JP7676017B2 - Information processing device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an information processing device that can prevent cleaning tags from running out.

Conventionally, cleaning tags (tags for cleaning) have been known, for example as described in Patent Document 1 below.

As is already well known, this cleaning tag is attached to the items that are left for cleaning by the customer (consigned items), and is made of, for example, cleaning-resistant paper (wash-resistant paper), and is cleaned together with the items at the cleaning factory.

Number tags and auxiliary tags, such as those shown in Figure 14, are widely used as cleaning tags of this type.

The number tag (identification tag) is used to identify the cleaning item, and has at least a number tag serial number printed (imprinted) on its surface. The number tag serial number is a consecutive identification number that is issued (assigned) to each cleaning item, such as the numbers "000" to "999" (serial numbers for 1,000 items) or "0000" to "9999" (serial numbers for 10,000 items). Note that the store name is often printed on the number tag next to the number tag serial number, and in such cases, production (printing, etc.) usually begins after an order for the number tags is received, so the delivery time is, for example, about 1 to 3 weeks.

Auxiliary tags (instruction tags) are used to indicate instructions for work other than the normal cleaning process, and have work instructions (including cautions) printed on their surface. The instructions are, for example, "express," "stain removal," "water repellent," "no glue," "special finish," etc., and in some cases, there may be as many as 100 different types of auxiliary tags.

JP 2017-40695 A

By the way, inventory management of the above-mentioned cleaning tags (number tags and auxiliary tags) is performed by, for example, the staff (operators) of the dry cleaning store, but if a shortage occurs due to a management error by the staff, it may cause problems in the cleaning business.

The present invention has been made in consideration of these points, and aims to provide an information processing device that can prevent cleaning tags from running out.

The information processing device according to the present invention includes a storage unit that stores information about cleaning tags, and a control unit that performs predetermined control regarding ordering the cleaning tags based on the information.

This invention makes it possible to prevent cleaning tags from running out.

1A and 1B are schematic diagrams showing a POS terminal (information processing device) according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1C is a diagram showing an example of tag information. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of accepting a cleaning item at the POS terminal. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a customer slip (receipt slip). FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a purchase order (printed material including order information) for a number tag. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an order memo (printed material including order information) on a number tag. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an ordering display (a display screen including ordering information) for a number tag. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an order form (printed material including order information) for auxiliary tags. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an order memo (printed material including order information) for an auxiliary tag. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an ordering display (a display screen including ordering information) for auxiliary tags. FIG. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of tag information related to a number tag. FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a POS system (information processing device) according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a display screen including order status information for tags that have been ordered. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of order status information (automatic order history) of an ordered tag. 1A to 1C are diagrams showing examples of conventional cleaning tags (number tags and auxiliary tags).

One embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 10.

In FIG. 1, 1 is a POS terminal, which is an information processing device. This POS terminal 1 is installed in each dry cleaning store (chain store, etc.) and used by the store staff. The POS terminal 1 is, for example, a cash register device (POS register) that handles the accounting and other procedures when a dry cleaning order is received from a customer who visits the dry cleaning store.

As shown in FIG. 1, the POS terminal 1 at least comprises a control unit 2 consisting of a CPU etc., a memory unit 3 that stores various information including tag information on cleaning tags (number tags and auxiliary tags shown in FIG. 14), a touch panel unit 4 that is an input unit and display unit that can be operated by touch by a dry cleaning store employee (the input unit and the display unit may be configured separately; the same applies below), and a printing unit (output unit) 5 that prints and outputs various printed materials (e.g., customer slips, store slips, tag order forms and memos, daily reports, etc.).

The tag information stored (registered) in the memory unit 3 includes, for example, the current number of the number tag (number tag serial number), a preset setting number for the number tag, the current remaining number of each of the multiple types of auxiliary tags (remaining auxiliary tag number), and a preset remaining setting number for each auxiliary tag.

As shown in Figure 14, the number tag may have only the number tag serial number printed on it, which is a consecutive number that starts from 0 and increases by 1 (consecutive numbers such as 1,000 points or 10,000 points), or it may have the number tag serial number and the store name printed on it. Then, one number tag is attached to each cleaning item in order starting from 0, making it possible to identify the cleaning item. The auxiliary tag is attached to the number tag, and there are various types as shown in Figure 14.

As will be described later, instead of a "set number," a "decision number" determined based on a predetermined calculation may be used. Also, a configuration may be made in which the set number and decision number can be selectively switched.

The control unit 2 of the POS terminal 1 performs predetermined control (ordering and other processing) regarding the ordering of cleaning tags based on the tag information stored in the memory unit 3 to prevent shortages of cleaning tags.

