The present invention relates to a store management system, a store management method, a computer program and a recording medium that manage a store.
A known system of this type monitors a situation of a store. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a technique/technology of monitoring a display shelf on the basis of an image or video in which the display shelf in the store is recorded. Patent Literature 2 discloses a technique/technology of managing an article information and automatically instructing an operator to replenish merchandise.
As another related technique/technology, Patent Literature 3 discloses a technique/technology of composing or combining handwritten data with an image.
When a store is managed, it is required to give an appropriate work instruction to the operator in accordance with a monitoring result. However, in Patent Literature 1 described above, only an alert notification is given when a store shelf is not detected at a predetermined position, and a specific work instruction method is not mentioned. Patent Literature 2 mentions only about transmitting an instruction information to a portable terminal, and there is room for improvement in terms of accurately conveying instruction contents to the operator.
In view of the problems described above, it is therefore an example object of the present invention to provide a store management system, a store management method, a computer program, and a recording medium that are configured to accurately convey the contents of a work instruction in a store.
A store management system according to an example aspect of the present invention includes: a generation unit that generates an instruction image for conveying a work instruction by superimposing, on a captured image of a store, information about the work instruction related to a target in the captured image; and a transmission unit that transmits the instruction image to an operator to whom the work instruction is to be conveyed.
A store management method according to an example aspect of the present invention includes: a generation step that generates an instruction image for conveying a work instruction by superimposing, on a captured image of a store, information about the work instruction related to a target in the captured image; and a transmission step that transmits the instruction image to an operator to whom the work instruction is to be conveyed.
A computer program according to an example aspect of the present invention allows a computer to execute: a generation step that generates an instruction image for conveying a work instruction by superimposing, on a captured image of a store, information about the work instruction related to a target in the captured image; and a transmission step that transmits the instruction image to an operator to whom the work instruction is to be conveyed.
On a recording medium according to an example aspect of the present invention, the computer program described above is recorded.
According to the store management system, the store management method, the computer program, and the recording medium in the respective example aspects described above, it is possible to accurately convey the contents of a work instruction in a store by transmitting an instruction image on which information about the work instruction is superimposed,
Hereinafter, a store management system, a store management method, a computer program, and a recording medium according to an example embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.
(System Configuration)
Firstly, a configuration of a store management system according to an example embodiment will be described with reference to
In
The camera 10 is configured to image the interior of the store or the periphery of the store. The camera 10 may be one that captures a moving image, or may be one that periodically captures a still image at a constant cycle. There may be a plurality of cameras 10 that are installed for one store. Incidentally, the camera 10 is preferably installed so as not to allow blind spots in the store. If a target monitored (in other words, a target managed) by the store management system 1 is limited, an imaging range may be limited. The captured image captured by the camera is configured to be outputted to the store managing apparatus 20.
The store management apparatus 20 is configured, for example, as a management server. The store management apparatus 20 may correspond to a plurality of cameras 10. Furthermore, the store management apparatus 20 may correspond to a plurality of stores (in other words, the cameras 10 installed in the respective stores). The store management apparatus includes an instruction image generation unit 210 and an instruction image transmission unit 220 as logical processing blocks for realizing the functions.
The instruction image generation unit 210 generates an instruction image for conveying a work instruction to an operator on the basis of the captured image captured by the camera 10, and information about the work instruction inputted from the manager terminal 30. Specifically, the instruction image generation unit 210 generates the instruction image by superimposing the information about the work instruction on the captured image. A specific example of the instruction image will be described in detail later. The instruction image generated by the instruction image generation unit 210 is configured to be outputted to the instruction image transmission unit 220.
The instruction image transmission unit 220 transmits the instruction image generated by the instruction image generation unit 210 to an operator to whom the work instruction is to be conveyed (specifically, an operator terminal 40 possessed by the operator). The instruction image transmission unit 220 is configured to select a terminal to which the instruction image is transmitted, among a plurality of operator terminals 40 and to transmit the instruction image to the terminal. A method of selecting the operator terminal 40 to which the instruction image is transmitted will be described in detail later.
As illustrated in
The CPU 11 reads a computer program. For example, the CPU 11 may read a computer program stored by at least one of RAM 12, ROM 13 and the storage apparatus 14. For example, the CPU 11 may read a computer program stored in a computer-readable recording medium, by using a not illustrated recording medium reading apparatus. The CPU 11 may obtain (i.e., read) a computer program from a not-illustrated apparatus located outside the store management apparatus 20, through a network interface. The CPU 11 controls the RAM 12, the storage apparatus 14, the input apparatus 15, and the output apparatus 16 by executing the read computer program. Especially in the example embodiment, when the CPU 11 executes the read computer program, a functional block for generating and transmitting the instruction image is implemented in the CPU 11. The instruction image generation unit 210 and the instruction image transmission unit 220 described above are implemented in this CPU 11, for example.
