Product management device, product management method, and program

Abstract

At a shop, showcases (40) for showcasing a plurality of commodities are installed and a mobile type IC tag reader (30) is disposed. First IC tags (42) are respectively attached to the showcases (40) and second IC tags (52) are respectively attached to commodities (50). A commodity management device (20) acquires: first data read from the first IC tags (42) by the IC tag reader (30); first timing information indicating reading timings of the first data; second data read from the second IC tags (52) by the IC tag reader (30); and second timing information indicating reading timings of the second data. The commodity management device (20) generates, by using these information, position information indicating the respective positions of the commodities (50) relative to the showcases (40).

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] A plurality of products are displayed in a store. It is important to manage the display positions of these plurality of products.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 describes the following technology. First, a product RFID tag is attached to a product, and a position RFID tag is attached to a shelf. Then, when a store clerk stands in front of the shelf, the antenna of a tag reader is directed at the position RFID tag and the product RFID tag, and data is read from these. Then, the positioning device uses this data to determine which position RFID tag the detected product RFID tag is located at the same place as.

[0004] Also, Patent Document 2 discloses a system for registering the position of an article. Specifically, a wireless tag is attached to the article, and a fixed wireless tag is also attached to the floor. Then, a portable device detects these wireless tags, and the position of the article is registered using the detection results. At this time, the portable device adjusts the strength of the radio wave transmitted to the wireless tag in order to accurately detect the position of the wireless tag.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] For store staff and customers to understand the location of products in a store, the positional relationship between products and fixtures is important. On the other hand, in the method described in Patent Document 1, store staff need to perform the task of reading RFID tags. This increases the workload on store staff.

[0007] One example of the objectives of this invention is to reduce the burden on store employees when they need to understand the positional relationship between products and fixtures. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, a product management device for managing the location of multiple products in a store, The store is equipped with fixtures for displaying the aforementioned multiple products, and a mobile IC tag reader is also installed. Multiple first IC tags are attached to the fixture or the floor of the store at a distance from each other, and each of the multiple products is fitted with a second IC tag. The IC tag reader repeatedly attempts to read the first IC tag and the second IC tag while moving within the store. The aforementioned product management device is An acquisition means for acquiring first data read from the first IC tag by the IC tag reader, first timing information indicating the timing of reading the first data, second data read from the second IC tag by the IC tag reader, and second timing information indicating the timing of reading the second data, Information processing means that generates position information indicating the positions of the plurality of products relative to the plurality of fixtures using the first data, the first timing information, the second data, and the second timing information, A product management device equipped with the following features is provided.

[0009] According to the present invention, a product management method performed by a computer that manages the location of multiple products in a store, The store is equipped with fixtures for displaying the aforementioned multiple products, and a mobile IC tag reader is also installed. Multiple first IC tags are attached to the fixture or the floor of the store at a distance from each other, and each of the multiple products is fitted with a second IC tag. The aforementioned computer, The acquisition process involves acquiring first data read from the first IC tag by the IC tag reader, first timing information indicating the timing of the reading of the first data, second data read from the second IC tag by the IC tag reader, and second timing information indicating the timing of the reading of the second data. Information processing that generates position information indicating the positions of the multiple products relative to the multiple fixtures, using the first data, the first timing information, the second data, and the second timing information, A product management method is provided to perform this task.

[0010] According to the present invention, a computer-executable program for managing the locations of multiple products in a store, The store is equipped with fixtures for displaying the aforementioned multiple products, and a mobile IC tag reader is also installed. Multiple first IC tags are attached to the fixture or the floor of the store at a distance from each other, and each of the multiple products is fitted with a second IC tag. To the aforementioned computer, The IC tag reader has an acquisition function that acquires first data read from the first IC tag, first timing information indicating the timing of the reading of the first data, second data read from the second IC tag by the IC tag reader, and second timing information indicating the timing of the reading of the second data. An information processing function that generates position information indicating the positions of the multiple products relative to the multiple fixtures, using the first data, the first timing information, the second data, and the second timing information, A program is provided to give it this feature. [Effect of the Invention]

