Shelf allocation management system for commodity shelf, shelf allocation management method, and program

Abstract

A shelf allocation management system (1) for a commodity shelf is provided with a management device (10) that sets a correspondence relationship, in a commodity shelf (90) having two or more arrangement locations at each of which a commodity is arranged, between the arrangement locations and commodities arranged at the arrangement locations. The management device receives an operation of selecting, from the two or more arrangement locations, an arrangement location to be subjected to shelf allocation. The management device determines candidates for a commodity to be arranged at the selected arrangement location according to conditions relating to the arrangement location.

Description

Shelf allocation management system for product shelves, shelf allocation management method, and program

[0001] The technology disclosed herein relates to a shelf allocation management system for product shelves, a shelf allocation management method, and a program.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a conventional shelf allocation creation apparatus. The conventional shelf allocation creation apparatus is connected with a mouse and a keyboard serving as an input unit, and a display serving as a display unit. A user can determine the arrangement of products on product shelves used in a store by operating the mouse and the keyboard while viewing the display on the display.

[0003] Specifically, when the user selects a shelf for which shelf allocation is to be performed and a product to be placed on the shelf, the shelf allocation creation apparatus displays a product layout screen of the shelf on the display. The user determines the product layout for the entire shelf by allocating products on the product layout screen. The shelf allocation creation apparatus provides the user with information on the number of product rows when products are displayed, based on the vertical and depth dimensions of the shelf and the dimensions of the product.

[0004] Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2002-230127

[0005] The above-mentioned conventional shelf allocation creation apparatus has a function of assisting the determination of the product layout after the user selects the product shelf and the product to be placed thereon. The conventional shelf allocation creation apparatus does not have a function of assisting selection of products to be placed on the product shelf.

[0006] Shelf allocation processing, which involves determining which product is to be placed at which position on which shelf of a product shelf, has a great influence on the sales of a store. Heretofore, selection of products in shelf allocation processing has largely depended on the experience of the person in charge.

[0007] Furthermore, in unmanned stores, in order to associate customers with the products they purchase, products taken from shelves and the customers who took those products are identified. Unmanned stores are equipped with detection devices for identifying customers and / or products. One such detection device is a weight sensor installed on the shelves. The weight sensor detects when a product has been taken from the shelf by detecting a change in weight. Another detection device is a camera that photographs customers and / or products within the store.

[0008] In unmanned stores, the characteristics of the detection device may limit the types of products that can be placed on the shelves. Products lighter than the resolution of the weight sensor (i.e., the limit of weight change that the weight sensor can detect) cannot be detected by the weight sensor even if they are removed from the shelf. Therefore, light products cannot be placed in the location where the weight sensor is installed.

[0009] To ensure efficient and error-free shelf allocation, which takes into account various factors such as store sales and limitations imposed by detection equipment, there is a need for a system that can assist the person responsible for shelf allocation in selecting products.

[0010] The technology disclosed herein assists product selection by those responsible for shelf layout.

[0011] The technology disclosed herein relates to a shelf allocation management system for product shelves. The shelf allocation management system is a system for managing the shelf allocation of product shelves from which customers can directly pick up products. The shelf allocation management system includes a management device that sets the correspondence between placement locations and products to be placed in each placement location on a product shelf having two or more placement locations, the management device accepts an operation to select a placement location to be allocated from the two or more placement locations, and the management device determines candidate products to be placed in the selected placement location according to conditions related to that placement location.

[0012] The shelves are installed in the store. The store may be staffed or unstaffed. Customers can directly see the products placed on the shelves. Customers can also directly take the products from the shelves. Payment for the products is not made when the customer takes them from the shelves.

[0013] After customers retrieve items from the shelves, they pay for their purchases using a payment terminal before leaving the store. Alternatively, payment may be processed automatically when the customer leaves the store instead of using a payment terminal.

[0014] A product shelf has two or more placement locations. One type of product is placed in one placement location. Multiple products of the same type may be placed in one placement location. The aforementioned shelf allocation management system assists in selecting which products to place in each placement location of the product shelf.

[0015] The management device for the shelf allocation management system may be a PC (Personal Computer) that processes according to specific software. A display device (e.g., a monitor) and an input device (e.g., a mouse and / or keyboard) are connected to the management device. The management device may primarily control the display device and the input device. The management device may also be a tablet PC with a touchscreen display. The management device may also include smart glasses. A person wearing smart glasses can select products to be placed in each location based on information provided through the smart glasses, while viewing the actual product shelves installed in the store.

[0016] The management device sets the correspondence between the placement location and the product to be placed in that location for each placement location on the product shelf.

[0017] The management device has pre-existing information on the location and the products. The storage of the management device may store the location information or the product information. Alternatively, a database connected to the management device via a network may also hold the location information or the product information. The management device retrieves the location information or the product information from the database. The storage of the management device and the network-connected database are sometimes collectively referred to as storage.

[0018] When an employee selects a location for shelf allocation from two or more locations via an input device, the management device accepts the selection operation.

[0019] The management device determines candidate products to be placed in the selected location, according to conditions related to that location.

[0020] The management device may provide information on the selected product candidates to the person in charge via a display device.

[0021] By selecting a location, the person in charge can obtain information on potential products that can be placed in that location. This allows the person in charge to perform shelf allocation processing efficiently and without errors.

[0022] The above condition may relate to at least one piece of information, namely the product information and the location information.

[0023] Product information includes at least one of the following: product name, price, weight, dimensions, or category (e.g., beverage, confectionery).

[0024] Information about the placement location may include information about the location of the placement location. This information may include at least one of the following: the height of the shelf from the floor, the number of shelves and their horizontal coordinates, or where the shelf itself is located within the store.

[0025] The location information may include information about the type of fixture installed at that location, or information about the type of detection device corresponding to that location. The fixture is used for displaying goods. The detection device is related to detecting goods placed at the location.

[0026] Product information and / or location information are stored in storage beforehand. The management device may have a function to store product information and / or location information in storage. The management device may also have a function to retrieve information from storage on a server or in the cloud via communication.

[0027] The management device determines candidate products based on product information and / or location information.

[0028] The person in charge may specify which information they want to prioritize from the various product information and / or location information mentioned above when deciding on product candidates. The management device may have a function that allows the person in charge to specify which information they want to prioritize.

[0029] The above conditions may also relate to the location of the selected placement location.

[0030] The placement location refers to the location of the item within the entire shelf. If a placement location belonging to the bottom shelf is selected, the management device may select heavier items as candidates. This is because it increases the stability of the shelf. It also makes it easier for customers to pick up heavy items and for store staff to replenish heavy items. If a placement location belonging to the top shelf is selected, the management device may select lighter items as candidates.

[0031] Furthermore, if a placement location belonging to the bottom shelf of the product shelf is selected, the management device may determine larger products as candidates. If a placement location belonging to the top shelf of the product shelf is selected, the management device may determine smaller products as candidates.

