U.S. patent application number 12/314116 was filed with the patent office on 2009-04-16 for store system.
This patent application is currently assigned to Fujitsu Limited. Invention is credited to Junichi Iijima.
Application Number | 20090099892 12/314116 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11736469 |
Filed Date | 2009-04-16 |
United States Patent
Application |
20090099892 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Iijima; Junichi |
April 16, 2009 |
Store System
Abstract
A store system comprises: store controller 21 incorporating
programs for executing sales and sales management tasks; display 27
for displaying a screen for the execution of a task specified by
each of the programs; first input means for inputting data to store
controller 21 based on an instruction displayed on the screen
produced on the display 27; and second input means for inputting
handwritten or voice memo information to store controller 21. Store
controller 21 requests an operator to select key information to be
appended to the memo information when the operator inputs the memo
information via the second input means, and stores the memo
information, together with the appended key information, in a
storage device within the system.
Inventors: |
Iijima; Junichi; (Kawasaki,
JP) |
Correspondence
Address: |
KRATZ, QUINTOS & HANSON, LLP
1420 K Street, N.W., Suite 400
WASHINGTON
DC
20005
US
|
Assignee: |
Fujitsu Limited
Kawasaki
JP
|
Family ID: |
11736469 |
Appl. No.: |
12/314116 |
Filed: |
December 4, 2008 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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10390021 |
Mar 18, 2003 |
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12314116 |
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PCT/JP00/06388 |
Sep 19, 2000 |
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10390021 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
705/16 ; 704/235;
715/736; 718/100 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 20/202 20130101;
G06Q 20/206 20130101; G06Q 10/06 20130101; G07G 1/14 20130101; G06Q
20/204 20130101; G06Q 20/20 20130101; G06F 16/958 20190101 |
Class at
Publication: |
705/7 ; 715/736;
704/235; 718/100 |
International
Class: |
G06Q 10/00 20060101
G06Q010/00; G06F 3/16 20060101 G06F003/16; G10L 21/06 20060101
G10L021/06; G06Q 30/00 20060101 G06Q030/00; G06F 3/048 20060101
G06F003/048; G06F 9/46 20060101 G06F009/46 |
Claims
1-10. (canceled)
11. A store system comprising: a store controller incorporating
various kinds of programs for executing sales and sales management
tasks; a display for displaying a screen for the execution of a
task specified by each of said various kinds of programs; first
input means for inputting data to said store controller in
accordance with an instruction displayed on the screen produced on
said display; and second input means for inputting memo information
to said store controller, wherein said store controller has a
function to request an operator to select key information to be
appended to said memo information when said operator inputs said
memo information via said second input means, and a function to
store said memo information, together with said appended key
information, in a storage device within said system, wherein said
memo information is handwritten memo information, wherein said
store controller has a function to convert said handwritten memo
information, input by said second input means, into text
information.
12. A store system comprising: a store controller incorporating
various kinds of programs for executing sales and sales management
tasks; a display for displaying a screen for the execution of a
task specified by each of said various kinds of programs; first
input means for inputting data to said store controller in
accordance with an instruction displayed on the screen produced on
said display; and second input means for inputting memo information
to said store controller, wherein said store controller has a
function to request an operator to select key information to be
appended to said memo information when said operator inputs said
memo information via said second input means, and a function to
store said memo information, together with said appended key
information, in a storage device within said system, wherein said
memo information is voice memo information, wherein said store
controller has a function to convert said voice memo information,
input by said second input means, into text information.
13. A store system as claimed in claim 11 or 12, wherein said store
controller has a function to transmit said text information, stored
in said storage device, to a host computer which is connected to
said store system via a communication line.
14. A retail system comprising a headquarters equipped with a host
computer, and a plurality of branch stores connected to said
headquarters via a communication line, wherein said plurality of
branch stores are each equipped with basically the same store
system, and wherein said store system comprises: a store controller
incorporating various kinds of programs for executing sales
management tasks; a display for displaying a screen for the
execution of a task specified by each of said various kinds of
programs; first input means for inputting data to said store
controller in accordance with an instruction displayed on the
screen produced on said display; and second input means for
inputting memo information to said store controller, wherein said
store controller has a function to request an operator to select
key information to be appended to said memo information when said
operator inputs said memo information via said second input means,
and a function to store said memo information, together with said
appended key information, in a storage device within said
system.
