JP7693785B2 - Inventory Management System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an inventory management system that manages the inventory of multiple products.

An inventory system is disclosed that uses a storage unit for data on inventory items, a computer that cooperates with the storage unit, and inventory labels that have fields for entering item data such as inventory location, item name, and unit price, and a barcode display, issues inventory labels with serial numbers, item data, and barcode displays based on the item inventory data during inventory work, affixes the issued inventory labels to each item in stock, determines whether there are any shortages in the issued inventory labels, detects inventory labels that are left over because they are not affixed, reads the barcodes of the detected inventory labels, and outputs inventory documents including inventory slips, inventory details, and inventory amount tally through calculations by a computer based on the results of reading the barcodes of the surplus inventory labels (see Patent Document 1).

When this inventory system determines that there is a shortage in the inventory stickers issued, it creates corrected inventory data and creates corrected inventory stickers, affixes the corrected inventory stickers to each item in stock, inputs the additional correction data, processes the inventory data using a computer, and outputs the inventory data based on that.

JP 2003-141227 A

The inventory system disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires that the issued inventory stickers be affixed to each inventory item, and that the barcodes of any remaining inventory stickers that have not been affixed be read individually, which takes time and effort to read the barcodes, making it impossible to perform inventory work quickly and efficiently. In addition, the remaining inventory stickers that have not been affixed must be stored, which not only takes time, but also makes it impossible to read the barcodes of the lost inventory stickers if they are lost. This means that the inventory slips, inventory details, inventory documents including inventory amount totals, and inventory discrepancy tables that are output by computer processing are incorrectly determined, making it impossible to perform an accurate inventory.

The object of the present invention is to provide an inventory management system that can perform inventory quickly, efficiently, and accurately.

The premise of the present invention to solve the above problem is an inventory management system that manages the inventory of multiple different products.

The inventory management system of the present invention based on the above premise is characterized in that the inventory management system is formed of a server, an RF tag attached to each stocked product, an RF tag reader that can be connected to the server via a predetermined network, and a variety of multiple communication terminals, the server has an identifier storage means that stores the identifiers stored in the RF tags and the product identifiers of the stocked products in an associated state, the RF tag reader has an identifier reading means that collectively reads the identifiers stored in the RF tags attached to each product to be stocked, and an identifier transmission means that transmits the identifiers of the RF tags read by the identifier reading means to the server, and the server compares the identifiers stored by the identifier storage means with the identifiers of the products to be stocked transmitted from the RF tag reader by the identifier transmission means, and transmits the identifiers of the stocked products to the server. and a quantity difference determining means for determining the quantity difference between the number of products and the number of products to be inventoryed, a quantity difference transmitting means for transmitting the quantity difference determined by the quantity difference determining means to the communication terminal, a missing product identifier identifying means for identifying a missing product identifier of the missing product corresponding to the identifier of the missing product when the quantity difference determined by the quantity difference determining means becomes negative and a shortage occurs in the products to be inventoryed compared to the number of products received, and a missing product identifier transmitting means for transmitting the missing product identifier of the missing product identified by the missing product identifier identifying means to the communication terminal, and the communication terminal has a quantity difference output means for outputting the quantity difference transmitted from the server by the quantity difference transmitting means, and a missing product identifier output means for outputting the missing product identifier of each missing product transmitted from the server by the missing product identifier transmitting means .

As an example of an inventory management system of the present invention, a server includes a product identifier identification means for identifying the product identifier of each inventory product that corresponds to the identifier of the inventory product transmitted from the RF tag reader by the identifier transmission means, and a product identifier transmission means for transmitting the product identifier of each inventory product identified by the product identifier identification means to a communication terminal, and the communication terminal includes a product identifier output means for outputting the product identifier of each inventory product transmitted from the server by the product identifier transmission means.

Another example of an inventory management system of the present invention includes a server that includes product data storage means for storing various types of product data for received products in association with identifiers stored in the RF tags, product data identification means for identifying product data for each inventory product that corresponds to the identifier of the inventory product transmitted from the RF tag reader by the identifier transmission means, and product data transmission means for transmitting the product data for the inventory product identified by the product data identification means to a communication terminal, and the communication terminal includes product data output means for outputting the product data for each inventory product transmitted from the server by the product data transmission means.

In another example of the inventory management system of the present invention, the server includes a missing product data identification means for identifying missing product data of a missing product corresponding to the identifier of the missing product, and a missing product data transmission means for transmitting the missing product data of the missing product identified by the missing product data identification means to a communication terminal, and the communication terminal includes a missing product data output means for outputting the missing product data of the missing product transmitted from the server by the missing product data transmission means.

Another example of the inventory management system of the present invention includes a server that, when a shortage occurs in a product to be inventoryed relative to the number of products received, includes an existence time determination means for determining until what time the out-of-stock product existed based on which stage of each quantity difference determination means executed from the past to the present did not experience a shortage, and an existence time transmission means for transmitting the existence time determined by the existence time determination means to a communication terminal, and the communication terminal includes an existence time output means for outputting the existence time of the out-of-stock product transmitted from the server by the existence time transmission means.

Another example of an inventory management system of the present invention includes a sales processing determination means for, when a product to be inventoryed becomes out of stock relative to the number of products received, determining whether the sales processing of the out-of-stock product has been processed or not processed since the existence time determined by the existence time determination means, and an unprocessed sales message sending means for sending an unprocessed sales message of the out-of-stock product to a communication terminal when the sales processing determination means determines that the sales processing of the out-of-stock product is not processed, and the communication terminal includes an unprocessed sales message output means for outputting the unprocessed sales message of the out-of-stock product sent from the server by the unprocessed sales message sending means.

Another example of an inventory management system of the present invention includes a lost message sending means for sending a lost message about the out-of-stock product to a communication terminal when the server determines by the sales processing determination means that the sales processing of the out-of-stock product has been processed, and the communication terminal includes a lost message output means for outputting the lost message about the out-of-stock product sent from the server by the lost message sending means.

Another example of the inventory management system of the present invention includes an increased product identifier specifying means for specifying an increased product identifier of an increased product corresponding to the identifier of the increased product when the quantity difference calculated by the quantity difference determining means becomes positive and an increase in the quantity of the product being inventory occurs relative to the number of products stored, and an increased product identifier sending means for sending the increased product identifier of the increased product identified by the increased product identifier specifying means to a communication terminal, and the communication terminal includes an increased product identifier output means for outputting the increased product identifier of each increased product sent from the server by the increased product identifier sending means.

In another example of the inventory management system of the present invention, the server includes an increased product data identification means for identifying increased product data of the increased product corresponding to the identifier of the increased product, and an increased product data transmission means for transmitting the increased product data of the increased product identified by the increased product data identification means to the communication terminal, and the communication terminal includes an increased product data output means for outputting the increased product data of the increased product transmitted from the server by the increased product data transmission means.

Another example of the inventory management system of the present invention includes a server that, when an increase occurs in a product to be inventoryed relative to the number of products received, includes a non-existence time determination means for determining until what time the increased product did not exist based on which stage of each quantity difference determination means executed from the past to the present until which the increase did not occur, and a non-existence time transmission means for transmitting the non-existence time determined by the non-existence time determination means to a communication terminal, and the communication terminal includes a non-existence time output means for outputting the non-existence time of the increased product transmitted from the server by the non-existence time transmission means.

Another example of the inventory management system of the present invention includes a server that, when an increase occurs in a product to be inventoryed relative to the number of products received, includes a sending process determination means for determining whether the increased product has been sent or not sent after the non-existence time determined by the non-existence time determination means, and an unsent message sending means for sending a non-sent message for the increased product to the communication terminal when the sending process determination means determines that the increased product has not been sent, and the communication terminal includes an unsent message output means for outputting the non-sent message for the increased product sent from the server by the unsent message sending means.

Another example of the inventory management system of the present invention includes an erroneous delivery processing message sending means for sending an erroneous delivery processing message for the increased product to the communication terminal when the server determines by the delivery processing determination means that the increased product has already been delivered and an erroneous delivery processing has been performed, and the communication terminal includes an erroneous delivery processing message output means for outputting the erroneous delivery processing message for the increased product sent from the server by the erroneous delivery processing message sending means.

According to the inventory control system of the present invention, the server stores the identifiers stored in the RF tags in an associated state with the product identifiers of the products that have been stocked, the RF tag reader reads the identifiers stored in the RF tags attached to each product that is the subject of the inventory collectively, transmits the identifiers of the RF tags that have been read to the server, and the server compares the identifiers stored therein with the identifiers of the products that are the subject of the inventory transmitted from the RF tag reader to determine the difference in number between the number of products that have been stocked and the number of products that are the subject of the inventory, so that the RF tag reader can be used to instantly read the identifiers stored in the RF tags of the products that are the subject of the inventory collectively, and the inventory can be performed quickly and efficiently without the need for labor and time to read the RF tags. Since the inventory control system attaches RF tags to each product that is the subject of the inventory and the RF tags are not removed from each product that is the subject of the inventory, there is no omission in reading the identifiers associated with each product that is the subject of the inventory, and the number of products that have been stocked and the number of products that are the subject of the inventory can be accurately determined, and an accurate inventory can be performed. The inventory management system can determine the difference in quantity between the number of products received and the number of products to be inventoryed, and the communication terminal outputs the difference in quantity sent from the server, so that it is possible to know whether the number of products received and the number of products to be inventoryed match or mismatch via the communication terminal, and it is possible to find the cause of the mismatch in the number of products received and the number of products to be inventoryed, and by clarifying the cause, it is possible to correct the mismatch in the number in the inventory. In the inventory management system, when a product to be inventoryed is out of stock compared to the number of products received, the server transmits the missing product identifier of the identified missing product to the communication terminal, and the communication terminal outputs the missing product identifier of the missing product, so that it is possible to know the missing product identifier of each product that is out of stock when the numbers do not match, it is possible to find the cause of the shortage while knowing the missing product identifier of the missing product, and it is possible to correct the shortage by clarifying the cause, and it is possible to perform an accurate inventory quickly and efficiently.

