U.S. patent application number 16/879083 was filed with the patent office on 2021-03-04 for information processing apparatus, information processing system, and information processing method.
The applicant listed for this patent is TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA. Invention is credited to Yuki FURUKAWA, Yasuhiro NAKAJIMA, Masaki TOUMORI, Mayuko TSUNODA, Yohei YANASE.
Application Number | 20210067922 16/879083 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004887615 |
Filed Date | 2021-03-04 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210067922 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
FURUKAWA; Yuki ; et
al. |
March 4, 2021 |
INFORMATION PROCESSING APPARATUS, INFORMATION PROCESSING SYSTEM,
AND INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD
Abstract
In accordance with an embodiment, an information processing
apparatus uses a reader for reading tag information from an RF tag
added to each of objects, to thereby manage the objects. The
information processing apparatus includes a display device and a
controller. The controller acquires information for identifying an
allocated range of management of the objects at the information
processing apparatus. The controller causes the display device to
display individual progress information indicating by what degree
of the allocated range reading by the reader has been finished.
Inventors: |
FURUKAWA; Yuki; (Ichihara
Chiba, JP) ; YANASE; Yohei; (Meguro Tokyo, JP)
; TSUNODA; Mayuko; (Yokohama Kanagawa, JP) ;
NAKAJIMA; Yasuhiro; (Izunokuni Shizuoka, JP) ;
TOUMORI; Masaki; (Yokohama Kanagawa, JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TOSHIBA TEC KABUSHIKI KAISHA |
Tokyo |
|
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000004887615 |
Appl. No.: |
16/879083 |
Filed: |
May 20, 2020 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
G06Q 10/087 20130101;
G06K 7/10099 20130101; H04W 4/35 20180201 |
International
Class: |
H04W 4/35 20060101
H04W004/35; G06Q 10/08 20060101 G06Q010/08; G06K 7/10 20060101
G06K007/10 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Aug 27, 2019 |
JP |
2019-154933 |
Claims
1. An information processing apparatus that sends/receives
information to/from a server that comprehensively manages objects,
to thereby manage objects of all the objects to be managed, which
are within an allocated range, the information processing apparatus
comprising: a communication device that sends/receives information
associated with the objects to be managed to/from the server; a
reader that reads, from a radio frequency (RF) tag added to each of
the objects, tag information stored in the RF tag and outputs read
data based on the tag information; a display device that displays a
progress status of management of the objects, which includes a
progress status of reading by the reader; a memory that stores
information regarding the allocated range and the read data from
the reader; and a controller configured to acquire, from the server
via the communication device, information for identifying the
allocated range for managing some of all the objects to be managed,
which are selected, and cause the memory to store the acquired
information as the information regarding the allocated range, cause
the display device to display individual progress information
indicating by what degree of the allocated range reading by the
reader has been finished on a basis of the information regarding
the allocated range and the read data that are stored in the
memory, and update the individual progress information by causing
the memory to store the read data in accordance with reading by the
reader.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the controller sends read data based on tag information
read by the reader to the server via the communication device at a
predetermined timing, and acquires overall progress information
from the server via the communication device, the overall progress
information indicating how many of all the objects to be managed
the reader has read.
3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2,
wherein the controller causes the display device to display the
overall progress information with the individual progress
information.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the controller causes the display device to display a work
screen including the individual progress information and a list
screen that displays a list of information regarding the objects
falling within the allocated range such that a shift from the work
screen to the list screen is capable of being achieved.
5. The information processing apparatus according to claim 4,
wherein the controller causes the display device to display an
operation element that receives an operation for achieving the
shift from the work screen to the list screen, the operation
element being contained in the work screen.
6. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1,
wherein the controller causes the display device to display a chart
showing the individual progress information.