15. A retail system as claimed in claim 14, wherein said
headquarters is a convenience store headquarters, and each of said
branch stores is a convenience store.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation application based upon
PCT/JP 00/06388 which was filed on Sep. 19, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a store system to be used,
for example, in a convenience store or the like and, more
particularly, to a store system improved so as to enable store
employees to efficiently communicate with each other in a store or
the like where a plurality of employees are working in staggered
shifts.
[0004] 2. Prior Art
[0005] In a large-scale retail system, for example, a convenience
store system, tens to hundreds of stores (convenience stores), each
equipped with basically the same store system, are linked to the
headquarters via communication lines. Not only the computer system
(store system) but also the work operation is basically the same in
each of these stores.
[0006] Many such convenience stores operate 24 hours a day, 365
days a year, and the store manager or like person cannot be
expected to be in the store around the clock. Besides, as the store
employees are working in staggered shifts, it is difficult to
maintain communication between the employees (including the store
manager) in the store.
[0007] Among the matters to be communicated within the store, those
concerning the work operation must be conveyed smoothly from the
store manager going off shift to an employee coming on shift and
from the employee going off shift to another employee coming on
shift or to the store manager coming on shift. If this
communication is not done properly, trouble may occur in the
progress of work.
[0008] Traditionally, such in-store communication has been carried
out by means of a handwritten memo. For example, the store manager
going home would leave a memo for the employee coming on shift, and
the employee who came to the store after the manager left would see
the memo and do the work in accordance with the manager's
instructions. The same method is also used when the employee going
home reports problems, etc. encountered during the work to the
manager.
[0009] However, such a memo often tends to be misplaced or lost;
furthermore, since the memo is not one presented at the appropriate
stage of the work operation, the employee may forget to carry out
the instructions written on the memo. For example, consider the
case where the store manager has left a message saying "The
cherry-blossom season has come. Be sure to order a little more
1.5-liter PET bottles and rice balls than usual" to the employee
coming to the store after the manager leaves. In this case, there
is no guarantee that the employee who arrives at the store after
the manager leaves will see the memo upon arrival, because such a
handwritten memo tends to be misplaced somewhere. Furthermore, if
the employee did see the memo upon arrival at the store, there is
no guarantee that the employee will recall the contents of the memo
without fail when he or she orders the merchandise, that is, the
PET bottles and rice balls.
[0010] In this way, as there is no guarantee that the instructions
written on the memo will be communicated to the intended person and
carried out without fail, the traditional in-store communication
method replying on handwritten memos has not been reliable enough
as a means for smoothly carrying out the work operation.
[0011] Furthermore, if such memos are accumulated for each store or
for all the stores, and the contents of the memos are classified
and analyzed at a suitable time, they can provide important
know-how information for sales and store management, etc. However,
in the prior art, means for accumulating such memos as information
has not been available, and the memos have been used only as a
temporary information-communication means among employees.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0012] The present invention has been devised in view of the above
situation, and an object of the invention is to provide a novel
store system that can achieve smooth communication within a store
and improve work efficiency by incorporating various kinds of memos
into the store system and organizing them so that they can be
centrally managed in a retail system comprising a headquarters and
a plurality of chain stores.
[0013] To achieve the above object, the present invention provides
a store system comprising: a store controller incorporating various
kinds of programs for executing sales and sales management tasks; a
display for displaying a guide screen for the execution of a task
specified by each of the various kinds of programs; first input
means for inputting data to the store controller in accordance with
an instruction displayed on the screen produced on the display; and
second input means for inputting memo information to the store
controller, wherein the store controller has a function to request
an operator via the display screen to select key information to be
appended to the memo information when the operator inputs the memo
information via the second input means, and a function to store the
memo information, together with the appended key information, in a
storage device within the system.