[0011] According to one aspect of the present invention, the burden on the store clerk when grasping the positional relationship between the merchandise and the fixtures is small. [Brief Description of the Drawings]

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

[0013] [Figure 1] It is a diagram for explaining the usage environment of the merchandise management system according to the embodiment. [Figure 2] It is a diagram showing an example of the information stored in the tag information storage unit. [Figure 3] It is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the merchandise management device. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing a first example of the information stored in the position information storage unit. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing a second example of the information stored in the position information storage unit. [Figure 6] It is a diagram for explaining a first example of the method for generating position information. [Figure 7] It is a diagram for explaining a second example of the method for generating position information. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing a modification example of FIG. 5. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing a modification example of FIG. 6. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the merchandise management device. [Figure 11] It is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the merchandise management device. [Modes 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 reference numerals are assigned to the same components, and the description will be omitted as appropriate.

[0015] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the usage environment of the product management system 10 according to an embodiment. The product management system 10 is a system for managing the location of products in a store and includes a product management device 20 and a mobile IC tag reader 30.

[0016] The store has multiple fixtures 40, such as product shelves. Multiple products 50 are displayed on these multiple fixtures 40. A first IC tag 42 is attached to each fixture 40, and a second IC tag 52 is attached to each product 50. Here, at least one first IC tag 42 is attached to each fixture 40. For example, if the fixture 40 is large, a first IC tag 42 may be attached to each of the separate parts of the fixture 40.

[0017] The IC tag reader 30 repeatedly attempts to read the first IC tag 42 and the second IC tag 52, both while moving within the store and while stationary within the store. For example, the IC tag reader 30 attempts to communicate with the first IC tag 42 and the second IC tag 52 at least once per second.

[0018] The IC tag reader 30 is, for example, carried by a store employee. The IC tag reader 30 communicates with the first IC tag 42 and the second IC tag 52 while the employee is moving around the store to perform other tasks. However, the IC tag reader 30 may also be attached to an object that moves with the customer in the store, such as a basket or cart.

[0019] Hereinafter, the information read by the IC tag reader 30 from the first IC tag 42 will be referred to as the first data, and the information read by the IC tag reader 30 from the second IC tag 52 will be referred to as the second data. The first data includes at least the tag identification information of the first IC tag 42, and the second data includes at least the tag identification information of the second IC tag 52. Furthermore, information indicating the timing at which the IC tag reader 30 read the first data will be referred to as the first timing information, and information indicating the timing at which the IC tag reader 30 read the second data will be referred to as the second timing information.

[0020] The product management device 20 uses the reading results from the IC tag reader 30 to generate location information for each of the multiple products 50, with each of the multiple fixtures 40 as the reference point. This location information indicates the position of the product 50 relative to any of the fixtures 40. In this process, the product management device 20 uses first timing information and second timing information.

[0021] The first IC tag 42 may be fixed to the floor of the store instead of the fixture 40. In this case, multiple first IC tags 42 are fixed to the floor at a distance from each other.

[0022] Furthermore, the product management device 20 can utilize the tag information storage unit 60. The tag information storage unit 60 stores the second tag identification information, linked to the detailed information of the product to which the second IC tag 52 corresponding to that second tag identification information is attached. Therefore, the product management device 20 can obtain detailed information of the product to which the second IC tag 52 is attached by using the tag information storage unit 60.

[0023] Figure 2 shows an example of the information stored in the tag information storage unit 60. As described above, the tag information storage unit 60 stores the second tag identification information in association with the detailed information of the product to which the second IC tag 52 corresponding to the second tag identification information is attached. The detailed information of the product includes at least the product name.

[0024] Figure 3 shows an example of the functional configuration of the product management device 20. The product management device 20 includes an acquisition unit 210 and an information processing unit 220.