[0032] The location of the product placement may refer to its location within the store. If a placement location close to the payment terminal is selected, the management device may select heavier products as candidates. This is because it shortens the distance customers have to carry heavy products within the store. Also, if a placement location close to the payment terminal is selected, the management device may select larger products as candidates. Conversely, if a placement location close to the payment terminal is selected, the management device may select lighter or smaller products as candidates. This is because products close to the payment terminal increase the chances of impulse purchases.

[0033] The shelf allocation management system for the product shelves may further include a detection device that provides the management device with the detection results of products placed in each of the placement locations, and the conditions may relate to the type of detection device corresponding to the selected placement location.

[0034] The detection device may be a weight sensor installed at each location on the product shelf. The weight sensor outputs a signal to the management device corresponding to the weight change at the location. Based on the signals from the weight sensor, the management device can obtain information on the presence or absence of products, the number of products, and / or product retrieval.

[0035] The management device determines candidate products to be placed in a selected location, depending on the type of detection device corresponding to that location. The type of detection device may be a difference in the resolution of the weight sensor. The management device may also determine products heavier than the resolution of the weight sensor as candidate products to be placed in the location, because the weight sensor cannot detect weight changes of products lighter than its resolution.

[0036] Furthermore, the detection device may be a camera that photographs products placed in their designated locations on the shelves. The camera's captured data can also be used to identify products that customers have taken from the shelves. If the selected location is one where products are identified by a camera rather than a weight sensor, the management device may determine products that are easy to identify based on the camera's captured data as candidates for placement in that location. The management device may also determine products that have a shape that makes it easy to photograph their packaging when placed in that location as candidates for placement in that location.

[0037] The control device can determine suitable product candidates for placement at the selected location based on the type of detection device.

[0038] The aforementioned product shelves may have fixtures for placing products in each of the aforementioned placement locations, and the aforementioned conditions may relate to the type of fixtures in the selected placement location.

[0039] Examples of fixtures include hooks for hanging products or trays on which products are stacked. If the fixture installed in the selected location is a hook, the management device determines products that can be hung on the hook as candidates for products to be placed in that location. If the fixture installed in the selected location is a tray, the management device determines products that can be stacked on the tray as candidates for products to be placed in that location.

[0040] The management device can determine potential products that can be placed in the selected location based on the type of fixture.

[0041] If a second product is set to be placed in a second location within a predetermined distance range from the selected location, the condition may be that at least one element of the category or price is the same as or similar to the second product.

[0042] If, for example, a beverage is set as the second product at the second placement location, the management device determines the beverage as a product candidate for a placement location within a predetermined distance range from the second placement location. By selecting a product from the product candidates determined by the management device, the person in charge can arrange products having the same or similar at least one element of category or price close to each other.

[0043] When a second product to be placed at a second placement location within a predetermined distance range from the selected placement location is set, the condition may be that the size is the same as or similar to that of the second product.

[0044] If, for example, a 500 mL beverage bottle is set as the second product at the second placement location, the management device determines beverage bottles of the same capacity as product candidates for placement locations within a predetermined distance range from the second placement location. By selecting a product from the product candidates determined by the management device, the person in charge can arrange products having the same or similar dimensions close to each other.

[0045] The condition may be that the weight of the product placed at the selected placement location falls within the load resistance of the product shelf.

[0046] If the person in charge determines products to be placed at each placement location according to the product candidates determined by the management device, the person can set a shelf plan such that the total weight falls within the load resistance of the product shelf.

[0047] It should be noted that the load resistance of the product shelf may be the overall load resistance of the product shelf, or may be the load resistance of a single shelf to which the selected placement location belongs.

[0048] Furthermore, the management device may not only determine product candidates such that the total weight falls within the load resistance of the product shelf, but also determine product candidates based on the mutual weight of a plurality of placement locations on the product shelf such that the weight of products placed on the product shelf is not unevenly distributed.

[0049] The condition may be related to products placed on a second product shelf adjacent to the product shelf having the selected placement location.

[0050] The management device may determine product candidates by considering not only the products on the product shelf with the selected placement location, but also the products on a second product shelf adjacent to that product shelf. By following the product candidates determined by the management device, the person in charge can appropriately arrange the shelf space for each product shelf in a store with multiple product shelves.

[0051] The shelf allocation management system for the product shelves may further include a display device that displays a screen for selecting a placement location to be allocated from the two or more placement locations, the display device displays an image of the product shelf and the placement location drawn in a ratio corresponding to the dimensional ratio of the actual product shelf and the placement location, and the management device determines the placement location to be allocated in response to the operation of selecting the placement location in the displayed image.

[0052] An image of product shelves and their placement locations, with the same dimensional proportions as the actual product, is displayed on the display device. In the image of the product shelves, multiple shelves are arranged vertically, and within each shelf, multiple placement locations are arranged horizontally. The multiple placement locations are arranged in a grid pattern.

[0053] The person in charge can perform an operation to select a placement location in the image. The selection operation may be to select one placement location from among multiple placement locations arranged in a grid, for example, by positioning the cursor at the placement location and clicking.

[0054] By improving the user interface, errors by the person in charge during shelf allocation processing are reduced, and the efficiency of shelf allocation processing is improved.

[0055] The display device may display icons corresponding to each of the product candidates determined by the management device, including icons that show the appearance of a product whose dimensions and proportions match the placement location on the product shelf, as candidates for the product to be placed in the selected placement location.

[0056] The display shows icons that include the appearance of the products as potential product options, making it easy for the person in charge to select a product from the list of options.

[0057] Products can also be assigned to specific locations by dragging and dropping the desired icon from the displayed icons onto the selected location in the product shelf image. This allows the person in charge to intuitively select the products they want to place in the chosen location, thus reducing the likelihood of errors.

[0058] Furthermore, the icons of selected products from the product candidates may be displayed in the location where they would be placed within the image of the product shelf. This makes it easier for the person in charge to recognize the product shelf where the product is placed during the shelf allocation process, allowing the process to proceed more efficiently.

[0059] The management device may accept an operation to select one product from among the candidate products, and the management device may manage the selected product in association with the placement location.

[0060] The person in charge can determine which product to place in each location by simply selecting one product from the list of candidates determined by the management system. The management system streamlines the shelf allocation process.

[0061] The management device may, if no product selection operation is performed, change the conditions and determine the product candidates again. Specific examples of why a product selection operation might not be performed include a predetermined time elapsed without the person in charge performing a selection operation, and / or the person in charge entering an indication that they will not select a product (for example, by pressing the "do not select" button from the currently displayed candidates).

[0062] For example, suppose the management device initially determined candidate products to be placed in a selected location based on the type of detection device corresponding to that location, but the person in charge did not make a product selection. In this case, the management device may, for example, re-determine candidate products to be placed in the selected location based on the type of fixture installed in that location.

[0063] Furthermore, suppose the management system initially identified a product that satisfied all of several conditions as a candidate, but the person in charge did not make a selection. In this case, the management system may reduce the number of conditions and then identify the candidate products. Reducing the number of conditions increases the number of candidate products, thus increasing the options available to the person in charge.

