JP7576782B2 - Business support system, business support device, business support method, and computer program - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to a business support system, a business support device, a business support method, and a computer program.

Conventionally, there is known a technology for determining whether a product is missing from a display shelf by photographing the shelf on which products are displayed in a store (hereinafter referred to as "display shelf") with a camera device and analyzing the photographed image (Patent Document 1).

International Publication No. 2019/087519

However, Patent Document 1 only deals with detecting when products are out of stock on display shelves, and does not mention how to improve the efficiency of operations when a product is out of stock.

The purpose of this disclosure is to provide technology that improves the efficiency of operations when a product is out of stock on a display shelf.

A business support device according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a receiving unit that receives a captured image of a display shelf for items, a processing unit that detects shelf sections that need to be replenished based on the captured image and generates information about the detected shelf sections that need to be replenished, a storage unit that stores shelf section information and stockout history information about the display shelf, and an output unit that outputs information about the shelf sections that need to be replenished, and the processing unit generates a change proposal for the shelf section based on the shelf section information and the stockout history information, and outputs the proposal from the output unit.

In a business support method according to one aspect of the present disclosure, a business support device receives a captured image of a display shelf for items, detects shelf sections that need to be replenished based on the captured image, generates information about the detected shelf sections that need to be replenished, stores shelf section information and stockout history information about the display shelf, outputs information about the shelf sections that need to be replenished, and generates and outputs a proposal to change the shelf sections based on the shelf section information and stockout history information.

A computer program according to one aspect of the present disclosure causes a computer to receive a captured image of a display shelf for items, detect shelf sections that need restocking based on the captured image, generate information about the detected shelf sections that need restocking, store shelf section information and stockout history information about the display shelf, output information about the shelf sections that need restocking, and generate and output a proposal to change the shelf sections based on the shelf section information and stockout history information.

These comprehensive or specific aspects may be realized as a system, device, method, integrated circuit, computer program, or recording medium, or as any combination of a system, device, method, integrated circuit, computer program, and recording medium.

This disclosure makes it possible to streamline operations when a product is out of stock on a display shelf.

Further advantages and effects of one aspect of the present disclosure will become apparent from the specification and drawings. Such advantages and/or effects are provided by some of the embodiments and features described in the specification and drawings, respectively, but not necessarily all of them need to be provided in order to obtain one or more identical features.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a business support system according to an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a stockout detection device; A diagram showing an example of the surface on which products are displayed on a display shelf. Diagram showing an example of shelf allocation information A diagram showing an example of a terminal configuration FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a business support device. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of management information. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a login UI (User Interface) for a business support service. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a service menu UI for a business support service. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a stock-out information UI. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a shelf map UI for a stockout information service; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display shelf UI for a stock-out information service; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a shelf map UI related to the shelf map service. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a display shelf UI related to a shelf map service. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an order history UI. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a shelf map UI for a shelf allocation advice service. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a shelf allocation advice UI. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a shelf allocation change UI. FIG. 13 shows an example of a price change UI. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a shelf label detection method. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining an example of a method for setting partitions.

Below, the embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings as appropriate. However, more detailed explanation than necessary may be omitted. For example, detailed explanation of already well-known matters and duplicate explanation of substantially identical configurations may be omitted. This is to avoid the following explanation becoming unnecessarily redundant and to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art. Note that the attached drawings and the following explanation are provided to enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the present disclosure, and are not intended to limit the subject matter described in the claims.

(One embodiment)
<System Configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a task support system according to an embodiment.

The business support system detects when a product is out of stock on display shelves 10 placed in a store, and supports business operations when a shortage is detected. The store may be, for example, a supermarket, convenience store, department store, mass retailer, discount store, bookstore, or a kiosk in a variety of facilities. Products sold in the store are displayed on the display shelves 10 as an example of goods. Display shelves 10 may be placed not only inside the store, but also outside the store.

The display shelves 10 may also be provided with shelf labels 20 for displaying the product names and prices of the displayed products. The shelf labels 20 are electronic shelf labels equipped with a liquid crystal display or electronic paper, and the display contents can be rewritten via wireless communication. However, this embodiment is not limited to electronic shelf labels, and the display contents may be shelf labels printed or handwritten on paper. The shelf labels 20 may also be interpreted as other terms such as shelf tags, shelf cards, or shelf labels.

The business support system includes a camera device 100, a stockout detection device 200, and a business support device 300. The business support system may further include a terminal 400. The terminal 400 is carried by, for example, a person who handles the stockouts (hereinafter referred to as the "person in charge"). The person in charge 2 is, for example, a store clerk or manager of the store in which the display shelf 10 is located.

The camera device 100 is installed in a position where it can capture an image of the surface of the display shelf 10 on which the products are displayed. The camera device 100 transmits an image of the display shelf 10 (hereinafter referred to as a "captured image") to the stockout detection device 200 via a communication network. The communication network is, for example, a wired LAN (Local Area Network) or a wireless LAN.

Multiple camera devices 100 may be installed in one store. Also, one display shelf 10 may be photographed by one camera device 100. Alternatively, multiple display shelves 10 may be photographed by one camera device 100. Alternatively, one display shelf 10 may be photographed by multiple camera devices 100. The camera device 100 may be a PTZ (pan-tilt-zoom) camera. The camera device 100 may be installed for monitoring within a store (i.e., a surveillance camera). Alternatively, the camera device 100 may be installed for detecting shortages on the display shelves 10.