[0014] The memo information is input by handwriting or voice via a
handwriting input means or a voice input means. Further, when
inputting the memo information, key information to be used as a
search key is appended to raw data of the memo information and
stored in the storage device within the system. The key information
includes, for example, an employee code, a task code, a product
code, or a suitable combination thereof. By appending the key
information to the memo information, it becomes possible to
associate the memo information with the work operation within the
system, and thus the memo information can be output in a timely
fashion at the appropriate stage of the work operation.
[0015] For example, when the memo information is one intended for a
particular employee, the employee code of that employee is appended
as the key information to the memo information and stored in the
system. When the employee for whom the memo is intended comes to
the store and performs a clock-in registration on the store system
(by entering the employee code via a keyboard or by scanning the
employee bar code), the system searches through the storage device
and, if there is any memo information having the corresponding
employee code as the key information, retrieves the memo
information and presents it on the display. In this way, upon
making the clock-in registration, the memo information can be
presented without fail to the intended employee. The memo
information may, of course, be presented by means of voice.
[0016] On the other hand, when the memo is intended for a
particular task, the corresponding task code is appended as the key
information to the memo information and stored in the system. When
any one employee (including the store manager) selects that task in
the system, the system searches through the storage device,
retrieves the memo information having the corresponding task code
as the key information, and presents the memo information on the
display. In this way, when performing the task for which the memo
is intended, the memo is presented without fail to the employee who
is going to perform the task.
[0017] Likewise, when the key information is a product code, the
memo is input to and output from the system in the same manner as
described above. When the key information is a suitable combination
of various kinds of key information, the memo is input to and
output from the system in like manner.
[0018] When the memo is input by handwriting or voice, the memo can
also be converted by an input conversion program into text
information for storing in the storage device within the system. In
this case, when outputting the memo, recognized character
information can be presented for display, rather than presenting
the handwritten or voice memo itself.
[0019] When the memo information stored as text information in the
storage device within the store system has accumulated to a certain
amount, the memo information is transmitted to the headquarters
where the memo information is classified for each store or across
all the stores; by performing various kinds of information
processing on the classified results, know-how concerning sales and
store management, etc. is extracted, based on how a know-how data
base is constructed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0020] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a
convenience store system;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a
store system;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing connections to a store
controller contained in the store system of FIG. 2;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the
store controller of FIG. 3;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the software configuration
of the store controller of FIG. 3;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the flow of data for
inputting memo information;
[0026] FIG. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing the data structure of
the memo information;
[0027] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing combinations of key
information;
[0028] FIG. 9 shows the first half of a flowchart illustrating the
memo information input process;
[0029] FIG. 10 shows the second half of the flowchart, which is a
continuation of the memo information input process shown in FIG.
9;
[0030] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing one example of the flow of data
when outputting the memo information;
[0031] FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the memo information
output process shown in FIG. 11;
[0032] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing another example of the flow of
data when outputting the memo information;
[0033] FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the memo information
output process shown in FIG. 13;
[0034] FIG. 15 shows a flowchart illustrating another example of
the memo information output process;
[0035] FIG. 16 shows a flowchart illustrating still another example
of the memo information output process;
[0036] FIG. 17 shows a flowchart illustrating yet another example
of the memo information output process;
[0037] FIG. 18 shows a flowchart illustrating a further example of
the memo information output process;
[0038] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing the flow of data in a still
further example of the memo information output process;
[0039] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing the flow of data when
constructing a know-how data base by utilizing accumulated memo
information;
[0040] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing one example of a display
screen, and more specifically an initial screen (A-1);
[0041] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing one example of a display
screen, and more specifically an employee registration screen
(A-2);
[0042] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing one example of a display
screen, and more specifically an example of a memo information
input screen (A-3);
[0043] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing one example of a display
screen, and more specifically an example of a screen (A-4) for
appending key information to the memo information;
[0044] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing one example of a display
screen, and more specifically an example of a screen (A-5) for
appending key information to the memo information;
[0045] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing one example of a display
screen, and more specifically an example of a screen (A-6) for
appending key information to the memo information;
[0046] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing one example of a display
screen, and more specifically an example of a screen (A-7) for
appending information concerning a display period to the memo
information;
[0047] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing one example of a display
screen, and more specifically an example of a clock-in registration
screen (B-1);
[0048] FIG. 29 is a diagram showing one example of a display
screen, and more specifically a screen (B-2) showing a list of memo
information;
[0049] FIG. 30 is a diagram showing one example of a display
screen, and more specifically a memo information output screen
(B-3); and
[0050] FIG. 31 is a diagram showing one example of a display
screen, and more specifically a screen (B-4) for performing an
order task.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0051] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a
convenience store system as one example of a retail system to which
the present invention is applied. A plurality of convenience stores
(retail stores, i.e., chain stores) 2a, 2b, . . ., 2n are each
linked via a communication line 3 to a convenience store
headquarters 1 having a host computer 1a. The convenience stores 2a
to 2n are each equipped with a store system having basically the
same configuration. Master registration, etc. of each store system
is performed at the convenience store headquarters 1 connected via
the communication line.