[0025] The acquisition unit 210 acquires first data and first timing information, as well as second data and second timing information, from the IC tag reader 30.

[0026] The information processing unit 220 generates position information using the first data and first timing information, and the second data and second timing information. As described above, the position information indicates the position of each product 50 relative to one of the fixtures 40. For example, the position information indicates the fixture 40 closest to each of the multiple products 50. A specific example of the method for generating position information will be described later using other figures.

[0027] The information processing unit 220 stores the generated location information in the location information storage unit 230. Therefore, a store employee or customer can find the fixture 40 where the desired product 50 is estimated to be displayed by searching the location information storage unit 230.

[0028] Furthermore, the information processing unit 220 causes the position information storage unit 230 to store the first data and first timing information, as well as the second data and second timing information.

[0029] Figure 4 shows a first example of the information stored in the location information storage unit 230. As shown in this figure, the location information storage unit 230 stores the first data and the first timing information corresponding to the first data in a mutually related manner. In this figure, the tag identification information of the first IC tag 42 is referred to as the first tag identification information.

[0030] Figure 5 shows a second example of the information stored in the location information storage unit 230. As shown in this figure, the location information storage unit 230 stores the second data and the second timing information corresponding to that second data in association with each other. In this figure, the tag identification information of the second IC tag 52 is referred to as the second tag identification information. Since multiple products 50 are displayed in one fixture 40, the IC tag reader 30 communicates with multiple second IC tags 52 at the same time. For this reason, in the location information storage unit 230, one second timing information is often associated with multiple second tag identification information.

[0031] Figure 6 is a diagram illustrating a first example of a method for generating location information. Suppose that at a certain timing, the IC tag reader 30 attempts to communicate with the first IC tag 42 and the second IC tag 52. Then, it can be estimated that the first IC tag 42 and the second IC tag 52 that communicated with the IC tag reader 30 at that timing are located close to each other. The information processing unit 220 of the product management device 20 then selects a second timing information that indicates the same timing as the first timing information for each first timing information, and combines the second data corresponding to the second timing information with the first data corresponding to the first timing information. The information processing unit 220 then generates location information using this combination. In the example shown in Figure 6, the information processing unit 220 uses this combination as location information.

[0032] Figure 7 is a diagram illustrating a second example of a method for generating location information. In the example shown in this figure, the information processing unit 220 selects a second timing information for each first timing information whose difference from the first timing information is less than or equal to a standard, and combines the second data corresponding to the second timing information with the first data corresponding to the first timing information. For example, the information processing unit 220 combines a second timing information that shows the same timing as the first timing information, a second timing information that is one step before the first timing information, and one step of the first timing information. rear Select the second timing information.

[0033] The information processing unit 220 then uses this combination to generate location information. In the example shown in Figure 7, the information processing unit 220 uses this combination as location information.

[0034] Figure 8 shows a modified version of Figure 5. As illustrated by the second tag identification information "2002" in this figure, the IC tag reader 30 may read the second tag identification information from the same second IC tag 52 at different times. In this case, as shown in Figure 9, the information processing unit 220 may associate one second tag identification information with multiple first tag identification information. In this case, a store employee or customer can infer that the product 50 corresponding to that second tag identification information is located near the boundary of multiple fixtures 40 corresponding to multiple first tag identification information.

[0035] Figure 10 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the product management device 20. The product management device 20 includes a bus 1010, a processor 1020, memory 1030, a storage device 1040, an input / output interface 1050, and a network interface 1060.

[0036] Bus 1010 is a data transmission path for the processor 1020, memory 1030, storage device 1040, input / output interface 1050, and network interface 1060 to send and receive data to and from each other. However, the method of connecting the processor 1020 and the other components to each other is not limited to bus connection.

[0037] Processor 1020 is a processor implemented in components such as the CPU (Central Processing Unit) and GPU (Graphics Processing Unit).