The stock-out detection device 200 analyzes the captured images received from the camera device 100 to detect a display shelf 10 where a stockout has occurred (hereinafter referred to as a "stock-out shelf"). When the stock-out detection device 200 detects a stock-out shelf, it transmits stock-out detection information including at least identification information of the stock-out shelf to the business support device 300 via the communication network 3. The communication network 3 is, for example, configured by the Internet. The stock-out detection device 200 is installed in a store as shown in FIG. 1. Alternatively, the stock-out detection device 200 may be installed as a server (for example, a cloud server) that provides a predetermined service via the communication network 3. In this case, the camera device 100 may transmit the captured images to the stock-out detection device 200 via the communication network 3.

The business support device 300 receives out-of-stock detection information from the out-of-stock detection device 200, and generates information (hereinafter referred to as "business support information") for supporting the work of the person in charge 2 regarding the out-of-stock product based on the out-of-stock detection information. The business support device 300 transmits the generated business support information to the terminal 400 of the person in charge 2. The business support information is, for example, information that allows the terminal 400 to display a UI (User Interface) for business support. The business support device 300 also receives instruction information from the terminal 400 and performs processing corresponding to the instruction information. The instruction information is information indicating instructions input by the person in charge 2 to the terminal 400. The business support device 300 is installed as a server (for example, a cloud server) that provides a specified service via the communication network 3.

The business support device 300 may also transmit information for updating the display content of the shelf labels 20 attached to the display shelves 10 (hereinafter referred to as "shelf label update information") to the shelf labels 20 in the store. The shelf labels 20 that receive the shelf label update information update their display content based on the shelf label update information. Examples of the display content on the shelf labels 20 are the product name, price, and/or POP information. The POP information is, for example, a catchy slogan, a description, a discount price, or a discount rate.

The terminal 400 receives business support information from the business support device 300 and displays a business support UI based on the business support information. The terminal 400 also transmits instruction information input by the person in charge 2 to the business support device 300. The terminal 400 is, for example, a tablet, a smartphone, or a PC. The UI displayed on the terminal 400 may be a UI generated by an application running on the terminal 400 based on the business support information. Alternatively, the UI displayed on the terminal 400 may be a UI generated by a web browser running on the terminal 400 based on the business support information.

<Configuration of stockout detection device>
2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of stockout detection device 200. Stockout detection device 200 includes a processing unit 201, a memory 202, a communication unit 203, and a storage 204. These elements 201 to 204 are connected by an internal bus 205 capable of bidirectional communication. In other words, stockout detection device 200 may be configured by a computer device having a processor and a memory.

The processing unit 201 executes a computer program and realizes the functions of the stockout detection device 200. The processing unit 201 may be interpreted as other terms such as a processor, a controller, a CPU (Central Processing Unit), or an integrated circuit. In addition, in the following description, processing mainly performed by the stockout detection device 200 may be interpreted as processing mainly performed by the processing unit 201.

The memory 202 stores computer programs and data related to the functions of the stockout detection device 200. The memory 202 may be configured, for example, as a read only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), or a combination of these.

The storage 204 stores computer programs and data related to the functions of the stockout detection device 200. The storage 204 may be configured, for example, with a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a flash memory. The storage 204 may also store shelf allocation information 210. The shelf allocation information 210 is information used to identify the display shelves 10 and the sections 30.

The communication unit 203 controls the transmission and reception of data with other devices via a communication network. The communication unit 203 may include a transmission unit 203A that controls the transmission of data, and a reception unit 203B that controls the reception of data. The communication unit 203 may be interpreted as other terms such as a communication interface or a communication module.

Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of a surface on which products are displayed on the display shelf 10. Next, with reference to Figure 3, an example of a method by which the stockout detection device 200 detects a display shelf 10 in which a stockout has occurred will be described.

3, the display shelf 10 is divided into a plurality of display spaces 12 by shelf boards 11. Shelf boards 11 are provided with shelf labels 20. Identical products corresponding to the shelf labels 20 are displayed in the space above the shelf labels 20. In this embodiment, the space in which identical products corresponding to the shelf labels 20 are displayed is referred to as a section 30. The stockout detection device 200 sets the sections 30 for the captured image of the display shelf 10. Note that, in FIG. 3, there are gaps between each of the sections 30, but this does not have to be the case. The shape of the sections 30 is not limited to a rectangle, and may be a polygon, an ellipse, or a circle. The sections 30 may be manually set for the captured image of the display shelf 10. Alternatively, the sections 30 may be automatically set by the stockout detection device 200. An example of the stockout detection device 200 automatically setting the sections 30 will be described later.

In FIG. 3, the sections 30 indicated by dotted lines are sections 30 in which a shortage has occurred. The shortage detection device 200 analyzes the image of each section 30 in the photographed image of the display shelf 10 as shown in FIG. 3, and determines whether or not a shortage has occurred in the display shelf 10.

For example, the stock-out detection device 200 prestores an image of the section 30 when no product is displayed (i.e., when a product is out of stock) (hereinafter referred to as a "stock-out image"), and when a stock-out image is detected in a captured image of the display shelf 10, it determines that a stock-out has occurred on that display shelf 10. The stock-out image is, for example, an image of the background of the display shelf 10.

The stock-out detection device 200 may identify the section 30 where the shortage is occurring (hereinafter referred to as the "stock-out section") in addition to the display shelf 10 where the shortage is occurring (i.e., the stock-out shelf). In this case, the stock-out detection device 200 may include identification information of the stock-out shelf (hereinafter referred to as the "stock-out shelf identification information") and identification information of the stock-out section (hereinafter referred to as the "stock-out section identification information") in the stock-out detection information.

