Electronic device and method for inventory clearance

Abstract

In the embodiments, an inventory server is provided. The inventory server may include a memory for storing instructions, a processor, and a communication circuit. When executed by the processor, the instructions may cause the inventory server to transmit a request message to an inventory device via the communication circuit, the request message including store identification information representing a store and configuration information for setting up an inventory associated with said store; receive a report message from the inventory device via the communication circuit, the report message including device identification information of said inventory device and the result of said inventory according to said configuration information; obtain information about an item requiring verification through analysis of said inventory result; transmit a verification request message to the inventory device via the communication circuit, the verification request message including information about said item requiring verification; and receive a verification response message from the inventory device via the communication circuit, the verification response message including a correction result for said item requiring verification.

Description

Technology Field

[0001] The following descriptions relate to electronic devices and methods for inventory management. Background Technology

[0003] In industries selling a wide variety of goods (e.g., convenience stores, household goods stores, and cosmetics retailers), the diversity of products displayed and sold is increasing due to rapidly changing lifestyles; consequently, the efficiency of inventory management has become an absolute factor for survival. Various equipment is being utilized to effectively collect and manage inventory data. means of solving the problem

[0005] In the embodiments, an inventory server is provided. The inventory server may include a memory for storing instructions, a processor, and a communication circuit. When executed by the processor, the instructions may cause the inventory server to transmit a request message to an inventory device via the communication circuit, the request message including store identification information representing a store and configuration information for setting up an inventory associated with said store; receive a report message from the inventory device via the communication circuit, the report message including device identification information of said inventory device and the result of said inventory according to said configuration information; obtain information about an item requiring verification through analysis of said inventory result; transmit a verification request message to the inventory device via the communication circuit, the verification request message including information about said item requiring verification; and receive a verification response message from the inventory device via the communication circuit, the verification response message including a correction result for said item requiring verification. Brief explanation of the drawing

[0007] Figure 1 illustrates an example of an inventory system. Figure 2 illustrates signaling between an inventory survey device and an inventory survey server. Figure 3 illustrates an example of a change in the inventory survey device or a change in the store. Figure 4 shows the components of the inventory survey device and the components of the inventory survey server. Specific details for implementing the invention

[0008] The terms used in this disclosure are used merely to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the scope of other embodiments. A singular expression may include a plural expression unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, may have the same meaning as generally understood by those skilled in the art described in this disclosure. Terms used in this disclosure that are defined in a general dictionary may be interpreted as having the same or similar meaning as they have in the context of the relevant technology, and are not to be interpreted in an ideal or overly formal sense unless explicitly defined in this disclosure. In some cases, even terms defined in this disclosure are not to be interpreted to exclude the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0009] In the various embodiments of the present disclosure described below, a hardware-based approach is described as an example. However, since the various embodiments of the present disclosure include techniques using both hardware and software, the various embodiments of the present disclosure do not exclude a software-based approach.

[0010] Additionally, in this disclosure, expressions of "greater than" or "less than" may be used to determine whether a specific condition is satisfied or fulfilled; however, this is merely for the purpose of expressing an example and does not exclude descriptions of "greater than" or "less than." Conditions described as "greater than" may be replaced with "greater than," conditions described as "less than" may be replaced with "less than," and conditions described as "greater than and less than" may be replaced with "greater than and less than." Furthermore, "A" to "B" below refer to at least one of the elements from A (including A) to B (including B).

[0012] There is a need to develop, modify, and / or supplement a stabilized inventory survey program through the in-house development of a server-based inventory survey program. This program aims to achieve automatic server transmission of physical inventory data over a network, secure real-time data for the program, and improve accuracy, eliminate error rates, and enhance convenience. In industries such as convenience stores, household goods stores, and cosmetics retailers, the diversity of products on display and for sale, as well as the efficiency of inventory management, have become absolute factors for survival due to rapidly changing lifestyle patterns. While big data analysis is performed on a central collection server when processing inventory survey data, data collection using individual devices (e.g., PDAs) is not carried out in real-time. Furthermore, data analysis is performed only after the survey is completed due to the manual transmission of PDA inventory survey data, resulting in prolonged processing times. Therefore, the embodiments of this disclosure describe a server-based inventory survey program to provide more effective services.

[0014] Figure 1 illustrates an example of an inventory system.

[0015] Referring to FIG. 1, the inventory system may include an inventory server (110) as a central collection device. The inventory server (110) may communicate with inventory devices located at each store (e.g., a first inventory device (101), a second inventory device (102), a third inventory device (103), and / or a fourth inventory device (104)). For example, the inventory devices may include PDAs, smartphones, and / or other portable devices. The inventory server (110) and each inventory device according to embodiments of the present disclosure may communicate with the inventory server (110) through a separate communication module mounted on the inventory device. Instead of updating data via a PC and uploading quantities and amounts to a central server via the PC, inventory information may be shared in real time through communication between the inventory server (110) and the inventory device (hereinafter described based on the first inventory device (101)).