In an inventory management system in which a server identifies the product identifier of each product to be counted that corresponds to the identifier of the product to be counted transmitted from an RF tag reader, transmits the identified product identifier of each product to be counted to a communication terminal, and the communication terminal outputs the product identifier of each product to be counted transmitted from the server, the server identifies the product identifier of each product to be counted that corresponds to the identifier of the product to be counted, and the communication terminal outputs the product identifier of each product to be counted, thereby identifying the product identifier of each product to be counted from each identifier, and the product identifier of each product to be counted that matches the number of products to be counted can be known via the communication terminal, and the product identifier of each product to be counted that does not match the number of products to be counted can be known. The inventory management system can not only perform inventory quickly and efficiently, but can also find the cause of the discrepancy between the number of products received and the number of products to be counted while grasping the product identifier of each product to be counted that does not match, and can correct the discrepancy in the number by clarifying the cause, and can perform an accurate inventory while identifying the product identifier of each product to be counted.

The server stores various types of product data for products received in a state associated with the identifiers stored in the RF tags, identifies the product data for each product to be stocked that corresponds to the identifiers of the products to be stocked transmitted from the RF tag reader, transmits the identified product data for the products to be stocked to a communication terminal, and the communication terminal outputs the product data for each product to be stocked transmitted from the server. In this inventory management system, the server identifies various types of product data for each product to be stocked that corresponds to the identifiers of the products to be stocked, and the communication terminal outputs the product data for each product to be stocked, thereby identifying the product data for each product to be stocked from each identifier, and the product data for each product to be stocked that matches the number of items can be known via the communication terminal, and the product data for each product to be stocked that does not match the number of items can be known. The inventory management system can not only perform inventory quickly and efficiently, but can also find the cause of the discrepancy in the number of products between the received products and the products to be stocked while grasping the product data for each product to be stocked that does not match, and can correct the discrepancy in the number of items by clarifying the cause, and can perform an accurate inventory while grasping the product data for each product to be stocked.

In an inventory management system in which a server identifies missing product data for a product that is out of stock that corresponds to the identifier of the product that is out of stock, transmits the missing product data for the identified missing product to a communications terminal, and the communications terminal outputs the missing product data for the missing product transmitted from the server, when a product to be inventoryed is out of stock relative to the number of products received, the server transmits the missing product data for the identified missing product to a communications terminal, which then outputs the missing product data for the missing product. This makes it possible to know the missing product data for each product that is out of stock when the numbers do not match, and to identify the cause of the shortage while grasping the missing product data for the missing products. By clarifying the cause, the shortage can be rectified, and accurate inventory can be performed quickly and efficiently.

When a product to be counted is out of stock relative to the number of products received, the server determines the period up to which the out-of-stock product existed based on which stage of each quantity difference determination means executed from the past to the present did not become out of stock, and transmits the determined existence period to a communication terminal, which outputs the existence period of the out-of-stock product transmitted from the server. In this inventory management system, when a product to be counted is out of stock relative to the number of products received, the server transmits the determined existence period of the identified out-of-stock product to a communication terminal, which outputs the existence period of the out-of-stock product. Therefore, when the numbers do not match, the existence period of each out-of-stock product can be known, and the cause of the shortage can be identified while knowing the existence period of the out-of-stock product. By clarifying the cause, the shortage can be corrected, and an accurate inventory can be performed quickly and efficiently.

When a shortage occurs in a product to be inventoryed relative to the number of products received, the server determines whether the sales processing of the out-of-stock product has been processed or not processed since the existence time determined by the existence time determination means, and if it determines that the sales processing of the out-of-stock product has not been processed, it sends an unprocessed sales message for the out-of-stock product to the communication terminal, and the communication terminal outputs the unprocessed sales message for the out-of-stock product sent from the server.In this inventory management system, the server determines that the sales processing of the out-of-stock product has not been processed, and the communication terminal outputs the unprocessed sales message for the out-of-stock product, so that the cause of the shortage can be eliminated by performing the sales processing, and the shortage can be rectified, while an accurate inventory can be performed quickly and efficiently.

When the server determines that the sales process for the out-of-stock product has been completed, it sends a lost message for the out-of-stock product to the communication terminal, and the communication terminal outputs the lost message for the out-of-stock product sent from the server.In this inventory management system, when the server determines that the sales process for the out-of-stock product has been completed and the communication terminal outputs the lost message for the out-of-stock product sent from the server, it becomes clear that the cause of the shortage is loss, and by performing shortage processing due to loss, the cause of the shortage can be eliminated and the shortage can be rectified, while also allowing for accurate inventory to be performed quickly and efficiently.

When the calculated difference in quantity becomes positive and an increase in the product being counted occurs relative to the number of products received, the server identifies the increased product identifier of the increased product that corresponds to the identifier of the increased product, transmits the increased product identifier of the identified increased product to the communication terminal, and the communication terminal outputs the increased product identifier of each increased product transmitted from the server.In an inventory management system, when an increase in the product being counted occurs relative to the number of products received, the server transmits the increased product identifier of the identified increased product to the communication terminal, and the communication terminal outputs the increased product identifier of the increased product. Therefore, when the number of products does not match, the increased product identifier of each increased product can be known, and the cause of the increase can be identified while knowing the increased product identifier of the increased product. By clarifying the cause, the increase can be corrected, and an accurate inventory can be performed quickly and efficiently.

In an inventory management system in which a server identifies increased product data for an increased product that corresponds to the identifier of the increased product, transmits the increased product data for the identified increased product to a communication terminal, and the communication terminal outputs the increased product data for the increased product transmitted from the server, when an increase occurs in a product to be inventoryed relative to the number of products received, the server transmits the increased product data for the identified increased product to a communication terminal, and the communication terminal outputs the increased product data for the increased product. This makes it possible to know the increased product data for each increased product when the numbers do not match, and to identify the cause of the increase while understanding the increased product data for the increased product. By clarifying the cause, the increase can be corrected, and accurate inventory can be performed quickly and efficiently.

When an increase occurs in the products to be stocked relative to the number of products received, the server determines the period until which the increased product did not exist based on which stage of each quantity difference indexing means executed from the past to the present until which the increase did not occur, and transmits the determined non-existence period to a communication terminal, and the communication terminal outputs the non-existence period of the increased product transmitted from the server. In an inventory management system, when an increase occurs in the products to be stocked relative to the number of products received, the server transmits the determined non-existence period of the increased product to a communication terminal, and the communication terminal outputs the non-existence period of the increased product. Therefore, when the numbers do not match, it is possible to know the non-existence period of each increased product, and the cause of the increase can be found while knowing the non-existence period of the increased product. By clarifying the cause, the increase can be corrected, and an accurate inventory can be performed quickly and efficiently.

When an increase occurs in the number of products to be counted relative to the number of products received, the server determines whether the increased product has been sent or not sent after the non-existence period determined by the non-existence period determination means, and if it determines that the increased product has not been sent, sends a message that the increased product has not been sent to the communication terminal, and the communication terminal outputs the message that the increased product has not been sent sent from the server.In this inventory management system, the server determines that the increased product has not been sent, and the communication terminal outputs the message that the increased product has not been sent, making it possible to know that the cause of the increase is that the product has not been sent, and by sending the product, the cause of the increase can be eliminated and the increase can be rectified, while also allowing for quick and efficient accurate inventorying.

If the server determines that the increased product has already been sent and an erroneous sending process has occurred, it sends an erroneous sending process message for the increased product to the communication terminal, and the communication terminal outputs the erroneous sending process message for the increased product sent from the server.In an inventory management system, the server determines that the increased product has been sent erroneously and the communication terminal outputs the erroneous sending process message for the increased product, making it possible to know that the cause of the increase is the erroneous sending process, and by canceling the erroneous sending process, the cause of the increase can be eliminated and the increase can be rectified, while also allowing for quick and efficient accurate inventory taking.

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an inventory management system shown as an example. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an FR tag attached to a watch. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a watch equipped with an FR tag. A diagram showing an example of a storage bag containing a watch after the storage procedure. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a storage box that stores a plurality of storage bags. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an inventory operation. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an inventory work screen output on a touch panel of a smartphone. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an inventory quantity difference output screen output on a touch panel of a smartphone. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an inventory product output screen displayed on a touch panel of a smartphone. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an inventory product data output screen displayed on a touch panel of a smartphone. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a missing-item-quantity-difference output screen displayed on a touch panel of a smartphone. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of an inventory product number output screen displayed on a touch panel of a smartphone. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a missing product data output screen displayed on a touch panel of a smartphone. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an existence period output screen displayed on a touch panel of a smartphone. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a cause output screen displayed on a touch panel of a smartphone. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an increase quantity difference output screen output on a touch panel of a smartphone. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of an inventory product number output screen output (displayed) on a touch panel of a smartphone (communication terminal). A figure showing an example of an additional product data output screen output (displayed) on a touch panel of a smartphone (communication terminal). FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an absence period output screen displayed on a touch panel of a smartphone. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of a cause output screen displayed on a touch panel of a smartphone.

The inventory management system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings such as FIG. 1, which shows an example of the configuration of the inventory management system 10. FIG. 2 shows an example of an FR tag 15 attached to a watch 14 (product). The inventory management system 10 manages the inventory of multiple products of various types. The inventory management system 10 will be described using a watch 14 (used watch, new used watch) purchased from a user (seller) by a buying store (buyer) as an example of a product to be inventoryed, but there is no particular restriction on the products to be inventoryed, and multiple products of various types can be the subject of inventory conducted using the inventory management system 10.

The inventory management system 10 is made up of a cloud 11 (cloud computing) (server), smartphones 13a-13c (communication terminals) that can connect to the cloud 11 (server) via the Internet 12 (prescribed network), multiple RF tags 15 (IC tags) attached to each stored watch 14 (each product), and an RF tag reader 16 (handheld type) that reads the data stored in the RF tags 15.

