Management device, management method, and program

Abstract

This management device comprises a detection unit and an output unit. The detection unit uses an antenna which is installed above a display position of an article on a shelf to detect the reading state of an RFID tag which is attached to the shelf corresponding to the display position. The output unit performs notification according to the reading state and planogram information pertaining to display of an article.

Description

Management device, management method, and recording medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a management device and the like.

[0002] It is known that RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tags are attached to items to manage the number of items, etc. For example, there is a case where inventory management is performed on items displayed on shelves installed in a store or warehouse. An RFID reader / writer writes data to an RFID tag or reads data stored in an RFID tag via an RFID antenna.

[0003] Patent Document 1 describes a display shelf in which a reader waveguide, which is a reader antenna, and an RFID tag having a tag antenna above the reader waveguide are arranged, and an article is placed above the RFID tag. Patent Document 1 also describes that an RFID reader / writer reads information stored in the RFID tag via the reader antenna and the tag antenna.

[0004] International Publication No. 2014 / 132621

[0005] However, it may still be difficult to identify the display situation, such as whether an item is displayed at each position on the shelf.

[0006] An example of an object of the present disclosure is to provide a management device or the like that can easily detect the display status of items on shelves.

[0007] In one aspect of the present disclosure, the management device includes a detection means for detecting the reading status of an RFID tag attached to a shelf corresponding to the display position of an item using an antenna installed above the display position of the item on the shelf, and an output means for providing shelf allocation information regarding the display of the item and a notification according to the reading status.

[0008] In one aspect of the management method of the present disclosure, a computer uses an antenna installed above the display position of an item on a shelf to detect the reading status of an RFID tag attached to the shelf corresponding to the display position, and performs a process of providing shelf allocation information regarding the display of the item and a notification based on the reading status.

[0009] A program in one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to use an antenna installed above the display position of an item on a shelf to detect the reading status of an RFID tag attached to the shelf corresponding to the display position, and to perform a process of providing shelf allocation information regarding the display of the item and a notification based on the reading status.

[0010] Each program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, the display status of items on shelves can be easily detected.

[0012] 1 is a first block diagram showing an example configuration of a management device according to the present disclosure; FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example where a position tag cannot be read due to the display of an obstructing item; FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example where a position tag can be read because no obstructing items are displayed; FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example where a position tag can be read because items that do not obstruct are displayed; FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example where a position tag cannot be read because a foreign object that obstructs is displayed; FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example operation of a management device; FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example connection between a management device and other devices; FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing examples of shelves and antennas installed on shelves; FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of attachment of position tags; FIG. 9 is a second block diagram showing an example configuration of a management device; FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of an antenna DB; FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a shelf allocation DB; FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a position tag DB; FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a product DB; FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of shelf display in a case where a stocking instruction is given; FIG. 15 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of shelf display in a case where a forward-moving instruction is given; FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example operation when a stocking instruction and a forward-moving instruction are given by the management device; Fig. 1 is a flowchart showing an example of operation when detecting a foreign object in a management device. Fig. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of displaying an image of a shelf and an image showing the display status of the first shelf level. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of displaying an image of a shelf and an image showing the position where a foreign object has been detected. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of operation when an imaging device is controlled by a management device. Fig. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a computer.

[0013] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, embodiments of a management device, a management method, a program, and a non-transitory recording medium for recording a program according to the present disclosure will be described in detail. The disclosed technology is not limited to these embodiments.

[0014] In each embodiment, a shelf is used as an example of a device for placing an item, but the device is not limited to a shelf. In addition, since a shelf is used as an example, the position where the item is placed is called a display position.

[0015] 1 is a first block diagram showing a configuration example of a management device according to the present disclosure. The management device 10 includes a detection unit 101 and an output unit 102.

[0016] The detection unit 101 uses an antenna to detect the read status of an RFID tag attached to a shelf corresponding to the display position of an item on the shelf. That is, the detection unit 101 uses radio waves transmitted from the antenna and radio waves transmitted to the antenna to detect the read status of an RFID tag attached to a shelf corresponding to the display position of an item on the shelf. For example, the antenna is installed above the display position of the item on the shelf. An RFID tag attached to a shelf corresponding to a display position is sometimes called a position tag.

[0017] The output unit 102 then provides a notification based on the shelf allocation information regarding the display of the items and the read status. The output unit 102 may provide the notification to, for example, an output device. The shelf allocation information is information indicating which items are displayed at each position on the shelf. The output device is not particularly limited to a user's terminal device, a terminal device fixedly installed in the store, a lighting device, an electronic shelf label, an audio output device, etc. For example, the notification destination device, such as a user's terminal device, a terminal device fixedly installed in the store, a lighting device, or an electronic shelf label, may be a device located near the position where the position tag is attached.

[0018] Next, an example in which the detection unit 101 detects the display state of the shelf based on the read state will be described.

[0019] For example, an RFID tag may communicate by reflecting a carrier wave from an antenna controlled by an RFID reader / writer. Information stored in the RFID tag is carried on this reflected wave. Metal and liquid obstruct the carrier wave, causing the radio waves to be reflected by such obstructions. As a result, the reflected wave from the RFID tag interferes with the reflected wave from the obstruction, making it difficult or easy for the antenna to read the reflected wave from the RFID tag. Thus, obstructions can result in improper reading. If an RFID tag includes a tag antenna, a separate antenna is required for the RFID tag, increasing the price of the RFID tag. Therefore, an example will be described in which an RFID tag does not include a tag antenna, and an antenna is installed above the RFID tag. The antenna installation position is not limited to above the RFID tag, as long as it is in a position where the RFID tag can be read. The RFID tag covered by this disclosure is not limited to tags that reflect carrier waves, and may include other types of tags.

[0020] For this reason, the reading state of an RFID tag using an antenna differs depending on the material of at least a portion of the item displayed in the display position. As described above, at least a portion of the material of an item may affect the frequency of the RFID tag. The material of an item includes the material of the item itself and the material of the packaging of the item. For example, if the item is a plastic drink bottle, the material of part of the item contains liquid such as water. Also, if the item is a can, etc., the material of part of the item may contain metal. In this way, the material of part of the item may become an obstacle as described above and affect the reading state of the RFID tag. It is assumed that it is known in advance whether each item will become an obstacle to the RFID tag.

[0021] Here, we will give examples in which the management device 10 detects the display status of the shelves in two cases: when at least some of the materials of the items displayed on the shelves are materials that affect the frequency of the RFID tags, and when the materials of the items displayed on the shelves are materials that do not affect the frequency of the RFID tags.

[0022] <Example in which an article becomes an obstacle to an RFID tag> First, an example in which the display state of a shelf is detected when at least a part of the material of the articles displayed on the shelf is a material that affects the frequency of the RFID tag will be described.

[0023] FIG. 2A is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a position tag cannot be read due to the display of an obstructing item. Here, an example is taken in which the items displayed in the planogram are metal cans. In FIG. 2A, a position tag is attached to a shelf corresponding to the display position of the item. An antenna is installed above the position tag. A metal item is displayed above the position tag. The item is placed between the antenna and the position tag. Therefore, the metal item becomes an obstruction.

[0024] Therefore, when an item is displayed above the position tag, the detection unit 101 cannot read the position tag using the antenna. Here, "unable to read" refers to "unable to read" the information on the RFID tag not being read properly. "Unable to read properly" includes not only "unable to read" the information on the RFID tag at all, but also "unable to read within a predetermined radio wave strength range." The predetermined radio wave strength may differ, for example, for each product or for each material of the product. Therefore, "at least a portion of the material of the product affects the frequency of the RFID tag" means that at least a portion of the material of the product causes the RFID tag to be unable to be read properly. This allows the detection unit 101 to detect that an item is displayed in a display position where a position tag is attached. The output unit 102 may notify that an item is displayed in a display position where a position tag is attached.