[0064] The technology disclosed herein relates to a method for managing shelf allocation for merchandise. This shelf allocation method involves a management device receiving an operation to select a location for shelf allocation from two or more locations, and the management device determining candidate products to be placed in the selected location according to that location.

[0065] The technology disclosed herein relates to a program for a computer that manages the shelf layout of product shelves. This program enables the computer to have the following functions: to accept an operation to select a location for shelf layout from two or more locations; and to determine candidate products to be placed in the selected location according to that location.

[0066] As mentioned above, when a person in charge creates shelf layout information by associating the placement location on the shelves with the information of the products to be placed in those locations, creating the shelf layout information is time-consuming and requires effort.

[0067] Creating shelf layout information for unmanned stores requires even more effort and time. This is because, in unmanned stores, it is necessary to identify the product taken from the shelf and the customer who took it in order to process the payment for the purchase. To identify the customer who took the product, information on the height of the product from the floor on the shelf is included in the shelf layout information.

[0068] To identify customers who have taken out products, unmanned stores are equipped with detection devices for identifying customers and / or products. These detection devices include, for example, a camera and a weight sensor. The camera photographs customers and / or products within the store. The weight sensor detects changes in weight at the location where products are placed on the shelves. Based on the weight sensor's detection, the timing of when a customer takes a product from the shelf is recorded.

[0069] Information about the height of the customer's hand can be obtained from camera footage taken at the moment the product was removed. Based on the product height information included in the shelf layout data, if the height of the customer's hand corresponds to the height of the product, the customer can be identified as the one who removed the product from the shelf.

[0070] The person responsible for creating shelf layout information must measure the height of each product placed on the shelves from the floor, for example using a measuring tape, and add this product height information to the shelf layout information.

[0071] The technology disclosed herein reduces the burden of creating shelf layout information.

[0072] The technology disclosed herein relates to a shelf allocation management system for product shelves. The shelf allocation management system is a system for managing the shelf allocation of product shelves from which customers can directly pick up products. The shelf allocation management system comprises a detection device that detects when a person places a product in one of the two or more placement locations on a product shelf, each of which has two or more placement locations where products are placed, and a management device that, upon receiving the detection result of the detection device, generates shelf allocation information that associates the placement location where the product was placed with the product itself.

[0073] The aforementioned shelf allocation management system creates shelf allocation information. In the aforementioned shelf allocation management system, for example, a store employee places a product in one of the designated locations on the shelves. The employee's action of placing a product on a shelf is an action that determines the shelf allocation of the product shelves. The detection device detects that a person has placed a product in its designated location.

[0074] As described later, detection by a detection device includes at least the detection of a person placing an item in a designated location, and the detection of a change in the weight of the location as a result of a person placing an item in that location. However, detection by a detection device is not limited to these detections. For example, using a wearable device worn on the wrist, information on the height of the hand, fingers, or wrist when the item described later is placed in the designated location can be obtained.

[0075] The management device generates shelf layout information based on the detection results from the detection device. Shelf layout information is information that associates the location where a product is placed with the product placed in that location.

[0076] The management device identifies the location where the product is placed based on the detection results of the detection device.

[0077] The management device may identify the products placed in their designated locations based on the detection results of the detection device. The management device may also identify the products placed in their designated locations by other means. Before placing the products in their designated locations, the person in charge may manually enter product information or read identification codes attached to the products. The management device can identify the products placed in their designated locations based on the entered or read information.

[0078] In a shelf allocation management system, when a person places products in their designated locations on the shelves, the management device generates shelf allocation information for those products. The management device streamlines the creation of shelf allocation information.

[0079] The detection device may include a camera that films the actions of a person placing a product in the placement location, and based on the data captured by the camera, information on the person's posture when placing the product in the placement location is obtained, and the management device may include the posture information in the shelf layout information in association with the placement location.

[0080] By using known posture estimation techniques based on motion data of a person captured by a camera, information about the posture of a person when a product is placed in its designated location can be obtained. The acquisition of this posture information based on the motion data may be performed by a management device or by a separate device.

[0081] It can be assumed that a person's posture when placing an item in its designated location is the same as, or nearly the same as, their posture when retrieving the item from its location.

[0082] The management device includes posture information in the shelf layout information, associating it with the placement location. This allows the management device to identify the customer who retrieved the product from its placement location using the shelf layout information that includes posture information.

[0083] The information regarding the person's posture may include any one of the following: the height of the hand, the height of the fingers, or the height of the wrist when the product is placed in the designated location.

[0084] The height of the hand, fingers, or wrist may be measured from the floor. The height of the hand, fingers, or wrist can be obtained using the posture estimation technique described above.

[0085] The height of a person's hand, fingers, or wrist when placing an item in its designated location is the same as, or approximately the same as, the height of their hand, fingers, or wrist when removing the item from its location. By including hand, finger, or wrist height information in the shelf layout information, the management device can identify the customer who removed the item based on the height of their hand, fingers, or wrist at the time the item was removed from its location.

[0086] The camera may capture the action of a customer taking an item from the shelf, and the management device may identify the customer who took the item from the shelf by comparing the customer's posture at the time the item was taken from the shelf, which is obtained from the camera's captured data, with the posture information included in the shelf arrangement information.

[0087] As mentioned above, shelf layout information includes information about a person's posture when placing products in their designated locations, such as the height of their hands, fingers, or wrists. The management device acquires the customer's posture when they take a product from the shelf from camera footage and compares it with the posture information in the shelf layout information. Based on the comparison results, the management device can identify the customer who took the product from the shelf.

[0088] The aforementioned information on a person's posture can be used to identify a customer who has taken a product from a shelf, replacing the product height information that was previously included in shelf layout data.

[0089] Traditionally, the height of products placed on shelves was measured from the floor, for example, using a measuring tape, and this height information was manually entered into the shelf layout data.

[0090] In contrast, the shelf allocation management system disclosed herein allows staff to simply place products in their designated locations on the shelves, and based on camera footage, information about people's postures can be added to the shelf allocation information. This significantly reduces the burden of creating shelf allocation information.

[0091] Furthermore, by comparing the posture of a person when placing an item on a shelf with the posture of a person when retrieving an item from the shelf, rather than relying solely on the item's height, more accurate identification becomes possible.

[0092] Products with different dimensions, such as a 500ml beverage bottle and a 1L beverage bottle, will have different overall heights. Even if the products are the same height from the floor on the shelf, the height at which a customer's hand reaches to pick up a product can vary depending on the product's dimensions.

[0093] When placing a product on a shelf or retrieving it from a shelf, the dimensions of the product are also taken into consideration. Based on this posture information, it becomes possible to more accurately identify the customer who retrieved the product from the shelf.

[0094] The posture information in the shelf layout information may include physical information of the person who placed the product in the designated location.

[0095] For example, a tall adult and a short child will have different postures when picking up the same product from a shelf. By including physical information about the person who placed the product in its designated location in the posture information included in the shelf layout data, it becomes possible to more accurately identify the customer who picked up the product from the shelf based on posture information that includes physical information.