7. An information processing system comprising: a server that
comprehensively manages objects; and an information processing
apparatus that sends/receives information to/from the server, to
thereby manage objects of all the objects to be managed, which are
within an allocated range, the information processing apparatus
including a communication device that sends/receives information
associated with the objects to be managed to/from the server, a
reader that reads, from a radio frequency (RF) tag added to each of
the objects, tag information stored in the RF tag and outputs read
data based on the tag information, a display device that displays a
progress status of management of the objects, which includes a
progress status of reading by the reader, a memory that stores
information regarding the allocated range and the read data from
the reader, and a controller configured to acquire, from the server
via the communication device, information for identifying the
allocated range for managing some of all the objects to be managed,
which are selected, cause the memory to store the acquired
information as the information regarding the allocated range, and
cause the display device to display individual progress information
indicating by what degree of the allocated range reading by the
reader has been finished on a basis of the information regarding
the allocated range and the read data that are stored in the
memory, and update the individual progress information by causing
the memory to store the read data in accordance with reading by the
reader.
8. The information processing system according to claim 7, wherein
the controller sends read data based on tag information read by the
reader to the server via the communication device at a
predetermined timing, acquires overall progress information from
the server via the communication device, the overall progress
information indicating how many of all the objects to be managed
the reader has read, and causes the display device to display the
acquired overall progress information with the individual progress
information.
9. The information processing system according to claim 7, wherein
the controller causes the display device to display a work screen
including the individual progress information and a list screen
that displays a list of information regarding the objects falling
within the allocated range such that a shift from the work screen
to the list screen is capable of being achieved.
10. An information processing method for an information processing
apparatus that sends/receives information to/from a server that
comprehensively manages objects, to thereby manage objects of all
the objects to be managed, which are within an allocated range, the
information processing method comprising: acquiring, from the
server via the communication device, information for identifying
the allocated range for managing some of all the objects to be
managed, which are selected; causing a memory to store the acquired
information as information regarding the allocated range; causing a
reader to read, from a radio frequency (RF) tag added to each of
the objects, tag information stored in the RF tag and causing the
memory to store read data based on the tag information; causing a
display device to display individual progress information
indicating by what degree of the allocated range reading by the
reader has been finished on a basis of the information regarding
the allocated range and the read data that are stored in the
memory; and updating the individual progress information in
accordance with reading by the reader.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is based upon and claims the benefit of
priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No.
2019-154933, filed on Aug. 27, 2019, the entire contents of which
are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
[0002] An embodiment described here generally relates to an
information processing apparatus, an information processing system,
and an information processing method.
BACKGROUND
[0003] From the past, there is an information processing system
that performs inventory management of objects by using radio
frequency (RF) tags added to the objects at a store or the like.
Such an information processing system performs stocktaking work by
reading the RF tags through a tag reading apparatus. The
stocktaking work ends when the number of theoretical inventories
(theoretical count) obtained from object management information
equals to the number of RF tags (reading count) actually read by
the tag reading apparatus for example.
[0004] From the past, a server that accumulates pieces of tag
information read by all tag reading apparatuses used in stocktaking
work is capable of displaying a progress status (overall progress
status) obtained by integrating all pieces of tag information.
However, it is difficult to use each tag reading apparatus for
grasping a progress status (individual progress status) allocated
to the apparatus.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0005] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an information processing system
according to an embodiment.
[0006] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a server
according to the embodiment.
[0007] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a warehouse master
according to the embodiment as a table.
[0008] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of theoretical
inventory information according to the embodiment as a table.
[0009] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a location
numbering rule according to the embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of object management
information according to the embodiment as a table.
[0011] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing an example of a reader and
a portable terminal according to the embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of functional
units of a controller according to the embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing to be
performed by a controller of a portable terminal 500 according to
the embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a menu screen
according to the embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a
person-in-charge input screen according to the embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of a narrowing-down
screen according to the embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an
allocated-range selection screen according to the embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a work screen
before the start of reading according to the embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of the work screen
during time of reading according to the embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the work screen
at the end of reading according to the embodiment.
[0021] FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an example of a suspension
confirmation screen according to the embodiment.
[0022] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of an end
confirmation screen according to the embodiment.
[0023] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a list screen
according to the embodiment.
[0024] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the list screen
according to the embodiment.
[0025] FIG. 21 is a diagram showing an example of a stock number
description screen according to the embodiment.
[0026] FIG. 22 is a diagram showing an example of a search screen
according to the embodiment.
[0027] FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of a stock number
description screen in a case of performing stocktaking using a
barcode according to the embodiment.
[0028] FIG. 24 is a diagram showing an example of the stock number
description screen in a case of performing stocktaking using a
barcode according to the embodiment.