Next, we will explain the process of accepting cleaning items at the POS terminal 1 in the store, with reference to the flowchart in Figure 2.

When a customer arrives at the store (step 1), a dry cleaning store employee (worker) accepts the items to be cleaned from the customer and uses the POS terminal 1 to accept and process the payment for the items based on the customer's order (step 2).

The control unit 2 of the POS terminal 1 then issues a tag serial number (tag number) to identify each cleaning item received from the customer, calculates the remaining number of auxiliary tags (inventory) according to the customer's order instructions, and controls the printing unit 5 to print a slip including the tag serial number and the instructions (step 3).

In other words, the control unit 2 constantly manages (knows) the current number tag serial number for the number tag and the current remaining number of auxiliary tags for each auxiliary tag.

Then, under the control of the control unit 2, the printing unit 5 prints a customer slip (deposit slip) 11, which is a slip such as that shown in FIG. 3.

On this customer slip (printed matter) 11, in addition to the customer's name, telephone number, reception date, slip number, name of the item to be cleaned, accounting information, finishing date, store name, code information for slip identification, etc., the sequential number tag number (e.g., "6-998", "6-999", "7-000") which is the number content of the number tag corresponding to the item to be cleaned, and instructions on the auxiliary tag (e.g., "stain removal") are printed (printed). This customer slip 11 is then given to the customer as a receipt for the item to be cleaned.

Although not shown, the printing unit 5 prints a store slip (in-factory work slip) containing the same content as the customer slip 11 at the same time as the customer slip 11. This store slip is sent to the dry cleaning factory and used during assembly work at the factory.

The control unit 2 then determines whether the latest current number tag serial number (current number) issued based on this order has reached a preset number (e.g., "7000") (step 4), and if it determines that the number tag serial number has reached the set number, it performs a predetermined control regarding the ordering of number tags, which are cleaning tags. That is, for example, the control unit 2 performs a predetermined control such that order information regarding the ordering of number tags is output.

Specifically, the control unit 2 controls the printing unit 5 to print (output) an order form 12, which is a printed matter including order information (e.g., information indicating the contents of the order) regarding the ordering of number tags, as shown in FIG. 4 (step 5).

This order form 12 has, for example, the product name, quantity, store name, order date, orderer, fax number, etc. printed on it (some parts may be handwritten by the store clerk). The store clerk then faxes (or emails) the order form 12 to the supplier company, placing an order for numbered tags with the supplier company (such as a tag manufacturer). Note that the order form 12 may also be sent to a dry cleaning factory, which then places the order.

Here, instead of printing the purchase order 12, an order memo 13 may be printed, which is a printed matter including order information regarding the ordering of number tags (e.g., information indicating that an order is required), as shown in FIG. 5.

The control unit 2 may also control the touch panel unit 4, which is a display unit, to display (output) an ordering display including ordering information regarding the ordering of number tags (e.g., information indicating that an order is required), as shown in FIG. 6, for example.

Furthermore, the control unit 2 equipped with a communication function (communication means) may send (output) the order information (e.g., order content information, order required information, etc.) to the destination by e-mail or the like via the network. The destination may be, for example, the server of the ordering company, the terminal of the ordering company's order taker, or the terminal of the ordering person at the head office or the like. In short, the POS terminal of the dry cleaning store itself may automatically order the cleaning tags from the tag ordering company without the intervention of a store clerk. Then, when the control unit 2 of the POS terminal 1 executes the automatic order, the automatic order history (e.g., the history shown in FIG. 13), which is the order status information regarding the automatically ordered cleaning tags, may be printed (output) as one of the items in the daily report. This allows the dry cleaning store clerk to easily grasp the automatic order history for today by viewing the daily report. On the other hand, the order information may be output as voice from the speaker unit of the POS terminal 1, for example.

The control unit 2 then determines whether the latest remaining number of auxiliary tags (current remaining number) subtracted based on the current order (if the order includes an instruction that auxiliary tags are required) has reached a preset remaining number (e.g., "100 pieces") (step 6), and if it determines that the remaining number of auxiliary tags has reached the set remaining number, it performs a predetermined control regarding the ordering of auxiliary tags, which are cleaning tags. That is, for example, as the predetermined control, the control unit 2 performs control to output order information regarding the ordering of auxiliary tags.

Specifically, the control unit 2 controls the printing unit 5 to print (output) an order form 14, which is a printed matter including order information (e.g., information indicating the contents of the order) for ordering auxiliary tags for "stain removal" as shown in FIG. 7, similar to the numbered tags described above (step 7). Then, the store clerk faxes the order form 14 for the auxiliary tags to the supplier company, similar to the order form 12 for the numbered tags, to place an order for the auxiliary tags.