[0096] The detection device may include a camera that captures the actions of a person placing products in the placement location, and based on the data captured by the camera, an image of the product placed in the placement location may be acquired, and the management device may include the image of the product in the shelf layout information in association with the product.

[0097] The camera's captured data includes the action of a person placing products on the shelves, allowing for the identification of the products placed in their designated locations based on this data. During product identification, posture estimation technology is used to estimate the position of the person's hands, fingers, or wrists, and objects near these points can be identified as the products placed in their locations. Furthermore, once a product is identified in the captured data, an image of the product can be obtained.

[0098] Furthermore, the identification of products in the photographic data and the acquisition of product images may be performed by the management device, or by a device separate from the management device.

[0099] The management system associates the acquired product images with the products and includes them in the shelf layout information. The product images included in the shelf layout information can be used by customers to confirm the products they are purchasing when they make a payment for their purchase. Since the products included in the images are those that were placed on the shelves, customers are less likely to notice any discrepancies with the images of the products presented.

[0100] Furthermore, since the shelf layout information includes images of the products actually placed on the shelves, if a product's packaging is updated, the camera can capture the action of placing the product with the new packaging on the shelf, and the image of the product with the new packaging can be included in the shelf layout information. The shelf layout management system can easily handle changes in product packaging.

[0101] The detection device may include a sensor that detects changes in weight at each of the placement locations on the product shelf, and the management device may include information on the weight of the product in the shelf allocation information, associated with the product, based on the output of the sensor when the product is placed at the placement location.

[0102] The sensor is, for example, a weight sensor. When a product is placed in its designated location, the sensor detects a weight change equivalent to the weight of one product and outputs this weight change to the management device. Based on the sensor output, the management device can obtain information on the weight of the products to be included in the shelf layout information.

[0103] The management device may acquire information on the number of items placed in the designated location, or information on the number of items taken by a customer from the designated location, based on the output of the sensor.

[0104] The management device can determine the number of items placed in a designated location, or the number of items taken from a designated location by a customer, based on the weight information of the items included in the shelf layout information and the output of the sensors.

[0105] The technology disclosed herein relates to a method for managing the shelf layout of product shelves. In this shelf layout management method, a detection device detects that a person has placed a product in any of the aforementioned placement locations, and a management device, upon receiving the detection result from the detection device, generates shelf layout information that associates the placement location where the product was placed with the product itself.

[0106] The technology disclosed herein relates to a program for a computer that manages the shelf layout of product shelves. The program enables the computer to: receive a detection result from a detection device that detects that a person has placed a product in any of the aforementioned placement locations; and generate shelf layout information that associates the placement location where the product was placed with the product itself, based on the detection result from the detection device.

[0107] According to the aforementioned shelf allocation management system, shelf allocation management method, and program, it is possible to assist the person responsible for shelf allocation in selecting products.

[0108] Figure 1 shows an unmanned store to which the shelf allocation management system is applied. Figure 2 is a block diagram of the shelf allocation management system. Figure 3 is an example of a display screen during shelf allocation processing. Figure 4 is a flowchart of the shelf allocation processing procedure. Figure 5 is a flowchart of the shelf allocation processing procedure according to a modified example. Figure 6 is a flowchart of the shelf allocation processing procedure according to a modified example. Figure 7 is a block diagram of the shelf allocation management system according to the second embodiment. Figure 8 is a flowchart of the shelf allocation processing procedure. Figure 9 is a diagram showing the actions of the person in charge during shelf allocation processing.

[0109] The following describes an embodiment of the shelf allocation management system, shelf allocation management method, and program for product shelves, with reference to the drawings. The shelf allocation management system, shelf allocation management method, and program described herein are illustrative examples.

[0110] (Overall configuration of the shelf allocation management system) Figure 1 shows an unmanned store 9 to which the shelf allocation management system 1 for product shelves is applied. Unmanned store 9 is a retail store for products. At unmanned store 9, customers pay for their purchases themselves.

[0111] The unmanned store 9 in the example figure is equipped with multiple product shelves 90-1, 90-2, 90-3, 90-4, and 90-5. The number of product shelves 90 is not limited to a specific number. As shown in the lower part of Figure 9, the product shelves 90 have multiple shelves 91 arranged vertically. Products are arranged on each shelf 91 in a horizontal direction.

[0112] Customers can directly see the products placed on each shelf 90. Customers can directly take the products placed on each shelf 90. When customers take products from each shelf 90, payment for the purchase of those products is not made.

[0113] The unmanned store 9 is equipped with a payment terminal 95. After customers take products from the shelves 90, they use the payment terminal 95 to pay for the products.

[0114] Alternatively, the payment terminal 95 may be removed from the unmanned store 9, and automatic payment may be performed when the customer leaves the store.

[0115] Cameras 96 are installed inside the unmanned store 9. Cameras 96 are installed, for example, on the ceiling of the unmanned store 9. The unmanned store 9 is equipped with multiple cameras 96. Cameras 96 are installed corresponding to each of the multiple product shelves 90-1, 90-2, 90-3, 90-4, and 90-5. Cameras 96 photograph the products placed on each product shelf 90. Cameras 96 also photograph the actions of customers as they take products from each product shelf 90, and the products they take. The multiple cameras 96 include not only cameras 96 that photograph the product shelves 90, but also cameras 96 that photograph the inside of the unmanned store 9.

[0116] An unmanned store 9 is equipped with a shelf allocation management system 1. The shelf allocation management system 1 includes a management device 10. As will be described later, the person in charge of the unmanned store 9 uses the management device 10.

[0117] The management device 10 is installed in the back office 97 of the unmanned store 9. However, the management device 10 is not limited to being installed in the back office 97. The management device 10 may be installed in a location away from the unmanned store 9, for example, in a management company that remotely manages the unmanned store 9. The management device 10 may also be a portable device.

[0118] Figure 2 is a block diagram of the shelf allocation management system 1, including the management device 10.

[0119] The management device 10 is configured, for example, by a PC. The management device 10 may have one or more electrical circuits or processing circuits, including one or more general-purpose processors, application-specific processors, integrated circuits, ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits), CPUs (Central Processing Units), conventional circuits, and / or combinations thereof, programmed to perform various processes.

[0120] In addition to the aforementioned electrical circuits or processing circuits, the management device 10 includes memory and an I / O bus. The memory consists of RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing programs and / or data. Memory 32 is, for example, non-volatile memory. The I / O bus is an input / output bus for inputting and outputting electrical signals.

[0121] A display device 11 and an input device 12 are connected to the management device 10. The display device 11 is, for example, a flat panel display. The input device 12 is, for example, a mouse and / or keyboard. The person in charge operates the management device 10 using the input device 12 while viewing the display on the display device 11.

[0122] A storage device 13 (i.e., an auxiliary storage device) is connected to the management device 10. The storage device 13 may be an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage device 13 stores various information. The management device 10 uses the information stored in the storage device 13 to perform the shelf allocation processing described later.