[0052] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the
store system. In the store system, a store controller 21 to which a
printer 22 is connected, POS registers 23a, 23b, . . . , 23n,
handheld terminals 24, appliances 25, etc. are connected via a LAN
25. The store controller 21 is connected to the convenience store
headquarters 1 via the communication line 3.
[0053] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing connections to the store
controller 21. In addition to the printer 22, a display 27 is
connected to the store controller main unit 21a to which are also
connected input means such as a keyboard 28a, a bar code scanner
28b, and a mouse 28c. To input memo information according to the
present invention, there are also connected a handwriting input
means 28d and a voice input means 28e. Either the handwriting input
means or the voice input means need be provided. Though not shown
here, a touch input means may be provided on the display 27.
[0054] FIG. 4 shows the internal configuration of the store
controller main unit 21a. The main unit 21a contains a memory 211,
a hard disk 212, and a display board 213, as in a conventional
computer system; the main unit 21a further contains a communication
board 214 for communication with the convenience store
headquarters, and a LAN board 215 for connection to each POS
register, appliance, etc.
[0055] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the software configuration of
the store controller. As shown, the store controller contains
various control programs 200a for performing main tasks as the
store controller, and business application programs 200b for
performing various business tasks as the convenience store. The
control programs include, as shown, programs for controlling
various input/output devices, programs for performing
communications, and a communication management task program 200c
for carrying out the present invention.
[0056] The operation of the store system having the above
configuration will be described below for the input and output of
memo information.
[0057] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the flow of data when
inputting memo information (a message) to the store system. When an
employee (operator) using the mouse or the like selects a memo
input button displayed on the display 27, the resulting information
is input into the store controller 21, and the communication
management task program 200c is activated. Raw data of the memo
information entered by handwriting via the handwriting input means
is appended with key information in accordance with an instruction
from the communication management task program 200c, and is stored
as communication information data in a storage area provided, for
example, within the hard disk 212. If necessary, text information
is appended to the communication information data by using an input
conversion program 201 which converts the handwritten information
into the text information when the memo information to be input is
a voice memo, an input conversion program for converting voice
information into text information is used.
[0058] FIG. 7 shows one example of the data structure of the
communication information data created in the above manner. As
shown in FIG. 7A, the memo data comprises a header 60, a text data
field (TEXT) 70 carrying the memo contents converted into text
data, and a raw data field (RAW) 80 carrying the raw data of the
input memo contents.
[0059] The structure of the header 60 is shown in FIG. 7B.
Reference numeral 60a indicates a memo number which is the number
(main key) used for uniquely managing the memo, and 60b an operator
code identifying the employee who entered the memo. Reference
numeral 60c is a key designating section which designates the key
combination used. Reference numerals 60d, 60e, and 60f are sections
indicating an employee code, a product code, and a task code,
respectively, as key items. The employee code 60d is a code
identifying a particular employee when the memo is intended for
that particular employee, the product code 60e is a code
identifying a particular product when the memo is intended for that
particular product, and the task code 60f is a code identifying a
particular task when the memo is intended for that particular
task.
