JP4703979B2 - Store operation support device, store operation support system and program - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a store operation support apparatus and store used for in-store operations such as product inventory work for recording / aggregating the inventory of products displayed on the product display shelf of the store and inspection work for products delivered to the store. It relates to business support systems and programs.

  In general, mass merchandisers frequently carry out product inventory work for collecting inventory for all products for the purpose of improving the management structure. In general, such a product inventory work is performed using a handy terminal having a barcode reading function and a quantity key input function. Specifically, the bar code (product code) affixed to the store or the shelves on which the product is displayed is read with the handy terminal, and the number of products is counted to determine the number of stocks at the handy terminal. By entering the key, inventory data in which the inventory quantity is associated with the product is generated and accumulated. The inventory data accumulated in the handy terminal in this way is aggregated in the store server, and thereafter used for various management tasks.

  Further, in inspection work related to delivery from a wholesaler, inefficient work is performed such that one person reads a product name and one person counts the number of deliveries.

  Therefore, in order to efficiently perform such in-store operations such as product inventory work, a system using voice recognition is proposed in Patent Document 1.

Japanese Patent No. 3364198

  By the way, when the handy terminal is used for in-store operations such as product inventory work, since the handy terminal is originally assumed to be used by hand, one hand is occupied during the work, and the work efficiency is poor.

  In addition, because product inventory work is performed by sequentially selecting the products displayed on the shelf from the end of the shelf, there are many troubles that skip processing of small items or items that are out of stock. ing.

  Furthermore, according to the system proposed in Patent Document 1 described above, an operator needs to have a portable terminal, and counting work is difficult. In addition, the data recognized by the speech recognition unit is diverse, including product names, product codes, and quantities, and it is necessary to specify not only the number of candidate vocabulary that must be recognized but also which category vocabulary to recognize. It is necessary to perform complicated control. Furthermore, there is no disclosure regarding support related to performance of business such as which product should be counted next.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a store operation support apparatus, a store operation support system, and a program capable of efficiently and reliably executing in-store operations such as product inventory work.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a store operation support apparatus, a store operation support system, and a program that can prevent the occurrence of troubles such as forgetting of processing.

The present invention relates to a store operation support apparatus capable of data communication with a voice input / output device that performs voice input / output, a voice reception means for receiving voice data input via the voice input / output device, and the voice reception a first speech recognition means speech recognition speech data received by the unit, the audio data speech recognized by the first speech recognition means, whether or not to specify a product group that contains commodity A first determination unit for determining, a product group reception unit for receiving specification of the product group when the voice data recognized by the first determination unit is determined to specify the product group, and the product First voice generation means for generating voice data which is a name of one product included in the product group received by the group reception means, and voice data generated by the first voice generation means Product name output means for transmitting to the voice input / output device, and voice data which is the name of the product included in the product group is sent to the voice input / output device by the product name output means and then received by the voice reception means. The second voice recognition means for voice recognition of the voice data , and the quantity of the product for which the voice data recognized by the second voice recognition means is output as voice by the voice input / output device. and a, and quantity receiving means for receiving designation of the quantity, the quantity accepted by the quantity receiving means, and a storage means for storing in association with the product sent to the audio input and output device, the commodity group for all products included in the product group accepted by the accepting unit, wherein the first sound generating means and the product designation output means and the second speech recognition means and before The process is repeated by said storage means and the quantity receiving means.

  According to the present invention, a key input operation in an in-store operation such as a product inventory work that has been conventionally performed can be omitted, and the operation can be performed with an oral response. Therefore, a headset including headphones and a microphone as a voice input / output device If a device that is worn on the head like this is used, both hands can be used, and the work efficiency is greatly improved. In addition, since one or a plurality of products included in a product group that is a target of in-store business such as product inventory work is managed by the store business support device, troubles such as forgetting of processing can be prevented.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