Here, instead of printing the purchase order 14, an order memo 15 may be printed, which is a printed matter including order information regarding the ordering of auxiliary tags (e.g., information indicating that an order is required), as shown in FIG. 8.

The control unit 2 may also control the touch panel unit 4 to display an ordering display including ordering information regarding the ordering of auxiliary tags (e.g., information indicating that an order is required), as shown in FIG. 9, and may further output the ordering information as audio or automatically transmit it to a server, terminal, etc. via a network.

Then, the dry cleaning shop staff attaches the newly issued consecutive number tag and auxiliary tag to the dry cleaning item (step 8). The dry cleaning item with the attached tag is then transported to the dry cleaning factory, where it is cleaned and processed, and then returned to the original dry cleaning shop and then to the customer.

The timing for executing the "predetermined controls" (printing, displaying, transmitting, audio output of order information, etc.) for ordering the above-mentioned cleaning (number tag and auxiliary tag) may be when the tag number is issued, for example, by printing a purchase order form or ordering memo at the same time as the slip, but taking into account that the customer is serving customers, it may also be when the daily report is printed or when the reception desk is closed, for example.

In addition, for example, an ordering memo (order information) may be printed on part of the store slip so that the store slip includes the ordering information. In this case, a clerk at the dry cleaning store or a worker at the dry cleaning factory will place the order by looking at the store slip.

The POS terminal (information processing device) 1 is equipped with a memory unit 3 that stores tag information related to cleaning tags, and a control unit 2 that performs predetermined control related to ordering cleaning tags based on the tag information stored in the memory unit 3, so that it is possible to prevent cleaning tags from running out of stock, thereby avoiding the occurrence of situations that would cause disruption to cleaning operations.

In addition, if the control unit 2 of the POS terminal 1 determines whether the current number tag serial number (latest serial number information) issued this time has reached a preset number, and controls the printing unit 5 to print a purchase order for the number tag when it determines that the number tag serial number has reached the preset number, the worker who is a clerk at the dry cleaning store does not need to create a purchase order, which reduces the burden on the worker.

The control unit 2 of the POS terminal 1 is not limited to determining whether the serial number of the number tag issued by the POS terminal 1 has become a set number (e.g., a designated number such as "7000"), but may also automatically calculate the order timing and perform predetermined control related to ordering cleaning tags (printing, displaying, transmitting, audio output of order information, etc.) based on the tag information as shown in FIG. 10 stored in the memory unit 3.

In other words, in this case, the control unit 2 first automatically calculates the predicted number of number tags that are expected to be used within the number tag delivery period based on the pre-set (registered) number tag delivery period (information about the delivery period of the number tag, for example, the period from the order date or the day after the order to the delivery date) and past number tag issuance records (information about number tag issuance records).

The control unit 2 then automatically determines a final number based on the calculated predicted number of uses. That is, for example, the control unit 2 calculates a numerical value (e.g., "4000") by adding a surplus number (e.g., "1000") to the predicted number of uses (e.g., "3000"), and subtracts this numerical value from the number of numbered tags ordered (e.g., "10,000" for one set of 10,000). The numerical value thus obtained is automatically set as the final number (e.g., "6000"), and the final number is stored (registered) in the memory unit 3.

Then, as in the case of the "set number" described above, as shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 2 determines whether the current number tag serial number issued based on the current order has reached the set number, and if it determines that the number tag serial number has reached the set number, it performs a predetermined control regarding the ordering of number tags. This makes it possible to prevent the cleaning tags from running out of stock.

The actual number tag issuance history used to calculate the predicted number of uses is not limited to the cumulative total (most recent information) for the most recent seven days, which is a period shorter than the delivery date, but may be, for example, more recent information shorter than seven days, or more recent information for the same number of days as the delivery date, etc.

In addition, since the amount of orders for cleaning varies seasonally, the tag numbering record may be, for example, a cumulative total (last year's information) for the same period last year corresponding to the delivery date (not including the order date, which is the first day of the delivery date, but may include it). Furthermore, the tag numbering record may be calculated using the numbering record that takes into account both the most recent information and last year's information. In addition, since the amount of orders varies depending on the weather, the control unit 2 may obtain, for example, weather information predicted within the delivery date (predicted weather within the delivery date) and use this in the calculation. Note that the surplus number is not limited to a numerical value that is set in advance by input by a store clerk, etc., but may be, for example, a numerical value corresponding to the predicted number of uses, i.e., a numerical value determined by automatic calculation based on the delivery date and tag numbering record, etc.