[0025] FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which the position tag can be read because no obstructing articles are displayed. In FIG. 2B, no cans are displayed above the position tag. In other words, there is no obstruction, which is an article displayed in the planogram. The detection unit 101 can read the position tag. Here, "readable" refers to being able to read the information on the RFID tag normally. "Normally readable" means being able to read within a predetermined range of radio wave strength. As mentioned above, the predetermined radio wave strength may be different for each product, or may be different for each material of the product, for example. "At least a part of the material of the product does not affect the frequency of the RFID tag" means that the material of the product does not cause the RFID tag to be unable to be read normally.

[0026] Therefore, when the position tag cannot be read, the output unit 102 notifies that the item is not displayed at the display position. The output unit 102 can notify that the item is out of stock at the display position to which the position tag is attached.

[0027] The detection unit 101 may detect a change from a state where the position tag cannot be read to a state where the position tag can be read. Then, when this change is detected, the output unit 102 notifies of a shortage. For example, if the output device is a lighting device, the output unit 102 may change the lighting color of a lighting device installed near a shelf from a color indicating that an item is present in the display position to a color indicating that an item is not present in the display position.

[0028] The output unit 102 may notify the out-of-stock along with the time when the change was detected.

[0029] <Example in which an item does not become an obstacle> Next, an example will be given of detecting the display status of a shelf in which the material of the items displayed on the shelf in the planogram information does not affect the frequency of the RFID tag. Here, an example will be given in which a foreign object that may become an obstacle to the RFID tag is displayed. A foreign object refers to anything other than the item displayed in the planogram.

[0030] FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a position tag can be read because an item that does not pose an obstacle is displayed. Here, an example is given in which an item displayed at a display position on a shelf is an item that does not pose an obstacle. In FIG. 3A, a position tag is attached to the shelf corresponding to the display position of the item. An antenna is installed above the position tag. An item is displayed above the position tag. The item is placed between the antenna and the position tag, but the item does not pose an obstacle.

[0031] The detection unit 101 can read the position tag, and the output unit 102 may notify that the position tag can be read.

[0032] 3B is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which a position tag cannot be read due to the presence of a foreign object that poses an obstacle. Although an item that does not pose an obstacle should be displayed in the planogram, in FIG. 3B, a metal can that poses an obstacle is displayed above the position tag.

[0033] For this reason, the detection unit 101 detects that the position tag cannot be read. Although the shelf allocation information specifies that items displayed at display positions on a shelf are items that do not pose obstacles, the position tag cannot be read. Therefore, when the output unit 102 detects that the position tag cannot be read, it notifies the user that an item other than the item assigned to the shelf in the shelf allocation information has been placed on the shelf. This allows the output unit 102 to notify the user that a foreign object has been detected. Generally, a foreign object on a shelf is assumed to be an item other than the item assigned to the shelf in the shelf allocation information. Therefore, although the example given above notifies the user that an item other than the item assigned to the shelf in the shelf allocation information has been placed on the shelf, the foreign object is not limited to an item and could be, for example, a spilled liquid. Therefore, when the output unit 102 detects that the position tag cannot be read, it may notify the user that a foreign object has been detected.

[0034] The detection unit 101 may detect a change from a state in which the position tag can be read to a state in which the position tag cannot be read. Then, when this change is detected, the output unit 102 notifies the detection of a foreign object. For example, if the output device is a lighting device, the output unit 102 may change the lighting color of the lighting device installed near the shelf from a color indicating that no foreign object has been detected in the display position to a color indicating that a foreign object has been displayed in the display position.

[0035] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the management device 10. The detection unit 101 uses an antenna to detect the reading status of the position tag (step S101). Next, the output unit 102 issues a notification according to the shelf allocation information and the reading status (step S102).

[0036] As described above, it may still be difficult to identify whether an item is displayed at each position on a shelf. For example, when an imaging device installed in a store captures images of shelves and manages the inventory and positions of items displayed on the shelves based on the captured images of the shelves, it may be difficult to detect products located in the depth direction if the items are overlapped. Thus, for example, it may be difficult to manage the inventory and positions of items using images captured by the imaging device.

[0037] As described above, in the first embodiment, the management device 10 uses an antenna installed above the display position of an item on a shelf to detect the read status of an RFID tag attached to the shelf corresponding to the display position, and provides shelf allocation information related to the display of the items on the shelf and a notification according to the read status. This makes it possible to easily detect the display status of items on a shelf. As long as RFID tags are attached to the shelves, the management device 10 can detect the display status of items even in display positions such as at the back of a shelf where it is difficult to see in a shelf image in which the face of the shelf is captured.

[0038] For example, if an item displayed on a shelf in the shelf allocation information obstructs an RFID tag, the management device 10 notifies the user that the item is absent if the RFID tag attached to the shelf corresponding to the display position can be read. In this way, a stockout can be detected with a simple configuration. Also, for example, if an item displayed on a shelf in the shelf allocation information does not obstruct an RFID tag, the management device 10 notifies the user that an item other than the item displayed on the shelf in the shelf allocation information has been placed if the RFID tag attached to the shelf corresponding to the display position cannot be read. In this way, a foreign object can be detected with a simple configuration.

[0039] (Embodiment 2) Next, embodiment 2 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In embodiment 2, shelves installed in a store will be used as an example, and products will be used as examples of items. Below, explanations of content that overlaps with the above explanation will be omitted to the extent that the explanation of embodiment 2 is not unclear.

[0040] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a connection between a management device and other devices. Here, the management device 20 may be an edge terminal device installed in a store, or may be a server.

[0041] For example, the management device 20 is connected to an RFID reader / writer 22 via a communication network. The reader / writer 22 is connected to one or more antennas 21. The reader / writer 22 may be installed as appropriate depending on the size of the store and the performance of the reader / writer 22. The antenna 21 and the reader / writer 22 are connected using a cable. FIG. 5 shows multiple antennas 21-1 to 21-n, where n is an integer of 2 or greater.

[0042] For example, the management device 20 is connected to the imaging device 24 via a communication network. For example, the management device 20 may be able to control the imaging device 24.

[0043] Furthermore, for example, the management device 20 is connected to a terminal device 23 via a communication network. The terminal device 23 is an example of a destination of a notification from the management device 20, and the device that is the destination of the notification is not particularly limited. For example, the terminal device 23 may be a terminal device 23 or a terminal device 23 fixedly installed in a store, and is not particularly limited.

[0044] FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a shelf and an antenna 21 installed on the shelf. For ease of explanation, FIG. 6 shows the height direction and the width direction of the shelf. The shelf may have, for example, multiple levels in the height direction. In FIG. 6, the shelf has three levels on which products can be displayed. An antenna 21 is installed on each level. For example, the antennas 21 are installed so as to be able to read position tags attached to each level of the shelf. For example, there is an area in which products can be displayed between the position tags and the antennas 21. That is, the antennas 21 are installed in a position where they can read position tags from above the products. For example, antenna 21-1 can read position tags attached to the first level of the shelf. For example, antenna 21-2 can read position tags attached to the second level of the shelf. For example, antenna 21-3 can read position tags attached to the third level of the shelf. The output strength of each antenna 21 may be adjusted in advance so as not to read position tags attached to other levels or other shelves. The installation positions of the antennas 21 are merely examples and are not particularly limited.

[0045] Furthermore, for example, the reader / writer 22 is connected to a plurality of antennas 21 installed on a shelf via cables or the like.

[0046] The imaging device 24 is installed, for example, on the ceiling of the store. The imaging device 24 may be installed in a position where it can capture an image of the shelf. For example, the imaging device 24 may be installed in a position where it can capture an image of the shelf from the front. The position, orientation, scale, etc. of the imaging device 24 may be controlled by the management device 20, so that it can capture an image of the shelf.