In FIG. 1, three smartphones 13a-13c (communication terminals) and one inventory management terminal 17 (personal computer) are shown, but in reality, there are multiple smartphones (communication terminals), multiple tablets, and multiple mobile phones connected to the cloud 11 (server) via the Internet 12 (a specified network), and there are multiple inventory management terminals 17 connected to the cloud 11 via the Internet 12. Note that communication terminals include personal computers and personal digital assistants (PDAs), as well as all communication terminals that will be developed in the future and can connect to the Internet 12. In addition to the Internet 12, cases where the smartphones 13a-13c (communication terminals) and the cloud 11 (server) are connected via other networks such as LANs and WANs are also included.

The inventory management system 10 includes an inventory management terminal 17 (personal computer) that manages the inventory of watches 14 (products), a processing record management database 18 that stores records of each process (sales process, shipping process), a product information management database 19 that stores various pieces of information about the watches 14 (products), and also includes an RF tag reader/writer 20 and a label printer 21. The processing record management database 18 and product information management database 19 receive various types of data from the cloud 11 and send various types of data to the cloud 11.

The cloud 11 can be Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), Platform as a Service (PaaS), or Software as a Service (SaaS). By using the cloud 11 for the inventory management system 10, IT resources can be used on demand from a cloud service platform via the Internet. The cloud 11 is a virtual server that has a virtual CPU or virtual MPU (central processing unit), a virtual main memory, and a virtual cache memory (memory) and runs on an independent operating system (virtual OS), and a large-capacity virtual storage area is generated. The virtual main memory of the cloud 11 stores (stores) applications that execute each of the means of the inventory management system 10 described below.

The cloud 11 (server) is constructed (formed) in a data center (not shown) contracted with the system provider (business corporation) that provides (manages and operates) the inventory management system 10. Note that instead of the cloud 11, a physical server (computer) that has a CPU or MPU (central processing unit), main memory and cache memory (memory) and runs on an independent operating system (OS) can also be used. When a physical server (computer) is used, the server is installed in a building or data center of the system provider (business corporation).

The cloud 11 (server) or physical server has various server functions such as a DNS server function, a database server function, a web server function, a mail server function, and a document server function, and can access and log in to an unspecified number of servers and mobile communication terminals (smartphones, tablets, etc.) with no access restrictions using the Internet 12 via a variety of DNS servers connected to the Internet 12, and can send various data to an unspecified number of servers and mobile communication terminals, as well as receive various data from an unspecified number of servers and mobile communication terminals.

The large-capacity storage area of cloud 11 (server) stores (contains) the URLs of smartphones 13a to 13c, the email addresses of smartphones 13a to 13c, and personal information of each person who owns smartphone 13a to 13c, associated with the mobile terminal specific information (mobile terminal specific identifier) of smartphone 13a to 13c, and stores (contains) the URL of inventory management terminal 17, associated with the terminal specific information (terminal specific identifier) of inventory management terminal 17.

The cloud 11 (server) or physical server implements an identifier storage means and a product data storage means, and implements a quantity difference determination means, a product identifier identification means, a product data identification means, a missing product identifier identification means, a missing product data identification means, a presence time identification means, a sales processing determination means, an increased product identifier identification means, an increased product data identification means, a non-existence time identification means, and a sending processing determination means, as well as a quantity difference transmission means, a product identifier transmission means, a product data transmission means, a missing product identifier transmission means, a missing product data transmission means, a presence time transmission means, a sales unprocessed message transmission means, a lost message transmission means, an increased product identifier transmission means, an increased product data transmission means, a non-existence time transmission means, a non-sent message transmission means, and an erroneous sending processing message transmission means.

Smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) are owned by officers, employees, and other individuals who have the authority to use the results of inventory conducted by inventory management system 10. Smartphones 13a to 13c are different models and are provided by different carriers (manufacturers). Smartphones 13a to 13c each have a built-in physical computer that has a CPU or MPU (central processing unit), main memory, and cache memory (memory), runs on an independent operating system (OS), and is equipped with a large-capacity storage area.

The main memory of the smartphones 13a to 13c stores (contains) applications that cause the smartphones 13a to 13c to implement each means of the inventory management system 10. The applications directly access the cloud 11 (server), or access the cloud 11 from another server via a link, and then are downloaded (installed) from the cloud 11. The main memory of the smartphones 13a to 13c stores a web browser and an email client that sends and receives emails and manages emails.

Smartphones 13a to 13c can connect to the Internet 12 using a web browser, and can use the Internet 12 to access and log in to an unspecified number of other servers (physical servers and virtual servers), as well as use various search engines on the Internet 12. Smartphones 13a to 13c can access and log in to cloud 11 using the URL of cloud 11 (server), and can use the Internet 12 to provide various data (text data and image data) to multiple other external servers including cloud 11, and can use the Internet 12 to receive various data from multiple other external servers including cloud 11.

The large-capacity storage area of the smartphones 13a to 13c stores mobile terminal identification information (mobile terminal identification identifier) that identifies the smartphones 13a to 13c. The mobile terminal identification information may be the IP address, MAC address, URL, email address, cookie information, individual identification number, etc. of the smartphones 13a to 13c. In addition, the smartphones 13a to 13c may independently generate unique identifiers that identify the smartphones 13a to 13c, and the generated identifiers may be used as the mobile terminal identification information. The large-capacity storage area of the smartphones 13a to 13c stores (stores) personal information of employees who have the authority to use them, and the URL of the cloud 11. Personal information may be passwords, ID numbers, corporate names, individual names, addresses, telephone numbers, fax numbers, ages, genders, email addresses, etc.

Smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals) implement a quantity difference output means, a product identifier output means, a product data output means, a missing product identifier output means, a missing product data output means, a presence time output means, a sales unprocessed message output means, a lost message output means, an increased product identifier output means, an increased product data output means, a non-existence time output means, a non-delivered message output means, and an erroneous delivery processing message output means.

The inventory management terminal 17 is a computer (including a virtual machine) that has a central processing unit (CPU or MPU) and memory (main memory and cache memory), runs on an independent operating system (OS), and is equipped with a large-capacity storage area (large-capacity hard disk, etc.). The inventory management terminal 17 (personal computer) is installed in a building of the system provider (business corporation). Input devices such as a keyboard and mouse, and output devices such as a display and printer are connected to the inventory management terminal 17 via interfaces, and a digital camera (not shown) is also connected. The inventory management terminal 17 is connected to an RF tag reader/writer 20 via an interface, and to a label printer 21 via an interface.

The inventory management terminal 17 can access and log in to the cloud 11 using the URL of the cloud 11 (server), and can provide (send) various data (text data and image data) to multiple external servers including the cloud 11 using the Internet 12, and can receive (receive) various data from multiple external servers including the cloud 11 using the Internet 12.

These RF tags 15 (shipping tags) are individually attached to the various types of watches 14 (products) that have been stored. As shown in FIG. 2, IC chips 22 are attached and fixed to these RF tags 15. The RF tag reader 16 is installed in a building of the system provider (business corporation). The RF tag reader 16 is connected to the smartphones 13a to 13c when the application of the inventory management system 10 stored in the smartphones 13a to 13c is started. The RF tag reader 16 reads the identification numbers (identifiers) of the IC chips 22 attached to these RF tags 15, and transmits the read identifier numbers of the IC chips 22 to the cloud 11 (server) via the smartphones 13a to 13c.

In some cases, the RF tag reader 16 has a communication function that allows it to connect to the cloud 11 (server) via the Internet 12 (a specified network), and transmits the read data to the cloud 11 while accessing and logging in to the cloud 11 via the communication function. In this case, the RF tag reader 16 reads the identification numbers (identifiers) of the IC chips 22 installed in those RF tags 15, and transmits the read identifier numbers of the IC chips 22 to the cloud 11 via the communication function. The RF tag reader 16 implements an identifier reading means and an identifier transmission means.

An RF tag reader/writer 20 connected to the inventory management terminal 17 writes an identification number (identifier) to an IC chip 22 installed in the RF tag 15. A label printer 21 connected to the inventory management terminal 17 creates and outputs a label sticker 24 (label) to be affixed to a storage bag 23 (plastic bag) that contains a watch 14 (product). The label sticker 24 displays product data such as the product identification number (product identifier) of the watch 14 (product), the brand name of the watch 14, the manufacturing date of the watch 14, the condition of the watch 14 (excellent, good, fair), and the purchase cost of the watch 14.

Figure 3 shows an example of a watch 14 (product) with an FR tag 15 attached, and Figure 4 shows an example of a storage bag 23 that contains the watch 14 (product) after the storage procedure. Figure 5 shows an example of a storage box 25 that contains multiple storage bags 23. In one example of buying and selling a watch 14 (a new or used watch), a user (seller) brings the watch 14 to a buying store (buyer), which appraise the watch 14 and presents the price of the watch 14 to the user. The user hands the watch 14 to the buying store in exchange for the payment for the watch 14 (the presented appraised amount).

An employee of the buying shop carries out the entry procedure for the purchased watches 14 (products). During the entry procedure, the identifiers recorded (stored) in the IC chips 22 attached to the RF tags 15 are associated with the product identification numbers (product identifiers) of each entered watch 14 (each product) and stored (stored) in a large-capacity virtual storage area of the cloud 11. The RF tags 15 attached to each purchased watch 14 are managed and stored in a row with RF tags 15 numbered 1 through n. Numbers 1 through n are displayed (printed) on the RF tags 15. Numbers 1 through n become the product identification numbers (product identifiers) of each entered watch 14 (each product).

Note that No. 1 through No. n are just an example of a product identification number (product identifier), and in addition to No. 1 through No. n, product identification numbers can be freely set, such as No. 1-1 through No. 1-n, No. A-1 through No. A-n, No. B-1 through No. B-n, etc. Also, the inventory management terminal 17 can independently generate a unique product identification number (product identifier) and use the generated product identification number as the product identification number (product identifier) for each inventoryed watch 14 (each product).

A unique identification number (identifier) is written in advance to the IC chip 22 of each of these RF tags 15. Note that there are also cases where the inventory management terminal 17 generates a unique identification number (identifier) to be written to the IC chip 22 of the RF tag 15, transmits the generated identification number to the RF tag reader/writer 20, and the RF tag reader/writer 20 writes the identification number to the IC chip 22 of the RF tag 15.