[0123] The management device 10 is also connectable to a network 14. The network 14 includes a LAN (Local Area Network) and / or a WAN (Wide Area Network). A database 15 is connected to the network 14. The management device 10 can retrieve information stored in the database 15 via the network 14.

[0124] A camera 96 ​​is connected to the control device 10. The image data captured by the camera 96 ​​is sent to the control device 10.

[0125] A payment machine 95 is also connected to the management device 10. When the payment machine 95 performs a payment, the management device 10 provides the payment machine 95 with the information necessary for the payment.

[0126] A weight sensor 94 is connected to the management device 10. As shown in the lower diagram of Figure 9, the weight sensor 94 is installed on the product shelf 90 at each placement location 92 where products are placed.

[0127] The placement locations 92 are arranged along each shelf 91 of the product shelf 90. Only one type of product is placed in each placement location 92. There is no particular limit on the number of products that can be placed in each placement location 92.

[0128] The weight sensor 94 outputs a signal to the management device 10 that corresponds to the change in weight at each placement location 92. Based on the signal from the weight sensor 94, the management device 10 can obtain information such as the presence or absence of products at the placement location 92, the number of products placed at the placement location 92, whether products have been removed from the placement location 92, and the number of products that have been removed.

[0129] Here, we will explain the procedure for purchasing goods at the unmanned store 9. As mentioned earlier, customers directly take the items they wish to purchase from shelves 90-1 to 90-5.

[0130] Weight sensors 94 installed on product shelves 90-1 to 90-5 output signals related to the change in weight when a product is removed to the management device 10. As will be described later, the management device 10 has correspondence information (i.e., shelf allocation information 132) between each location on the product shelf 90 and the products placed in that location, and identifies the product and the number of items taken by the customer based on the signals from the weight sensors 94.

[0131] Camera 96 ​​also films the customer's action of taking out an item. The captured data is sent from camera 96 ​​to the control device 10. The control device 10 uses the detection timing of the weight sensor 94 as a trigger to identify the customer who took out the item from the captured data. Specifically, the customer is identified by comparing the height of the taken-out item from the floor with the height of the customer's wrist. Information on the height of the item from the floor is included in the shelf layout information 132. The height of the customer's wrist can be obtained using known posture estimation techniques based on the captured data.

[0132] Customers who have taken out an item use the payment terminal 95 to complete the payment process. The management device 10 sends information about the item the customer intends to purchase to the payment terminal 95 based on the data captured by the aforementioned camera 96 ​​and the signal from the weight sensor 94. Based on the information from the management device 10, the payment terminal 95 displays information about the item the customer intends to purchase and its price. Customers do not need to register the item they intend to purchase at the payment terminal 95. Customers pay the displayed price by, for example, barcode payment, electronic money, credit card, or cash.

[0133] Furthermore, the technology disclosed herein does not preclude its application to cases where a customer registers the goods they intend to purchase at the payment terminal 95.

[0134] (Shelf allocation processing by shelf allocation management system) The management device 10 of the shelf allocation management system 1 assists the shelf allocation processing performed by the person in charge. Shelf allocation processing is the process of setting which product to place in which location 92 on which shelf 91 of the product shelves 90.

[0135] As information necessary for shelf allocation processing, product information 151 is stored in database 15. Product information 151 includes the product name, price, weight, dimensions, or category (for example, beverage, confectionery).

[0136] Furthermore, storage 13 stores location information 131. Location information 131 includes information about the location of location 92. The location of location 92 will be explained later. Location information 131 also includes information about the type of fixture installed at location 92. Location information 131 also includes information about the type of detection device corresponding to location 92. The detection device is either a weight sensor 94 or a camera 96.

[0137] Furthermore, the product information stored in the database 15 may also be stored in the storage 13.

[0138] Figure 3 illustrates the screen 110 displayed on the display device 11 when a person in charge performs shelf allocation processing using the management device 10.

[0139] The person in charge can select the product shelves to be processed on screen 110. Screen 110 includes a product shelf selection unit 111 with the same layout as the product shelves 90 installed in the unmanned store 9. The layout information of the product shelves 90 is pre-stored in storage 13. The person in charge can select the product shelves to be processed from product shelves 90-1 to 90-5 by clicking on the input device 12.

[0140] Once a product shelf is selected, an image 900 of the selected product shelf is displayed on screen 110. The image 900 has the same number of shelves 91 as the actual product shelf 90, and the spacing between shelves 91 and the width of each shelf 91 are depicted in the same dimensional ratio as the spacing between shelves 91 and the width of each shelf 91 in the actual product shelf 90. This allows the person in charge to visualize the product shelf they will be working on.

[0141] The image 900 of the product shelf includes multiple placement locations 92. The multiple placement locations 92 are arranged in a grid pattern. The dimensions of the multiple placement locations 92 are in the same proportion as the dimensions of the placement locations 92 on the actual product shelf 90.

[0142] Information about the placement locations 92 is pre-stored in the storage 13. The management device 10 reads the information about the placement locations 92 from the storage 13 and displays it on the display device 11. In the example in Figure 3, the width of the placement locations 92 on the upper shelf 91 is relatively wide, and the width of the placement locations 92 on the lower shelf 91 is relatively narrow. The person in charge can set the products appropriately for each of the multiple placement locations 92 on the actual product shelf 90 while looking at the screen 110.

[0143] The person in charge can use the input device 12 to select any placement location 92 on the product shelf image 900. In the example shown, the placement location slightly to the right of the top row is selected, and the selected placement location 92 is surrounded by a dashed line. Because the placement location 92 is selected on the product shelf image 900, the person in charge can concretely visualize the position of the placement location 92 where they intend to set the product.

[0144] If a placement location 92 is selected, the management device 10 determines candidate products to be placed in the selected placement location 92, according to that location. Product information is pre-stored in the database 15. The process by which the management device 10 determines candidate products will be explained later.

[0145] The selected product candidates are displayed in the product candidate section 112 on screen 110. The product candidates are displayed as icons 113 that include the appearance of the product. In the example in Figure 3, multiple instant cup noodle icons 113 are displayed in the product candidate section 112.

[0146] The person in charge can use the input device 12 to select the products to be placed in the placement location 92. Specifically, they can drag and drop the desired icon 113 from the icons 113 displayed in the field 112 to the position of placement location 92 in the product shelf image 900. The icons 113 are set so that the dimensional ratio of the actual product shelf 90 and the products is the same as that of the product shelf image 900.

[0147] The dragged and dropped icon 113 is placed at location 92 on the product shelf image 900. The person in charge can visualize the actual product placement on the product shelf 90.

[0148] Once the person in charge decides which products to place in location 92, the management device 10 stores the correspondence information between location 92 and the products, i.e., shelf allocation information 132, in the storage 13.

[0149] The above shelf allocation process is performed sequentially for all placement locations 92 of the product shelves 90. The product icons displayed in the product candidate column 112 change according to the placement location 92 selected by the person in charge.

[0150] Figure 4 is a flowchart showing the procedure for shelf allocation processing in the shelf allocation management system 1. In step S11, the display device 11 displays the placement locations 92 that can be selected by the person in charge (see Figure 3).