[0029] FIG. 25 is a diagram showing an example of a log-in screen
displayed by a display device of a server 300 according to the
embodiment.
[0030] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing an example of a web stocktaking
screen according to the embodiment.
[0031] FIG. 27 is a diagram showing an example of a detailed screen
according to the embodiment.
[0032] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing an example of a commodity
details screen according to the embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] In accordance with one embodiment, an information processing
apparatus sends/receives information to/from a server that
comprehensively manages objects, to thereby manage objects of all
the objects to be managed, which are within an allocated range. The
information processing apparatus includes a communication device, a
reader, a display device, a memory, and a controller. The
communication device sends/receives information associated with the
objects to be managed to/from the server. The reader reads, from a
radio frequency (RF) tag added to each of the objects, tag
information stored in the RF tag and outputs read data based on the
tag information. The display device displays a progress status of
management of the objects, which includes a progress status of
reading by the reader. The memory stores information regarding the
allocated range and the read data from the reader. The controller
acquires, from the server via the communication device, information
for identifying the allocated range for managing some of all the
objects to be managed, which are selected. The controller causes
the memory to store the acquired information as the information
regarding the allocated range. The controller causes the display
device to display individual progress information indicating by
what degree of the allocated range reading by the reader has been
finished on the basis of the information regarding the allocated
range and the read data that are stored in the memory. The
controller updates the individual progress information by causing
the memory to store the read data in accordance with reading by the
reader.
[0034] An embodiment will be described with reference to the
drawings. In the drawings, identical symbols denote identical or
similar parts. FIG. 1 shows an information processing system 100
according to the embodiment. The information processing system 100
is a system that manages objects (commodities, products) in a
distribution center 1 for example.
[0035] The information processing system 100 includes a warehouse
management system (WMS) 200, a server 300, a reader 400, a portable
terminal 500, an automated guided tunnel gate 600, a terminal 601,
a reading gate 700, a terminal 701, and the like.
[0036] The WMS 200 manages information regarding all objects
acquired from the headquarters 2 via a network 3. The server 300
manages information regarding objects managed with radio frequency
(RF) tags out of the information stored in the WMS 200. It should
be noted that the RF tag is an example of an RF tag. The RF tag is
an IC tag according to a technology that exchanges information by
radio frequency identification (RFID), i.e., short-distance
wireless communication using radio waves.
[0037] The reader 400 is an apparatus that communicates with an RF
tag added to an object. The reader 400 reads tag information stored
in the RF tag from the RF tag through wireless communication with
the RF tag. The reader 400 may be a reader/writer also capable of
writing information in the RF tag through wireless communication.
For example, the reader 400 is a hand-held RFID reader/writer.
[0038] The portable terminal 500 is an example of an information
processing apparatus. The portable terminal 500 is a smartphone, a
tablet PC, a portable phone, a personal digital assistant (PDA),
for example. A tag reading apparatus used for stocktaking
(inventory management) work includes the reader 400 and the
portable terminal 500 mounted on the reader 400. A single tag
reading apparatus may be employed or a plurality of tag reading
apparatuses may be employed.
[0039] The automated guided tunnel gate 600 reads tag information
from an RF tag added to an object conveyed on a conveyor and
outputs read data based on the read tag information to the terminal
601. The terminal 601 is a general personal computer (PC) for
example.
[0040] The reading gate 700 reads the tag information from the RF
tag added to the object placed on a passing cart or the like and
outputs the read data based on the read tag information to the
terminal 701. The terminal 701 is a general PC for example.
[0041] Hereinafter, a description will be given, assuming that the
information processing system 100 according to the embodiment is
used at an apparel shop that sells clothes and the like as an
example of the store. The information processing system 100
according to the embodiment can be applied as long as it is a
system that manages objects with RF tags added to the objects. The
information processing system 100 may be used at a store that sells
commodities other than clothes for example.
[0042] FIG. 2 shows an example of the server 300. As shown in FIG.
2, the server 300 includes a controller 310, a memory 320, a
wireless communication device 330, and the like. Moreover, the
server 300 includes a display device 340 (a liquid-crystal display
and the like) and an operation device 350 (a keyboard, a pointing
device, and the like) like a general computer for example.