In the above embodiment, the information processing device is described as being a POS terminal, but this is not limited thereto, and may be, for example, a POS system 21 as shown in FIG. 11.

This POS system (information processing device) 21 includes a POS terminal 1 installed at each of a number of dry cleaning shops (stores), a management server 22 that centrally manages information related to the dry cleaning services at the dry cleaning shops (including sales information, tag information, etc.), and a supplier server 23 of a supplier company that receives orders for cleaning tags to be used at the dry cleaning shops.

The POS terminal 1, management server 22, and supplier server 23 are connectable to each other via a network 25 such as the Internet so that they can communicate with each other.

Here, the management server 22 is composed of a general computer or the like, and includes a memory unit that stores information including tag information periodically transmitted from each POS terminal 1, and a control unit that performs predetermined control related to ordering cleaning tags based on the tag information (printing, displaying, transmitting, audio output of order information, etc.). Note that the management server 22 may include an input unit, display unit, printing unit, etc. in addition to the control unit and memory unit.

In other words, in the POS system 21 shown in FIG. 11, the control unit of the management server 22 performs predetermined control, such as judging whether the number tag serial number has reached the set number, instead of the control unit 2 of the POS terminal 1.

Specifically, when the control unit of the management server 22 determines that the tag serial number has reached a set number (or a determined number), for example, it controls to send ordering information regarding the order of cleaning tags to the ordering server (which may be a terminal of an ordering person at the head office or the like, or a terminal of a salesperson at the relevant store, etc.) 23. This makes it possible to prevent the cleaning tags from running out of stock at each store. Note that the management server 22 may, for example, send the ordering information of multiple stores together in a single purchase order by email.

Furthermore, in any of the above embodiments, the display unit of the POS terminal (or the display unit of the server) may display order status information regarding cleaning tags that have already been ordered in response to a viewing request from, for example, a dry cleaning store clerk. In other words, the configuration may be such that order status information regarding cleaning tags that are waiting for delivery can be viewed.

Specifically, for example, order status information as shown in FIG. 12 stored in the memory unit of the supplier server 23 is transmitted from the server 23 to the POS terminal 1 in response to a viewing request from the POS terminal 1, and as a result, the order status information is displayed on the touch panel unit 4 of the POS terminal 1.

This allows employees at dry cleaning stores to view and easily understand the current order status information. It also makes it possible for ordering personnel at headquarters, for example, to view order status information for each store.

For example, in the case of an auxiliary tag for "stain removal," one tag is usually consumed for each item received for cleaning with stain removal. Since auxiliary tags are usually inexpensive, costing just a few yen each, they are treated as consumables and do not require strict inventory management, as opposed to numbered tags, and in most cases are not managed at all. Also, a certain yield rate occurs due to incorrect tagging, etc. For this reason, when auxiliary tags are received, it is preferable to adjust the number of remaining auxiliary tags by inputting an approximate number (for example, a certain margin)

The control unit of the information processing device preferably controls the printing unit to print printed materials (such as purchase orders or memos) that include the order information, but may also control the printing unit to perform at least one of printing, displaying, transmitting, and audio output of the order information. Therefore, for example, the control unit may perform both printing and displaying, or both transmitting and displaying.

Although several embodiments and variations of the present invention have been described, it is possible to combine the various embodiments and variations as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Reference Signs List 1 POS terminal which is an information processing device 2 Control unit 3 Storage unit 21 POS system which is an information processing device

Claims (6)

A storage unit that stores information about the cleaning tag;
a control unit that performs a predetermined control related to ordering the cleaning tag based on the information,
The control unit is
Determine whether the number tag serial number has reached a set number;
and performing the predetermined control when it is determined that the serial number of the number tag has reached the set number. A storage unit that stores information about the cleaning tag;
a control unit that performs a predetermined control related to ordering the cleaning tag based on the information,
The control unit is
Calculate the expected number of tags to be used based on the delivery date and the number of tags issued.
A determination number is determined based on the calculated predicted usage number plus a margin number;
Determine whether the number tag serial number has reached the determined number;
and performing the predetermined control when it is determined that the number tag serial number has reached the determined number. The control unit is
Determine whether the remaining number of auxiliary tags has reached a set remaining number;
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the remaining number of auxiliary tags has reached the set remaining number, the predetermined control is performed. 4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit performs control such that order information regarding an order for the cleaning tag is output as the predetermined control. 5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control unit controls the execution of at least one of printing the order information, displaying the order information, transmitting the order information, and outputting the order information as audio . 6. The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein order status information regarding the cleaning tags that have already been ordered can be viewed.

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