[0047] FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of attaching position tags. For example, an example is shown in which multiple position tags are attached to a shelf tier. In FIG. 7 , for ease of explanation, the depth direction and the width direction of the shelf are shown. For example, the width direction of the shelf is called a column, and the depth direction is called a row. For example, a shelf tier has five rows in the width direction. That is, five position tags are attached to each display position on a shelf tier so that five products can be displayed horizontally. Also, a shelf tier has four columns in the depth direction. That is, four position tags are attached to each display position on a shelf tier so that four products can be displayed vertically. Therefore, in FIG. 7 , a total of 20 position tags are attached to the shelf tier in five rows and four columns, and 20 products can be displayed. Note that the number of products that can be displayed, the number of position tags, and the positions at which the position tags are attached are merely examples. For example, when products are displayed, position tags may not be attached to positions that can be photographed by the imaging device 24, such as the front row, and position tags may be attached to positions that cannot be photographed by the imaging device 24, such as the back row.

[0048] 8 is a second block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the management device 20. The management device 20 includes a detection unit 201, an output unit 202, a reception unit 203, an imaging device control unit 204, and an identification unit 205.

[0049] The detection unit 201 may have the function of the detection unit 101 as a basic function. The output unit 202 may have the function of the output unit 102 as a basic function.

[0050] The management device 20 may also include an antenna DB (Database) 2001 , a shelf allocation DB 2002 , a position tag DB 2003 , and a product DB 2004 .

[0051] FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the antenna DB 2001. The antenna DB 2001 stores information indicating the position of each antenna 21. Specifically, for example, the antenna DB 2001 stores an antenna ID (Identifier) ​​in association with location information indicating the location where the antenna 21 identified by the antenna ID is installed. For example, the antenna ID is an example of antenna identification information for identifying the antenna 21, and may be an antenna number, etc. In the example of FIG. 6, the antennas 21 are installed on each shelf. The location information indicating the location where the antenna 21 is installed is, for example, information indicating the shelf and the shelf level.

[0052] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a shelf allocation DB 2002. The shelf allocation DB 2002 is shelf allocation information related to the display of products on shelves. Specifically, for example, the shelf allocation DB 2002 stores display position information indicating the position of a shelf in association with a product ID that identifies a product. The product ID is an example of product identification information that identifies a product. According to FIG. 10, a product identified by product P01 is displayed on the first shelf of shelf x.

[0053] Here, for ease of explanation, an example has been given in which the same products are displayed on different levels, but the same products may also be displayed on different shelves, or the same products may be displayed on different columns within the shelf levels.

[0054] 11 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the position tag DB 2003. The position tag DB 2003 stores information related to the attachment position of each position tag. Specifically, for example, the position tag DB 2003 stores a position tag ID in association with information on the position where the position tag is attached. The position tag ID is an example of position tag identification information that identifies a position tag. The position tag ID may be, for example, the serial number of the RFID tag, and is not particularly limited.

[0055] According to FIG. 11, the position tag identified by position tag T01 is attached to shelf x at the first level, first column, and first row.

[0056] FIG. 12 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the product DB 2004. The product DB 2004 stores information about products. Here, an example is given in which an RFID tag is attached to a product. The RFID tag is attached to each individual product. Therefore, the product DB 2004 stores product information such as the product ID, product name, and material for each product tag. Specifically, for example, the product DB 2004 stores product tag IDs in association with product information such as the product ID, product name, and material. The product tag ID is product tag identification information that identifies the product tag attached to the product. The product ID is product identification information that identifies the product. The product name is the name of the product. The product material indicates the material of the product, such as metal or water. The specific material of the product is not required as long as the information can be used to identify whether the product is an obstacle.

[0057] 12, tag PT01 is attached to a product identified by product P01. The product name of the product identified by product P01 is xx Cookies, and the material of the product is neither metal nor water. The product identified by product P01 does not obstruct the RFID tag.

[0058] 12, for example, tag PT50 is attached to a product identified by product P02. The product name of the product identified by product P02 is "yy carbonated water" and the material of the product is water. In other words, the product identified by product P02 becomes an obstacle to the position tag.

[0059] The product DB 2004 may also include information about tags identified by product tag IDs, prices of products identified by product IDs, product types, and other product information.

[0060] Here, the RFID tag attached to the product may be a tag that corresponds to the material of the product. For example, a tag with a general frequency adjustment may be used for products that do not pose an obstacle, and a metal tag may be used for products that contain metal as part of their material, such as canned drinks and canned goods. For example, a metal tag is a tag that is adjusted to have a general frequency when attached to metal. A water tag may be used for products that contain liquid as part of their material, such as plastic bottles and paper cartons that can hold liquid. For example, a water tag is a tag with frequency characteristics adjusted so that the RFID tag can send and receive signals when it comes close to a liquid such as water.

[0061] There are various methods for attaching an RFID tag to a product, such as attaching the RFID tag to an accessory of the product, such as a price tag, or attaching the RFID tag to the product itself. Here, an RFID tag attached to a product may be called a product tag.

[0062] Here, for example, the location tag may store a location tag ID, and for example, the product tag may store a product ID, and the product tag may store product information such as the product name and product price.

[0063] Next, each functional unit will be described in detail.

[0064] The detection unit 201 detects the reading status of the position tag and the reading status of the product tag. Here, the timing at which the detection unit 201 detects the reading status of each RFID tag is not particularly limited. For example, the detection unit 201 may continuously detect the reading status, or may detect the reading status one-off. For example, the detection unit 201 may continuously detect the reading status during a predetermined time period every day. On the other hand, the detection unit 201 may continuously detect the reading status from the time a reading instruction is received until an instruction to end reading is received. Since foreign object detection, as described below, is a sudden event caused by a customer or the like, the reading status may be detected continuously. Furthermore, the detection unit 201 may also detect the reading status one-off upon receiving a reading instruction. The detection unit 201 may also detect the reading status one-off, for example, at a predetermined time.

[0065] Here, an example of receiving a read instruction will be described. For example, the reception unit 203 may receive a read instruction. Specifically, the reception unit 203 may receive a read instruction via the terminal device 23, for example, through a user's operation. Furthermore, for example, the reception unit 203 may receive, along with the read instruction, specifications such as the shelf to be read, the shelf level to be read, and the product or product type to be read. For example, when a shelf to be read is specified, the detection unit 201 may detect the read status of the position tag and the read status of the product tag on each shelf level by sequentially outputting carrier waves to the antennas 21 installed on each level of the specified shelf. This allows reading to be performed at the user's desired timing.

[0066] Then, the output unit 202 issues a notification according to the read status of the position tag and the read status of the product tag.

[0067] As explained in the first embodiment, the following explanation will be made separately for cases where the product becomes an obstacle and cases where the product does not become an obstacle.

[0068] <Example in which Products are Obstacles> First, an example of detecting the display state of a shelf in which at least part of the materials of the products displayed on the shelf affect the frequency of the RFID tag will be described.

[0069] The detection unit 201 reads a position tag attached to a shelf using the antenna 21. Furthermore, if a product tag is attached to the product, the detection unit 201 reads the product tag attached to the shelf using the antenna 21. More specifically, for example, the detection unit 201 reads a position tag attached to a shelf level and product tags displayed on the shelf level.

[0070] The output unit 202 can identify whether a product displayed on a shelf is an obstacle by using the shelf allocation DB 2002 and the product DB 2004. The output unit 202 can identify the product ID of the product displayed on the shelf level in the shelf allocation DB 2002, and can identify the material of the product identified by the product ID by using the product DB 2004.

[0071] For example, if a product displayed on a shelf level is an obstacle and the position tag cannot be read, it is highly likely that the product is displayed there. Therefore, the output unit 202 notifies the user that the product is displayed there if the position tag cannot be read. Also, if the position tag cannot be read but the product tag can be read, it is highly likely that the product identified by the product ID in the product tag is displayed there. Therefore, the output unit 202 may notify the user that the product identified by the product ID in the product tag is displayed on the shelf.