An identification number input screen (not shown) is displayed on the display of the inventory management terminal 17. The employee takes out the first RF tag 15 and sets it in the RF tag reader/writer 20. Then, using the input device of the inventory management terminal 17, the employee inputs the number 1 (product identifier) in the product identifier input area displayed on the identification number input screen and clicks the identification number input button displayed on the identification number input screen. When the identification number input button is clicked, the RF tag reader/writer 20 reads the identification number (identifier) stored in the IC chip 22 of the RF tag 15, and the RF tag reader/writer 20 transmits the identification number of the RF tag 15 to the inventory management terminal 17.

The inventory management terminal 17 temporarily stores the input number 1 (product identifier) and the identification number (identifier) of the RF tag 15 transmitted from the RF tag reader/writer 20 in cache memory, and outputs (displays) an identification number confirmation button on the identification number input screen. When the identification number confirmation button is clicked, the inventory management terminal 17 outputs (displays) a product data input screen (not shown) for various product data of the clock 14 on the display.

Each piece of product data is entered into each input area on the product data input screen, and a digital camera (not shown) is used to photograph the watch 14, and the digital image data (product data) of the watch 14 is input from the digital camera to the inventory management terminal 17. Note that the camera function of a smartphone may be used to photograph (acquire) the watch 14 (product) as digital image data, and the photographed digital image data of the watch 14 may be sent from the smartphone to the inventory management terminal 17. After entering each piece of product data into each input area on the input screen and inputting the digital image data of the watch 14 into the inventory management terminal 17, the input confirmation button displayed on the product data input screen is clicked.

When the input confirmation button is clicked, the inventory management terminal 17 transmits the number 1 (product identifier) temporarily stored in the cache memory, the identification number (identifier) of the RF tag 15, and various product data of the clock 14 to the cloud 11 (server) via the Internet 12, and uses the label printer 21 connected to the inventory management terminal 17 to create and print a label sticker 24.

The product data of watch 14 includes the product name of watch 14 (including model name and retailer name), the brand name (manufacturer) of watch 14, the date of manufacture of watch 14, the condition of watch 14 (excellent, good, fair), the purchase cost of watch 14, a digital image of watch 14, and personal information of the user (seller) of watch 14. Personal information includes name, address, telephone number, age, gender, email address, etc. There are no particular limitations to the product data of watch 14, and it may include any data relating to watch 14 or the user.

As shown in FIG. 4, the label sticker 24 output from the label printer 21 displays the product name of the watch 14, the brand name of the watch 14, the manufacturing date of the watch 14, and an identification number (identifier) for the watch 14. When the inventory management terminal 17 independently generates a unique product identification number (product identifier) and generates a unique identification number (identifier) to be written to the IC chip 223 of the RF tag 15, the inventory management terminal 17 writes the unique identification number to the IC chip 22 of the RF tag 15 using the RF tag reader/writer 20, and then transmits the unique product identification number, the unique identification number, and various product data for the watch 14 to the cloud 11 (server) via the Internet 12.

The cloud 11 (server) stores the identification number (identifier) (identification number stored in the RF tag 15) sent from the inventory management terminal 17 and the product identification number (product identifier) (product identification number of the inventory watch 14 (product)) sent from the inventory management terminal 17 in an associated state in a large-capacity virtual storage area (identifier storage means), and stores (stores) various types of product data for the inventory watch 14 (product) in a product information management database 19 in an associated state with the identification number (identifier) (identification number stored in the RF tag) or product identification number (product identifier) sent from the inventory management terminal 17 (product data storage means). A transmission completion message and an identification number input screen are displayed on the display of the inventory management terminal 17.

The store employee affixes the label sticker 24 output from the label printer 21 to the surface of a storage bag 23 (plastic bag), places the watches 14 for which the storage procedure has been completed in the storage bag 23, and places the storage bag 23 in a storage box 25. Using the storage management terminal 17, RF tag reader/writer 20, and label printer 21, the store employee repeats the storage procedure described above, affixing the label sticker 24 to the storage bag 23 (plastic bag), and sequentially places the watches 14 for which the storage procedure has been completed in the storage bag 23. The employee completes the storage procedure for all of the purchased watches 14.

The buying shop sells (resells) the purchased watch 14 to a retailer (dealer). When the buying shop sells the watch 14 to the retailer, the buying shop's employee (clerk) creates a sales slip (sales slip) for the sold watch 14 and performs the sales (sales) processing procedure according to the sales slip. In the sales processing procedure, the sales processing button output (displayed) on the display of the inventory management terminal 17 is clicked, the product identification number (product identifier) printed on the label sticker 24 attached to the storage bag 23 is input in the product identification number input area on the sales processing screen output (displayed) on the display, and then the sales (sales) completion button is clicked. Alternatively, the IC chip 22 of the RF tag 15 of the watch 14 stored in the storage bag 23 is read using the RF tag reader 16 or the RF tag reader/writer 20, the identification number (identifier) stored in the IC chip 22 is input to the inventory management terminal 17, and then the sales (sales) completion button is clicked.

When the sales completion button is clicked, a sales (sales) completion signal and a product identification number (product identifier) or identification number (identifier) are sent from the inventory management terminal 17 to the cloud 11 (server). The cloud 11 (server) that receives the sales completion signal and the product identification number (product identifier) or identification number (identifier) attaches a sales (sales) processing completion tag to the identification number (identifier) stored in the processing record management database 18 that corresponds to the product identification number (product identifier) received from the inventory management terminal 17, or attaches a sales (sales) processing completion tag to the identification number (identifier) stored in the processing record management database 18 that is received from the inventory management terminal 17.

Alternatively, the identification number (identifier) corresponding to the product identification number (product identifier) received from the inventory management terminal 17 is deleted from the processing record management database 18, or the identification number (identifier) received from the inventory management terminal 17 is deleted from the processing record management database 18. Furthermore, a sales (sales) processing completion tag is attached to the product data corresponding to the identification number (identifier) from among the product data stored in the product information management database 19. After completing the sales processing procedure, the employee places the storage bag 23 containing the watches 14 that have been sold into the mailing box 26. The employee repeats the sales (sales) processing procedure described above, and completes the sales processing procedure for all of the watches 14 sold to the retailer.

After completing the sales processing procedure for all the watches 14 sold to the retailer, the employee of the buying store proceeds to send (post) the watches 14 to the retailer. In the sending processing procedure, the employee removes the storage bag 23 from the postal box 26, clicks the sending processing button output (displayed) on the display of the inventory management terminal 17, enters the product identification number (product identifier) printed on the label sticker 24 affixed to the storage bag 23 in the product identification number input area on the sending processing screen output (displayed) on the display, and then clicks the sending processing completion button. Alternatively, the employee reads the IC chip 22 of the RF tag 15 of the watch 14 stored in the storage bag 23 using the RF tag reader 16 or RF tag reader/writer 20, enters the identification number (identifier) stored in the IC chip 22 into the inventory management terminal 17, and then clicks the sending processing completion button.

When the sending process completion button is clicked, a sending process completion signal and a product identification number (product identifier) or an identification number (identifier) are sent from the inventory management terminal 17 to the cloud 11 (server). The cloud 11, which has received the sending process completion signal and the product identification number (product identifier) or the identification number (identifier), attaches a sending process completion tag to the identification number corresponding to the product identification number (product identifier) received from the inventory management terminal 17 from among the identification numbers (identifiers) stored in the processing record management database 18, or attaches a sending process completion tag to the identification number received from the inventory management terminal 17 from among the identification numbers (identifiers) stored in the processing record management database 18. Furthermore, a sending process completion tag is attached to the product data corresponding to the identification number (identifier) from among the product data stored in the product information management database 19. After the employee has completed the sending process procedure, he or she places the storage bag 23 containing the sent watch 14 back into the mailing box 26. The employee repeats the above-mentioned shipping process for all of the watches 14 sold to the store.

Figure 6 shows an example of an inventory operation, and Figure 7 shows an example of an inventory operation screen output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals). Figure 8 shows an example of an inventory quantity difference output screen output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals), and Figure 9 shows an example of an inventory product number output screen output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals). Figure 10 shows an example of an inventory product data output screen output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals). Figures 7 to 10 omit illustrations of data output (displayed) in each output area and data input in each input area (similar to Figures 11 to 20).

Employees of the buying shop take an inventory of watches 14 (products) at the start and end of business hours, etc. The employees tap (click) the icon (not shown) of the inventory management system 10 output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of their smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals). When the employee taps the icon of the inventory management system 10, the application of the inventory management system 10 is started, the smartphones 13a to 13c access and log in to the cloud 11, and the inventory work screen shown in FIG. 7 is output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c. On the inventory work screen in FIG. 7, an inventory work button 7a and a logout button 7b are output (displayed), and when the logout button 7b is tapped, the smartphones 13a to 13c log out of the cloud 11 (the same applies to the logout button below).

When the inventory operation button 7a is tapped, an inventory instruction screen (not shown) is output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c. The inventory instruction screen outputs (displays) a message indicating that the RF tag 15 has been read by the RF tag reader 16, a back button, and a logout button. Clicking the back button returns to the previous screen (the same applies to the back button below). The employee turns on the switch of the RF tag reader 16, and as shown in FIG. 6, uses the RF tag reader 16 to read all at once the identification numbers (identifiers) stored in the IC chips 22 of the RF tags 16 inside the storage bags 23 stored in the mailing box 26 (identifier reading means). The identification numbers (identifiers) stored in the IC chips 22 of the RF tags 16 of the watches 14 stored in the storage bags 23 in the mailing box 26 are instantly read by the RF tag reader 16.

The RF tag reader 16 transmits the identification numbers (identifiers) that it has read to the smartphones 13a to 13c. The smartphones 13a to 13c transmit the identification numbers (identifiers) transmitted from the RF tag reader 16 to the cloud 11 (identifier transmission means). If the RF tag reader 16 has a communication function, it can also transmit the identification numbers (identifiers) directly to the cloud 11 using that communication function (identifier transmission means).