Furthermore, the stock-out detection device 200 may identify products (hereinafter referred to as "stock-out products") that were displayed in the stock-out section, and include identification information of the identified stock-out products (hereinafter referred to as "stock-out product identification information") in the stock-out detection information. The stock-out detection device 200 may identify stock-out products in the stock-out section by using shelf allocation information 210, which will be described later.

Figure 4 shows an example of shelf allocation information 210.

As shown in FIG. 4, the shelf allocation information 210 includes items such as area ID, shelf ID, shelf level, position number, possible display number, and product information.
The area ID is information for identifying an area in a store.
The shelf ID is information for identifying the display shelf 10 in the area indicated by the area ID.
The shelf level is information indicating the number of levels counted from the bottom on the display shelf 10 indicated by the shelf ID (i.e., information indicating the display space 12). Note that the shelf level may be information indicating the number of levels counted from the top.
The position number is information indicating the number of the section 30 counted from the left in the display space 12 indicated by the shelf level. The position number may be information indicating the number of the section 30 counted from the right in the display space 12 indicated by the shelf level.
The number of items that can be displayed is information that indicates the number of items that can be displayed in the section 30 indicated by the shelf level and position number.
The product information is information about a product displayed in the section 30 indicated by the shelf level and position number. The product information includes, for example, at least one of a product code, a product name, and a price corresponding to the product.

The shelf level and position number in the shelf allocation information 210 are an example of information for identifying the section 30 in the display shelf 10 indicated by the shelf ID (hereinafter referred to as "section identification information"). Information other than the shelf level and position number may be coordinate values on the display shelf 10. For example, this is a value that specifies the position itself, such as how many mm to the right and how many mm down from the top left corner of the display shelf 10.

The stock-out detection device 200 may refer to the shelf allocation information 210 to identify the shelf ID of the display shelf 10 where the stockout has occurred (i.e. the shelf where the stockout has occurred) and include the identified shelf ID in the stock-out shelf identification information. The stock-out detection device 200 may also refer to the shelf allocation information 210 to identify the section identification information and the number of items that can be displayed of the section 30 where the stockout has occurred and include the identified section identification information and the number of items that can be displayed in the stock-out section identification information. The stock-out detection device 200 may also refer to the shelf allocation information 210 to identify product information of the product where the stockout has occurred and include the identified product information in the stock-out product identification information.

<Device configuration>
5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the terminal 400. The terminal 400 includes a processing unit 401, a memory 402, a communication unit 403, an input unit 404, a display unit 405, and a storage 406. These elements 401 to 406 are connected by an internal bus 407 capable of bidirectional communication. In other words, the terminal 400 may be configured by a computer device having a processor and a memory.

The processing unit 401 executes a computer program and realizes the functions of the terminal 400. The processing unit 401 may be interpreted as other terms such as a processor, a controller, a CPU, or an integrated circuit. In addition, in the following description, processing mainly performed by the terminal 400 may be interpreted as processing mainly performed by the processing unit 401.

The memory 402 stores computer programs and data related to the functions of the terminal 400. The memory 402 may be configured, for example, with a ROM, a RAM, or a combination of these.

Storage 406 stores computer programs and data related to the functions of terminal 400. Storage 406 may be configured, for example, with a HDD, SSD, or flash memory.

The communication unit 403 controls the transmission and reception of data with other devices via a communication network. The communication unit 403 may include a transmission unit 403A that controls the transmission of data, and a reception unit 403B that controls the reception of data. The communication unit 403 may be interpreted as other terms such as a communication interface or a communication module.

The input unit 404 accepts input of operations for the terminal 400. The input unit 404 is configured with an input interface such as, for example, a button, a switch, a touch panel, and/or a microphone.

The display unit 405 displays the text and images of the UI. The display unit 405 may be interpreted as other terms such as a display or a monitor.

<Configuration of the business support device>
6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the business support device 300. The business support device 300 includes a processing unit 301, a memory 302, a communication unit 303, and a storage 304. These elements 301 to 304 are connected by an internal bus 305 capable of bidirectional communication. In other words, the business support device 300 may be configured by a computer device having a processor and a memory.

The processing unit 301 executes a computer program and realizes the functions of the business support device 300. The processing unit 301 may be interpreted as other terms such as a processor, a controller, a CPU, or an integrated circuit. In the following description, processing mainly performed by the business support device 300 may be interpreted as processing mainly performed by the processing unit 301.

The memory 302 stores computer programs and data related to the functions of the business support device 300. The memory 302 may be configured, for example, with a ROM, a RAM, or a combination of these.

Storage 304 stores computer programs and data related to the functions of business support device 300. Storage 304 may be configured, for example, with a HDD, SSD, or flash memory.

The communication unit 303 controls the transmission and reception of data with other devices via a communication network. The communication unit 303 may include a transmission unit 303A that controls the transmission of data, and a reception unit 303B that controls the reception of data. The communication unit 303 may be interpreted as other terms such as a communication interface or a communication module.