[0072] The output unit 202 may notify the product tag ID read from the product tag, or may notify the product name associated with the product tag ID read from the product tag from the product DB 2004. Furthermore, if the product tag stores a product name, the output unit 202 may notify the product name read from the product tag.

[0073] Furthermore, the output unit 202 may use the position tag DB 2003 to notify that there is a possibility that a product is displayed at the position indicated by the position information associated with the position tag ID that could not be read by the antenna 21. Taking FIG. 11 as an example, the antenna 21 attached to the first level of shelf x is capable of communicating with the position tag T01. However, if the position tag T01 cannot be read, there is a high possibility that a product is displayed at the position indicated by the position tag T01. Therefore, for example, the output unit 202 may notify that there is a high possibility that a product is displayed at shelf x, first level, first column, and first row.

[0074] On the other hand, for example, if a product displayed on a shelf level is an obstacle, and the position tag can be read, it is highly likely that the product is not displayed. Therefore, if the position tag cannot be read, the output unit 202 notifies that the product is not displayed. In other words, the output unit 202 notifies that the product is out of stock. The output unit 202 may use the position tag DB 2003 to notify that the product is not displayed at the display position indicated by the position information associated with the position tag ID read from the position tag.

[0075] 7, when multiple identical products are displayed, the number of unreadable location tags is also expected to be the number of products on display. Therefore, the output unit 202 may use the location tag DB 2003 to identify the number of unreadable location tags via the antenna 21 and notify the number of unreadable location tags as the number of products on display. The number of readable location tags is also expected to be the number of products out of stock. The output unit 202 may notify the number of readable location tags as the number of products out of stock.

[0076] <Stocking Instructions> Here, an example of a stocking instruction will be described. When there are only a few products on display on the shelves, a store clerk will carry out a stocking operation to put new products on display.

[0077] If the number of unreadable position tags is small, it is expected that the number of products on display is small. Therefore, the output unit 202 may issue an instruction to put out products when the number of unreadable position tags is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The output unit 202 may issue an instruction to put out products together with the time when it was detected that the number of unreadable position tags is equal to or less than the predetermined value. The predetermined number may be determined in advance based on the number of displays in which the same product is displayed, etc.

[0078] Alternatively, if the number of readable position tags is large, it is expected that the number of products on display will be small. Therefore, the output unit 202 may notify an instruction to put out products when the number of readable position tags is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. The output unit 202 may notify the instruction to put out products together with the time when it was detected that the number of readable position tags was equal to or greater than the predetermined value.

[0079] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the display of shelf tiers when a stocking instruction is issued. For example, if a shelf tier is tilted toward the front in the depth direction, removing an item at the front may cause items displayed at the back to move forward. In such a shelf, as shown in FIG. 13 , products appear to be displayed at the front of the shelf. Therefore, since the image captured by the imaging device 24 shows items displayed at the front, it is expected that it will be difficult to determine the number of products displayed on the shelf from the image. In contrast, the management device 20 can determine the number of products displayed on the shelf using the number of position tags that cannot be read by the antenna 21-1 and the number of position tags that can be read. In FIG. 13 , of the 20 position tags, 12 can be read and 8 cannot be read. When the output unit 202 issues a notification when the number of displayed items falls below 9, the output unit 202 issues a stocking instruction in FIG. 13 . This allows the number of displayed items to be determined more accurately. Then, the output unit 202 can use the number of unreadable position tags and the number of readable position tags to give instructions for stocking at a better timing.

[0080] Here, the output unit 202 may issue a stocking instruction each time the number of unreadable position tags increases or each time the number of readable position tags decreases, or may issue a stocking instruction only once.

[0081] <Front-loading Instruction> Next, an example of a front-loading instruction will be described. When a product is taken from a shelf, it is highly likely that the product will be taken from the product at the front of the shelf. For this reason, in stores, store clerks perform a front-loading operation to display the product at the front of the shelf.

[0082] Therefore, the output unit 202 issues an instruction to move an item forward if the number of readable position tags among the position tags attached to the front of a shelf is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, based on information indicating the positions of each of the multiple position tags.Whether an item is in front of a shelf can be specified by column information included in position information associated with the position tag ID in the position tag DB 2003.For example, the front of a shelf may be up to a specific column, such as the second column.The position tag DB 2003 is an example of information indicating the position of a position tag.

[0083] FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the arrangement of shelf tiers when a forward-moving instruction is issued. In FIG. 14, although the number of products on display is not small, no products are displayed in the front position. For example, based on the position tag DB 2003, the output unit 202 issues a forward-moving instruction for products when the number of readable RFID tags among the position tags attached up to the second row is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. For example, in FIG. 14, the number of position tags attached up to the second row is 10, but the number of readable RFID tags is 8. Therefore, since there are few products displayed in positions on the shelf that are easy to reach, the output unit 202 issues a forward-moving instruction.

[0084] Alternatively, for example, the output unit 202 issues an instruction to move an item forward when the number of unreadable position tags among the position tags attached to the front of the shelf is equal to or less than a predetermined value based on information indicating the positions of each of the multiple position tags. In Fig. 14, the output unit 202 issues an instruction to move an item forward when the number of unreadable position tags among the position tags attached to the first two rows is equal to or less than a predetermined value based on the position tag DB 2003.

[0085] 15 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation when the management device 20 issues a stocking instruction and an advance instruction. The reception unit 203 receives a read instruction (step S201). Then, the detection unit 201 detects the read status of the position tags (step S202). Next, the output unit 202 determines whether the number of readable position tags is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (step S203). If the number of readable position tags is equal to or greater than the predetermined number (step S204: Yes), the output unit 202 notifies the terminal device 23 of a stocking instruction (step S204). After step S204, the management device 20 ends the series of processes.

[0086] If the number of readable position tags is less than the predetermined number (step S204: No), the output unit 202 determines whether the number of readable position tags among the position tags attached in front of the shelf is greater than or equal to the predetermined number (step S205). If the number of readable position tags among the position tags attached in front of the shelf is less than the predetermined number (step S205: No), the management device 20 ends the series of processes.

[0087] If the number of readable position tags among those attached to the front of the shelf is equal to or greater than a predetermined number (step S205: Yes), the output unit 202 notifies the terminal device 23 of a front-loading instruction (step S206). After step S204, the management device 20 ends the series of processes.

[0088] As shown in FIG. 15, the process relating to the forward-dispatch instruction and the process relating to the stocking instruction may be combined.

[0089] This concludes the description of the example in which a product becomes an obstacle to a position tag.

[0090] <Example in which products are not obstacles> Next, an example will be given in which the display status of products on a shelf is detected in a case in which the material of the products displayed on the shelf does not affect the frequency of the RFID tag. An example in which a foreign object is detected will be given.

[0091] If the product allocated in the planogram does not become an obstacle, the position tag can be read. However, if the position tag becomes unreadable, it is highly likely that a product other than the product allocated in the planogram has been displayed. Therefore, when the output unit 202 detects that the position tag cannot be read, it notifies that a product other than the product allocated to the shelf in the planogram DB 2002 has been placed on the shelf.

[0092] When it is detected that the position tag cannot be read, the output unit 202 notifies that the shelf is displaying an item that is assigned to the shelf in the shelf allocation DB 2002. Whether or not a product will obstruct the RFID tag can be identified by the product DB 2004.

[0093] On the other hand, if the position tag can be read, the output unit 202 notifies that the product assigned to the shelf in the shelf allocation DB 2002 is on display. However, since there may be other products on display for which the RFID tag does not pose an obstacle, the output unit 202 may also notify that if the position tag can be read, there is a high possibility that the product assigned to the shelf in the shelf allocation DB 2002 is on display.

[0094] In some cases, an RFID tag is attached to a product. The detection unit 201 detects the read status of the position RFID tag attached to the shelf and the product tag attached to the product. If the position tag attached to the shelf cannot be read but the product tag attached to the product can be read, the output unit 202 may notify that a product identified by the product ID read from the product tag attached to the product has been placed on the shelf.