The cloud 11 (server) receives the identification numbers (identifiers) transmitted from the smartphones 13a to 13c or the RF tag reader 16 by the identifier transmission means, compares the identification numbers (identifiers) stored in the large-capacity virtual storage area by the identifier storage means with the identification numbers (identifiers) of the watches 14 (products) to be stocked transmitted from the smartphones 13a to 13c or the RF tag reader 16 by the identifier transmission means, and determines the difference in number between the number of watches 14 received and the number of watches 14 to be stocked (number difference determination means).

If the identification numbers (identifiers) stored in the large-capacity virtual storage area by the identifier storage means match the identification numbers (identifiers) of the watches 14 (products) to be inventoried that were transmitted by the identifier transmission means, the cloud 11 (server) determines that the quantity difference is 0, if the stored identification numbers do not match the identification numbers of the watches 14 to be inventory-inspected that were transmitted by the identifier transmission means and the number of transmitted identification numbers is less than the stored identification numbers, the cloud 11 (server) determines that the quantity difference is negative, and if the stored identification numbers do not match the identification numbers of the watches 14 to be inventory-inspected that were transmitted by the identifier transmission means and the number of transmitted identification numbers is greater than the stored identification numbers, the cloud 11 (server) determines that the quantity difference is positive.

Each time the cloud 11 (server) performs a quantity difference indexing means, it stores (stores) in a large-capacity virtual storage area the quantity difference indexed by each quantity difference indexing means and the date and time (year, month, day, hour) when the quantity difference indexing means was performed, in association with a unique identification number (identifier) that it generates itself. The cloud 11 transmits the quantity differences indexed by the quantity difference indexing means to the smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) (quantity difference transmission means). The smartphones 13a to 13c receive the quantity differences transmitted from the cloud 11 by the quantity difference transmission means, and output (display) the received quantity differences on the touch panel 27 (quantity difference output means). The inventory quantity difference output screen shown in Figure 8 is output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c.

The inventory quantity difference output screen in FIG. 8 outputs (displays) an inventory clock (inventory product) quantity output area 8a, an inventory target clock (inventory target product) quantity output area 8b, a quantity difference output area 8c, an inventory product number output button 8d, an inventory work screen button 8e, a back button 8f, and a logout button 8g. When the inventory work screen button is tapped, the inventory work screen in FIG. 6 is output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 (the same applies to the inventory work screen buttons below).

The number of watches 14 for which the inventory procedure has been completed (watches 14 for which the sales processing procedure has not been completed) is output (displayed) in the input watch quantity output area 8a, and the number of watches 14 to be counted that are stored in those storage bags 23 in the mailing box 26 is output (displayed) in the inventory watch quantity output area 8b. If the quantity difference is 0, 0 is output (displayed) in the quantity difference output area 8c. If the quantity difference is negative, the negative number is output (displayed) in the quantity difference output area 8c, and if the quantity difference is positive, the positive number is output (displayed) in the quantity difference output area 8c.

By looking at the number output (displayed) in the input watch quantity output area 8a, the number of watches 14 for which the input procedure has been completed can be known, and by looking at the number output (displayed) in the inventory watch quantity output area 8b, the number of each watch 14 that is the subject of inventory can be known. By looking at the quantity difference output area 8c, the difference between the number of each watch 14 for which the input procedure has been completed (watches 14 for which the sales processing procedure has not been completed) and the number of each watch 14 that is the subject of inventory can be known.

In the inventory management system 10, the cloud 11 (server) stores the unique identification number (identifier) stored in the IC chip 22 of the RF tag 15 in association with the product identification number (product identifier) of the stocked watch 14 (product), the RF tag reader 16 reads the identification numbers stored in the IC chip 22 of the RF tag 15 attached to each watch 14 to be stocked collectively, transmits the read identification numbers of the RF tags 15 to the cloud 11, compares the identification numbers stored by the cloud 11 with the identification numbers of the watches 14 to be stocked transmitted from the RF tag reader 16, and finds the difference in number between the number of stocked watches 14 and the number of watches 14 to be stocked. Therefore, the RF tag reader 16 can be used to instantly read the identification numbers stored in the IC chip 22 of the RF tags 15 of the watches 14 to be stocked collectively, and stocktaking can be performed quickly and efficiently without the need for labor and time to read the RF tags 15.

In the inventory management system 10, an RF tag 15 is attached to each watch 14 (each product) to be inventoryed, and the RF tag 15 is never removed from each watch 14 to be inventoryed. Therefore, there is no failure to read the identification number (identifier) associated with each watch 14 to be inventoryed, and the number of watches 14 received and the number of watches 14 to be inventoryed can be accurately calculated, and an accurate inventory can be performed. The inventory management system 10 can calculate the difference in number between the number of watches 14 received (products) and the number of watches 14 to be inventoryed, and the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals) output (display) the difference in number transmitted from the cloud 11 (server). Therefore, it is possible to know via the smartphones 13a to 13c whether the number of watches 14 received and the number of watches 14 to be inventoryed match or mismatch, and it is possible to find the cause of the mismatch in the number of watches 14 received and the number of watches 14 to be inventoryed, and by clarifying the cause, the mismatch in the number in the inventory can be corrected.

To output (display) the product identification number (product identifier) (product identification number) of the watch 14 (product) being stocked, tap the Stocked Product Number Output button 8d on the Stocked Quantity Difference Output screen in FIG. 8. When the Stocked Product Number Output button 8d is tapped, the cloud 11 (server) identifies the product identification number (product identification number) of each of the stocked watches 14 that corresponds to the identification number (identifier) of the stocked watch 14 (product) transmitted from the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals) or the RF tag reader 15 by the identifier transmission means (product identifier identification means). The cloud 11 transmits the product identification number (product identification number) of each of the stocked watches 14 (each product) identified by the product identifier identification means to the smartphones 13a to 13c (product identifier transmission means).

The smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) receive the product identification number (product specific number) of each watch 14 (each product) that is the subject of inventory transmitted from the cloud 11 (server) by the product identifier transmission means, and output (display) the received product identification number of each watch 14 that is the subject of inventory on the touch panel 27 (product identifier output means). The inventory product number output screen shown in Figure 9 is output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c.

The inventory product number output screen in FIG. 9 outputs (displays) the number of watches (products) to be inventoryed (inventory products) output area 9a, the number difference output area 9b, the inventory product watch output area 9c, the product data output button 9d, the inventory work screen button 9e, the back button 9f, and the logout button 9g. The inventory product watch output area 9c outputs (displays) the product identification number (product identifier) (product specific number) of each inventory watch 14 (product), and outputs (displays) an "OK" message to watches 14 whose identification numbers (identifiers) stored in the large-capacity virtual storage area match those of the inventory watch 14 sent from the smartphones 13a to 13c or the RF tag reader 15. By scrolling the touch panel 27, the product identification numbers (product specific numbers) of all the inventory watch 14 can be seen. By looking at the inventory product output screen, it is possible to know whether the product identification number of each inventory watch 14 matches the identification number.

In the inventory management system 10, the cloud 11 (server) identifies the product identification number (product identifier) (product specific number) of each of the inventory watches that corresponds to the identification number (identifier) of the inventory watch 14 (product), and the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals) output the product identification number of each of the inventory watches 14, thereby identifying the product identification number of each of the inventory watches 14 from each identification number, and via the smartphones 13a to 13c, the product identification number of each of the inventory watches 14 with a matching quantity can be known, and the product identification number of each of the inventory watches 14 with a mismatching quantity can be known.

The inventory management system 10 can not only perform inventory quickly and efficiently, but can also identify the cause of the discrepancy in the number of watches 14 received and the watches 14 being inventoryed while grasping the product identification number (product identifier) (product identification number) of each watch 14 (each product) being inventoryed where the number of items does not match, and by clarifying the cause, can correct the discrepancy in the number of items, and can perform an accurate inventory while identifying the product identification number of each watch 14 being inventoryed.

To output (display) detailed product data for each watch 14 in the output area 9c for watches to be stocked, tap each watch 14 output (displayed) in the output area 9c for watches to be stocked to specify (highlight) the desired watch 14, and then tap the product data output button 9d. Alternatively, the identification number of the RF tag 15 attached to the watch 14 in the storage bag 23 is read by the RF tag reader 16 or the RF tag reader/writer 20, and then the product data output button 9d is tapped.

When the product data output button 9d is tapped, the cloud 11 (server) identifies the product data of each watch 13 being stocked that corresponds to the identification number (identifier) of the tapped watch 14 (product) (product data identification means), or identifies the product data of each watch 14 being stocked that corresponds to the read identification number (corresponding to the identification number (identifier) of the watch 14 being stocked transmitted from the RF tag reader 16 or RF tag reader/writer 20) (product data identification means). The cloud 11 transmits the product data of the watch 14 (product) being stocked identified by the product data identification means to the smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) (product data transmission means).

The smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) receive the product data of the watches 14 (products) that are the subject of inventory, transmitted from the cloud 11 (server) by the product data transmission means, and output (display) the received product data of the watches 14 that are the subject of inventory on the touch panel 27 (product data output means). The inventory product data output screen shown in Figure 10 is output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c.

The inventory product data output screen in FIG. 10 outputs (displays) an output area 10a for the number of watches in stock (in stock products), an output area 10b for the number of watches to be stocked, a quantity difference output area 10c, a watch data output area 10d, a back button 10e, an inventory work screen button 10f, and a logout button 10g. In the watch data output area 10d, an output area for the product name of the watch 14, an output area for the brand name of the watch 14, an output area for the manufacture date of the watch 14, an output area for the condition of the watch 14 (excellent, good, fair), an output area for the purchase cost of the watch 14, an output area for a digital image of the watch 14, and an output area for user information of the user (seller) of the watch 14 are output (displayed). By looking at the inventory product data output screen, detailed product data for each watch 14 to be stocked can be seen.

In the inventory management system 10, the cloud 11 (server) identifies multiple types of product data for each of the inventoried watches 14 (products) that correspond to the identification numbers (identifiers) of the watches 14 (products) that are inventoryed, and the smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) output the product data for each of the inventoried watches 14, thereby identifying the product data for each of the inventoried watches 14 from each identification number, and allowing the product data for each of the inventoried watches 14 with matching quantities to be known via the smartphones 13a to 13c, and the product data 14 for each of the inventoried watches with mismatching quantities to be known.