[0043] The controller 310 includes a central processing unit (CPU)
311, a read only memory (ROM) 312, and a random access memory (RAM)
313 for example. The CPU 311 is a processor and executes programs.
The ROM 312 is a program memory and stores various types of
programs and control data. The RAM 313 is a working memory and used
for loading various types of data. The CPU 311 is connected to the
ROM 312, the RAM 313, and the memory 320 via a data bus. The
controller 310 comprehensively controls the respective blocks by
the CPU 311 reading programs stored in the ROM 312 into the RAM 313
and executing the read programs.
[0044] The memory 320 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The
memory 320 includes an HDD, a flash memory, and the like in which
stored information is retained also after it is powered off for
example. The memory 320 stores a control program or control data
and the like. For example, a control program can be installed as
appropriate into the memory 320.
[0045] The memory 320 stores a warehouse master 321, theoretical
inventory information 322, and management information 323. FIG. 3
shows an example of information included in the warehouse master
321 stored in the memory 320 as a table. As shown in FIG. 3, the
memory 320 has stored information regarding a warehouse code, a
warehouse name, an authentication, data generation date and time, a
data deletion flag, and the like for example as the warehouse
master 321.
[0046] The warehouse code is identification information for
uniquely identifying a warehouse. The warehouse code includes a
number with a predetermined number of digits for example. The
warehouse name is the name of the warehouse with which the
warehouse code of the same record is associated. The authentication
key is a password (a warehouse key) entered on a log-in screen of
the warehouse indicated by the warehouse code of the same record.
The data generation date and time are generation date and time of
the record (master data). The data deletion flag is a flag
indicating whether or not the record has been deleted. The data
deletion flag is "TRUE" if the record has been deleted or "FALSE"
if not.
[0047] FIG. 4 shows an example of information contained in the
theoretical inventory information 322 stored in the memory 320 as a
table. As shown in FIG. 4, the memory 320 has stored information
regarding a management code, a warehouse code, a floor code, an
area code, a location, a JAN code, the inventory count, inventory
information date and time, and the like for example as the
theoretical inventory information 322.
[0048] The management code is a unique code for uniquely
identifying each record. The warehouse code is identical to the
warehouse code stored in the warehouse master 321. The warehouse
code is identification information for uniquely identifying a
warehouse and includes a number with a predetermined number of
digits for example. The floor code is identification information
for uniquely identifying a floor. The floor code includes a number
with a predetermined number of digits for example. The floor code
is managed by a floor master (not shown). The area code is
identification information for uniquely identifying an area. The
area code includes a number with a predetermined number of digits
for example. The area code is managed by an area master (not
shown).
[0049] The location is identification information for identifying a
location number within a warehouse. FIG. 5 shows an example of a
location numbering rule. For example, it is assumed that three
racks with three levels are arranged next to one another in an
aisle with an area code "B" on a certain floor. In this case, a
location at the top level (third from the bottom) on the deepest
side (third bay from the front) is expressed as "B-03-3" for
example.
[0050] The JAN code is a JAN code indicating an object in stock.
The inventory count is the theoretical inventory count in the
location of the same record, which relates to the object with that
JAN code. The inventory information date and time are generation
date and time of that record (inventory information data).
[0051] FIG. 6 shows an example of information contained in the
object management information 323 stored in the memory 320 as a
table. The object management information 323 is updated on the
basis of information indicating a result of stocktaking work which
is acquired from each portable terminal 500 (e.g., read data and
the like based on tag information of RF tags).
[0052] As shown in FIG. 6, the memory 320 has stored a management
code, a warehouse code, a floor code, an area code, a location, a
JAN code, a reading count, a theoretical count, an adjustment
count, an actual inventory count, stocktaking information date and
time, person-in-charge code, and the like for example as the object
management information 323. The management code, the warehouse
code, the floor code, the area code, the location, and the JAN code
are similar to those described above, and thus detailed
descriptions thereof will be omitted. It should be noted that the
theoretical inventory information 322 and the object management
information 323 are made to correspond to each other with the
management code.