[0016] According to one embodiment, the inventory server (110) can collect data (e.g., items, amount by area, quantity) in real time from each inventory device.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the inventory survey server (110) can extract data that requires focused verification from among the data collected in real time.

[0018] According to one embodiment, the inventory server (110) can generate customized data for the store.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the inventory server (110) may generate a delivery request file for the store. According to one embodiment, the inventory server (110) may automatically generate a result file based on settings associated with the store. According to one embodiment, the inventory server (110) may provide information for each area through data collected in real time. For example, the information may include information on real-time inventory value, quantity, inventory value by floor, quantity by floor, inventory value by shelf, and / or quantity by shelf.

[0020] According to one embodiment, a separate program may be installed in the inventory device to provide an effective inventory survey upon request from the inventory survey server (110). Through the separate program, data transmission errors may be reduced and the scanning speed may be improved. Additionally, through the separate program, data from the inventory device and data from the inventory survey server (110) may be synchronized in real time. Accordingly, the error rate of quantity input may be reduced.

[0022] FIG. 2 illustrates signaling between an inventory device (e.g., a first inventory device (101)) and an inventory server (e.g., an inventory server (110)).

[0023] Referring to FIG. 2, in operation (201), the inventory server (110) may transmit a request message to the first inventory device (101). The request message may be a message requesting an inventory survey for a specific store. Although not shown in FIG. 2, a communication session for an inventory survey may be established between the inventory server (110) and the first inventory device (101). The inventory server (110) may transmit the request message through the communication session.

[0024] The above request message may include identification information representing a store (hereinafter, store identification information). The above request message may be used to request an inventory survey for the said store. The above request message may include configuration information. The above configuration information may include at least one setting related to an inventory survey for the said store. For example, the above configuration information may include a list of items handled by the said store. An inventory survey for each item may be requested. For example, the above configuration information may indicate a shelf unit and / or floor unit subject to the inventory survey. For example, the above configuration information may include request information regarding the quantity and amount per item at the shelf (or each floor). For example, the above configuration information may indicate the type of information to be reported by the first inventory survey device (101) (e.g., item, location of the first inventory survey device (101), identification information).

[0025] In operation (203), the first inventory inspection device (101) can transmit a report message to the inventory inspection server (110). The first inventory inspection device (101) can obtain the results of the inventory inspection according to the settings of the request message. The first inventory inspection device (101) can transmit a report message containing the results of the inventory inspection to the inventory inspection server (110). The report message may include various information in addition to the results of the inventory inspection. For example, the report message may include identification information of the first inventory inspection device (101) (hereinafter, device identification information). For example, the report message may include identification information for identifying the inventory inspection (investigation identification information). For example, the report message may include store identification information. Through the sharing of such identification information, the reliability of the results of the inventory inspection included in the report message can be ensured.

[0026] In operation (205), the inventory server (110) may transmit a verification request message to the first inventory device (101). The inventory server (110) may analyze the results of the inventory of operation (203). For example, the analysis may include the inventory server (110) comparing information synchronized in the inventory server (110) with information recorded in the first inventory device (101). For example, the inventory server (110) may obtain stored values ​​for a plurality of items indicated in the configuration information. The inventory server (110) may obtain reported values ​​for the plurality of items from the results of the inventory. Through the comparison of the stored values ​​and the reported values, the inventory server (110) may identify the item requiring verification among the plurality of items. For example, the inventory server (110) may designate an item among the plurality of items as an item requiring verification if the quantity is different, the amount is different, and / or the information for each item (e.g., expiration date, separate type for the same item, service status (e.g., whether it is 1+1 or 2+1)) is different. The inventory server (110) may transmit a verification request message containing information about the item requiring verification to the first inventory device (101).

[0027] In operation (207), the first inventory inspection device (101) may transmit a confirmation response message to the inventory inspection server (110). The confirmation response message may include a correction result regarding the information on the item requiring verification. The first inventory inspection device (101) may display a message on the screen requesting a re-aggregation of the information on the item requiring verification. A user managing the display stand may input result information according to the message. The result information may indicate "current data is fine" or corrected information. The first inventory inspection device (101) may transmit a confirmation response message containing updated data regarding the item to the inventory inspection server (110).

[0029] Figure 3 illustrates an example of a change in the inventory survey device or a change in the store.