  Here, FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram schematically showing the overall configuration of the store business support system 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the store operation support system 1 generally includes a plurality of point-of-sale (POS) (Point of point of sale) devices that are arranged at a checkout location of a store and are used by a cashier to process sales. (Sales: point-of-sale management) terminal 2 and these POS terminals 2 are connected via a LAN (Local Area Network) 3 and a store operation support apparatus 4 which is a host apparatus for centralized management. In addition, the store operation support system 1 according to the present embodiment includes an audio input / output device 5 that is a wireless headset including a headphone that is an audio output unit and a microphone that is an audio input unit, and store operation support via the LAN 3. A wireless communication unit 6 connected to the device 4 and installed on the ceiling or the like to enable wireless communication with the voice input / output device 5 is provided. As wireless communication between the voice input / output device 5 and the wireless communication unit 6, Bluetooth (registered trademark), IrDA (Infrared Data Association) using infrared rays, wireless LAN, and the like are applicable.

  The voice input / output device 5 receives the voice data generated by the store business support device 4 via the wireless communication unit 6 and emits the voice from the headphones as a voice to the user, and collects the voice uttered by the user with a microphone. It has a function of transmitting to the store business support device 4 via the wireless communication unit 6.

  The store operation support device 4 is responsible for the overall control of the store operation support system 1, and the electrical system is configured as shown in FIG. 2, for example. The store operation support apparatus 4 has a control unit 11 composed of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) for storing a startup program and the like, a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. The connected communication interface 13 is configured to perform online communication with a plurality of POS terminals 2 via the LAN 3.

  Further, an A / D conversion circuit 14 that converts an analog signal into a digital signal and a D / A conversion circuit 15 that converts a digital signal into an analog signal are connected to the control unit 11 via a bus 12. That is, the voice collected by the voice input / output device 5 is input to the A / D conversion circuit 14 via the communication interface 13 and converted into a digital voice signal. On the other hand, the audio data generated by the store operation support device 4 is converted into an analog signal by the D / A conversion circuit 15 and is output to the audio input / output device 5 via the communication interface 13 and is emitted from the headphones to the user as audio. .

  Further, a keyboard 17, a display 18, a printer 19, and a hard disk drive device (HDD) 20 are connected to the control unit 11 via a bus 12 and an I / O device control unit 16.

  In the hard disk drive (HDD) 20, in addition to an OS (Operating System) and a control program for operating the CPU of the control unit 11, a store sales file F1, a product master file F2, a shelf list file F3, and an application that operates on the OS A speech synthesis program P1 that is a program, a speech recognition program P2 that is an application program that runs on the OS, and the like are stored. The store sales file F <b> 1 stores sales data transmitted from each POS terminal 2 and store sales data obtained by tabulating sales data transmitted from each POS terminal 2. As shown in FIG. 3, the product master file F2 stores the product name and the stock quantity in association with the product code. As shown in FIG. 4, the shelf list file F3 stores shelf numbers, shelf levels, and product names in association with product codes. The speech synthesis program P1 is a program for synthesizing speech from text data. The speech recognition program P2 is a program for recognizing speech and obtaining numerical values or text data.

  In general, when the user powers on such a store operation support apparatus 4, the CPU of the control unit 11 activates a program called a loader included in the BIOS in the ROM, and starts the OS from the hard disk drive (HDD) 20. Read into RAM. When the OS is activated, it supports activation of application programs (speech synthesis program P1, speech recognition program P2), reading of information, storage, and the like according to user operations.

  Here, among the functions executed by the CPU of the control unit 11 built in the store operation support apparatus 4 according to various programs stored in the hard disk drive (HDD) 20, the store operation according to the present embodiment. An inventory process that is a characteristic function of the support device 4 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the flow of inventory processing. As shown in FIG. 5, the store operation support device 4 performs a predetermined initialization process after being started (step S1), and then waits for reception of voice data by the user wearing the voice input / output device 5 (step S1). S2).

  If it is determined that the voice data has been accepted (Y in step S2: voice accepting means), the accepted voice data is recognized as a voice (step S3: first voice recognition means). Specifically, the speech voice from the microphone of the voice input / output device 5 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 14 and voice recognition is performed by the voice recognition program P2.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the voice data that has been voice-recognized is one that designates a shelf number (step S4: first determination means). When it is determined that the voice data that has been voice-recognized is one that designates a shelf number (Y in step S4), designation of the shelf number is accepted (step S5: commodity group accepting means). As described above, since the shelf number, the shelf level, and the product name are stored in the shelf list file F3 in association with the product code, a product group including one or a plurality of products is specified by specifying the shelf number. Will be specified. On the other hand, when it is determined that the voice data that has been voice-recognized does not specify a shelf number (N in step S4), the process returns to step S2 to receive voice data by the user wearing the voice input / output device 5 stand by.