[0053] The reading count is a value based on read data acquired
from the portable terminal 500. The theoretical count is the
theoretical inventory count of an object. The adjustment count is
the number of objects not contained in the read data due to a RF
tag error or the like but confirmed to be in stock for example. The
actual inventory count is the sum of the reading count and the
adjustment count.
[0054] The stocktaking information date and time are date and time
at which stocktaking in the location of the same record was
performed. The person-in-charge code is identification information
for uniquely identifying a person-in-charge and includes a number
with a predetermined number of digits for example.
[0055] The wireless communication device 330 is a communication
interface for communicating with the portable terminal 500. For
example, the wireless communication device 330 performs wireless
communication by using a region where the stocktaking work is
performed (e.g., a place of objects in stock or the like within the
warehouse) as the communication range.
[0056] The controller 310 transfers an instruction to the portable
terminal 500 via the wireless communication device 330 when
starting the stocktaking work for example. The instruction includes
information (information regarding an allocated range) of the
theoretical inventory information 322, the information regarding an
object(s) that should be present in an area selected as a target of
stocktaking.
[0057] Moreover, the wireless communication device 330 receives the
information (read data) indicating a result of stocktaking work
from each portable terminal 500. The controller 310 acquires read
data from a plurality of portable terminals 500 via the wireless
communication device 330 for example. The controller 310 updates
the object management information 323 stored in the memory 320 by
performing double check or the like on the acquired read data.
[0058] FIG. 7 shows an example of the reader 400 and the portable
terminal 500. As shown in FIG. 7, the reader 400 includes a
controller 410, a memory 420, a portable terminal interface (I/F)
430, a communication control device 440, an antenna 441, a battery
450, and the like. Moreover, the portable terminal 500 includes a
controller 510, a memory 520, a reader I/F 530, a wireless
communication device 540, a battery 550, a display device 560, an
operation device 570, a speaker 580, and the like.
[0059] The controller 410 of the reader 400 includes a CPU 411, a
ROM 412, and a RAM 413 for example. The CPU 411 is a processor and
executes programs. The ROM 412 is a program memory and stores
various types of programs and control data. The RAM 413 is a
working memory and used for loading various types of data. The CPU
411 is connected to the ROM 412, the RAM 413, and the memory 420
via a data bus. The controller 410 comprehensively controls the
respective blocks by the CPU 411 reading programs stored in the ROM
412 into the RAM 413 and executing the read programs.
[0060] The memory 420 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The
memory 420 includes a flash memory or the like in which stored
information is retained also after it is powered off for example.
The memory 420 stores a control program or control data and the
like. For example, a control program can be installed as
appropriate into the memory 420.
[0061] The portable terminal I/F 430 is a communication interface
for communicating with the portable terminal 500. The portable
terminal I/F 430 is communicably connected to the reader I/F 530 of
the portable terminal 500. The portable terminal I/F 430 sends to
the portable terminal 500 read data based on tag information output
by the communication control device 440 (information stored in the
RF tag, which is an example of information indicating a result of
stocktaking work).
[0062] The communication control device 440 connects to the antenna
441. The communication control device 440 wirelessly communicates
with the RF tag via the antenna 441. The antenna 441 emits radio
waves in accordance with the control of the communication control
device 440 and receives the tag information as response waves from
the RF tag that has received those radio waves. The antenna 441
outputs the received tag information to the communication control
device 440.
[0063] In the embodiment, RF tags added to objects to be managed
store electronic product code (EPC) data (tag information)
including information to be described later. For example, the
communication control device 440 emits radio waves for sending a
"response request" to request tag information to an RF tag added to
an object such as clothes via the antenna 441. The RF tag is
activated with received radio waves and sends the tag information
stored in that RF tag with response radio waves. The communication
control device 440 receives response radio waves from the RF tag
via the antenna 441. The communication control device 440 reads the
tag information from the RF tag in accordance to a predetermined
standard. For example, the standard for wireless communication with
the RF tag is ISO/IEC 18000-6 TypeC (EPC global Class1 Generation2)
or the like. The communication control device 440 causes the RAM
413 or the memory 420 to store the read data based on the tag
information contained in the received response radio waves.
[0064] The battery 450 supplies the respective blocks of the reader
400 with electric power.