[0095] More specifically, for example, if the output unit 202 cannot read the position tag, it may compare the product ID read from the product tag with the shelf allocation DB 2002. Then, the output unit 202 may identify a product ID from the shelf allocation DB 2002 and the product IDs read from the product tag that does not match the product ID of a product assigned to a shelf level in the shelf allocation DB 2002, and notify information about the product identified by the identified product ID. The output unit 202 may associate the information about the product identified by the product ID with the position information of the unread position tag and notify the information. In other words, the output unit 202 notifies that a product identified by the product ID is displayed at the position where the unread position tag is attached.

[0096] FIG. 16 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation of the management device 20 when detecting a foreign object. The detection unit 201 detects the read status of the position tag (step S221). Next, the output unit 202 determines whether there is an unreadable position tag (step S222). If there is no unreadable position tag (step S222: No), the management device 20 returns to step S221. If there is an unreadable position tag (step S222: Yes), the output unit 202 compares the product ID of the product read from the product tag with the product ID associated with the shelf position information in the shelf allocation DB 2002 (step S223). Then, the output unit 202 notifies the management device 20 of the detection of a foreign object for a product identified by a product ID not registered in the shelf allocation (step S224). After step S224, the management device 20 returns to step S221.

[0097] <Linkage Between RFID Tag Reading and Image Capturing Device 24> The management device 20 may link the reading of RFID tags with the image capturing device 24 .

[0098] For example, when a change in the display state is detected from an image of a shelf captured by the imaging device 24, the detection unit 201 may detect the reading state of the position tag using the antenna 21. In other words, the timing when the change in the display state is detected using the image may be used as the timing when the detection unit 201 detects the reading state of the RFID tag.

[0099] Furthermore, for example, constantly capturing images of the shelves and monitoring the shelf status from the images may impose a heavy processing load. Therefore, the imaging device control unit 204 may cause the imaging device 24 to capture an image of the shelves depending on the reading status. Specifically, for example, the imaging device control unit 204 may cause the imaging device 24 to capture an image of the shelves when a shortage of an item is detected, a foreign object is detected, the number of displays falls below a predetermined number, or the number of displays in front of the shelf falls below a predetermined number.

[0100] Furthermore, an image of the shelf is easier for the user to identify which shelf it is. For example, the imaging device control unit 204 may cause the imaging device 24 to capture an image of the shelf according to the reading status. Then, the output unit 202 may output the image of the shelf captured by the imaging device 24 together with a notification according to the reading status.

[0101] For example, a surveillance camera that tracks the movement of a person may be used as the imaging device 24 to capture an image of the shelf. Therefore, the imaging device control unit 204 may control the imaging device 24 so that it can capture an image of the shelf. For example, the imaging device control unit 204 controls at least one of the position, orientation, and scale of the imaging device 24 installed in the store so that it can capture an image of the shelf. Scale refers to enlargement or reduction. As for a specific method of controlling the imaging device 24, existing technology may be used, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. Then, when making the notification, the output unit 202 outputs the image of the shelf captured by the imaging device 24. For example, the output unit 202 may display the image of the shelf on the terminal device 23.

[0102] The imaging device 24 may be installed so as to be movable on a rail of a shelf. In such a case, the imaging device control unit 204 controls the position, orientation, and scale on the rail of the shelf. Here, the shelf on which the rail on which the imaging device 24 is movable is provided may be a shelf facing the shelf on which the antenna 21 is installed.

[0103] Furthermore, for example, the identification unit 205 may identify previous and next images from the time-series images of the shelf captured by the imaging device 24 according to the reading state. Specifically, for example, the identification unit 205 may identify previous and next images from the time-series images of the shelf when a shortage is detected, when a foreign object is detected, when the number of displays falls below a predetermined number, when the number of displays at the front of the shelf falls below a predetermined number, etc. Taking the case where a shortage is detected as an example, the identification unit 205 may identify images from the time-series images of the shelf that are taken before and after the time the shortage was detected. Taking the case where a foreign object is detected as an example, the identification unit 205 may identify images from the time-series images of the shelf that are taken before and after the time the foreign object was detected. The notification unit may then notify the user of the identified images. This allows the situation occurring on the shelf to be more accurately understood.

[0104] 13 and 14 can be visualized using the position tag DB 2003 and the read status of each position tag. Therefore, the output unit 202 may output an image that visualizes the display status based on the position tag DB 2003 and the read status of each position tag.

[0105] FIG. 17 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which an image of a shelf and an image representing the display status of the first shelf are displayed. In FIG. 17 , for example, the output unit 202 displays a screen including an image of a shelf and an image representing the display status of the first shelf on the terminal device 23. In the image representing the display status in FIG. 17 , "none" indicates that no products are displayed, and "present" indicates that products are displayed. Also, in FIG. 17 , the image representing the display status displays whether or not products are displayed in a distinguishable manner. For example, in FIG. 17 , positions where products are not displayed are highlighted.

[0106] Furthermore, for example, after displaying an image of a shelf, when a row in the image of the shelf is specified, the output unit 202 may display the display status of the specified row.

[0107] Fig. 18 is an explanatory diagram showing an example in which an image of a shelf and an image showing the position where a foreign object was detected are displayed. In Fig. 18, for example, the output unit 202 displays a screen including an image of the shelf and an image showing the position where the foreign object was detected on the terminal device 23. In the image showing the position where the foreign object was detected in Fig. 18, the display position where the foreign object was detected and the display position are displayed in a distinguishable manner. For example, in this image, the display position where the foreign object was detected is highlighted.

[0108] The output unit 202 may also display images of shelves and images that visualize the display status of shelves along with map information of the store.

[0109] 19 is a flowchart showing an example of operation when the management device 20 controls the imaging device 24. The detection unit 201 detects the read status of the position tag (step S231). Next, the output unit 202 determines whether there has been a change in the display situation based on the read status (step S232). If there has been a change in the display situation (step S232: Yes), the imaging device control unit 204 captures an image of the shelf using the imaging device 24 (step S233). Then, the output unit 202 notifies the management device 20 of the change in the display situation along with an image of the shelf (step S234), and the management device 20 ends the series of processes. If there has been no change in the display situation (step S232: No), the management device 20 ends the series of processes.

[0110] In the second embodiment, when at least a portion of the material of an item displayed on a shelf in the shelf allocation information affects the frequency of an RFID tag and the RFID tag can be read, the management device 20 notifies the user that an item is not present at a position where a readable RFID tag is attached. In this way, a stockout can be detected with a simple configuration. A store clerk can easily check for a stockout. This eliminates the need for the store clerk to check the shelf. Furthermore, if an RFID tag is attached to a display position at the back in the depth direction, a stockout can be detected even at that display position. A stockout that is difficult to detect in a shelf image in which the face of the shelf is photographed can be detected with a simple configuration.

[0111] Furthermore, if items displayed on a shelf become an obstacle, the management device 20 issues an instruction to put out the items if the number of readable RFID tags among the multiple RFID tags is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. Alternatively, the management device 20 issues an instruction to put out the items if the number of unreadable RFID tags among the multiple RFID tags is equal to or less than a predetermined value. This allows for a simple configuration to issue an instruction to put out the items. This eliminates the need for store staff to check the shelves. For example, there are shelves where, when an item in the front is removed, items in the back move forward. On such shelves, it is difficult to detect the number of items displayed using a shelf image in which the face of the shelf is photographed. However, the management device 20 allows for a simple configuration to detect the number of items displayed even on such shelves.

[0112] For example, when items are removed from a shelf, it is expected that they will be removed in order, starting with the items at the front of the shelf. Therefore, if an item displayed on a shelf becomes an obstacle, the management device 20 issues an instruction to move the item forward if the number of readable RFID tags among the RFID tags attached to the front of the shelf is equal to or exceeds a predetermined value, based on information indicating the positions of multiple RFID tags. This makes it possible to issue an instruction to move the item forward with a simple configuration.