The inventory management system 10 can not only perform inventory quickly and efficiently, but can also identify the cause of the discrepancy in the number of watches 14 received and the watches 14 being inventoryed while grasping the product data of each watch 14 (each product) that is the subject of inventory and the discrepancy in the number of watches can be corrected by clarifying the cause, and can perform an accurate inventory while grasping the product data of each watch 14 that is the subject of inventory.

Figure 11 is a diagram showing an example of a stockout quantity difference output screen output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals), and Figure 12 is a diagram showing another example of an inventory product number output screen output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals). Figure 13 is a diagram showing an example of a stockout product data output screen output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals).

When the cloud 11 (server) determines in the quantity difference determination means that the stored identification numbers do not match the transmitted identification numbers of the watches 14 (products) to be stocked, the number of transmitted identification numbers is less than the stored identification numbers, the quantity difference determined by the quantity difference determination means is negative, and there is a shortage of the watches 14 to be stocked compared to the number of watches 14 received (the quantity difference is negative), the cloud 11 transmits the negative quantity difference to the smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) (quantity difference transmission means).

The smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals) receive the negative quantity difference transmitted from the cloud 11 (server) by the quantity difference transmission means, and output (display) the received negative quantity difference on the touch panel 27 (quantity difference output means). The out-of-stock quantity difference output screen shown in FIG. 11 is output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c.

The out-of-stock quantity difference output screen in FIG. 11 outputs (displays) the number of received watches (inventory products) output area 11a, the number of watches to be inventoried (products to be inventoried) output area 11b, the out-of-stock quantity difference output area 11c, inventory product number output button 11d, inventory work screen button 11e, back button 11f, and logout button 11g. A negative number is output (displayed) in the out-of-stock quantity difference output area 11c. By looking at the out-of-stock quantity difference output area 11c, the user can see the negative difference (out-of-stock) between the number of watches 14 for which the inventory procedure has been completed (watches 14 for which the sales processing procedure has not been completed) and the number of watches 14 to be inventoryed.

When the inventory product number output button 11d on the out-of-stock quantity difference output screen in FIG. 11 is tapped, the cloud 11 (server) identifies the product identification number (product identifier) (product identification number) of each of the inventory watches 14 that correspond to the identification number (identifier) of the inventory watch 14 (product) transmitted from the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals) or the RF tag reader 15 (product identifier identification means), and identifies the out-of-stock product identification number (out-of-stock product identifier) (out-of-stock product identification number) of the out-of-stock watch 14 that corresponds to the identifier of the out-of-stock watch 14 (out-of-stock product identifier identification means). The cloud 11 transmits the product identification number of each of the inventory watches 14 identified by the product identifier identification means to the smartphones 13a to 13c (product identifier transmission means), and transmits the out-of-stock product identification number of the out-of-stock watch 14 identified by the out-of-stock product identifier identification means to the smartphones 13a to 13c (out-of-stock product identifier transmission means).

The smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) receive the product identification numbers (product identifiers) of the watches 14 (each product) that are the subject of inventory and the missing product identification numbers (missing product identifiers) of the missing watches 14 that are sent from the cloud 11 (server) by the product identifier sending means and the missing product identifier sending means, and output (display) the received product identification numbers of the watches 14 that are the subject of inventory on the touch panel 27 (product identifier output means), and output (display) the received missing product identification numbers of the missing watches 14 on the touch panel 27 (missing product identifier output means). The inventory product (including missing products) number output screen shown in FIG. 12 is output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c.

The inventory product (including out-of-stock) number output screen in FIG. 12 outputs (displays) the number of watches (products) to be inventoryed (inventory products) output area 12a, the difference in the number of out-of-stock items output area 12b, the inventory watch (including out-of-stock) output area 12c, a product data display button 12d, an existence period specification button 12e, an inventory work screen button 12f, a back button 12g, and a logout button 12h.

In the inventory target watch output area 12c, the product identification number (product identifier) of each inventory target watch 14 (product) is output (displayed), and an "NG" message is output (displayed) to a watch 14 whose identification number (identifier) stored in the large-capacity virtual storage area does not match (is out of stock) the identification number (identifier) of the inventory target watch (product) transmitted from the smartphones 13a to 13c or the RF tag reader 15, and an "OK" message is output (displayed) to a watch 14 whose identification number stored in the large-capacity virtual storage area matches the identification number of the inventory target watch 14 transmitted from the smartphones 13a to 13c or the RF tag reader 15. By scrolling the touch panel 27, the product identification numbers (product identifiers) of all inventory target watches 14 can be viewed. By viewing the inventory product output screen, it is possible to know whether the product identification number of each inventory target watch 14 matches the identification number or not (is out of stock).

When there is a shortage of watches 14 to be inventoryed relative to the number of watches 14 (products) received, the inventory management system 10 has the cloud 11 (server) send the missing product identification number (missing product identifier) of the identified missing watch 14 to the smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals), and the smartphones 13a to 13c output the missing product identification number of the missing watch 14. This makes it possible to know the missing product identification number of each missing watch 14 when the numbers do not match, and to find the cause of the shortage while knowing the missing product identification number of the missing watch 14. By clarifying the cause, the shortage can be rectified, and an accurate inventory can be performed quickly and efficiently.

To output (display) detailed product data of the out-of-stock watch 14 output (displayed) in the inventory target watch output area 12c, tap the out-of-stock watch 14 (NG watch 14) output (displayed) in the inventory target watch output area 12c to specify (highlight) the out-of-stock watch 14, and then tap the product data display button 12d. When the product data display button 12d is tapped, the cloud 11 (server) identifies the product data of the out-of-stock watch 14 that corresponds to the identification number (identifier) of the tapped out-of-stock watch 14 (product) (out-of-stock product data identification means). The cloud 11 transmits the out-of-stock product data of the out-of-stock watch 14 identified by the out-of-stock product data identification means to the smartphones 13a to 13c (out-of-stock product data transmission means).

The smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals) receive the product data of the out-of-stock watch 14 (product) transmitted from the cloud 11 (server) by the out-of-stock product data transmission means, and output (display) the received product data of the out-of-stock watch 14 on the touch panel 27 (out-of-stock product data output means). The out-of-stock product data output screen shown in FIG. 13 is output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c.

Out-of-stock product data output screen in FIG. 13 outputs (displays) the number of incoming watches (in-stock products) output area 13a, the number of watches to be counted output area 13b, the difference in the number of out-of-stock items output area 13c, the out-of-stock product data output area 13d, a back button 13e, an inventory work screen button 13f, and a logout button 13g. Out-of-stock product data output area 13d outputs (displays) the product name output area of watch 14, the brand name output area of watch 14, the manufacturing date output area of watch 14, the condition output area of watch 14 (excellent, good, fair), the purchase cost output area of watch 14, an output area for a digital image of watch 14, and an output area for user information of the user (seller) of watch 14. By looking at the out-of-stock product data output screen, detailed product data for the out-of-stock watch 14 can be found.

When there is a shortage of watches 14 to be inventoryed relative to the number of watches 14 (products) received, the inventory management system 10 has the cloud 11 (server) send the missing product data of the identified missing watches 14 to the smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals), and the smartphones 13a to 13c output the missing product data of the missing watches 14. This makes it possible to know the missing product data of each missing watch 14 when the numbers do not match, and to find the cause of the shortage while understanding the missing product data of the missing watches 14. By clarifying the cause, the shortage can be rectified, and accurate inventory can be performed quickly and efficiently.

Figure 14 is a diagram showing an example of an existence period output screen output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals), and Figure 15 is a diagram showing an example of a cause output screen output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals). To check the existence period of a missing watch 14 (product), tap the existence period identification button 12e on the inventory product (including missing items) number output screen in Figure 12.

When the existence period determination button 12e is tapped, the cloud 11 (server) refers to the number difference calculated by each number difference determination means stored in the large-capacity virtual storage area, and while referring to the identification number (identifier) of the missing watch 14 (product) stored in the large-capacity virtual storage area, determines when the number difference determination means was performed when the missing watch 14 existed, and determines the period (implementation date and time when the number difference determination means was performed) until which the missing watch 14 existed based on which number difference determination means of each number difference determination means performed from the past to the present until which the shortage did not occur (existence period determination means). The cloud 11 transmits the existence period determined by the existence period determination means to the smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) (existence period transmission means).

The smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals) receive the existence time of the out-of-stock clock 14 (product) transmitted from the cloud 11 (server) by the existence time transmission means, and output (display) the received existence time on the touch panel 27 (existence time output means). The existence time output screen shown in FIG. 14 is output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c.

The existence period output screen in FIG. 14 outputs (displays) an existence period output area 14a that outputs (displays) the existence period, a missing clock data output area 14b, a cause output button 14c, an inventory work screen button 14d, a back button 14e, and a logout button 14f. By looking at the existence period output screen, it is possible to know the existence period when the missing clock 14 existed.

When there is a shortage of watches 14 to be stocked relative to the number of watches 14 (products) received, the inventory management system 10 has the cloud 11 (server) send the identified existence time of the missing watches 14 to the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals), and the smartphones 13a to 13c output the existence time of the missing watches 14. This makes it possible to know the existence time of the missing watches 14 when the numbers do not match, and to find the cause of the shortage while understanding the existence time of the missing watches 14. By clarifying the cause, the shortage can be rectified, and an accurate inventory can be performed quickly and efficiently.

To find out the cause of the shortage of the watch 14 (product), tap the cause output button 14c on the existence period output screen in FIG. 14. When the cause output button 14c is tapped, the cloud 11 (server) determines whether the identification number (identifier) of the out-of-stock watch 14 (product) corresponds to an identification number stored in the processing record management database 18 and tagged with a sales (sales) processing completion tag, or whether the identification number (identifier) of the out-of-stock watch 14 has been deleted from the processing record management database 18, and determines whether the sales (sales) processing of the out-of-stock watch 14 has been processed or not since the existence period determined by the existence period determination means (sales processing determination means).