7 is a diagram showing an example of management information. The business support device 300 stores management information 310 used to generate the business support information in the storage 304. The management information 310 includes at least one of the following information:
- Product information which is information about products - Shelf allocation information which is information about the allocation of shelves - Inventory information which is information about product inventory - Shelf map information which is information about the layout of shelves - Price information which is information about product prices - Demand forecast information regarding product demand forecasts - Out-of-stock history information which is historical information about out-of-stocks - Order history information which is historical information about orders - Out-of-stock handling history information which is historical information about handling out-of-stocks - Shelf allocation advice handling history information which is historical information about handling advice on shelving

The shelf allocation information held by the business support device 300 may be the same as the shelf allocation information 210 held by the stockout detection device 200 shown in FIG. 4. Alternatively, the shelf allocation information held by the business support device 300 may be at least partially different from the shelf allocation information 210 held by the stockout detection device 200 shown in FIG. 4. Furthermore, the business support device 300 may hold shelf allocation information for each store.

Next, we will explain the business support services that the business support device 300 provides to the terminals 400 of each store.

Figure 8 shows an example of a login UI for the business support service. Figure 9 shows an example of a service menu UI for the business support service.

When the business support device 300 is accessed by the terminal 400, the business support device 300 first provides the login UI 900 shown in FIG. 8 to the terminal 400. The person in charge 2 inputs a user ID and password previously assigned to the person in charge 2 into the login UI 900 and presses the login button 901. If the business support device 300 successfully authenticates the input user ID and password, it provides the terminal 400 with a service menu UI 910 shown in FIG. 9. Note that the "pressing" of a button in the description of the UI can be interpreted as other terms such as "touching," "tapping," "clicking," or "selecting" a button.

As shown in FIG. 9, the business support device 300 provides the following business support services.
・Out-of-stock information service that provides information about out-of-stock items ・Shelf map service that provides shelf location information ・Order history service that provides product order history information ・Shelf allocation advice service that provides advice on shelf allocation ・Shelf allocation change service that accepts changes to shelf allocation ・Price change service that accepts changes to product prices

Next, we will explain each of the business support services mentioned above.

<Out-of-stock information service>
10 is a diagram showing an example of a stock-out information UI. When the stock-out information service is selected from the service menu UI 910, the business support device 300 provides the terminal 400 with a stock-out information UI 1000 as shown in FIG.

The out-of-stock information UI 1000 has an urgency area 1001, out-of-stock shelf information area 1002, out-of-stock product information area 1003, inventory information area 1004, and a response area 1005.

The urgency area 1001 displays information indicating the level of urgency of replenishing the out-of-stock item (hereinafter referred to as "urgency information"). The urgency information may be a value of A, B, or C in descending order of urgency. The business support device 300 may determine the urgency information according to the shelf inventory number of the out-of-stock item and the demand information of the out-of-stock item. For example, the business support device 300 determines the urgency to be A when the shelf inventory number of the out-of-stock item is less than _a1 , determines the urgency to be B when the shelf inventory number of the out-of-stock item is less than _a2 , and determines the urgency to be C when the shelf inventory number of the out-of-stock item is less than _a3 . _a1 , _a2 , and _a3 are integers equal to or greater than 1, and _a1 < _a2 < _a3 . The person in charge 2 can appropriately determine the urgency of replenishing the out-of-stock item by referring to the urgency information. In addition, it is preferable to predict that the demand will rise and fall due to marketing such as discount sales, and increase the urgency before the demand is predicted to increase. That is, even if the number of products on the shelves has not decreased, a demand forecast or the like may instruct the replenishment of products, and the urgency of the replenishment may be set high (to A or B, for example).

In the out-of-stock shelf information area 1002, as information for identifying the out-of-stock shelf and out-of-stock section, for example, as shown in FIG. 10, information related to the area ID, shelf ID, shelf level and position number, or coordinates is displayed. The business support device 300 may identify this information based on the out-of-stock detection information received from the out-of-stock detection device 200.

In addition, the out-of-stock shelf information area 1002 displays a button 1006 for displaying the location of the out-of-stock shelf on a map. When this button 1006 is pressed, the business support device 300 provides the terminal 400 with a shelf map UI 1100 as shown in FIG. 11. The shelf map UI 1100 will be described later (see FIG. 11).

The out-of-stock product information area 1003 displays product information and the number of shortages of out-of-stock products. The product information includes the product code and the product name. For example, the business support device 300 identifies the product information and the number of shortages of out-of-stock products from the out-of-stock detection information received from the out-of-stock detection device 200 and the demand forecast information for the products. The number of shortages may be identified based on the number of items that can be displayed included in the out-of-stock detection information, or the number of shortages may be changed to be larger before the demand is predicted to increase by predicting that demand will increase or decrease due to marketing such as discount sales. In other words, even if the number of products placed on the shelves has not decreased, a demand forecast may instruct the replenishment of products or the number of shortages may be increased and set. In this case, the shelf allocation may even be changed due to an increase in shelf inventory. In addition, the number of shortages does not necessarily have to be the absolute number of products, and may be classified into classes such as A (1 to 10), B (11 to 20), and C (21 to 30) based on the degree of shortage.

Inventory information area 1004 displays inventory information for out-of-stock items. As shown in FIG. 10, inventory information may include a first inventory location and inventory quantity of the out-of-stock item, as well as a second inventory location and inventory quantity of the out-of-stock item. For example, the first inventory location is the location of an inventory shelf that exists in the same area as display shelf 10, and the second inventory location is the location of an inventory shelf that exists in an area different from display shelf 10 (e.g., the back yard of the store). The example in FIG. 10 shows that there are "10" out-of-stock items in the first inventory location "A-3" and "24" out-of-stock items in the second inventory location "DD-47". For example, the business support device 300 identifies how many out-of-stock items are in stock at which inventory location based on the store's inventory information.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 10, the inventory information area 1004 displays a button 1007 for displaying the first inventory location on a map and a button 1008 for displaying the second inventory location on a map. When buttons 1007 and 1008 are pressed, the business support device 300 provides an inventory location map UI to the terminal 400. Note that although the inventory location map UI is not shown, it may be similar to the shelf map UI 1100 shown in FIG. 11.