[0113] If an item displayed on a shelf becomes an obstacle, the management device 20 cannot read the RFID tag attached to the shelf, but if it can read the RFID tag attached to the item, it notifies the customer that the item represented by the item information read from the RFID tag attached to the item is displayed at the position of the RFID tag attached to the shelf, based on the information indicating the position of the RFID tag attached to the shelf. The item information here may be, for example, product information such as the product name and price stored in the product tag. This makes it possible to notify the customer which items are displayed when items are displayed with a simple configuration. The store clerk can easily check the display status of the shelves, saving the store clerk the trouble of having to check the shelves.

[0114] Furthermore, in cases where the material of the items displayed on the shelf in the shelf allocation information does not affect the frequency of the RFID tag attached to the shelf, when the management device 20 detects that the RFID tag attached to the shelf cannot be read, it notifies the customer that an item other than the item assigned to the shelf in the shelf allocation information has been placed on the shelf. This allows notification of foreign object detection with a simple configuration. For example, a store clerk can easily check for foreign object displays.

[0115] Furthermore, if the items displayed on the shelves in the shelf allocation information do not pose an obstacle, and if the management device 20 can read the RFID tag attached to the shelf, it notifies the user that the items assigned to the shelf in the shelf allocation information are displayed on the shelf. This makes it possible to notify the user that no foreign object has been detected with a simple configuration.

[0116] Furthermore, if an item displayed on a shelf in the shelf allocation information does not pose an obstacle, and the item has an RFID tag attached, and if the management device 20 cannot read the RFID tag attached to the shelf but can read the RFID tag attached to the item, it notifies the user that the item represented by the item information read from the RFID tag attached to the item has been placed on the shelf. This makes it possible to notify the user, with a simple configuration, which item has been detected as a foreign object.

[0117] Furthermore, management device 20 causes imaging device 24 installed in the store to capture an image of the shelf depending on the read state. When issuing a notification, management device 20 outputs the image of the shelf captured by imaging device 24. For example, a store clerk can easily understand which shelf the notification is for.

[0118] The management device 20 controls at least one of the position, orientation, and scale of the imaging device 24 so that the imaging device 24 captures an image of the shelf. This allows the imaging device 24 to be used for other purposes, and the number of imaging devices 24 installed can be reduced.

[0119] Furthermore, when the management device 20 receives a read instruction, it may detect the read status of the position tag, thereby enabling the user to check the display status of the shelves at a timing desired by the user.

[0120] This concludes the description of each embodiment. Furthermore, each embodiment may be combined. In each embodiment, the management device 10 or 20 may have a configuration that includes some of the functional units and information.

[0121] This concludes the description of the application examples. Furthermore, the embodiments are not limited to the above-described examples and can be modified in various ways. Furthermore, the configuration of the management devices 10 and 20 in the embodiments is not particularly limited. For example, the functional units of the management devices 10 and 20 may be implemented by a single device. Alternatively, for example, each functional unit or DB of the management devices 10 and 20 in the embodiments may be implemented by a different device and configured as a system. For example, each functional unit of the management device 20 may be configured by multiple servers and implemented as a system. For example, it may be implemented by a database server including each DB and a server having each functional unit.

[0122] Furthermore, in the embodiment, each DB may include a portion of the above-described information. Furthermore, each piece of information may include information other than the above-described information. The method for realizing each DB is not particularly limited. For example, the product DB may be divided into a product database that manages product information by product, for example, by product identification information that identifies the product, and a product tag database that manages product identification information that identifies the product attached to the tag, for example, by tag identification information. For example, the product database and the product tag database may be associated with each other by product identification information, for example.

[0123] The process of generating information to be displayed on the terminal device 23 may be performed by the output units 102 and 202. This process may also be performed by the terminal device 23. That is, the terminal device 23 generates information for a screen to be displayed on the terminal device 23 based on data received from the management devices 10 and 20, and displays the screen.

[0124] (Example of Computer Hardware Configuration) Next, an example of a hardware configuration in which each device, such as the management devices 10 and 20 and the terminal device 23 described in the embodiment, is realized by a computer will be described. Fig. 20 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a computer hardware configuration. For example, some or all of each device can be realized using any combination of a computer 80 and a program as shown in Fig. 20.

[0125] The computer 80 includes, for example, a processor 801, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 802, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 803, and a storage device 804. The computer 80 also includes a communication interface 805 and an input / output interface 806. The components are connected to each other, for example, via a bus 807. The number of each component is not particularly limited, and there may be one or more of each component.

[0126] The processor 801 controls the entire computer 80. The processor 801 may be, for example, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a physics processing unit (PPU), a tensor processing unit (TPU), a quantum processor, or a combination thereof, and is not particularly limited.

[0127] The computer 80 also includes a ROM 802, a RAM 803, and a storage device 804. Examples of the storage device 804 include a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), and a solid state drive (SSD). For example, the storage device 804 stores an operating system (OS) program, application programs, and programs related to the embodiments. Alternatively, the ROM 802 stores application programs and programs related to the embodiments. The RAM 803 is used as a work area for the processor 801.

[0128] The processor 801 also loads programs stored in the storage device 804, ROM 802, etc. The processor 801 then executes each process coded in the program. The processor 801 may also download various programs via the communication network NT. The processor 801 also functions as a part or all of the computer 80. The processor 801 may then execute the processes or instructions in the illustrated flowchart based on the program.

[0129] The communication interface 805 is connected to a communication network NT such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a WAN (Wide Area Network) via a wireless or wired communication line. The communication network NT may be composed of multiple communication networks NT. As a result, the computer 80 is connected to external devices and external computers 80 via the communication networks NT. The communication interface 805 serves as an interface between the communication network NT and the inside of the computer 80. The communication interface 805 also controls the input and output of data from external devices and external computers 80.

[0130] Furthermore, the input / output interface 806 is connected to at least one of an input device, an output device, and an input / output device. The connection method may be wireless or wired. Examples of the input device include a keyboard, a mouse, and a microphone. Examples of the output device include a display device, a lighting device, and an audio output device that outputs audio. Examples of the input / output device include a touch panel display. Note that the input device, output device, and input / output device may be built into the computer 80 or may be external.

[0131] The hardware configuration of the computer 80 is an example. The computer 80 may have some of the components shown in FIG. 20 . The computer 80 may have components other than those shown in FIG. 20 . For example, the computer 80 may have a drive device or the like. The processor 801 may then read programs and data stored on a recording medium attached to the drive device or the like into the RAM 803. Examples of non-transitory tangible recording media include optical disks, flexible disks, magneto-optical disks, and USB (Universal Serial Bus) memories. As described above, the computer 80 may have input devices such as a keyboard and a mouse. The computer 80 may have an output device such as a display. The computer 80 may also have an input device, an output device, and an input / output device.

[0132] The computer 80 may also include various sensors (not shown). The types of sensors are not particularly limited. The computer 80 may also include an imaging device capable of capturing images or videos.

[0133] This concludes the description of the hardware configuration of each device. There are various variations in the method of realizing each device. For example, each device may be realized by any combination of a different computer and program for each component. Furthermore, multiple components of each device may be realized by any combination of a single computer and program.

[0134] Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device may be realized by circuits for specific applications. Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device may be realized by general-purpose circuits such as FPGAs (Field Programmable Gate Arrays). Furthermore, some or all of the components of each device may be realized by a combination of circuits for specific applications and general-purpose circuits. These circuits may be a single integrated circuit. Alternatively, these circuits may be divided into multiple integrated circuits. The multiple integrated circuits may be connected via a bus or the like.

[0135] Furthermore, when some or all of the components of each device are realized by a plurality of computers, circuits, etc., the plurality of computers, circuits, etc. may be centrally located or distributed.