[0151] In step S12, the person in charge performs an operation to select a placement location 92, and in step S13, the input device 12 receives the placement location 92 to be allocated to the shelf selected by the person in charge.

[0152] In step S14, the management device 10 reads the location information 131 from the storage 13 and obtains information on the location 92 to be allocated to the shelves.

[0153] The information about placement location 92 includes information about the location of placement location 92 within the entire product shelf 90. The location of placement location 92 within the entire product shelf 90 means, for example, a placement location belonging to the bottom shelf 91 of the product shelf 90, or a placement location belonging to the top shelf 91 of the product shelf 90.

[0154] Furthermore, the location of placement location 92 may be the same as the location of placement location 92 in the unmanned store 9. The location of placement location 92 in the unmanned store 9 means, for example, a location close to the payment terminal 95.

[0155] Once information on the placement location 92 is obtained, the management device 10 searches for products from the product information 151 in the database 15 in step S15. Specifically, based on the information on the placement location 92 obtained in step S14, it searches for products suitable for placement at that location 92.

[0156] For example, if a placement location 92 belonging to the bottom shelf 91 of the product shelf 90 is selected, the management device 10 may use the weight of the product as a search criterion to search for heavier products. This is because placing heavy products on the bottom shelf 91 increases the stability of the product shelf 90. Also, if heavy products are placed on the bottom shelf 91, it becomes easier for customers to take out heavy products and easier for store staff to replenish heavy products.

[0157] For example, if a placement location 92 belonging to the top shelf 91 of the product shelf 90 is selected, the management device 10 may use the weight of the product as a search criterion to search for products with a light weight.

[0158] Furthermore, if a location 92 close to the payment terminal 95 is selected, the management device 10 may search for heavy items. This is because it shortens the distance customers have to carry heavy items within the unmanned store 9. Also, if a location 92 close to the payment terminal 95 is selected, the management device 10 may search for large items. Conversely, if a location 92 close to the payment terminal 95 is selected, the management device 10 may search for light items or small items. This is because items close to the payment terminal 95 increase the chances of impulse purchases.

[0159] Once product candidates are determined through the search, the display device 11, in step S26, displays the product candidates related to the search results in the product candidate column 112 on the screen 110 based on a command from the management device 10 (see Figure 3). As mentioned above, the product candidates are displayed as icons 113. The images of the icons 113 are included in the product information 151 stored in the database 15.

[0160] In step S17, the person in charge selects the desired product from the product candidates displayed on the display device 11. In step S18, the input device 12 receives the product selected by the person in charge, and in step S19, the management device 10 associates the selected product with its placement location and updates the shelf allocation information 132 of the storage 13.

[0161] In the shelf allocation management system 1, when an employee selects a placement location 92, they can obtain information on potential products that can be placed in that location 92. This allows the employee to perform shelf allocation processing efficiently and without errors.

[0162] (Other conditions for searching for product candidates) The conditions for the management device 10 to search for product candidates corresponding to the selected placement location 92 are not limited to the location of the placement location 92 as described above. In step S15 of Figure 4, the management device 10 can search for product candidates according to various conditions as shown below.

[0163] The information for the placement location 92 may also be information about the type of fixture installed at the placement location 92. The fixture is a fixture used for displaying goods. Examples of fixtures include hooks for hanging goods or trays on which goods are stacked.

[0164] If the fixture installed at the selected placement location 92 is a hook, the management device 10 searches the database 15 for products that can be hung on the hook.

[0165] Furthermore, if the fixture installed at the selected placement location 92 is a tray, the management device 10 searches the database 15 for products that can be stacked flat on the tray.

[0166] The information regarding the placement location 92 also includes information regarding the type of detection device corresponding to that placement location 92. The detection device here includes a weight sensor 94 or a camera 96. Weight sensors 94 with different resolutions are also included in the different types of detection devices. The resolution of a weight sensor 94 varies depending on the maximum weight it can measure. Generally, the heavier the maximum measurable weight, the lower the resolution of the weight sensor 94.

[0167] Depending on the resolution of the weight sensor 94 installed at the selected location 92, the management device 10 searches the database 15 for products that are heavier than the resolution of the weight sensor 94, based on the weight of the product. This is because the weight sensor 94 cannot detect changes in the weight of products that are lighter than its resolution.

[0168] If the selected placement location 92 is a placement location 92 where the product is identified by the camera 96, the management device 10 searches the database 15 for products whose packaging is easy to photograph when placed in the placement location 92, based on the appearance of the product.

[0169] The management device 10 may, if a second product is set to be placed in a second placement location 92 located within a predetermined distance range from the selected placement location 92, determine a product that is the same as or similar to the second product in at least one element, such as category or price, as a candidate product to be placed in the selected placement location 92. In other words, the management device 10 may search for products based on category or price.

[0170] Here, the second placement location 92 may be a placement location adjacent to the selected placement location 92 to the left or right, or above or below. The second placement location 92 may be a placement location belonging to the same shelf 91 as the selected placement location 92.

[0171] If, for example, a beverage is set as the second product in the second placement location 92, the management device 10 searches for products using beverages as the condition. The management device 10 can then present beverages to the person in charge as a candidate product for placement locations 92 adjacent to the second placement location 92. As a result, the person in charge can place products on the product shelf 90 that have the same or similar category or price, close together.

[0172] The management device 10 may also determine products that have the same or similar dimensions as the second product as candidates for products to be placed in the selected location. In other words, the management device 10 may search for products based on their dimensions.

[0173] If, for example, a 500 mL beverage bottle is set as the second product in the second placement location, the management device 10 searches for products based on the condition that they are beverages of the same capacity. The person in charge can then place products of the same or similar dimensions close together on the product shelf 90.

[0174] The management device 10 may determine candidate products to be placed in the selected placement location 92 based on the load capacity of the product shelf 90 and information on the weight of the products, so as to fit within the load capacity of the product shelf 90. In other words, the management device 10 may search for products based on their weight.

[0175] The person in charge can determine which products to place in each placement location 92 according to the product candidates determined by the management device 10, and then set up the shelf layout so that it fits within the load capacity of the product shelves 90.

[0176] The load capacity of the product shelf 90 may be the load capacity of the product shelf 90 as a whole, or it may be the load capacity of the single shelf 91 to which the selected placement location 92 belongs.

[0177] Furthermore, the management device 10 may not only determine candidate products to fit within the load capacity of the product shelf 90, but may also determine candidate products to place in selected placement locations 92 on the product shelf 90, based on the relative weights of the multiple placement locations 92 on the product shelf 90, so as not to cause an imbalance in the weight of the product shelf 90 on which multiple products are placed.

[0178] The management device 10 may have a function that allows the person in charge to specify which information they want to prioritize when searching for products from among the various product information and / or location information mentioned above.

[0179] Alternatively, the management device 10 may search by combining multiple conditions and determine products that satisfy all of the multiple conditions as candidates for products to be displayed in step S16.