The inventory information area 1004 also displays a button 1009 for ordering out-of-stock items. When this button 1009 is pressed, the business support device 300 provides the terminal 400 with a UI (not shown) for ordering the out-of-stock item.

In the handling area 1005, buttons are displayed for selecting a handling method for the out-of-stock item. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, in the handling area 1005, an incomplete button 1010, a complete button 1011, a leave button 1012, and an ordered button 1013 are displayed. If the handling of the out-of-stock item is incomplete, the person in charge 2 may select the incomplete button 1010. If the handling of the out-of-stock item is complete, the person in charge 2 may select the complete button 1011. If the handling of the out-of-stock item is to be left unattended, the person in charge 2 may select the leave button 1012. If the order for the out-of-stock item has been completed, the person in charge 2 may select the ordered button 1013. The business support device 300 records the handling information corresponding to the selected button as out-of-stock handling history information.

In addition, the out-of-stock information UI 1000 may display a out-of-stock occurrence ID to identify the occurrence of a shortage. "K19-114" shown in FIG. 10 is an example of a display of a out-of-stock occurrence ID.

In addition, in FIG. 10, the left arrow button 1014 and the right arrow button 1015 are buttons for switching the display to the out-of-stock information UI 1000 corresponding to another out-of-stock occurrence ID. For example, when the left arrow button 1014 is pressed, the business support device 300 provides the out-of-stock information UI corresponding to the previous out-of-stock occurrence ID to the terminal 400, and when the right arrow button 1015 is pressed, the business support device 300 provides the out-of-stock information UI corresponding to the next out-of-stock occurrence ID to the terminal 400.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of a shelf map UI related to the out-of-stock information service. Figure 12 is a diagram showing an example of a display shelf UI related to the out-of-stock information service. When button 1006 in out-of-stock shelf information area 1002 of out-of-stock information UI 1000 is pressed, the business support device 300 provides the shelf map UI 1100 as shown in Figure 11 to the terminal 400.

The shelf map UI 1100 displays an image showing shelves that are out of stock along with a shelf map showing the layout of the display shelves 10 in the store. For example, shelves that are out of stock are displayed in a manner that makes them distinguishable from other display shelves 10 (for example, in a different color).

In addition, the shelf map UI 1100 displays information indicating the status of handling of shortages on the display shelves 10. For example, as shown in FIG. 11, a double circle mark may be displayed on a display shelf 10 where the handling of the shortage is "incomplete", a black triangle mark may be displayed on a display shelf 10 where the handling of the shortage is "abandoned", and a black square mark may be displayed on a display shelf 10 where the handling of the shortage is "ordered". Note that the display of the marks shown in FIG. 11 is only an example, and marks different from these may be displayed.

When the person in charge 2 selects an out-of-stock shelf from the shelf map UI 1100, the business support device 300 provides the terminal 400 with a display shelf UI 1200 corresponding to the selected out-of-stock shelf. The display shelf UI 1200 is a schematic representation of the display shelf 10, as shown in FIG. 12. Alternatively, the display shelf UI 1200 may use an image of the display shelf 10 captured by the camera device 100.

In the display shelf UI 1200, the out-of-stock section 1201 may be displayed in a different manner (e.g., a different color) from the other sections 30. In addition, in the display shelf UI 1200, the out-of-stock section 1202 for which an ordered item has been ordered may be displayed in a different manner (e.g., a different color) from the other sections 30.

By using the out-of-stock information service, staff member 2 can efficiently check information related to out-of-stock items. When the business support device 300 receives out-of-stock detection information from the out-of-stock detection device 200, the business support device 300 may present the out-of-stock information UI 1000 to the terminal 400 by push notification. This allows staff member 2 to immediately recognize the out-of-stock item and the shelf on which the out-of-stock item is out of stock when an out-of-stock item occurs, and therefore to quickly deal with the out-of-stock item.

<Shelf map service>
Fig. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a shelf map UI related to the shelf map service. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a display shelf UI related to the shelf map service. When the shelf map service is selected from the service menu UI 910, the business support device 300 provides the shelf map UI 1300 as shown in Fig. 13 to the terminal 400.

In the shelf map UI 1300, if there is a shelf that is out of stock, the shelf that is out of stock may be displayed in a different manner (e.g., a different color) from the display shelves 10 that are not out of stock. Note that the shelf map UI 1300 is almost the same as the shelf map UI 1100 described in FIG. 11, so a detailed description will be omitted.

When the person in charge 2 selects a display shelf 10 from the shelf map UI 1300, the business support device 300 provides the terminal 400 with a display shelf UI 1400 corresponding to the selected display shelf 10, as shown in FIG. 14.

When an out-of-stock section exists in the display shelf UI 1400, the out-of-stock section may be displayed in a different manner (e.g., a different color) from the other sections 30, as in FIG. 12. Also, when an out-of-stock section that has been ordered exists in the display shelf UI 1400, the out-of-stock section that has been ordered may be displayed in a different manner (e.g., a different color) from the other sections 30, as in FIG. 12. Note that the display shelf UI 1400 is almost the same as the display shelf UI 1200 described in FIG. 12, so a detailed description will be omitted.

