Article Supply Device Layout Visualization for Store Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing store management systems do not consider the layout of article supply devices in sales areas, leading to inefficiencies in managing and maintaining these devices.

Innovation Solution

An article supply device managing method that acquires arrangement information and article information from a database to display a layout image on a user interface, allowing for the selection and management of article supply devices based on their actual layout in the sales area, including features for replenishment, replacement, installation, and removal.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If a real time store management system is implemented to track machine sales and expenses, then financial management capability is improved, but the system does not provide layout information of article supply devices

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelayout informationVSAvoidmanagement system

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management system is segmented into functional modules: a database storing layout and article information, a terminal for user operations, and a server for processing. This segmentation allows the system to add layout visualization functionality without overwhelming complexity, as each module handles specific tasks independently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates a virtual copy of the physical store layout by generating a layout image that mirrors the actual arrangement of article supply devices. This digital replica allows users to visualize and manage device layouts without physically moving or inspecting each device, thereby recovering layout information efficiently.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If article supply devices are managed without visual layout representation, then system simplicity is maintained, but user efficiency in locating and managing devices decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice management efficiencyVSAvoiddevice location and management

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A visual layout image is generated that copies the physical arrangement of article supply devices in the store. This visual representation allows users to quickly locate devices, understand their positions, and perform management operations efficiently without needing to physically search for or mentally track device locations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The manual process of locating and managing physical devices is replaced by an automated information processing system. The server automatically retrieves layout information from the database, generates visual representations, and presents them to users, substituting mechanical searching and tracking with automated digital information delivery.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of information

If layout information and article information are stored and processed, then comprehensive device management is achieved, but data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of device informationVSAvoiddata processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Layout information and article information are pre-stored in the database before being needed for visualization or management operations. This preliminary data preparation eliminates the need for real-time data collection and processing during user operations, reducing computational energy requirements when generating layout images or performing management tasks.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS20240054450A1Article supply device managing method, user interface, article supply device managing apparatus and program therefor

Publication Date: 2024.02.15 BANDAI CO LTD

AI summary

In an article supply device managing method, arrangement information in a sales area and article information of each article supply device in the sales area is acquired from an article supply device database, which stores the arrangement information relating to a layout of the respective article supply devices arranged in the sales area and the article information relating to an article which can be supplied from each article supply device arranged in the sales area, and a layout image where an object image of each article supply device corresponding to the arrangement of the article supply devices in the predetermined sales area is arranged is displayed on a terminal a user operates, by using the article information and the arrangement information of each article supply devices in the predetermined sales area. The object image includes article information of the article supply device corresponding to the object image.