[0180] (Modified shelf layout process 1) Figure 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the modified shelf layout process. Steps that are the same as those in the flowchart in Figure 4 are numbered the same way.

[0181] In step S14, the management device 10 acquires information about the placement location 92. Then, in step S110, it searches the database 15 for products suitable for placement in the selected placement location 92, based on the information about the selected placement location 92 and the products placed on the second product shelf 90 adjacent to the product shelf 90 containing the placement location 92. The management device 10 acquires information about the products placed on the second product shelf 90 from the shelf allocation information 132 of the storage 13.

[0182] The management device 10 considers not only the product shelf 90 having the selected placement location 92, but also the products placed on the second product shelf 90 adjacent to that product shelf 90. For example, a search may be performed based on the category, price, or dimensions of the products placed on the second product shelf 90.

[0183] By having the management device 10 take into account multiple product shelves 90, the person in charge can appropriately arrange the shelf space for each product shelf 90 in an unmanned store 9 where multiple product shelves 90 are installed.

[0184] (Modified shelf layout process 2) Figure 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure for the modified shelf layout process. Steps that are the same as those in the flowchart in Figure 4 are numbered the same way.

[0185] In step S16, when the display device 11 presents product candidates to the person in charge, there is a possibility that the person in charge may not select a product from the product candidates.

[0186] In step S111 of the flow in Figure 6, it is determined whether the person in charge has selected a product. If a product has been selected, in step S18, the input device 12 receives the selected product, and in step S19, the management device 10 updates the shelf allocation information 132, similar to the flow in Figure 4.

[0187] On the other hand, if the person in charge does not select a product in step S111, if the person in charge performs an operation that does not involve selection, or if a predetermined time elapses without the person in charge making a selection, the input device 12 accepts the non-selection in step S112.

[0188] In step S113, the management device 10 searches for products from the database 15 based on conditions different from those used in the search in step S15.

[0189] For example, if the management device 10 was searching for products in step S15 based on the type of weight sensor 94 corresponding to the selected placement location 92, the management device may, in step S113, search for products based on, for example, the type of fixture installed at the selected placement location 92.

[0190] If the product is searched again in step S113, the process returns to step S16, and the display device 11 presents the re-searched product candidates to the person in charge.

[0191] Steps S112, S113, S16, and S111 are repeated until the person in charge makes a product selection in step S111.

[0192] For example, in step S15, if the management device 10 determines a product that satisfies all of the multiple conditions as a candidate, then in step S113, which is reached without the person in charge making a product selection, the management device 10 may reduce the number of conditions before determining the product candidates. Reducing the number of conditions increases the number of products that satisfy the conditions. The number of product options displayed in step S16 increases. It can be expected that the person in charge will make a product selection.

[0193] (Second Embodiment) Figure 7 shows the shelf allocation management system 100 according to the second embodiment. The shelf allocation management system 100 differs from the above in its method for creating shelf allocation information 132. However, the shelf allocation management system 100 can be applied to the unmanned store 9 described above, just as before.

[0194] The shelf allocation management system 100 automatically creates shelf allocation information 132 when a camera 96 ​​photographs an employee of the unmanned store 9 placing products in the designated locations 92 on the product shelves 90.

[0195] In the shelf allocation management system 100, the same components as those in the shelf allocation management system 1 in Figure 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. In the shelf allocation management system 100, the placement location information of the storage 13 is omitted. Product information 133 is stored in the storage 13. The product information 133 stored in the storage 13 consists of images of the products taken by the camera 96 ​​and the weight of the products detected by the weight sensor 94, as will be described later. The product information 151 stored in the database 15 consists of the product name, price, weight, dimensions, or category (for example, beverages, confectionery, etc.) as described above. In the second embodiment, since the weight sensor 94 detects the weight of the products, the weight in the product information 151 of the database 15 may be omitted. Also, the product information 151 stored in the database 15 may be stored in the storage 13 together with the product information 133.

[0196] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the procedure for shelf allocation processing in the shelf allocation management system 100. In step S21, the person in charge holds the product subject to shelf allocation processing up to the camera 96. As shown in the upper part of Figure 9, the person in charge may hold the product up to the camera 96 ​​that photographs the product shelf 90 that is the target of shelf allocation processing, which is one of the cameras 96 installed in the unmanned store 9.

[0197] In step S22, the management device 10 detects that the person in charge has taken the action of holding up a product, based on the captured data from the camera 96. The management device 10 also identifies the product based on the captured data, referring to the product information 151 in the database 15, based on the appearance of the product (including the packaging).

[0198] In addition to identifying products based on their appearance, a staff member may manually identify product information from the product information 151 in database 15. Alternatively, a staff member may use a reader to read an identification code (e.g., a barcode) attached to a product, thereby identifying the corresponding product information from the product information 151 in database 15.

[0199] The management device 10 acquires subsequent camera 96 ​​image data when the action of holding the product up to the camera 96 ​​is triggered. After holding the product up to the camera 96, in step S23, the person in charge places the product in its designated location on the product shelf 90, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 9. In step S24, the image data capturing the person in charge's actions is sent to the management device 10.

[0200] Based on the acquired photographic data, the management device 10 utilizes known posture estimation techniques to obtain information about the posture of the person in charge when the product is placed in the designated location, as shown in the lower diagram of Figure 9. From the posture information, the management device 10 can determine the position of the person in charge's wrist.

[0201] If the position of the person in charge's wrist can be identified, the product included in the photographed data can be identified. This is because the product is located near the wrist. The management device 10 extracts an image of the product included in the photographed data and saves the image of the product in storage 13 as product information 133.

[0202] The product image saved as product information 133 can be used by the customer to confirm the product they are purchasing when making payment for the purchase. Since the product shown in the image was placed on shelf 90, the customer is unlikely to notice any discrepancies in the image of the product presented.

[0203] Furthermore, since the images of the products actually placed on the shelves 90 are included in the product information 133, if a product's packaging is changed, the camera 96 ​​can capture the action of placing the product with the new packaging on the shelves 90, and the images of the product with the new packaging can be included in the product information 133. The shelf allocation management system 100 can easily handle changes in product packaging.

[0204] When a product is placed in its designated location on the product shelf 90, the weight sensor 94 at that location detects the weight of the product. In step S25, the management device 10 identifies the location 92 where the product was placed by identifying the weight sensor 94 that output a signal. The management device 10 stores the acquired information on the location 92 as shelf layout information 132 in the storage 13.

[0205] The management device 10 may also identify the placement location 92 where the products are placed based on the data captured by the camera 96.

[0206] Shelf layout information 132 is generated by associating the identified placement location 92 with the products placed in that location 92.

[0207] The management device 10 can also determine the weight of each product based on the output of the weight sensor 94. The management device 10 stores the weight information of the determined products in the storage 13 as one of the product information items 133. The product information item 133 is linked to the shelf allocation information item 132.