By using the shelf map service, staff member 2 can visually check which shelves are out of stock from the shelf map.

<Order history service>
15 is a diagram showing an example of an order history UI. When an order history service is selected from the service menu UI 910, the business support device 300 provides the terminal 400 with an order history UI 1500 as shown in FIG.

The order history UI 1500 displays, for each ordered item, the order date, order time, identification information of the shelf and section where the item is out of stock, product code, product name, order quantity, and order status. The business support device 300 may generate the order history UI 1500 based on the order history information.

By using the order history service, Person in Charge 2 can easily check order history information for out-of-stock items.

<Shelf allocation advice service>
Fig. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a shelf map UI related to the shelf allocation advice service. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing an example of the shelf allocation advice UI. When the shelf allocation advice service is selected from the service menu UI 910, the business support device 300 provides the shelf map UI 1600 as shown in Fig. 16 to the terminal 400. Note that the shelf map UI 1600 is almost the same as the shelf map UI 1100 described in Fig. 11, and therefore a detailed description thereof will be omitted.

When the person in charge 2 selects a display shelf 10 for which he/shelf allocation advice is desired from the shelf map UI 1600, the business support device 300 provides the terminal 400 with a shelf allocation advice UI 1700 corresponding to the selected display shelf 10, as shown in FIG. 17.

The shelf allocation advice UI 1700 has a display shelf area 1701, an advice area 1702, and a solution area 1703.

The display shelf area 1701 displays the current shelf allocation for the selected display shelf and information identifying the section 30 for which advice is being provided.

The advice area 1702 displays the contents of the advice for the section 30 that is the subject of the advice. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the advice area 1702 displays a sentence recommending that the section "1-3" that is the subject of the advice be switched with the product in section "3-2". The advice area 1702 may also display the reason for the advice. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, the advice area 1702 displays a sentence indicating that section "1-3" has been out of stock "8 times" and section "3-2" has been out of stock "0 times".

In the handling area 1703, buttons are displayed for selecting how to handle the advice. For example, as shown in FIG. 17, in the handling area 1703, a handled button 1704, a not handled button 1705, and a hold button 1706 are displayed. If the person in charge 2 has completed handling the advice, he/she may select the handled button 1704. If the person in charge 2 is unable to handle the advice, he/she may select the not handled button 1705. If the person in charge 2 wishes to hold off on handling the advice, he/she may select the hold button 1706. The business support device 300 records the handling information corresponding to the selected button as shelf allocation advice handling history information.

The business support device 300 may generate advice on shelf allocation based on the shelf allocation information and the stockout history information. For example, the business support device 300 may generate advice to switch the section 30 of a product that has been out of stock b ₁ times or more with the section 30 of a product that has been out of stock less than b ₂ times. _{b 1} and b ₂ are integers equal to or greater than 1, and b ₁ >b _2. This is because a product that frequently runs out of stock is a popular product and is considered to sell well even if the section 30 in which it is displayed (i.e., the shelf allocation) is changed, whereas a product that rarely runs out of stock is not sufficiently recognized and is considered to have room for an increase in sales by changing the section 30 in which it is displayed (i.e., the shelf allocation).

The shelf allocation advice UI 1700 may display an advice ID for identifying the advice. "A19-21" shown in FIG. 17 is an example of an advice ID display.

In addition, the shelf allocation advice UI 1700 may display a button (not shown) for transitioning to a shelf allocation UI (see FIG. 18) for changing the shelf allocation of the displayed display shelf 10.

By using the shelf allocation advice service, person in charge 2 can learn shelf allocation that can improve sales performance.

<Shelf allocation change service>
18 is a diagram showing an example of a shelf allocation change UI. When a shelf allocation change service is selected from the service menu UI 910, the business support device 300 provides the terminal 400 with a shelf allocation change UI 1800 shown in FIG.

The shelf allocation change UI 1800 has a shelf area 1801 and a product input area 1802.

The shelf area 1801 displays the sections 30 of the current shelf allocation. Person in charge 2 can operate the sections 30 in the shelf area 1801 to enlarge or reduce the sections 30, or to replace the sections 30. For example, person in charge 2 can enlarge the section 1803 by selecting the section 1803 and sliding the left edge of the section 1803 in the direction of the arrow 1804.

Product information of the product to be displayed in section 30 is entered in product input area 1802. When person in charge 2 selects section 30 in shelf area 1801 and enters product information of the product to be displayed in section 30 in product input area 1802, the business support device 300 updates the shelf allocation information so as to associate the product information entered in product input area 1802 with the selected section 30. Note that person in charge 2 may manually enter product information in product input area 1802. Alternatively, person in charge 2 may enter product information in product input area 1802 by reading a barcode (or QR code (registered trademark)) attached to the product with the camera of terminal 400.

When the Confirm button 1805 is pressed, the business support device 300 updates the shelf allocation information based on the changed section 30 and/or product information.

In addition, the shelf area 1801 may display a recommended shelf allocation section 30 instead of the current shelf allocation section 30. For example, the business support device 300 determines the recommended shelf allocation section 30 based on the shelf allocation information and stockout history information in a manner similar to the shelf allocation advice described above.

By using the shelf allocation change service, person in charge 2 can easily communicate the shelf allocation change to the business support device 300.