[0060] Reference numeral 60g indicates the date and time of the
input, and 60h is a date designating section which designates the
date by which the information is to be presented. If the
information is to be presented on the same date as the input date,
the same date is stored in this section. Reference numeral 60i
indicates a data validity date which designates the validity date
for the memo data (that is, the date at which the data is to be
deleted). Reference numeral 60j is a reply needed/not-needed
section for indicating whether a reply to the memo is needed or
not. If this section is ON and no reply is received, the memo is
output for presentation until the data validity date arrives.
[0061] Reference numeral 60k is a completion section for indicating
whether the memo information has been presented or not. Reference
numeral 601 indicates the information presented date, i.e., the
date at which the memo information was presented. Reference numeral
60n indicates a related memo number which is, for example, the memo
number of a reply memo.
[0062] FIG. 8 shows key information combinations. One of these
combinations is selected and entered in the key designating section
60c in FIG. 7B.
[0063] In one embodiment of the present invention, 1) employee key,
2) task key, and 3) product key are used as the search key
information to be appended to the communication data, as earlier
described. These keys are used singly or in a suitable combination.
There are six possible combinations (1) to (6) as shown. Here, the
product code cannot be specified by itself because, with the
product code alone, the display task cannot be identified.
[0064] The processing flow to be carried out by the communication
management task program 200c when inputting the memo information
according to the present embodiment will be described below with
reference to the flowchart of FIGS. 9 and 10 and the display screen
examples of FIGS. 21 to 27 used when inputting a memo.
[0065] FIG. 21 shows the initial screen (A-1) produced on the
display 27. When inputting a memo, a "MEMO INPUT" button 50 on the
screen is selected in step S1 in FIG. 9. The various buttons
(selection buttons) on the display screen can be selected using
such input means as a touch input, a light pen input, a mouse
click, or a keyboard input; in the system of the present invention,
any of such input means can be used. However, the embodiment
described hereinafter shows the case in which the button selection
is made using a mouse or a keyboard.
[0066] The selection of a task is made on the initial screen (A-1).
When the selection is made, a task screen (for example, the screen
(B-4) to be described later) is brought onto the display. In the
present embodiment, the operator code (employee code) must be
entered before the task screen can be displayed.
[0067] When the MEMO button 50 is selected on either the initial
screen or the task screen in order to input memo information (step
S1 in FIG. 9), it is determined in step S2 whether the initial
screen is displayed on the display 27. When the screen displayed is
the initial screen (A-1) shown in FIG. 21 (YES in step S2), the
display changes to the screen (A-2) shown in FIG. 22, and a window
prompting the operator to input his or her employee code pops up on
the initial screen. In the pop-up window, the employee enters his
or her own code by using the keyboard or the bar code scanner (step
S3).
[0068] On the other hand, when the screen displayed is the task
screen, this means that the employee code is already input as the
application for the task selected on the initial screen is running.
Therefore, the communication management task program acquires the
employee code (step S4).
[0069] Next, in step S5, the code of the currently running task
application and the key being input are acquired. If there is a
task code (YES in step S6), the task code is set (step S7), and it
is determined whether there is a key item being input (step S8). If
there is a key item being input (YES in step S8), the key being
input is set (step S9). This key item is, for example, the product
code of the product at which the cursor is positioned on the
display screen.
[0070] Further, "SAME DAY" is set as the initial value in the
display period section (step S10), and "NOT NEEDED" is set as the
initial value in the reply needed/not-needed section (step S11).
Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S12 where the memo input
screen (A-3) shown in FIG. 23 is produced on the display.
[0071] If the answer is NO in step S6, that is, if there is no task
code, there is no need to acquire the task code key or the key
being input because, in this case, the screen displayed is the
initial screen. When the mouse is clicked on the OK button on the
screen (A-2) shown in FIG. 22, the memo input screen (A-3) shown in
FIG. 23 pops up on the display (step S12). Here, the initial values
"SAME DAY" and "NOT NEEDED" acquired in steps S10 and S11 are shown
on the screen.