[0208] If the weight of each product can be determined, the management device 10 can obtain information on the number of products placed in the placement location 92 based on the output of the weight sensor 94. In step S26, the management device 10 stores the information on the number of products as shelf allocation information 132 in the storage 13. The number of multiple products placed in one placement location 92 of the product shelf 90 is difficult to obtain from the camera 96's captured data, but the use of the weight sensor 94 makes it easy to obtain the information on the number of products.

[0209] Furthermore, since the weight sensor 94 outputs a weight change each time a product is placed, the management device 10 can determine, based on the weight change, whether the same product is placed in a single placement location 92. If the weight change is large or small, it can be inferred that products of different weights have been placed, and the management device 10 may notify the person in charge of the possibility of a placement error.

[0210] Since the information on the actual weight of the product detected by the weight sensor 94 is included in the shelf allocation information 132, the management device 10 can more accurately detect when a product has been removed from the product shelf 90 based on this information.

[0211] In step S27, the management device 10 also acquires information on the height H (see lower diagram in Figure 9) of the person's wrist from the floor when the product is placed in the placement location 92, based on the photographic data, and stores it in the storage 13 as shelf layout information 132.

[0212] The management device 10 can generate shelf allocation information 132 for the product shelves 90 based on the actions of the person in charge in placing products in the designated locations 92 on the product shelves 90. The management device 10 can streamline the creation of the shelf allocation information 132.

[0213] The wrist height information stored in shelf layout information 132 is used to identify the customer who took the product from the product shelf 90. This is because the wrist height when the product was placed in the placement location 92 can be estimated to be the same as, or approximately the same as, the wrist height when the product was taken from the placement location 92.

[0214] The management device 10 acquires the timing when a customer takes an item from the placement location 92 based on the signal from the weight sensor 94. The management device 10 acquires the height of the customer's wrist based on the image data captured at that timing. The management device 10 can identify the customer who took the item by comparing the wrist height information stored in the shelf layout information 132 with the customer's wrist height obtained from the image data.

[0215] The wrist height when placing the product on the product shelf 90 at the placement location 92 is compared with the wrist height when taking the product from the product shelf 90 at the placement location 92, allowing for more accurate identification.

[0216] Products with different dimensions, such as a 500ml beverage bottle and a 1L beverage bottle, will have different overall heights. Even if the height of the products from the floor is the same when placed on shelf 90, the height at which a customer's wrist reaches to pick up a product may differ depending on the product's dimensions.

[0217] When placing a product on the shelf 90 at its designated location 92, or when removing a product from the shelf 90 at its designated location 92, the dimensions of the product are also taken into account at wrist height. Comparison based on wrist height makes it possible to more accurately identify the customer who removed the product from the shelf 90.

[0218] For example, a tall adult and a short child may adopt different postures when retrieving the same product from shelf 90.

[0219] Therefore, the wrist height information included in the shelf layout information 132 may include physical information of the person who placed the product in its designated location, such as their height. Based on the wrist height information including physical information, the management device 10 can more accurately identify the customer who took the product from the product shelf 90.

[0220] The wrist height information replaces the product height information that was previously included in the shelf layout information. Previously, product height information was used to identify customers. Traditionally, the height of products placed on shelf 90 at location 92 was measured from the floor, for example, using a measuring tape, and this product height information was manually entered into the shelf layout information.

[0221] In contrast, with the shelf allocation management system 100, the person in charge simply places the products in their designated locations on the shelves, and based on the data captured by the camera 96, information about the height of the person's wrist is added to the shelf allocation information 132. This significantly reduces the burden of creating the shelf allocation information 132.

[0222] In the above description, the management device 10 acquires information on wrist height based on the data captured by the camera 96. However, instead of wrist height, information on hand height or finger height may be acquired. Information on hand height or finger height can also be used to identify the customer who took the product from the product shelf 90, similar to wrist height.

[0223] Furthermore, the shelf allocation management system 1,100 is not limited to application to unmanned stores 9.

[0224] Furthermore, combining the aforementioned embodiments to the extent possible is not excluded.

Claims

1. A system for managing the shelf layout of product shelves from which customers can directly pick up products, comprising a management device for setting the correspondence between a product location and the product to be placed in a product shelf having two or more locations where each product is placed, the management device receiving an operation to select a location to be shelf-allocated from the two or more locations, and the management device determining candidate products to be placed in the selected location according to conditions related to the location.

2. The shelf allocation management system for product shelves according to claim 1, wherein the condition relates to at least one piece of information, namely product information and location information.

3. The shelf allocation management system for product shelves according to claim 2, wherein the conditions relate to the location of the selected placement location.

4. A shelf allocation management system for product shelves according to claim 2 or 3, further comprising a detection device that provides the management device with the detection results of products placed in each of the placement locations, wherein the condition relates to the type of detection device corresponding to the selected placement location.

5. The product shelf has fixtures for placing products in each of the placement locations, and the condition relates to the type of fixtures in the selected placement location, the product shelf allocation management system according to any one of claims 2 to 4.

6. If a second product is set to be placed in a second location within a predetermined distance range from the selected location, the condition is that at least one element of the category or price is the same as or similar to the second product, the shelf allocation management system for product shelves according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

7. If a second product is set to be placed in a second placement location within a predetermined distance range from the selected placement location, the condition is that the dimensions of the second product are the same as or similar to the second product, the shelf allocation management system for product shelves according to any one of claims 2 to 5.

8. The shelf allocation management system for product shelves according to any one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the condition is that the weight of the product to be placed in the selected placement location is within the load capacity of the product shelf.

9. The shelf allocation management system for product shelves according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the conditions relate to products placed on a second product shelf adjacent to the product shelf having the selected placement location.

10. A shelf allocation management system for product shelves according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising a display device that displays a screen for the operation of selecting a placement location to be allocated from the two or more placement locations, wherein the display device displays an image of the product shelf and the placement location drawn in a ratio corresponding to the dimensional ratio of the actual product shelf and the placement location, and the management device determines the placement location to be allocated in response to the operation of selecting the placement location in the displayed image.

11. The shelf allocation management system for product shelves according to claim 10, wherein the display device displays icons corresponding to each of the product candidates determined by the management device, the icons including the appearance of the product whose dimensional ratio matches the placement location on the product shelf, as product candidates to be placed in the selected placement location.

12. The management device accepts an operation to select one product from among the candidate products, and the management device manages the selected product in association with the placement location, the shelf allocation management system for product shelves according to any one of claims 1 to 11.

13. The shelf allocation management system for product shelves according to claim 12, wherein if no product selection operation is performed, the management device changes the conditions and determines the product candidates again.

14. A method for managing the shelf layout of a product shelf, wherein customers can directly retrieve products and each product has two or more placement locations, wherein a management device receives an operation to select a placement location to be shelf-allocated from the two or more placement locations, and the management device determines candidate products to be placed in the selected placement location according to conditions related to the placement location.

15. A program for a computer that manages the shelf layout of product shelves where customers can directly take out products and where each product has more than one placement space, the program having a function to accept an operation to select a placement space to be shelf-allocated from the two or more placement spaces, and a function to determine candidate products to be placed in the selected placement space according to conditions related to that placement space.

Images