[0038] Memory 1030 is a main memory device implemented using RAM (Random Access Memory), etc.

[0039] The storage device 1040 is an auxiliary storage device implemented as a removable media such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or memory card, or as ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage device 1040 stores program modules that implement each function of the product management device 20 (for example, the acquisition unit 210 and the information processing unit 220). The processor 1020 reads these program modules into the memory 1030 and executes them, thereby realizing the functions corresponding to those program modules. The storage device 1040 also functions as a location information storage unit 230.

[0040] The input / output interface 1050 is an interface for connecting the product management device 20 with various input / output devices.

[0041] The network interface 1060 is an interface for connecting the product management device 20 to a network. This network may be, for example, a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The method by which the network interface 1060 connects to the network may be wireless or wired. The product management device 20 may communicate with the IC tag reader 30 via the network interface 1060.

[0042] Figure 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the processing performed by the product management device 20. Apart from the processing shown in this figure, the IC tag reader 30 repeatedly attempts to communicate with the first IC tag 42 and the second IC tag 52. The acquisition unit 210 of the product management device 20 repeatedly receives the first IC tag 42 from the IC tag reader 30. data and the first timing information, and the second data The system acquires the second timing information and stores the acquired information in the position information storage unit 230.

[0043] Then, the information processing unit 220 of the product management device 20 performs the processing shown in this figure at a predetermined timing. First, the information processing unit 220 receives from the location information storage unit 230 data and the first timing information, and the second data The second timing information is acquired (step S10). The position information storage unit 230 then generates position information using the information read out (step S20) and stores the generated position information in the position information storage unit 230 (step S30).

[0044] The store clerk or customer then inputs information about the product whose location they want to check, such as the product name, into the product management device 20. The information processing unit 220 of the product management device 20 then reads the second tag identification information corresponding to this information from the tag information storage unit 60, and reads the location information corresponding to this second tag identification information from the location information storage unit 230. The information processing unit 220 then displays the read location information on a display or terminal, for example.

[0045] As described above, according to this embodiment, the IC tag reader 30 repeatedly attempts to communicate with the first IC tag 42 and the second IC tag 52 while moving within the store. The movement of the IC tag reader 30 occurs, for example, when a store employee carrying the IC tag reader 30 moves to perform other tasks, or when customers move. The acquisition unit 210 of the product management device 20 then receives from the IC tag reader 30 the first data and the first timing information, and the second data The second timing information is also acquired. The information processing unit 220 then uses this information to generate position information and stores it in the position information storage unit 230. Therefore, the burden on the store staff is small when determining the position of the product 50 relative to the fixture 40.

[0046] The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, but these are merely examples of the present invention, and various other configurations can also be adopted.

[0047] Furthermore, while the flowcharts used in the above description show multiple steps (processes) in sequence, the execution order of the steps performed in each embodiment is not limited to the order in which they are described. In each embodiment, the order of the illustrated steps can be changed to the extent that it does not impede the content. Also, the above embodiments can be combined to the extent that their contents do not conflict.