[0136] The management method described in the embodiment may be realized by being executed by a computer such as the management device 10 or 20 .

[0137] Each program, such as the formulation program and optimization program described in the embodiments, is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as an HDD, SSD, flexible disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, or USB memory. Each program is executed by being read from the recording medium by a computer. Each program may also be distributed via a communication network NT.

[0138] The functions of each of the components of management device 10 and management device 20 described above may be realized by dedicated hardware, such as a computer. Alternatively, each component may be realized by software. Alternatively, each component may be realized by a combination of hardware and software.

[0139] Although the present disclosure has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the above embodiments. The configuration and details of each of the present disclosures may include embodiments to which various modifications that would be apparent to those skilled in the art are applied within the scope of the present disclosure. The present disclosure may include embodiments in which the details described herein are appropriately combined or substituted as necessary. For example, details described using a particular embodiment may also be applied to other embodiments to the extent that no contradiction occurs. For example, although multiple operations are described in sequence in the form of a flowchart, the order of description does not limit the order in which the multiple operations are performed. Therefore, when implementing the embodiments, the order of the multiple operations may be changed as long as it does not interfere with the content.

[0140] Some or all of the above-described embodiments can be described as follows: However, some or all of the above-described embodiments are not limited to the following.

[0141] (Supplementary Note 1) A management device comprising: a detection means for detecting the read status of an RFID tag attached to a shelf corresponding to the display position of an item using an antenna installed above the display position of the item on the shelf; and an output means for providing shelf allocation information regarding the display of the item and a notification according to the read status. (Supplementary Note 2) The management device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein, if at least a part of the material of the item displayed on the shelf in the shelf allocation information affects the frequency of the RFID tag, the output means notifies that the item is not present at the position where the readable RFID tag is attached if the RFID tag can be read. (Supplementary Note 3) The management device according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein a plurality of RFID tags are attached to the shelf, and the output means notifies an instruction to put out the item if the number of readable RFID tags out of the plurality of RFID tags is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. (Supplementary Note 4) The management device according to Supplementary Note 2 or Supplementary Note 3, wherein a plurality of RFID tags are attached to the shelf, and the output means issues an instruction to bring the item forward when the number of readable RFID tags among the RFID tags attached to the front of the shelf is equal to or greater than a predetermined value based on information indicating the positions of each of the plurality of RFID tags. (Supplementary Note 5) The management device according to any of Supplementary Note 2 to Supplementary Note 4, wherein an RFID tag is attached to each item, and the detection means detects the read status of the RFID tag attached to the shelf and the RFID tag attached to the item, and when the RFID tag attached to the shelf cannot be read but the RFID tag attached to the item can be read, the output means issues a notification that the item represented by the item information read from the RFID tag attached to the item is displayed at the position of the RFID tag attached to the shelf, based on the information indicating the position of the RFID tag attached to the shelf.(Supplementary Note 6) The management device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 2 to 5, wherein a plurality of RFID tags are attached to the shelf, and the output means outputs an image representing a display state of the shelf, indicating whether the item is displayed at the position of each of the plurality of RFID tags, based on information representing the position of each of the plurality of RFID tags, the shelf allocation information, and the read status of each of the plurality of RFID tags. (Supplementary Note 7) The management device according to Supplementary Note 1, wherein, when the material of the item displayed on the shelf in the shelf allocation information does not affect the frequency of the RFID tag, the output means notifies that an item other than the item displayed on the shelf in the shelf allocation information has been placed, if it detects that the RFID tag cannot be read. (Supplementary Note 8) The management device according to Supplementary Note 7, wherein, when the RFID tag can be read, the output means notifies that the item displayed on the shelf in the shelf allocation information is displayed. (Supplementary Note 9) The management device according to Supplementary Note 7 or Supplementary Note 8, wherein an RFID tag is attached to the item, the detection means detects a read status of the RFID tag attached to the shelf and the RFID tag attached to the item, and the output means, if the RFID tag attached to the shelf cannot be read but the RFID tag attached to the item can be read, notifies that the item represented by the item information read from the RFID tag attached to the item has been placed on the shelf. (Supplementary Note 10) The management device according to any of Supplementary Notes 1 to 9, further comprising imaging device control means for causing an imaging device installed in the store to capture an image of the shelf in accordance with the read status, and the output means, when making the notification, outputs an image of the shelf captured by the imaging device. (Supplementary Note 11) The management device according to Supplementary Note 10, wherein the imaging device control means controls at least one of a position, an orientation, and a scale of the imaging device so as to capture an image of the shelf. (Supplementary Note 12) The management device according to any one of Supplementary Note 1 to Supplementary Note 11, wherein the detection means detects a read state of the RFID tag attached to the shelf when receiving a read instruction.(Supplementary Note 13) The management device according to any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 12, wherein the shelf has a plurality of tiers, and the antenna is installed on each of the plurality of tiers. (Supplementary Note 14) A management method which executes a process in which a computer uses an antenna installed above a display position of an item on the shelf to detect a read status of an RFID tag attached to the shelf corresponding to the display position, and provides shelf allocation information related to the display of the item and a notification according to the read status. (Supplementary Note 15) The management method according to Supplementary Note 14, wherein, if at least a part of the material of the item displayed on the shelf in the shelf allocation information affects the frequency of the RFID tag, in the notification process, if the RFID tag can be read, a notification is made that the item is not present at the position where the readable RFID tag is attached. (Supplementary Note 16) The management method according to Supplementary Note 15, wherein a plurality of RFID tags are attached to the shelf, and in the notification process, an instruction to put out the item is issued if the number of readable RFID tags out of the plurality of RFID tags is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. (Supplementary Note 17) The management method according to Supplementary Note 15 or Supplementary Note 16, wherein a plurality of RFID tags are attached to the shelf, and in the notification process, an instruction to put out the item is issued if the number of readable RFID tags out of the RFID tags attached to the front of the shelf is equal to or greater than a predetermined value based on information indicating the positions of each of the plurality of RFID tags. (Supplementary Note 18) A management method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 15 to 17, wherein an RFID tag is attached to each item, the detection means detects the read status of the RFID tag attached to the shelf and the RFID tag attached to the item, and in the notification process, if the RFID tag attached to the shelf cannot be read but the RFID tag attached to the item can be read, a notification is issued based on information representing the position of the RFID tag attached to the shelf that the item represented by the item information read from the RFID tag attached to the item is displayed at the position of the RFID tag attached to the shelf.(Supplementary Note 19) The management method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 15 to 18, wherein a plurality of RFID tags are attached to the shelf, and the notification process outputs an image showing the display status of the shelf, indicating whether the item is displayed at the position of each of the plurality of RFID tags, based on information showing the positions of each of the plurality of RFID tags, the shelf allocation information, and the read status of each of the plurality of RFID tags. (Supplementary Note 20) The management method according to Supplementary Note 14, wherein, in a case where the material of the item displayed on the shelf in the shelf allocation information does not affect the frequency of the RFID tag, the notification process notifies that an item other than the item displayed on the shelf in the shelf allocation information has been placed if it is detected that the RFID tag cannot be read. (Supplementary Note 21) The management method according to Supplementary Note 20, wherein, in the notification process, if the RFID tag can be read, notifies that the item displayed on the shelf in the shelf allocation information is displayed. (Supplementary Note 22) The management method according to Supplementary Note 20 or Supplementary Note 21, wherein an RFID tag is attached to the item, and the detecting process detects a read status of the RFID tag attached to the shelf and the RFID tag attached to the item, and the notifying process notifies that an item represented by item information read from the RFID tag attached to the item has been placed on the shelf if the RFID tag attached to the shelf cannot be read but the RFID tag attached to the item can be read. (Supplementary Note 23) The management method according to any of Supplementary Notes 14 to 22, wherein the computer further executes a process of causing an imaging device installed in the store to capture an image of the shelf according to the read status, and the notifying process outputs an image of the shelf captured by the imaging device when making the notification. (Supplementary Note 24) The management method according to Supplementary Note 23, wherein the imaging process controls at least one of a position, orientation, and scale of the imaging device so as to capture an image of the shelf. (Supplementary Note 25) The management method according to any one of Supplementary Note 14 to Supplementary Note 24, wherein the detecting process detects a read state of the RFID tag attached to the shelf when a read instruction is received.(Supplementary Note 26) The management method according to any one of Supplementary Notes 14 to 25, wherein the shelf has a plurality of tiers, and the antenna is installed on each of the plurality of tiers. (Supplementary Note 27) A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium storing a program for causing a computer to execute the following process: using an antenna installed above a display position of an item on the shelf to detect a read status of an RFID tag attached to the shelf corresponding to the display position, and providing shelf allocation information related to the display of the item and a notification according to the read status. (Supplementary Note 28) The recording medium according to Supplementary Note 27, wherein, if at least a part of the material of the item displayed on the shelf in the shelf allocation information affects the frequency of the RFID tag, in the notification process, if the RFID tag can be read, a notification is made that the item is not present at the position where the readable RFID tag is attached. (Supplementary Note 29) The recording medium according to Supplementary Note 28, wherein a plurality of RFID tags are attached to the shelf, and in the notification process, an instruction to put out the item is issued when the number of readable RFID tags out of the plurality of RFID tags is equal to or greater than a predetermined value. (Supplementary Note 30) The recording medium according to Supplementary Note 28 or Supplementary Note 29, wherein a plurality of RFID tags are attached to the shelf, and in the notification process, an instruction to put out the item is issued when the number of readable RFID tags out of the RFID tags attached to the front of the shelf is equal to or greater than a predetermined value based on information indicating the positions of each of the plurality of RFID tags. (Appendix 31) A recording medium described in any of Appendices 28 to 30, wherein an RFID tag is attached to each item, the detecting process detects the read status of the RFID tag attached to the shelf and the RFID tag attached to the item, and the notifying process, if the RFID tag attached to the shelf cannot be read but the RFID tag attached to the item can be read, notifies that the item represented by the item information read from the RFID tag attached to the item is displayed at the position of the RFID tag attached to the shelf based on information representing the position of the RFID tag attached to the shelf.(Supplementary Note 32) The recording medium according to any one of Supplementary Notes 28 to 31, wherein a plurality of RFID tags are attached to the shelf, and the notification process outputs an image showing the display status of the shelf, indicating whether the item is displayed at the position of each of the plurality of RFID tags, based on information showing the positions of each of the plurality of RFID tags, the shelf allocation information, and the read status of each of the plurality of RFID tags. (Supplementary Note 33) The recording medium according to Supplementary Note 29, wherein, in a case where the material of the item displayed on the shelf in the shelf allocation information does not affect the frequency of the RFID tag, the notification process notifies that an item other than the item displayed on the shelf in the shelf allocation information has been placed if it is detected that the RFID tag cannot be read. (Supplementary Note 34) The recording medium according to Supplementary Note 33, wherein, in the notification process, if the RFID tag can be read, notifies that the item displayed on the shelf in the shelf allocation information is displayed. (Supplementary Note 35) The recording medium according to Supplementary Note 33 or Supplementary Note 34, wherein an RFID tag is attached to the item, and the detecting process detects a read status of the RFID tag attached to the shelf and the RFID tag attached to the item, and the notifying process notifies that an item represented by item information read from the RFID tag attached to the item has been placed on the shelf if the RFID tag attached to the shelf cannot be read but the RFID tag attached to the item can be read. (Supplementary Note 36) The recording medium according to any of Supplementary Notes 27 to 35, wherein the computer further executes a process of causing an imaging device installed in the store to capture an image of the shelf according to the read status, and the notifying process outputs an image of the shelf captured by the imaging device when making the notification. (Supplementary Note 37) The recording medium according to Supplementary Note 36, wherein the imaging process controls at least one of a position, orientation, and scale of the imaging device so as to capture an image of the shelf. (Supplementary Note 38) The recording medium according to any one of Supplementary Note 27 to Supplementary Note 37, wherein in the detecting process, when a read instruction is received, a read state of the RFID tag attached to the shelf is detected.(Supplementary Note 39) The recording medium according to any one of Supplementary Notes 27 to 38, wherein the shelf has a plurality of tiers, and the antenna is installed on each of the plurality of tiers. (Supplementary Note 40) A program that causes a computer to execute a process of using an antenna installed above a display position of an item on the shelf to detect a read status of an RFID tag attached to the shelf corresponding to the display position, and providing shelf allocation information related to the display of the item and a notification according to the read status.