[0030] Referring to FIG. 3, a situation is described in which a first inventory device (101) is set as the device responsible for inventory at a store (320). The first inventory device (101) can communicate with an inventory server (110). Since the inventory of the first inventory device (101) is specific to the store (320), store identification information representing the store (320) may be used. The inventory may be specified through device identification information of the first inventory device (101), store identification information representing the store (320), and / or investigation identification information representing the inventory itself. If, in addition to the first inventory device (101), other inventory devices (e.g., inventory device (301)) may be additionally used for the store (320), the inventory server (110) may also want to collect information regarding items / quantities / amounts for the shelves collected through the inventory device (301). To avoid confusion with the first inventory inspection device (101), the inventory inspection results of the inventory inspection device (301) also need to be specifically managed. Accordingly, the inventory inspection of the inventory inspection device (301) can be identified through the device identification information of the inventory inspection device (301), the store identification information indicating the store (320), and / or the inspection identification information indicating the inventory inspection itself. For example, even if inventory inspections for the same store (320) exist, the inventory inspection server (110) can collect and analyze the results of the inventory inspections of the two devices through the device identification information of the inventory inspection device (301) and the device identification information of the first inventory inspection device (101). Meanwhile, if the results of the two inventory inspections overlap or conflict, the results of the device with priority (e.g., the first inventory inspection device (101)) can be updated and synchronized first.

[0031] According to one embodiment, the inventory investigation device (301) may not include a separate communication module for communicating with the inventory investigation server (110). For effective inventory investigation, the inventory investigation device (301) may communicate with the inventory investigation server (110) via the first inventory investigation device (101). The first inventory investigation device (101) may obtain primary results from the inventory investigation device (301), and may combine the primary results and information directly input into the first inventory investigation device (101) to generate the results of the inventory investigation to be reported. The first inventory investigation device (101) may transmit a message containing the generated results of the inventory investigation to the inventory investigation server (110). The first inventory investigation device (101) may serve as a master node for other inventory investigation equipment (e.g., inventory investigation device (301)).

[0032] According to one embodiment, the first inventory inspection device (101) may also be used for other stores. For example, it may be used for an inventory inspection of store (330) as well as store (320). In this case, the first inventory inspection device (101) enables data collection from different stores even if the inventory management server (110) collects data from the same device, by including store identification information for store (330) along with the inventory inspection results in the report message and transmitting it.

[0034] FIG. 4 shows the components of an inventory survey device (e.g., a first inventory survey device (101)) and the components of an inventory survey server (e.g., an inventory survey server (110)).

[0035] Referring to FIG. 4, the first inventory count device (101) may include a memory (401), a processor (403), and a communication circuit (405). The memory (401) stores data such as a basic program, an application program, and setting information for the operation of the first inventory count device (101). The processor (403) may include control circuits and / or processing circuits for controlling the overall operations of the first inventory count device (101). The processor (403) can write and read data from the memory (401). The communication circuit (405) performs functions for transmitting and receiving signals through a wireless channel. The communication circuit (405) restores a received bit sequence through demodulation and decoding of a baseband signal. The communication circuit (405) can up-convert the baseband signal into an RF (radio frequency) band signal and transmit it through an antenna, and down-convert the RF band signal received through the antenna into a baseband signal. The first inventory inspection device (101) can communicate with the inventory inspection server (110) through the communication circuit (405).

[0036] The inventory server (110) may include memory (411), a processor (413), and a communication circuit (415). The memory (411) stores data such as a basic program, an application program, and configuration information for the operation of the first inventory device (101). The processor (413) may include control circuits and / or processing circuits for controlling the overall operations of the inventory server (110). The processor (413) can write and read data from the memory (411). The communication circuit (415) performs functions for transmitting and receiving signals through a wireless channel. The communication circuit (415) restores a received bit sequence through demodulation and decoding of a baseband signal. The communication circuit (415) can up-convert the baseband signal into an RF band signal and transmit it through an antenna, and down-convert the RF band signal received through the antenna into a baseband signal. The inventory server (110) can communicate with the first inventory device (101) through the communication circuit (415).

[0038] In the embodiments, an inventory server is provided. The inventory server may include a memory for storing instructions, a processor, and a communication circuit. When executed by the processor, the instructions may cause the inventory server to transmit a request message to an inventory device via the communication circuit, the request message including store identification information representing a store and configuration information for setting up an inventory associated with said store; receive a report message from the inventory device via the communication circuit, the report message including device identification information of said inventory device and the result of said inventory according to said configuration information; obtain information about an item requiring verification through analysis of said inventory result; transmit a verification request message to the inventory device via the communication circuit, the verification request message including information about said item requiring verification; and receive a verification response message from the inventory device via the communication circuit, the verification response message including a correction result for said item requiring verification.