The RAM 12 temporarily stores the computer program to be executed by the CPU 11. The RAM 12 temporarily stores the data that is temporarily used by the CPU 11 when the CPU 11 executes the computer program. The RAM 12 may be, for example, a D-RAM (Dynamic RAM).
The ROM 13 stores the computer program to be executed by the CPU 11. The ROM 13 may otherwise store fixed data. The ROM 13 may be, for example, a P-ROM (Programmable ROM).
The storage apparatus 14 stores the data that is stored for a long term by the store management system 1. The storage apparatus 14 may operate as a temporary storage apparatus of the CPU 11. The storage apparatus 14 may include, for example, at least one of a hard disk apparatus, a magneto-optical disk apparatus, an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a disk array apparatus.
The input apparatus 15 is an apparatus that receives an input instruction from a user of the store management system 1. The input apparatus 15 may include, for example, at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel.
The output apparatus 16 is an apparatus that outputs information about the store management system 1 to the outside. For example, the output apparatus 16 may be a display apparatus that is configured to display the information about the store management system 1.
Returning to
The operator terminal 40 is a terminal possessed by an operator (e.g., a store staff, etc.) who performs a work in the store, and is configured, for example, as a personal computer, a tablet, or a smartphone possessed by each of a plurality of operators. The operator terminal 40 is configured to receive and display the instruction image. Incidentally, the operator terminal 40 may be a terminal that also functions as the manager terminal 30. In this case, the operator may be positioned or regarded as the manager.
(Explanation of Operation)
Next, a flow of the operation of the store management system 1 according to the example embodiment will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
Subsequently, the instruction image generation unit 210 determines whether or not there is a work instruction corresponding to the obtained captured image (step S102). The instruction image generation unit 210 determines whether or not there is a work instruction, for example, depending on whether or not there is the information about the work instruction inputted by the manager terminal 30. That is, it is determined that there is a work instruction when the manager who sees the obtained captured image inputs the information about the work instruction, and it is determined that there is no work instruction when the manager who sees the obtained captured image does not input the information about the work instruction.
Alternatively, the instruction image generation unit 210 may determine whether or not there is a work instruction from a result of analysis of the captured image. Specifically, when an abnormality (e.g., out of stock, dirty, a suspicious person, etc.) in a store is automatically detected by the analysis of the captured image, the instruction image generation unit 210 may determine that there is a work instruction. Incidentally, a detailed description of the detection of abnormality using the captured image will be omitted because it is possible to appropriately adopt the existing techniques/technologies.
When it is determined that there is no work instruction (step S102: NO), the subsequent processing is omitted and a series of operation steps is ended. That is, the operation is ended without generating and transmitting the instruction image. In this case, the processing may be restarted from the step S101 after a lapse of a predetermined period.
On the other hand, when it is determined that there is a work instruction (step S102: YES), the instruction image generation unit 210 superimposes the information about the work instruction on the captured image and generates an instruction image (step S103). Then, the instruction image transmission unit 220 transmits the generated instruction image to the operator terminal 40 (step S104).
(Specific Example of Instruction Image)
Next, with reference to
As illustrated in
Incidentally, the information about the work instruction may be inputted by handwriting as illustrated in
(Transmission List)
Next, with reference to
As illustrated in
The manager selects (or checks) a terminal to which the work instruction should be transmitted (in other words, an operator to whom the work instruction should be transmitted) from the above-described transmission list, and taps a share button 130. Then, it is possible to transmit the instruction image only to the selected terminal.
It should be noted that only the terminals of the operators who can handle the work instructions may be displayed on the transmission list. For example, the operator terminal 40 possessed by the store staff who is in service is displayed on the transmission list, whereas the operator terminal 40 possessed by the store staff who is not in service may not be displayed on the transmission list.
(Example of Notification to Operator)
Next, with reference to
As illustrated in
(Sharing Member List)
Next, a sharing member list for the instruction image will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
A confirmed member list 160 may be displayed on the transmitted instruction image. The confirmed member list 160 displays in a list format a member who has confirmed the instruction image (i.e., a member who has actually viewed the instruction image from among holders of the terminals to which the instruction image is transmitted). By confirming the confirmed member list 160, the manager or the operator can confirm whether the instruction image is confirmed (in other words, whether the work instruction is conveyed). In the example in
(Example of Operation by Operator)
Next, with reference to
As illustrated in
As illustrated in
In addition, when multiple users superimpose information on the image as illustrated in
Next, technical effects obtained by obtained by the store management system 1 according to the example embodiment will be described.