  When the designation of the shelf number is received in this way (step S5), the product group displayed on the shelf with the shelf number accepted in step S5 is searched from the shelf list file F3, and the shelf arrangement order (record order). The shelf (display position) on which the product is displayed and the product name are converted into voice data by the voice synthesis program P1 (step S6: first voice generation means), and the D / A conversion circuit 15 and the communication interface 13 are The voice data generated via the wireless communication unit 6 is output to the wireless communication unit 6 (step S7: product name output means). The audio data input to the wireless communication unit 6 is transmitted to the audio input / output device 5 and transmitted to the user via the headphones of the audio input / output device 5. Here, the user recognizes a shelf (display position) displayed as a product to be inventoried. Then, the user counts the number of stocks of the specified product on the transmitted shelf and utters the number of stocks (quantity) to the microphone of the voice input / output device 5. The voice (quantity) uttered in this way is transmitted to the store business support device 4.

  If it is determined that voice data from the speech of the user wearing the voice input / output device 5 has been received (Y in step S8: voice receiving unit), the received voice data is recognized (step S9: second voice). Recognition means). Specifically, the speech voice from the microphone of the voice input / output device 5 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 14 and voice recognition is performed by the voice recognition program P2.

  Note that a method called “Push to Talk” is generally used for voice recognition in order to reduce misrecognition. In this embodiment, the user generates a trigger signal by an operation such as pressing a button at hand, and the voice recognition unit operates and performs voice recognition only in a state where the trigger signal is received. Automatically generates a trigger signal immediately after the voice data is transmitted to the user to execute a voice recognition operation.

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the voice data that has been voice-recognized is for specifying a quantity for a product output as voice (step S10: second determination means). When it is determined that the voice data that has been voice-recognized is for specifying the quantity of a product output as voice (Y in step S10), the designation of the quantity is accepted (step S11: quantity accepting means). On the other hand, when it is determined that the voice data that has been voice-recognized does not specify the quantity (N in Step S11), the process returns to Step S8 and waits for reception of voice data by the user wearing the voice input / output device 5 To do.

  When the designation of the quantity is received in this way (step S11), the quantity recognized by the voice synthesis program P1 is converted into voice data (step S12: second voice generation means), and the D / A conversion circuit 15 The voice data generated via the communication interface 13 is output to the wireless communication unit 6 (step S13: quantity confirmation output means). As a result, a quantity confirmation utterance, which is a repetition for confirmation, is performed. The user who has transmitted the recitation (quantity confirmation utterance) via the headphones of the voice input / output device 5 confirms that the quantity is correct, and confirms “Yes” if it is correct, “No” if it is incorrect. Speak. The voice uttered in this way (“Yes” or “No”) is transmitted to the store operation support apparatus 4.

  When it is determined that the voice data by the user wearing the voice input / output device 5 is accepted (“Yes” or “No”) (Y in Step S14: voice accepting means), the accepted voice data is voiced. Recognize (step S15: third voice recognition means). Specifically, the speech voice from the microphone of the voice input / output device 5 is converted into a digital signal by the A / D conversion circuit 14 and voice recognition is performed by the voice recognition program P2.

  In this confirmation work, it is possible to prevent erroneous recognition by performing the voice recognition operation immediately after transmission of the repetition (quantity confirmation utterance).

  Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the voice data that has been voice-recognized is a confirmation response (“Yes” or “No”) (step S16: third determination unit). If it is determined that the voice data that has been voice-recognized is a confirmation response (“Yes” or “No”) (Y in Step S16), and the confirmation response is “Yes” (Y in Step S17), Step Proceed to S18. On the other hand, when the confirmation response is “No” (N in Step S17), the re-input utterance is performed by outputting the synthesized voice data that prompts the voice input / output device 5 to input again. After (step S19), the process returns to step S8.