[0048] Some or all of the above embodiments may also be described as follows, but are not limited to the following: 1. A product management device that manages the location of multiple products in a store, The store is equipped with fixtures for displaying the aforementioned multiple products, and a mobile IC tag reader is also installed. Multiple first IC tags are attached to the fixture or the floor of the store at a distance from each other, and each of the multiple products is fitted with a second IC tag. The IC tag reader repeatedly attempts to read the first IC tag and the second IC tag while moving within the store. The aforementioned product management device is An acquisition means for acquiring first data read from the first IC tag by the IC tag reader, first timing information indicating the timing of reading the first data, second data read from the second IC tag by the IC tag reader, and second timing information indicating the timing of reading the second data, Information processing means that generates position information indicating the positions of the plurality of products relative to the plurality of fixtures using the first data, the first timing information, the second data, and the second timing information, A product management device equipped with the following features. 2. In the product management device described in item 1 above, The information processing means, for each of the first timing information, Select the second timing information whose difference from the first timing information is less than or equal to the standard. The second data corresponding to the second timing information and the first data corresponding to the first timing information are combined, A product management device that generates location information using the aforementioned combination. 3. In the product management device described in item 1 above, The information processing means, for each of the first timing information, Select a second timing information that indicates the same timing as the first timing information, The second data corresponding to the second timing information and the first data corresponding to the first timing information are combined, A product management device that generates location information using the aforementioned combination. 4. A product management method performed by a computer that manages the location of multiple products in a store, The store is equipped with fixtures for displaying the aforementioned multiple products, and a mobile IC tag reader is also installed. Multiple first IC tags are attached to the fixture or the floor of the store at a distance from each other, and each of the multiple products is fitted with a second IC tag. The aforementioned computer, The acquisition process involves acquiring first data read from the first IC tag by the IC tag reader, first timing information indicating the timing of the reading of the first data, second data read from the second IC tag by the IC tag reader, and second timing information indicating the timing of the reading of the second data. Information processing that generates position information indicating the positions of the multiple products relative to the multiple fixtures, using the first data, the first timing information, the second data, and the second timing information, A product management method that involves the following steps. 5. In the product management method described in item 4 above, In the information processing, the computer, for each of the first timing pieces of information, Select the second timing information whose difference from the first timing information is less than or equal to the standard. The second data corresponding to the second timing information and the first data corresponding to the first timing information are combined, A product management method that generates location information using the given combination. 6. In the product management method described in item 4 above, In the information processing, the computer, for each of the first timing pieces of information, Select a second timing information that indicates the same timing as the first timing information, The second data corresponding to the second timing information and the first data corresponding to the first timing information are combined, A product management method that generates location information using the given combination. 7. A computer-executable program for managing the location of multiple products in a store, The store is equipped with fixtures for displaying the aforementioned multiple products, and a mobile IC tag reader is also installed. Multiple first IC tags are attached to the fixture or the floor of the store at a distance from each other, and each of the multiple products is fitted with a second IC tag. To the aforementioned computer, The IC tag reader has an acquisition function that acquires first data read from the first IC tag, first timing information indicating the timing of the reading of the first data, second data read from the second IC tag by the IC tag reader, and second timing information indicating the timing of the reading of the second data. An information processing function that generates position information indicating the positions of the multiple products relative to the multiple fixtures, using the first data, the first timing information, the second data, and the second timing information, A program to give it a specific feature. 8. In the program described in item 7 above, The aforementioned information processing function performs the following for each of the first timing pieces: Select the second timing information whose difference from the first timing information is less than or equal to the standard. The second data corresponding to the second timing information and the first data corresponding to the first timing information are combined, A program that generates location information using the given combination. 9. In the program described in item 7 above, The aforementioned information processing function performs the following for each of the first timing pieces: Select a second timing information that indicates the same timing as the first timing information, The second data corresponding to the second timing information and the first data corresponding to the first timing information are combined, A program that generates location information using the given combination. [Explanation of symbols]

[0049] 10 Product Management Systems 20 Product management device 30 IC tag readers 40 fixtures 42. First IC Tag 50 products 52 Second IC Tag 60 Tag information storage unit 210 Acquisition Department 220 Information Processing Unit 230 Location information storage unit

Claims

1. A product management device that manages the location of multiple products in a store, The store is equipped with fixtures for displaying the multiple products, and a mobile IC tag reader is also installed. Multiple first IC tags are attached to the fixture or the floor of the store at a distance from each other, and each of the multiple products is attached to a second IC tag. The IC tag reader repeatedly attempts to read the first IC tag and the second IC tag while moving within the store. The aforementioned product management device is Acquisition means for acquiring first data read from the first IC tag by the IC tag reader, first timing information indicating the reading timing of the first data, second data read from the second IC tag by the IC tag reader, and second timing information indicating the reading timing of the second data, Information processing means that uses the first timing information and the second timing information to identify the second data to be combined with each first data, and generates position information indicating the location of the product for each first data based on that combination, Equipped with, The aforementioned information processing means is When it is detected, based on the location information generated for each of the first data, that the same second data is combined with two different first data, information is generated indicating that the product corresponding to the same second data is located between the location of the first IC tag corresponding to one of the two different first data and the location of the first IC tag corresponding to the other of the two different first data. Product management device.

