Shopping Support System Clerk Dispatch via Path Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing shopping support systems often dispatch store clerks based solely on distance from the customer, which can lead to situations where clerks on break or not available are sent to assist, rather than those who are readily available and able to respond.
Innovation Solution
A shopping support system that includes a cart terminal for customers, a store clerk terminal for clerks, and a server device that calculates the most efficient path based on the current positions of both customers and clerks, and selects the clerk who can respond quickest to support the customer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If store clerks are dispatched based solely on distance from the customer, then the selection process is simple and fast, but clerks on break or not available may be dispatched instead of those who are readily available
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having store clerks register their availability status (working or on break) in advance before a support request is made. This pre-registration of status information allows the server to reliably identify available clerks when a customer needs assistance, resolving the contradiction between simple selection and reliable availability matching.
2Device complexity
If the system considers only straight-line distance, then the calculation is computationally simple, but it does not account for actual store layout and passages
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts the path calculation method based on the situation. When detailed store map data is available, it uses pathfinding algorithms that account for actual passages and layout. When such data is unavailable or for quick estimates, it falls back to straight-line distance calculations. This dynamic approach balances computational complexity with accurate response time estimation.
3Speed
If all store clerks are notified of a support request, then the customer receives help quickly, but clerks on break are disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies local quality by treating different clerks differently based on their registered status. Available clerks (those working) are notified and can respond to support requests, while clerks on break are excluded from notifications. This localized differentiation ensures fast customer service without disrupting clerks who are not currently working.
Data Source
AI summary
The shopping support system includes a cart terminal to be carried by the customer in a store, a store clerk terminal to be carried by the store clerk, and a server device configured to be communicably connected to the cart terminal and the store clerk terminal. The server device calculates a length of a path along a passage in the store between the cart terminal and the store clerk terminal based on a position of the cart terminal that issues the support request, a position of the store clerk terminal, and store map data storing a structure of the passage and information about a length of the passage, and selects a store clerk who can support the customer using the cart terminal that issues the support request. Then, the server device instructs the selected store clerk terminal of the support for the cart terminal.