[0039] According to one embodiment, when the instructions are executed by the processor, the inventory server may obtain stored values ​​for a plurality of items indicated in the configuration information, obtain reported values ​​of the plurality of items from the result of the inventory, and identify the item requiring verification among the plurality of items through a comparison of the stored values ​​and the reported values.

[0040] According to one embodiment, configuration information for setting up an inventory associated with the store may include information on at least one item to be collected in the inventory, settings for reporting the inventory, and information on a delivery request file used in the store.

[0041] According to one embodiment, when the instructions are executed by the processor, the inventory server may be caused to update information regarding the inventory amount by floor or shelf, the quantity by floor or shelf, the total inventory amount, and the total quantity from the results of the inventory survey, and to display information regarding the inventory amount by floor or shelf, the quantity by floor or shelf, the total inventory amount, and the total quantity in response to a user input requesting real-time information.

[0042] According to one embodiment, when the instructions are executed by the processor, the inventory server causes the inventory information for the store that is being synchronized by the inventory server to be transmitted to the inventory device through the communication circuit according to a specified period, and the inventory information may include at least one of an inventory amount by floor or by shelf, a quantity by floor or by shelf, a total inventory amount, and a total quantity.

[0044] In the specific embodiments of the present disclosure described above, the components included in the disclosure are expressed in a singular or plural form according to the specific embodiments presented. However, the singular or plural expression is selected to suit the situation presented for convenience of explanation, and the present disclosure is not limited to singular or plural components; even if a component is expressed in the plural form, it may be composed of a singular form, and even if a component is expressed in the singular form, it may be composed of a plural form.

[0045] According to the embodiments, one or more of the aforementioned components or operations may be omitted, or one or more other components or operations may be added. Generally or additionally, a plurality of components (e.g., a module or a program) may be integrated into a single component. In this case, the integrated component may perform one or more functions of each of the plurality of components in the same or similar manner as those performed by the corresponding component among the plurality of components prior to the integration. According to the embodiments, operations performed by a module, program, or other component may be executed sequentially, in parallel, iteratively, or heuristically, or one or more of the operations may be executed in a different order, omitted, or one or more other operations may be added.

[0046] Meanwhile, although specific embodiments have been described in the detailed description of the present disclosure, it is understood that various modifications are possible within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

Claim 1 In an inventory server, memory for storing instructions; processor; The system includes a communication circuit, and when the instructions are executed by the processor, the inventory server transmits a first request message to a first inventory device via the communication circuit, the first request message including store identification information representing a store, information regarding a plurality of items to be collected in a first inventory associated with the store, and first configuration information including a delivery request file used in the store; receives a first report message from the first inventory device via the communication circuit, the first report message including the result of the first inventory according to the device identification information of the first inventory device and the first configuration information; obtains information regarding an item requiring verification among the plurality of items based on a service state indicating whether the item is a single product, "1+1", or "2+1", and compares the reported value in the result of the first inventory received from the report message with the stored value obtained through synchronization for each item of the plurality of items; transmits a verification request message including the information regarding the item requiring verification to the first inventory device via the communication circuit; and transmits a verification response message including the modification result for the item requiring verification. Received from a first inventory survey device via the communication circuit, and transmitted to a second inventory survey device via the communication circuit a second request message including second configuration information including store identification information, information on a plurality of items, and a delivery request file used in the store, and received from the second inventory survey device via the communication circuit a second report message including device identification information of the second inventory survey device and the result of a second inventory survey according to the second configuration information, and determined whether the result of the second inventory survey conflicts with the result of the first inventory survey.An inventory server that, upon determining that the result of the second inventory count conflicts with the result of the first inventory count, identifies the inventory count device with higher priority among the first inventory count device and the second inventory count device, and causes the inventory results of the identified inventory count device to be updated and synchronized. Claim 2 delete Claim 3 delete Claim 4 In claim 1, the inventory server, when the instructions are executed by the processor, causes the inventory server to: update information regarding the inventory amount by floor or shelf, the quantity by floor or shelf, the total inventory amount, and the total quantity from the result of the first inventory survey, and to display information regarding the inventory amount by floor or shelf, the quantity by floor or shelf, the total inventory amount, and the total quantity in response to a user input requesting real-time information. Claim 5 In claim 1, the instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the inventory server to: transmit inventory information for the store being synchronized by the inventory server to the first inventory device via the communication circuit according to a specified period, wherein the inventory information comprises at least one of an inventory amount by floor or shelf, a quantity by floor or shelf, a total inventory amount, and a total quantity.

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