2. In the product management device according to claim 1, The information processing means, for each of the first timing information, Select the second timing information whose difference from the first timing information is less than or equal to the standard. A product management device that generates the position information by combining the second data corresponding to the second timing information and the first data corresponding to the first timing information.

3. In the product management device according to claim 1, The information processing means, for each of the first timing information, Select a second timing information that indicates the same timing as the first timing information, A product management device that generates the position information by combining the second data corresponding to the second timing information and the first data corresponding to the first timing information.

4. A product management method performed by a computer that manages the location of multiple products in a store, The store is equipped with fixtures for displaying the multiple products, and a mobile IC tag reader is also installed. Multiple first IC tags are attached to the fixture or the floor of the store at a distance from each other, and each of the multiple products is attached to a second IC tag. The aforementioned computer, The acquisition process involves acquiring first data read from the first IC tag by the IC tag reader, first timing information indicating the timing of the reading of the first data, second data read from the second IC tag by the IC tag reader, and second timing information indicating the timing of the reading of the second data. Information processing that uses the first timing information and the second timing information to identify the second data to be combined with each first data, and generates position information indicating the location of the product for each first data based on that combination, Perform In the aforementioned information processing, the computer, When it is detected, based on the location information generated for each of the first data, that the same second data is combined with two different first data, information is generated indicating that the product corresponding to the same second data is located between the location of the first IC tag corresponding to one of the two different first data and the location of the first IC tag corresponding to the other of the two different first data. Product management method.

5. In the product management method described in claim 4, In the information processing, the computer, for each of the first timing pieces of information, Select the second timing information whose difference from the first timing information is less than or equal to the standard. A product management method that generates the location information by combining the second data corresponding to the second timing information and the first data corresponding to the first timing information.

6. In the product management method described in claim 4, In the information processing, the computer, for each of the first timing pieces of information, Select a second timing information that indicates the same timing as the first timing information, A product management method that generates the location information by combining the second data corresponding to the second timing information and the first data corresponding to the first timing information.

7. A computer-executable program for managing the location of multiple products in a store, The store is equipped with fixtures for displaying the multiple products, and a mobile IC tag reader is also installed. Multiple first IC tags are attached to the fixture or the floor of the store at a distance from each other, and each of the multiple products is attached to a second IC tag. To the aforementioned computer, The IC tag reader has an acquisition function that acquires first data read from the first IC tag, first timing information indicating the timing of the reading of the first data, second data read from the second IC tag, and second timing information indicating the timing of the reading of the second data. An information processing function that uses the first timing information and the second timing information to identify the second data to be combined with each first data, and generates location information indicating the location of the product for each first data based on that combination, Give it to him The aforementioned information processing function is When it is detected, based on the location information generated for each of the first data, that the same second data is combined with two different first data, information is generated indicating that the product corresponding to the same second data is located between the location of the first IC tag corresponding to one of the two different first data and the location of the first IC tag corresponding to the other of the two different first data. program.

8. In the program described in claim 7, The information processing function performs the following for each of the first timing pieces: Select the second timing information whose difference from the first timing information is less than or equal to the standard. A program that generates the position information by combining the second data corresponding to the second timing information and the first data corresponding to the first timing information.

9. In the program described in claim 7, The information processing function performs the following for each of the first timing pieces: Select a second timing information that indicates the same timing as the first timing information, A program that generates the position information by combining the second data corresponding to the second timing information and the first data corresponding to the first timing information.

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