managing the commodity, in association with each other; The terminal device according to claim 1 or 2; A product management system comprising:

7. an alternative code master that stores, for a commodity having a plurality of barcodes, a first determination code represented by one of the plurality of barcodes, a second determination code represented by another of the plurality of barcodes, and an alternative code for managing the commodity, in association with each other; a product master that stores the regular product code of each of a plurality of products; The terminal device according to claim 3; A product management system comprising:

8. A step in which the terminal device accepts a user's operation and reads a product code from a barcode of a target product arriving at the warehouse; a step in which the terminal device determines whether a first product code read from the first barcode of the target product matches a first determination code stored in an alternative code master, the alternative code master storing a first determination code represented by one of the barcodes of the target product, a second determination code represented by another of the barcodes of the target product, and an alternative code for managing the target product, in association with each other; a step in which, when it is determined that the first product code matches the first determination code, the terminal device determines whether the second product code read from the second barcode of the target product matches the second determination code stored in the substitute code master in correspondence with the first determination code; a step of issuing a management barcode in which the substitute code stored in the substitute code master in correspondence with the second determination code is represented by a single barcode when the terminal device determines that the second product code matches the second determination code; A product management method having the above.

9. A step of accepting a user's operation and reading a product code from a barcode of a target product arriving at a warehouse; a step of determining whether a first product code read from a first barcode of a target product matches a first determination code stored in an alternative code master that stores, in association with each other, a first determination code represented by one of the barcodes, a second determination code represented by another of the barcodes, and an alternative code for managing the product, for the product to which multiple barcodes are attached; a step of determining whether a second product code read from a second barcode of the target product matches a second determination code stored in the substitution code master in correspondence with the first determination code when it is determined that the first product code matches the first determination code; and a step of issuing a management barcode in which the substitution code stored in the substitution code master in correspondence with the second determination code is represented by a single barcode when it is determined that the second product code matches the second determination code. A program that causes a terminal device to execute the above.

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