As described in
<Example of Application of Store Management System>
Next, a specific example of an application (e.g., a smartphone application) used when using the store management system 1 according to the example embodiment will be described with reference to
(Application Screen Transition Flow)
Firstly, a screen transition flow in an application will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
As described above, when using the store management system 1, it is possible to display the shelf image by subsequently selecting the “store” and the “shelf” after logging into the application. However, when the store management system 1 is used for only one store, the store selection screen may be omitted and the shelf selection screen may be displayed immediately after login. In the case of the present example embodiment, the instruction image with the work instruction superimposed thereon may be displayed as the shelf image.
(Multiple Display Function)
Next, a function of displaying a plurality of images in the application will be described with reference to
By displaying a plurality of shelf images at the same time, for example, it is possible to compare the states of shelves between one store and another store. Thus, it is possible to confirm, for example, a difference in merchandise arrangement with that of an excellent store. In the case of the example embodiment, the instruction image with the work instruction superimposed thereon may be displayed as the plurality of shelf images displayed at the same time.
(Store Comparison Function)
Next, a store comparison function in the application will be described with reference to
As illustrated in
<Supplementary Notes>
With respect to the example embodiment described above, the following Supplementary Notes will be further disclosed.
(Supplementary Note 1)
A store management system described in Supplementary Note 1 is A store management system including: a generation unit that generates an instruction image for conveying a work instruction by superimposing, on a captured image of a store, information about the work instruction related to a target in the captured image; and a transmission unit that transmits the instruction image to an operator to whom the work instruction is to be conveyed.
(Supplementary Note 2)
A store management system described in Supplementary Note 2 is the store management system described in Supplementary Note 1, wherein the captured image is an image of a merchandise display shelf in the store.
(Supplementary Note 3)
A store management system described in Supplementary Note 3 is the store management system described in Supplementary Note 1 or 2, wherein the generation unit receives an input of the information about the work instruction by an instructor, and generates the instruction image on the basis of the captured image and the input from an input unit.
(Supplementary Note 4)
A store management system described in Supplementary Note 4 is the store management system described in Supplementary Note 3, wherein the input unit allows a hand-writing input, and the generation unit generates the instruction image by superimposing handwritten contents on the captured image.
(Supplementary Note 5)
A store management system described in Supplementary Note 5 is the store management system described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 4, wherein the generation unit detects an abnormality in the captured image and generates the instruction image by superimposing information about a work instruction related to the abnormality.
(Supplementary Note 6)
A store management system described in Supplementary Note 6 is the store management system described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 5, further including a display unit that displays a list of the operators who can handle the work instruction, wherein the transmission unit transmits the instruction image to an operator selected from the list.
(Supplementary Note 7)
A store management system described in Supplementary Note 7 is the store management system described in any one of Supplementary Notes 1 to 6, further including an operator terminal possessed by the operator, wherein the operator terminal adds another information that is different from the information about the work instruction, to the instruction image that is transmitted to the operator by the transmission unit.
(Supplementary Note 8)
A store management system described in Supplementary Note 8 is the store management system described in Supplementary Note 7, wherein the operator terminal adds a confirmed information indicating that the operator has confirmed the work instruction, as the another information.
(Supplementary Note 9)
A store management method described in Supplementary Note 9 is a store management method including: a generation step that generates an instruction image for conveying a work instruction by superimposing, on a captured image of a store, information about the work instruction related to a target in the captured image; and a transmission step that transmits the instruction image to an operator to whom the work instruction is to be conveyed.
(Supplementary Note 10)
A computer program described in Supplementary Note 10 is a computer program that allows a computer to execute: a generation step that generates an instruction image for conveying a work instruction by superimposing, on a captured image of a store, information about the work instruction related to a target in the captured image; and a transmission step that transmits the instruction image to an operator to whom the work instruction is to be conveyed.
(Supplementary Note 11)
A recording medium described in Supplementary Note 11 is a recording medium on which the computer program described in Supplementary Note 10 is recorded.
The present invention is not limited to the examples described above and is allowed to be changed, if desired, without departing from the essence or spirit of the invention which can be read from the claims and the entire specification. A store management system, a store management method, a computer program and a recording medium with such changes are also intended to be within the technical scope of the present invention.
To the extent permitted by law, this application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2019-155549, filed Aug. 28, 2019, and incorporates all of its disclosure herein. Also, to the extent permitted by law, all the publications and articles described in the description are incorporated herein by reference.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2019-155549 | Aug 2019 | JP | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/JP2020/029845 | 8/4/2020 | WO |