When the cloud 11 (server) determines by the sales processing determination means that the sales (sales) processing of the out-of-stock watch 14 (product) is unprocessed, it sends an unprocessed sales message for the out-of-stock watch 14 to the smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) (unprocessed sales message sending means). The smartphones 13a to 13c receive the unprocessed sales message for the out-of-stock watch 14 sent from the cloud 11 by the unprocessed sales message sending means, and output (display) the received unprocessed sales message on the touch panel 27 (unprocessed sales message output means).

When the cloud 11 (server) determines by the sales processing determination means that the sales (sales) processing of the out-of-stock watch 14 (product) has been completed, it sends a lost message of the out-of-stock watch 14 to the smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) (lost message sending means). The smartphones 13a to 13c receive the lost message of the out-of-stock watch 14 sent from the cloud 11 by the lost message sending means, and output (display) the received lost message on the touch panel 27 (lost message output means).

The cause output screen shown in FIG. 15 is output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals). The cause output screen in FIG. 15 outputs (displays) a cause message output area 15a in which a cause message is output (displayed), an existence time output area 15b in which the existence time is output (displayed), a missing clock data output area 15c, a back button 15d, an inventory work screen button 15e, and a logout button 15f. In the cause message output area 15a, a sales unprocessed message (sales unprocessed) or a lost message (lost) is output (displayed). By looking at the cause output screen, the cause of the shortage of the clock 14 can be known.

The inventory management system 10 determines that the sales processing of the out-of-stock watch 14 (product) has not been processed by the cloud 11 (server), and outputs (displays) a message on the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals) (communication terminals) outputting (displaying) a message on the out-of-stock watch 14 that has not been processed for sales, thereby enabling the user to know that the cause of the shortage is the unprocessed sales processing, and by performing the sales processing, the cause of the shortage can be eliminated and the shortage can be rectified, while also allowing for accurate inventory to be taken quickly and efficiently.

The inventory management system 10 determines that the sales transaction for the missing watch 14 (product) has been completed by the cloud 11 (server) and the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals) (communication terminals) output a lost message for the missing watch 14, allowing the user to know that the cause of the shortage is loss. By processing the shortage due to loss, the cause of the shortage can be eliminated and the shortage can be rectified, while also allowing for accurate inventory to be performed quickly and efficiently.

Figure 16 is a diagram showing an example of an increased quantity difference output screen output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals), and Figure 17 is a diagram showing another example of an inventory product number output screen output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals). Figure 18 is a diagram showing an example of an increased product data output screen output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals).

When the cloud 11 (server) determines in the quantity difference determination means that the stored identification numbers do not match the transmitted identification numbers of the watches 14 (products) to be stocked, the number of transmitted identification numbers is greater than the stored identification numbers, the quantity difference determined by the quantity difference determination means is positive, and an increase in the number of watches 14 to be stocked relative to the number of watches 14 stored (the quantity difference is positive), the cloud 11 transmits the positive quantity difference to the smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) (quantity difference transmission means). The smartphones 13a to 13c receive the positive quantity difference transmitted from the cloud 11 by the quantity difference transmission means and output (display) the received positive quantity difference on the touch panel 27 (quantity difference output means). The increased quantity difference output screen shown in FIG. 16 is output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c.

The increase quantity difference output screen in FIG. 16 outputs (displays) an output area 16a for the number of watches received (inventory products), an output area 16b for the number of watches to be stocked (products to be stocked), an output area 16c for the difference in the number of increased items, an output button 16d for the inventory product number, an inventory work screen button 16e, a back button 16f, and a logout button 16g. The increase quantity difference output area 16c outputs (displays) the positive number. By looking at the increase quantity difference output area 16c, the user can know the positive difference (missing items) between the number of watches 14 for which the stocking procedure has been completed (watches 14 for which the sales processing procedure has been completed) and the number of watches 14 to be stocked.

When the inventory product number output button on the increase quantity difference output screen in FIG. 16 is tapped, the cloud 11 (server) identifies the product identification number (product identifier) of each of the watches 14 to be inventoryed that corresponds to the identification number (identifier) of the watches 14 (products) to be inventoryed that was transmitted from the RF tag reader 15 by the identifier transmission means (product identifier determination means), and identifies the increased product identifier of the increased watch 14 that corresponds to the identifier of the increased watch 14 (increased product identifier determination means). The cloud 11 transmits the product identification number (product identifier) of each of the watches 14 to be inventoryed that was identified by the product identifier determination means to the smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) (product identifier transmission means), and transmits the increased product identification number (increased product identifier) of the increased watch 14 that was identified by the increased product identifier determination means to the smartphones 13a to 13c (increased product identifier transmission means).

The smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) receive the product identification numbers (product identifiers) of the watches 14 (each product) that are the subject of inventory and the increased product identification numbers (increased product identifiers) of the increased watches 14 that are sent from the cloud 11 (server) by the product identifier sending means and the increased product identifier sending means, and output (display) the received product identification numbers of the watches 14 that are the subject of inventory on the touch panel 27 (product identifier output means), and output (display) the received increased product identification numbers of the increased watches 14 on the touch panel 27 (increased product identifier output means). The inventory product (including increased products) number output screen shown in FIG. 17 is output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c.

The inventory product (including additional items) number output screen in FIG. 17 outputs (displays) the number of watches (products) to be inventoryed (inventory products) output area 17a, the difference in the number of additional items output area 17b, the inventory watch (including additional items) output area 17c, a product data display button 17d, an existence period specification button 17e, an inventory work screen button 17f, a back button 17g, and a logout button 17h.

In the inventory target watch output area 17c, the product identification number (product identifier) of each inventory target watch 14 (product) is output (displayed), and an "NG" message is output (displayed) to a watch 14 whose identification number (identifier) stored in the large-capacity virtual storage area does not match the identification number (identifier) of the inventory target watch 14 transmitted from the smartphones 13a to 13c or the RF tag reader 16 (increase in stock), and an "OK" message is output (displayed) to a watch 14 whose identification number stored in the large-capacity virtual storage area matches the identification number of the inventory target watch 14 transmitted from the smartphones 13a to 13c or the RF tag reader 16. By scrolling the touch panel 27, the product identification numbers (product identifiers) of all inventory target watches 14 can be viewed. By viewing the inventory product output screen, it is possible to know whether the product identification number of each inventory target watch 14 matches the identification number or not (increase in stock).

When an increase in the number of watches 14 being stocked is made relative to the number of watches 14 (products) received, the inventory management system 10 has the cloud 11 (server) send the increased product identification number (increased product identifier) of the identified increased watch 14 to the smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals), and the smartphones 13a to 13c output the increased product identification number of the increased watch 14. This makes it possible to know the increased product identification number of each increased watch 14 when the numbers do not match, and to find the cause of the increase while knowing the increased product identification number of the increased watch 14. By clarifying the cause, the increase can be corrected, and accurate inventory can be performed quickly and efficiently.

To output (display) detailed product data of the increased watch 14 output in the inventory target watch output area 17c of the inventory product number output screen in FIG. 17, tap the increased watch 14 (NG watch 14) output (displayed) in the inventory target watch output area 17c to specify (highlight) the increased watch 14, and then tap the product data display button 17d. When the product data display button 17d is tapped, the cloud 11 (server) identifies the product data of the increased watch 14 that corresponds to the identification number (identifier) of the tapped increased watch 14 (increased product data identification means). The cloud 11 transmits the increased product data of the increased watch 14 identified by the increased product data identification means to the smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) (increased product data transmission means).

The smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) receive the product data of the increased watch 14 (product) transmitted from the cloud 11 (server) by the increased product data transmission means, and output (display) the received product data of the increased watch 14 on the touch panel 27 (increased product data output means). The increased product data output screen shown in FIG. 18 is output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c.

The increased product data output screen in FIG. 18 outputs (displays) an output area 18a for the number of watches received (inventory products), an output area 18b for the number of watches to be stocked, an output area 18c for the difference in the number of increased products, an output area 18d for increased product data, a back button 18e, an inventory work screen button 18f, and a logout button 18g. The increased product data output area 18d outputs (displays) an output area for the product name of the watch 14, an output area for the brand name of the watch 14, an output area for the manufacturing date of the watch 14, an output area for the condition of the watch 14 (excellent, good, fair), an output area for the purchase cost of the watch 14, an output area for a digital image of the watch 14, and an output area for user information of the user (seller) of the watch 14. By looking at the increased product data output screen, detailed product data for the increased watch 14 can be found.

When an increase in the number of watches 14 being stocked occurs relative to the number of watches 14 (products) received, the inventory management system 10 transmits the increased product data of the identified increased watches 14 to the smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) via the cloud 11 (server), and the smartphones 13a to 13c output the increased product data of the increased watches 14. This makes it possible to know the increased product data of each increased watch 14 when the numbers do not match, and to find the cause of the increase while understanding the increased product data of the increased watches 14. By clarifying the cause, the increase can be corrected, and accurate inventory can be performed quickly and efficiently.

Figure 19 is a diagram showing an example of a non-existence period output screen output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals), and Figure 20 is a diagram showing another example of a cause output screen output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals). To check the non-existence period of the increased clock 14 (product), tap the non-existence period identification button 17e on the inventory product (including increased product) number output screen in Figure 17.

When the non-existence period determination button 17e is tapped, the cloud 11 (server) refers to the number difference calculated by each number difference determination means stored in the large-capacity virtual storage area, and while referring to the identification number (identifier) of the increased watch 14 (product) stored in the large-capacity virtual storage area, determines when the increased watch 14 was not present in the number difference determination means performed, and determines the period (implementation date and time when the number difference determination means was performed) until which the increased watch 14 was not present based on at which stage of the number difference determination means performed from the past to the present until which the increase did not occur (non-existence period determination means). The cloud 11 transmits the non-existence period determined by the non-existence period determination means to the smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) (non-existence period transmission means).

The smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) receive the non-existence period of the increased clock 14 (product) transmitted from the cloud 11 (server) by the non-existence period transmission means, and output (display) the received non-existence period on the touch panel 27 (non-existence period output means). The non-existence period output screen shown in FIG. 19 is output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c. The non-existence period output screen in FIG. 19 outputs (displays) a non-existence period output area 19a in which the non-existence period is output (displayed), an increased clock data output area 19b, a cause output button 19c, an inventory work screen button 19d, a back button 19e, and a logout button 19f. By looking at the non-existence period output screen, the non-existence period when the increased clock 14 did not exist can be known.

When an increase in the number of watches 14 to be stocked occurs relative to the number of watches 14 (products) received, the inventory management system 10 transmits the identified non-existence times of the identified increased watches 14 to the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals) via the cloud 11 (server), and the smartphones 13a to 13c output the non-existence times of the increased watches 14. This makes it possible to know the non-existence times of each increased watch 14 when the numbers do not match, and to identify the cause of the increase while understanding the non-existence times of the increased watches 14. By clarifying the cause, the increase can be corrected, and accurate inventory can be performed quickly and efficiently.

To find out the cause of the increase in the number of watches 14 (products), tap the cause output button 19c on the non-existence period output screen in FIG. 19. When the cause output button 19c is tapped, the cloud 11 (server) determines whether the identification number (identifier) of the increased number of watches 14 (products) corresponds to an identification number (identifier) stored in the processing record management database 18 and tagged with a sending processing completion tag, and determines whether the increased number of watches 14 has been sent or not since the non-existence period determined by the non-existence period determination means (sending processing determination means).

When the cloud 11 (server) determines by the sending process determination means that the additional watch 14 (product) has not been sent, it sends a non-sent message for the additional watch 14 to the smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) (non-sent message sending means). The smartphones 13a to 13c receive the non-sent message for the additional watch 14 sent from the cloud 11 by the non-sent message sending means, and output (display) the received non-sent message on the touch panel 27 (non-sent message output means).

When the cloud 11 (server) determines by the sending process determination means that the additional watch 14 (product) has already been sent and an erroneous sending process has been performed, it sends an erroneous sending process message for the additional watch 14 (a message indicating that a sending process has been performed by mistake when the additional watch has not been sent) to the smartphones 13a to 13c (communications terminals) (erroneous sending process message sending means). The smartphones 13a to 13c receive the erroneous sending process message for the additional watch 13 sent from the cloud 11 by the erroneous sending process message sending means, and output (display) the received erroneous sending process message on the touch panel 27 (erroneous sending process message output means).

The cause output screen shown in FIG. 20 is output (displayed) on the touch panel 27 of the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals). The cause output screen in FIG. 20 outputs (displays) a cause message output area 20a in which a cause message is output (displayed), a non-existence time output area 20b in which the non-existence time is output (displayed), an increased clock data output area 20c, a back button 20d, an inventory work screen button 20e, and a logout button 20f. In the cause message output area 20a, an unsent message (unsent) or an erroneous sending processing message (error in sending processing) is output (displayed). By looking at the cause output screen, the cause of the increase in clocks 14 can be known.

In the inventory management system 10, the cloud 11 (server) determines that the increased number of watches 14 (products) have not been sent, and the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals) output (display) a message that the increased number of watches 14 has not been sent, allowing the user to know that the cause of the increase is the non-sent of the watches 14. By sending the watches 14, the cause of the increase can be eliminated and the increase can be rectified, while also allowing for accurate inventory to be taken quickly and efficiently.

The inventory management system 10 determines that the increase in inventory was caused by an erroneous sending process of the increased number of watches 14 (products) through the cloud 11 (server) and outputs an erroneous sending process message for the increased number of watches 14 through the smartphones 13a to 13c (communication terminals), allowing the user to know that the increase in inventory was caused by an erroneous sending process. By canceling the erroneous sending process, the cause of the increase can be eliminated and the increase can be rectified, while also allowing for accurate inventory to be taken quickly and efficiently.

10 Inventory management system 11 Cloud (server)
12 Internet 13a-13c Smartphone (communication terminal)
14. Watches (products)
15 RF tag 16 RF tag reader 17 Stock management terminal (PC)
18 Processing record management database 19 Product information management database 20 RF tag reader/writer 21 Label printer 22 IC chip 23 Storage bag 24 Label sticker 25 Storage box 26 Mailing box 27 Touch panel

Claims (11)

In an inventory management system that manages inventory of multiple products,
The inventory management system is formed from a server, an RF tag attached to each product stored in the warehouse, an RF tag reader that can be connected to the server via a predetermined network, and a plurality of various communication terminals;
the server has an identifier storage means for storing the identifier stored in the RF tag and the product identifier of the stocked product in a correlated state;
The RF tag reader has an identifier reading means for reading all of the identifiers stored in the RF tags attached to the products to be stocked, and an identifier transmission means for transmitting the identifiers of the RF tags read by the identifier reading means to the server,
the server comprises: a quantity difference determining means for comparing the identifier stored by the identifier storage means with the identifier of the product to be counted transmitted from the RF tag reader by the identifier transmitting means, and determining the quantity difference between the number of the received products and the number of the products to be counted; a quantity difference transmitting means for transmitting the quantity difference determined by the quantity difference determining means to the communication terminal; a missing product identifier identifying means for identifying a missing product identifier of the missing product corresponding to the identifier of the missing product when the quantity difference determined by the quantity difference determining means becomes negative and a shortage occurs in the product to be counted relative to the number of the received products; and a missing product identifier transmitting means for transmitting the missing product identifier of the missing product identified by the missing product identifier identifying means to the communication terminal,
An inventory management system characterized in that the communication terminal has a quantity difference output means for outputting the quantity difference transmitted from the server by the quantity difference transmitting means, and a missing product identifier output means for outputting the missing product identifier of each of the missing products transmitted from the server by the missing product identifier transmitting means. 2. The inventory management system as described in claim 1, wherein the server includes a product data storage means for storing various types of product data for the stored products in association with the identifiers stored in the RF tags, a product data identification means for identifying the product data for each of the inventory products corresponding to the identifiers of the inventory products transmitted from the RF tag reader by the identifier transmission means, and a product data transmission means for transmitting the product data for the inventory products identified by the product data identification means to the communication terminal, and the communication terminal includes a product data output means for outputting the product data for each of the inventory products transmitted from the server by the product data transmission means. 3. An inventory management system as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the server includes a missing product data identification means for identifying missing product data of the missing product corresponding to the identifier of the missing product, and a missing product data transmission means for transmitting the missing product data of the missing product identified by the missing product data identification means to the communication terminal, and the communication terminal includes a missing product data output means for outputting the missing product data of the missing product transmitted from the server by the missing product data transmission means. 4. The inventory management system as described in claim 3, wherein the server includes a presence time determination means for determining, when a shortage occurs in a product to be inventoried relative to the number of products received, the period up to which the shortage occurred based on at which stage of each quantity difference determination means executed from the past to the present without the shortage occurring, and a presence time transmission means for transmitting the presence time determined by the presence time determination means to the communication terminal, and the communication terminal includes a presence time output means for outputting the presence time of the product that is out of stock transmitted from the server by the presence time transmission means. 5. The inventory management system as described in claim 4, wherein the server includes a sales processing determination means for determining whether the sales processing of the out-of-stock product has been processed or not processed since the existence period identified by the existence period determination means when a shortage occurs in the product to be inventoryed relative to the number of products stored in the warehouse, and an unprocessed sales message sending means for sending an unprocessed sales message of the out-of-stock product to the communication terminal when the sales processing determination means determines that the sales processing of the out-of-stock product is not processed, and the communication terminal includes an unprocessed sales message output means for outputting the unprocessed sales message of the out-of-stock product sent from the server by the unprocessed sales message sending means . 6. An inventory management system as described in claim 5, further comprising a lost message sending means for sending a lost message of the out-of-stock product to the communication terminal when the server determines by the sales processing determination means that the sales processing of the out-of-stock product has been processed, and the communication terminal includes a lost message output means for outputting the lost message of the out-of-stock product sent from the server by the lost message sending means . An inventory management system as described in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the server includes an increased product identifier identification means for identifying an increased product identifier of the increased product corresponding to the identifier of the increased product when the quantity difference determined by the quantity difference determination means becomes positive and an increase in the product to be inventory occurs relative to the number of products stored in the warehouse, and an increased product identifier sending means for sending the increased product identifier of the increased product identified by the increased product identifier identification means to the communication terminal, and the communication terminal includes an increased product identifier output means for outputting the increased product identifier of each increased product sent from the server by the increased product identifier sending means. 8. An inventory management system as described in claim 7, wherein the server includes an increased product data identification means for identifying increased product data of the increased product corresponding to the identifier of the increased product, and an increased product data transmission means for transmitting the increased product data of the increased product identified by the increased product data identification means to the communication terminal, and the communication terminal includes an increased product data output means for outputting the increased product data of the increased product transmitted from the server by the increased product data transmission means . 9. An inventory management system as described in claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the server includes a non-existence time determination means for determining, when an increase in the product to be inventoryed occurs relative to the number of products received, a time until which the increased product did not exist based on at which stage of each quantity difference determination means implemented from the past to the present until which an increase in the product did not occur, and a non-existence time transmission means for transmitting the non-existence time determined by the non-existence time determination means to the communication terminal, and the communication terminal includes a non-existence time output means for outputting the non-existence time of the increased product transmitted from the server by the non-existence time transmission means. 10. The inventory management system as described in claim 9, wherein the server includes a sending process judgment means for judging whether the increased product has been sent or not sent after the non-existence period identified by the non-existence period identification means when an increase in the product to be inventory occurs relative to the number of products stored in the warehouse, and an unsent message sending means for sending a non-sent message of the increased product to the communication terminal when the sending process judgment means determines that the increased product has not been sent, and the communication terminal includes an unsent message output means for outputting the non-sent message of the increased product sent from the server by the unsent message sending means. An inventory management system as described in claim 10, further comprising an erroneous delivery processing message sending means for sending an erroneous delivery processing message for the increased product to the communication terminal when the server determines through the sending processing judgment means that the increased product has already been sent and an erroneous delivery processing has been performed, and the communication terminal includes an erroneous delivery processing message output means for outputting the erroneous delivery processing message for the increased product sent from the server by the erroneous delivery processing message sending means.

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