[0072] Next, as shown in FIG. 10, it is determined in step S13
whether the memo input operation is to be performed or not. When
the memo input operation is to be performed (YES in step S13), then
it is determined in step S14 whether the employee as the recipient
of the memo is to be specified or not, in step S15 whether the
product selection is to be changed or not, in step S16 whether the
task selection is to be changed or not, in step S17 whether the
display period is to be changed or not, in step S18 whether the
reply needed/not-needed section is to be changed or not, and in
step S19 whether the memo is to be input or not. Here, steps S14 to
S19 can be carried out in any order.
[0073] If the answer is YES in step S14, an employee list from
which to select the recipient of the memo appears as shown on the
screen (A-4) of FIG. 24 when the employee selection button is
selected (step S20). In step S21, the employee as the recipient is
selected from the list. Next, if the product selection is to be
changed in step S15 (YES in step S15), a list of products that can
be selected appears as shown on the screen (A-5) of FIG. 25 when
the product selection button is selected (step S22). Therefore, in
step S23, the product for which the memo is intended is selected
from the product list.
[0074] If the task is to be changed in step S16 (YES in step S16),
a list of tasks that can be selected appears as shown on the
display (A-6) of FIG. 26 when the task selection button is selected
on the screen (step S24); therefore, the task to be selected is
input by clicking on it (step S25).
[0075] If the display period is to be changed in step S17 (YES in
step S17), the period to be specified is input as shown on the
screen (A-7) of FIG. 27 (step S26). If the reply needed/not-needed
section is to be changed in step S18 (YES in step S18), the REPLY
NEEDED button is clicked (step S27). If the memo (message) is to be
input in step S19, the memo is written by hand on a handwriting
input area 51, or the already written memo is modified (step
S28).
[0076] When the handwritten message and the key information and
other necessary information to be appended to the message are input
on the memo input screen as described above then, in step S29, the
program checks whether the minimum required items have been
specified or not; if YES, the memo input screen is closed in step
S30. Thereafter, if necessary, in step S31 the handwritten memo or
voice memo is converted into text information by the input
conversion program, to construct the memo information of the
structure shown in FIG. 7. In step S32, this memo information is
stored in a data base on the hard disk.
[0077] Next, a description will be given of how the memo is output
and utilized.
[0078] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the flow of data when
utilizing the information with the employee code as the key
information. FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating the processing
flow in that case.
[0079] When an employee clocks in or clocks out, the store system
activates a clock-in registration application or a clock-out
registration application to record the clocking in or clocking out
of the employee. The activation of the application is done by
selecting the CLOCK-IN or CLOCK-OUT registration button on the
display screen.
[0080] For example, when the CLOCK-IN registration button 52 is
selected on the initial screen (A-1) (step P1), a clock-in
registration window pops up on the initial screen as shown on the
display screen (B-1) of FIG. 28. When an employee code is entered
in the pop-up window (step P2), the communication management task
program 200c is activated and the employee code is acquired (step
P3). Next, the communication management task program 200c searches
the communication information data base on the hard disk 212 by
using the acquired employee code as the key (step P4).
[0081] When the matching memo information is found as a result of
the search (YES in step P5), the communication management task
program displays the handwritten message in a pop-up fashion by
carrying out the following steps.
[0082] First, it is determined whether there is any message whose
designated date is earlier than today (step P6); if YES, then it is
determined in step P7 whether there is more than one memo message.
If there is more than one memo message (YES in step P7), a list of
the corresponding memo messages is displayed in step P8 on the
display screen (the screen (B-2) of FIG. 29). When a memo is
selected from the list on the screen (B-2) (step P9), the contents
of the memo appear in a pop-up fashion on the screen of the display
27 (the screen (B-3) of FIG. 30, step P10). On the other hand, if
the answer in step P7 is NO, that is, if there is only one memo
message, the process jumps from step P7 to step P10.