  In step S18, the quantity accepted by voice recognition is stored in the merchandise master file F2 as an inventory quantity in association with the merchandise code of the merchandise (storage means).

  In a succeeding step S20, it is determined whether or not the processing of the merchandise displayed on the target shelf is completed. When it is determined that the processing of the merchandise displayed on the target shelf has been completed (N in Step S20), the process returns to Step S2 and waits for input of audio data of the next shelf number. On the other hand, if there are remaining products (Y in step S20), the process returns to step S6, and the shelf (display position) where the next product is displayed and the product name are converted into voice data by the speech synthesis program P1. To do.

  With the above processing, the user can perform an inventory operation by voice dialogue with the store operation support device 4.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, when the designation of a product group including one or a plurality of products is accepted by voice recognition of the voice data input through the voice input / output device 5, the designation is made. Audio data, which is the name of a product included in the product group, is sequentially transmitted to the audio input / output device 5. Then, by recognizing the voice data input via the voice input / output device 5, the quantity of the product output as voice by the voice input / output device 5 is received, and the received quantity is stored in association with the product. Is done. As a result, key input operations in store operations such as product inventory work that have been performed in the past can be omitted, and the work can be performed with an oral response. Thus, the voice input / output device 5 is like a headset having headphones and a microphone. If a device that is worn on the head is used, both hands can be used, so the work efficiency is greatly improved. In addition, since one or a plurality of products included in a product group that is a target of in-store business such as product inventory work is managed by the store business support device 4 side, troubles such as forgetting of processing can be prevented.

  In the present embodiment, the product inventory business, which is one of the in-store business operations, has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and is also effective in other in-store business operations such as inspection operations. In the case of inspection work, work support can be realized in the same manner by using information on products to be delivered on the day instead of shelf information.

  In the present embodiment, the communication between the store operation support device 4 and the voice input / output device 5 is performed using an analog signal. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the voice input / output device 5 may convert the speech voice into a digital signal and then transmit the digital signal to the store business support device 4. Moreover, after converting the digital audio data received from the store operation support device 4 into an analog signal on the audio input / output device 5 side, it may be transmitted to the user via the headphones.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, various programs are stored in the hard disk drive (HDD) 18, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a magnetic storage medium such as a flexible disk or a magnetic tape, an MO Optical storage media such as CD, CD-ROM, CD-R, CD-RW, DVD-ROM, DVD-R, DVD-RAM, DVD-RW, DVD + RW, etc. Various types of media such as a semiconductor memory may be used as the storage medium. Various optical storage media such as CD-ROM and DVD-ROM, various magneto-optical storage media, various magnetic storage media such as flexible disks, etc. are fixed to the store operation support device 4. Is provided as an exchangeable storage medium that can be handled as a single unit, and various processes can be performed by reading the program using various program readers (CD-ROM drive, etc.) suitable for each medium Become.

1 is a system configuration diagram schematically showing an overall configuration of a store operation support system according to an embodiment of the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical system of a host apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of a goods master file. It is explanatory drawing which shows the data structure of a shelf list file. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of an inventory process.

Explanation of symbols

1 store operation support system 4 store operation support device 5 voice input / output device

Claims (6)