<Price change service>
19 is a diagram showing an example of a price change UI. When a price change service is selected from the service menu UI 910, the business support device 300 provides the terminal 400 with a price change UI 1900 shown in FIG.

The price change UI 1900 displays, for each item whose price has been changed, the price change date, the time of the price change, the identification information of the display shelf 10 and section 30 in which the item is displayed, the item code, the item name, the price before the change, and the price after the change.

The changed price may be determined by the business support device 300. Also, the person in charge 2 may be able to select the changed price from the price change UI 1900 and re-change the changed price determined by the business support device 300.

When the Confirm button 1805 is pressed, the business support device 300 stores the changed price in the price information. Also, when the Confirm button 1805 is pressed, the business support device 300 updates the displayed price of the shelf tag 20 to the changed price. Note that the business support device 300 may change the price of the product in response to a change in the section 30.

By using the price change service, the person in charge 2 can efficiently change the displayed price of the shelf tag 20 on the display shelf 10.

<Modifications of business support services>
The business support device 300 may provide the terminal 400 with information indicating the degree of shortage of each product in the store and/or area specified by the person in charge 2. The business support device 300 may provide the terminal 400 with information indicating the degree of shortage of each product in all stores.

How to automatically set shelf compartments
Next, an example of a method for automatically setting the sections 30 in the stockout detection device 200 will be described.

Figure 20 is a diagram illustrating an example of a method for detecting the shelf tag 20.

For example, the stockout detection device 200 analyzes the captured image of the display shelf 10 shown in FIG. 20 and detects the nth shelf label 20 from the left and the n+1th shelf label 20 from the left, which are attached to the mth shelf board 11 from the bottom. Similarly, the stockout detection device 200 detects the nth shelf label 20 from the left, the n+1th shelf label 20 from the left, and the n+2th shelf label 20 from the left, which are attached to the m+1th shelf board 11 from the bottom. Similarly, the stockout detection device 200 detects the nth shelf label 20 from the left, the n+1th shelf label 20 from the left, and the n+2th shelf label 20 from the left, which are attached to the m+2th shelf board 11 from the bottom. m and n are integers equal to or greater than 1. In this way, the stockout detection device 200 may detect the shelf labels 20 from left to right for each shelf level. Note that detection from left to right is just an example, and the stockout detection device 200 may also detect the shelf labels 20 from right to left.

Figure 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of how to set up a section 30.

The stockout detection device 200 sets the section 30 corresponding to the shelf label 20 based on the position of the shelf label 20 detected as described above. For example, when the mth shelf label 20 corresponding to the common product is attached to the lower left of the section 30 in which the common product is displayed, the stockout detection device 200 performs the following process. That is, the stockout detection device 200 sets the width Rx from the position of the mth shelf label 20 to the position of the n+1th shelf label 20 on the mth stage (i.e., the shelf label 20 on the right) as the width of the section 30, and sets the height Ry from the position of the nth shelf label 20 on the mth stage to the position of the nth shelf label 20 on the m+1st stage (i.e., the top stage) as the height of the section 30. The stockout detection device 200 then associates the section 30 set in this way with the mth shelf label 20 on the mth stage.

In this way, the stockout detection device 200 can automatically set the section 30 that corresponds to the nth shelf tag 20 on the mth shelf.

The method of automatically setting the section 30 of the display shelf 10 is not limited to the above-mentioned method. For example, the stockout detection device 200 may associate the section 30 below the shelf label 20 with the shelf label 20. The stockout detection device 200 may set the width of the section 30 to a predetermined width Rx centered on the shelf label 20. The stockout detection device 200 may set each of the sections 30 obtained by dividing the display space 12 at equal intervals. The stockout detection device 200 may set the section 30 based on a partition board that is physically present in the display space 12. In addition, before displaying the products, the business support device 300 may determine the section 30 of the display shelf 10 including the products to be displayed and provide it to the terminal 400. If it is necessary to change the section 30, etc. due to circumstances on the store side, an instruction may be given using the shelf allocation change UI 1800 shown in FIG. 18 described above.

<Modification>
The functions of the stock-out detection device 200 may be included in the business support device 300. In this case, the business support device 300 may receive captured images from the camera device 100 via the communication network 3, and may perform the following operations in the same manner as the stock-out detection device 200 described above: setting the sections 30 in the display shelves 10, generating the shelf allocation information 210, and detecting stock-outs.

Summary of this disclosure
The business support device 300 according to the present disclosure includes a receiving unit 303B that receives information about the out-of-stock shelf from a shortage detection device 200 that detects the out-of-stock shelf, which is the display shelf 10 where a shortage has occurred, based on a photographed image of the display shelf 10 of items, a processing unit 301 that identifies the position of the out-of-stock shelf based on the information about the out-of-stock shelf and shelf map information that shows the arrangement of the display shelf 10, and generates business support information including information indicating the position of the out-of-stock shelf, and a transmitting unit 303A that transmits the business support information to a terminal 400. This allows the terminal 400 to display information indicating the position of the out-of-stock shelf. Therefore, the person in charge 2 can recognize the position of the out-of-stock shelf through the terminal 400, thereby making business related to shortages more efficient.

The processing unit 301 may include information in the business support information that enables the terminal 400 to display the out-of-stock shelf in a manner different from that of the other display shelves 10. This allows the terminal 400 to display the out-of-stock shelf in a manner different from that of the other display shelves 10. Therefore, the person in charge 2 can visually recognize the out-of-stock shelf through the terminal 400, thereby making business related to out-of-stock more efficient.