[0083] Next, the communication management task program interprets
the instruction that the employee issued by operating a desired one
of the various selection buttons on the screen (B-3), and performs
the necessary processing in accordance with the interpretation. For
example, it is determined in step P11 whether the REPLY button 53
is selected or not; if YES (the button is selected), the display
screen is switched to the memo input screen (step P12), and when
the reply memo input operation is completed, the process returns to
step P5. Further, it is determined whether the TRANSFER button 54
is selected or not (step P13); if it is selected (YES), the display
screen is switched to the memo input screen (step P14) to enable
the selection of an employee to whom the message is to be
transferred.
[0084] Further, it is determined whether the TRASH BIN button 55 is
operated or not (step P15); if it is selected (YES), the display
screen is switched to the memo input screen (step P16) to enable
the operator to change the validity date.
[0085] when the above processing is completed, the process returns
to step P5 to check whether there is any other memo message
remaining; when it is confirmed that there is no message remaining,
the screen is switched back to the initial screen, i.e., the
display state before the selection of the CLOCK-IN registration
button (step P17).
[0086] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing the flow of data when the
key appended to the memo information at the time of the memo input
is a task code, and FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating the
processing flow in that case. First, when the desired task
selection button (for example, the ORDER task) is selected on the
initial screen (A-1) displayed on the display 27 (step R1), the
corresponding task application is activated and, at the same time,
the communication management task program 200c is activated and
automatically acquires the task code (step R2). Thereupon, the
display screen changes to the screen (A-2) to enable the employee
code to be entered (step R3). When the employee code is entered,
the communication management task program searches the
communication information data base on the hard disk 212 by using
the acquired task code as the key (step R4).
[0087] Steps R5 to R16 to be performed after the memo data
searching are the same as the corresponding steps P5 to P16 in the
processing flow of FIG. 12 performed using the employee code as the
key, and therefore will not be described here.
[0088] When all the processing for the output of the memo is
completed, the display screen is switched in step R17 to a screen
for executing the task selected in step R1. An example of the
screen when the task selected in step R1 is the ORDER task for
ordering rice balls is. shown in the screen (B-4) of FIG. 31.
[0089] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the processing flow when the
keys set at the time of the memo input are a task code and a
product code. First, when the desired task selection button is
operated on the initial screen (A-1) (step T1), the corresponding
task application is activated and, at the same time, the
communication management task program is activated and
automatically acquires the task code (step T2). Thereupon, the
display screen changes to the screen (A-2) to enable the employee
code to be entered (step T3).
[0090] When the employee code is entered, the display screen
changes in step T4 to the task screen (for example, the screen
B-4). On this task screen, when the employee positions the cursor
at a product code as part of the task performing operation, the
communication management task program automatically acquires the
product code (step T5). When the task code and the product code are
both acquired in this manner, the communication management task
program automatically starts to search the memo data by using these
codes as the search key information (step T6).
[0091] Steps T7 to T18 to be performed after the memo data
searching are the same as the corresponding steps P5 to P16 in the
processing flow of FIG. 12 performed using the employee code as the
key, and therefore will not be described here.
[0092] When all the processing for the output of the memo is
completed, the process returns to step T7 and, after confirming
that there is no other memo information remaining, the display
screen is switched to a screen for executing the task selected in
step T1 (step T19).
[0093] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing the processing flow when the
keys set at the time of the memo input are an employee code and a
product code. First, when the desired task selection button is
operated on the initial screen (A-1) (step M1), the display screen
changes to the screen (A-2) (step M2) to enable the employee code
to be entered; at the same time, the communication management task
program is activated and automatically acquires the employee code
(step M3).
[0094] When the entry and acquisition of the employee code is
completed, the display screen is switched in step M4 to the task
screen. The screen (B-4) is one example of the task screen. On this
task screen, when the employee positions the cursor at a product
code as part of the task performing operation, the communication
management task program automatically acquires the product code
(step M5). When the task code and the product code are both
acquired in this manner, the communication management task program
200c starts to search the memo data on the hard disk 212 by using
these codes as the keys (step M6).