In a store operation support device capable of data communication with a voice input / output device that performs voice input / output,
Voice receiving means for receiving voice data input via the voice input / output device;
First voice recognition means for voice recognition of the voice data received by the voice reception means;
Audio data speech recognized by the first speech recognition means, a first determination means for determining whether or not to specify a product group that contains goods,
A product group accepting unit that accepts designation of the product group when the voice data recognized by the first determination unit is determined to designate the product group;
First sound generation means for generating sound data which is a name of one product included in the product group received by the product group reception means;
Product name output means for transmitting the voice data generated by the first voice generation means to the voice input / output device;
Second voice recognition means for recognizing voice data received by the voice receiving means after sending voice data which is a name of a product included in the product group to the voice input / output device by the product name output means;
The audio data speech recognized by the second speech recognition means, and that is intended to designate a quantity of the commodity outputted as a voice by the voice input and output device, and quantity receiving means for receiving designation of the quantity ,
Storage means for storing the quantity received by the quantity receiving means in association with the product transmitted to the voice input / output device;
The provided for all products included in the product group accepted by the product groups receiving means, said first sound generating means and the product designation output means and the second speech recognition means and before Symbol quantity receiving means and said memory means The store operation support apparatus characterized by repeating the process by. Second voice generation means for generating voice data which is a designation of the quantity received by the quantity reception means;
Quantity confirmation output means for transmitting the voice data generated by the second voice generation means to the voice input / output device;
Third voice recognition means for voice recognition of the voice data received by the voice reception means after the voice data which is the name of the quantity is transmitted to the voice input / output device by the quantity confirmation output means;
Third determination means for determining whether or not the voice data voice-recognized by the third voice recognition means is a confirmation response of the quantity output as voice by the voice input / output device;
If it is determined that the voice data recognized by the third determination unit is a confirmation response of the quantity output as voice by the voice input / output device, a response reception unit that receives the confirmation response of the quantity;
With
Only when the confirmation response received by the response receiving means is a positive response , the storage processing by the storage means is executed.
The store operation support apparatus according to claim 1, wherein The product group designated by the product group designating means is composed of one or a plurality of products displayed on a display shelf,
The product name output means transmits to the audio input / output device, in addition to audio data that is a name of the product, audio data that is a name of a display position on the display shelf of the product
The store operation support apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the above. Voice recognition of voice data input via the voice input / output device in the quantity receiving means is performed only once after voice data that is the name of a product is transmitted to the voice input / output device.
The store operation support apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein Audio output means for outputting audio data;
Voice input means for inputting voice data;
Voice receiving means for receiving voice data input via the voice input means;
First voice recognition means for voice recognition of the voice data received by the voice reception means;
Audio data speech recognized by the first speech recognition means, a first determination means for determining whether or not to specify a product group that contains goods,
A product group accepting unit that accepts designation of the product group when the voice data recognized by the first determination unit is determined to designate the product group;
First sound generation means for generating sound data which is a name of one product included in the product group received by the product group reception means;
Product name output means for transmitting the sound data generated by the first sound generation means to the sound output means;
Second voice recognition means for recognizing voice data received by the voice receiving means after transmitting voice data that is the name of a product included in a product group to the voice output means by the product name output means;
The audio data speech recognition by the second speech recognition means, and that is intended to designate a quantity of the commodity outputted as a voice by the audio output unit, and quantity receiving means for receiving designation of the quantity,
Storage means for storing the quantity received by the quantity receiving means in association with the product transmitted to the voice output means;
The provided for all products included in the product group accepted by the product groups receiving means, said first sound generating means and the product designation output means and the second speech recognition means and before Symbol quantity receiving means and said memory means A store operation support system characterized by repeating the process according to. A computer-readable program for controlling a store operation support device capable of data communication with a voice input / output device that performs voice input / output,
A voice reception function for receiving voice data input via the voice input / output device;
A first voice recognition function for voice recognition of voice data received by the voice reception function;
Audio data speech recognized by the first speech recognition function, a first determination function to determine whether or not to specify a product group that contains goods,
When it is determined that the voice data recognized by the first determination function is for specifying a product group, a product group reception function for receiving specification of the product group;
A first voice generation function for generating voice data which is a name of one product included in the product group received by the product group reception function;
A product name output function for transmitting the voice data generated by the first voice generation function to the voice input / output device;
A second voice recognition function that recognizes voice data received by the voice receiving function after transmitting voice data that is a name of a product included in the product group to the voice input / output device by the product name output function;
The audio data speech recognized by the second speech recognition function, and with the is used to specify the quantity of the commodity outputted as a voice by the voice input and output device, and quantity accepting function that accepts a designation of the quantity ,
A storage function for storing the quantity received by the quantity reception function in association with the product transmitted to the voice input / output device;
For all products included in the product group accepted by the product groups receiving function, repeating the first sound generation function and the product designation output function and the second voice recognition function before Symbol quantities acceptance function and the storage function Function and
That causes the computer to execute the program.

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