[0142] 10, 20 Management device 21, 21-1, 21-2, 21-3, 21-n Antenna 22 Reader / writer 23 Terminal device 24 Imaging device 80 Computer 101, 201 Detection unit 102, 202 Output unit 203 Reception unit 204 Imaging device control unit 205 Identification unit 801 Processor 802 ROM 803 RAM 804 Storage device 805 Communication interface 806 Input / output interface 807 Bus 2001 Antenna DB 2002 Shelf allocation DB 2003 Position tag DB 2004 Product DB

Claims

1. a detection means for detecting a read state of an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag attached to the shelf corresponding to the display position of the item by using an antenna installed above the display position of the item on the shelf; an output means for outputting shelf allocation information relating to the display of the items and a notification according to the read status; A management device comprising:

2. When at least a part of the material of the item displayed on the shelf in the shelf allocation information affects the frequency of the RFID tag, When the RFID tag can be read, the output means notifies that the article is not present at the position where the readable RFID tag is attached. The management device according to claim 1 .

3. A plurality of RFID tags are attached to the shelf, the output means issues an instruction to put out the item when the number of readable RFID tags among the plurality of RFID tags is equal to or greater than a predetermined value; The management device according to claim 2 .

4. A plurality of RFID tags are attached to the shelf, the output means issues an instruction to bring the article forward when the number of readable RFID tags among the RFID tags attached to the front of the shelf is equal to or greater than a predetermined value based on the information indicating the positions of the plurality of RFID tags; The management device according to claim 2 or 3.

5. Each item is tagged with an RFID tag, the detection means detects a read state of the RFID tag attached to the shelf and the RFID tag attached to the item; When the RFID tag attached to the shelf cannot be read but the RFID tag attached to the item can be read, the output means notifies the user that the item represented by the item information read from the RFID tag attached to the item is displayed at the position of the RFID tag attached to the shelf, based on information representing the position of the RFID tag attached to the shelf. The management device according to claim 2 .

6. In the case where the material of the item displayed on the shelf in the shelf allocation information does not affect the frequency of the RFID tag, When it is detected that the RFID tag cannot be read, the output means notifies that an item other than the item to be displayed on the shelf in the shelf allocation information has been placed on the shelf. The management device according to claim 1 .

7. When the RFID tag can be read, the output means notifies that the item to be displayed on the shelf in the shelf allocation information is displayed on the shelf. The management device according to claim 6 .

8. An RFID tag is attached to the item, the detection means detects a read state of the RFID tag attached to the shelf and the RFID tag attached to the item; When the RFID tag attached to the shelf cannot be read but the RFID tag attached to the item can be read, the output means notifies that the item represented by the item information read from the RFID tag attached to the item has been placed on the shelf.

8. The management device according to claim 6 or 7.

9. The computer Using an antenna installed above a display position of an item on a shelf, a read status of an RFID tag attached to the shelf corresponding to the display position is detected; providing a notification according to the shelf allocation information regarding the display of the items and the read status; The management method by which the action is performed.

10. On the computer, Using an antenna installed above a display position of an item on a shelf, a read status of an RFID tag attached to the shelf corresponding to the display position is detected; providing a notification according to the shelf allocation information regarding the display of the items and the read status; A program that executes a process.

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