The receiving unit 303B receives information input to the terminal 400 indicating how to deal with the stock-out shelf, and the processing unit 301 may include the information indicating how to deal with the stock-out shelf in the business support information. This allows the terminal 400 to display information indicating how to deal with the stock-out shelf. Therefore, the person in charge 2 can recognize through the terminal 400 how to deal with the current stock-out on the stock-out shelf, thereby making business related to stock-outs more efficient.

The processing unit 301 may include information about the item that is out of stock and information about the inventory of the item that is out of stock in the business support information. This allows the terminal 400 to display information about the item that is out of stock and information about the inventory of the item that is out of stock. Therefore, the person in charge 2 can recognize information about the item that is out of stock and information about the inventory of the item that is out of stock through the terminal 400, and the business regarding the shortage can be made more efficient.

The processing unit 301 may determine the urgency of replenishing the item for which there is a shortage based on information indicating the inventory status of the item for which there is a shortage, and include the information indicating the urgency in the business support information. This allows the terminal 400 to display the urgency of replenishing the item for which there is a shortage. Therefore, the person in charge 2 can recognize the urgency of replenishing the item for which there is a shortage through the terminal 400, and the business related to the shortage can be made more efficient.

The information regarding the out-of-stock shelf may include identification information of the out-of-stock section, which is the section 30 in which a shortage has occurred on the out-of-stock shelf, as detected by the out-of-stock detection device 200. The processing unit 301 may include information that enables the terminal 400 to display the out-of-stock section in a different manner from the other sections 30 in the business support information. This allows the terminal 400 to display the out-of-stock section in a different manner from the other sections 30. Therefore, the person in charge 2 can visually recognize the out-of-stock section through the terminal 400, thereby making business related to out-of-stocks more efficient.

The processing unit 301 may generate information relating to changes to the section 30 based on historical information relating to stockouts in the section 30, and include the information in the business support information. This allows the terminal 400 to display information relating to changes to the section 30 of the display shelf 10 (e.g., shelf allocation advice information). Therefore, the person in charge 2 can recognize changes to more appropriate section 30 of the display shelf 10 through the terminal 400, thereby making the work relating to shelf allocation more efficient.

Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to the attached drawings, the present disclosure is not limited to such examples. It is clear that a person skilled in the art can conceive of various modifications, corrections, substitutions, additions, deletions, and equivalents within the scope of the claims, and it is understood that these also fall within the technical scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the components in the above-described embodiments may be combined in any manner as long as it does not deviate from the spirit of the invention.

This disclosure is suitable for systems that support operations related to stockouts.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 Display shelf 11 Shelf board 12 Display space 20 Shelf label 30 Section 100 Camera device 200 Out-of-stock detection device 201 Processing unit 202 Memory 203 Communication unit 204 Storage 205 Internal bus 210 Shelf allocation information 300 Business support device 301 Processing unit 302 Memory 303 Communication unit 304 Storage 305 Internal bus 310 Management information 400 Terminal 401 Processing unit 402 Memory 403 Communication unit 404 Input unit 405 Display unit 406 Storage 407 Internal bus 900 Login UI
910 Service Menu UI
1000 Out-of-stock information UI
1100 Shelf Map UI
1200 Display Shelf UI
1300 Shelf Map UI
1400 Display Shelf UI
1500 Order History UI
1600 Shelf Map UI
1700 Shelf allocation advice UI
1800 Shelf allocation change UI
1900 Price change UI

Claims (7)

A storage unit that stores shelf allocation information and out-of-stock history information on the display shelves;
a processing unit that extracts a first shelf section for an item that has been out of stock N1 times _or more and a second shelf section for an item that has been out of stock less than N2 times (N1 _{> N2} , _N1 and _N2 are _both integers equal to or greater than 1) based on the shelf allocation information and the stockout history information, and generates shelf allocation advice for switching the first shelf section and the second shelf section;
An output unit that outputs the shelf allocation advice .
Business support equipment. The output unit outputs a reason for the advice together with the shelf allocation advice.
The business support device according to claim 1 . The processing unit receives content of a user's response to the shelf allocation advice as response history information,
storing the response history information in the storage unit;
The business support device according to claim 1 . The stockout history information includes history information of a section where a stockout has occurred or a stockout item in the section where a stockout has occurred,
The business support device according to claim 1 . The stock-out history information is history information obtained by analyzing photographed images of the display shelves received from a camera device.
The business support device according to claim 1 . Business support devices,
Store shelf allocation information and out-of-stock history information on the display shelves,
extracting a first shelf section for an item having a stockout occurrence count of N1 or more and a second shelf section for an item having a stockout occurrence count of less than N2 (N1>N2, N1 and N2 are both integers equal to _or greater than 1) based on the shelf allocation information and _{the stockout} history _information , _and generating _shelf allocation advice for swapping the first shelf section and the second shelf section;
outputting the shelf allocation advice ;
Business support methods. Store shelf allocation information and out-of-stock history information on the display shelves,
extracting a first shelf section for an item having a stockout occurrence count of N1 or more and a second shelf section for an item having a stockout occurrence count of less than N2 (N1>N2, N1 and N2 are both integers equal to _or greater than 1) based on the shelf allocation information and _{the stockout} history _information , _and generating _shelf allocation advice for swapping the first shelf section and the second shelf section;
outputting the shelf allocation advice ;
Make the computer do that,
Computer program.

Images