[0095] Steps M7 to M18 to be performed after the memo data
searching are the same as the corresponding steps P5 to P16 in the
processing flow of FIG. 12 performed using the employee code as the
key, and therefore will not be described here.
[0096] When all the processing for the output of the memo is
completed, the process returns to step M7 and, after confirming
that there is no other memo information remaining, the task screen
is displayed on the display in step M19.
[0097] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing the processing flow when the
keys set at the time of the memo input are an employee code and a
task code. First, when the desired task selection button is
operated on the initial screen (A-1) (step N1), the communication
management task program automatically acquires the task code (step
N2). Next, the display screen changes to the screen (A-2) (step
N3), and when the employee code is entered, the communication
management task program automatically acquires the employee code
(step N4).
[0098] When the task code and the product code are both acquired in
this manner, the communication management task program
automatically starts to search the memo data on the hard disk 212
by using these codes as the keys (step N5).
[0099] Steps N6 to N18 to be performed after the memo data
searching are the same as the corresponding steps P5 to P16 in the
processing flow of FIG. 12 performed using the employee code as the
key, and therefore will not be described here.
[0100] When all the processing for the output of the memo is
completed, the process proceeds to step N19, and the display screen
is switched to the screen (for example, the screen (B-1)) for
executing the task selected in step N1.
[0101] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing the processing flow when the
keys set at the time of the memo input are an employee code, a task
code, and a product code. First, when the desired task selection
button is operated on the initial screen (A-1) (step U1), the
communication management task program automatically acquires the
task code (step U2). Next, the display screen changes to the screen
(A-2) (step U3), and when the employee code is entered, the
communication management task program automatically acquires the
employee code (step U4).
[0102] In step U5, the task screen is displayed on the display 27.
On this task screen, when the employee positions the cursor at a
product as part of the task performing operation, the communication
management task program automatically acquires its product code
(step U6).
[0103] When the employee code, the task code, and the product code
are acquired in this manner, the communication management task
program automatically starts to search the communication
information data base by using these codes as the keys (step U7).
Steps U8 to U19 to be performed after the memo data searching are
the same as the corresponding steps P5 to P16 in the processing
flow of FIG. 12 performed using the employee code as the key, and
therefore will not be described here.
[0104] when all the processing for the output of the memo is
completed, the process returns to step U8 to determine whether
there is any other memo information remaining; when there is no
other memo information remaining, the task screen (for example, the
screen (B-4) of FIG. 31) is displayed on the display 27 in step
U20
[0105] FIG. 19 is a block diagram showing the flow of data when
utilizing the memo information data base to analyze the result of
the task performed in the store. When the employee who is going to
analyze the task enters his or her employee code (ID) and selects
the ANALYSIS task on the display screen, the analysis task
application is activated within the store controller. When the
employee hooks the analysis task application input information
(classification code, product code, etc. set as the key
information) displayed on the screen, the communication management
task program 200c is activated and the communication information
data base on the hard disk 212 is searched by using the key
information as the search key. When the matching key information is
found as a result of the search, the handwritten or voice memo
information is displayed in a pop-up fashion on the input
screen.
[0106] In this way, the employee who is going to perform the
analysis task can automatically obtain the memo information
necessary for the task to be analyzed, without having to rely on
his or her memory.
[0107] FIG. 20 is a block diagram showing the flow of data when the
host computer at the convenience store headquarters constructs a
know-how data base from the communication information data base
maintained at each store.
[0108] As shown, the data stored as text data on the hard disks
212a, 212b, etc. at the respective stores are transmitted via the
communication line to the host computer at the headquarters, where
the data are processed by a know-how extraction program 1c to
extract various kinds of know-how. The data base is constructed by
accumulating the extracted know-how data in a storage device
1b.
[0109] Means for moving the various kinds of information
accumulated as handwritten memos at each store to the headquarters
has not been available in the prior art; in contrast, according to
the present invention, since the memo information is converted into
text information and stored with key information appended thereto
as a data base in a storage device, the information can be easily
transmitted to the host computer at the headquarters. In this way,
the memo information which has previously been no more than a means
of communication between employees can be utilized as an important
information source for sales management.
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