[0065] The controller 510 of the portable terminal 500 includes a
CPU 511, a ROM 512, and a RAM 513 for example. The CPU 511 is a
processor and executes programs. The ROM 512 is a program memory
and stores various types of programs and control data. The RAM 513
is a working memory and used for loading various types of data. The
CPU 511 is connected to the ROM 512, the RAM 513, and the memory
520 via a data bus. The controller 510 comprehensively controls the
respective blocks by the CPU 511 reading programs stored in the ROM
512 into the RAM 513 and executing the read programs.
[0066] The memory 520 is a rewritable nonvolatile memory. The
memory 520 includes a flash memory or the like in which stored
information is retained also after it is powered off for example.
The memory 520 stores a control program or control data and the
like. For example, a control program can be installed as
appropriate into the memory 520. Moreover, the memory 520 stores
data transferred from the server 300 and the like.
[0067] The memory 520 has stored an instruction 522 and management
information 523. The instruction 522 is transferred from the server
300 when starting the stocktaking work. The instruction 522
includes information of the theoretical inventory information 322,
which relates to an object(s) that should be present in an area
selected as a target of stocktaking.
[0068] The management information 523 is data used for updating the
management information 323. The management information 523 includes
read data in format conforming to the management information
323.
[0069] The reader I/F 530 is a communication interface for
communicating with the reader 400. The reader I/F 530 is
communicably connected to the portable terminal I/F 430 of the
reader 400. The controller 510 sends/receives various types of
information including remaining battery charge information to/from
the reader 400 via the reader I/F 530. The reader I/F 530 receives
the tag information (read data) from the reader 400. The controller
510 acquires the tag information from the reader 400 through the
reader I/F 530. The controller 510 performs double check or the
like on the tag information contained in the acquired read data and
causes the memory 520 to store the acquired tag information (read
data) as the management information 523.
[0070] Here, it is sufficient that the reader I/F 530 and the
portable terminal I/F 430 are capable of performing communication
connection with each other. The reader I/F 530 and the portable
terminal I/F 430 may be wireless communication interfaces or may be
contact type interfaces. The portable terminal I/F 430 and the
reader I/F 530 may be interfaces that are communicably connected to
each other through near field communication (NFC) for example.
[0071] The wireless communication device 540 is a communication
interface for communicating with the server 300 and the like. For
example, the wireless communication device 540 wirelessly
communicates with a region where the stocktaking work is performed
(e.g., the place of objects in stock or the like within the
warehouse) as the communication range. For starting the stocktaking
work for example, the wireless communication device 540 receives
from the server 300 a transferred instruction including information
regarding an object that is a target of stocktaking performed by
itself (portable terminal 500). Moreover, the controller 510 sends
information indicating a result of stocktaking work, which has been
accumulated in the memory 520, to the server 300 through the
wireless communication device 540 at a predetermined timing. For
example, the wireless communication device 540 sends to the server
300 read data (tag information) of an RF tag, input information
entered by an operator, and the like as the information indicating
the result of stocktaking work.
[0072] A battery 550 supplies the respective blocks of the portable
terminal 500 with electric power. The display device 560 is a
display device such as a liquid-crystal display for example and
displays information for the operator on the display screen. The
operation device 570 is a touch panel superimposed on the display
device 560 for example and receives an operation such as
information input according to the display of the display device
560. It should be noted that the operation device 570 may include a
mechanical hard key. The speaker 580 functions as an informing
unit. The speaker 580 has a function of making a buzzing sound for
example. The speaker 580 makes a buzzing sound as a sound for
alerting the operator.
[0073] FIG. 8 shows an example of the functional units of the
controller 510. The controller 510 functions as a selecting unit
501, an acquisition unit 502, a reading unit 503, an updating unit
504, and a transmission unit 505 by executing the program.
[0074] The selecting unit 501 receives selection of a target of
stocktaking (allocated range). The acquisition unit 502 acquires
information regarding an object included in the allocated range
selected by the selecting unit 501 out of the theoretical inventory
information 322 stored in the server 300. The acquisition unit 502
causes the memory 520 to store the information regarding the
acquired objects as the instruction. Here, the instruction is an
example of information for identifying an allocated range selected
to include some of the objects to be managed.
[0075] The reading unit 503 controls the reader 400 that reads an
RF tag in accordance with an operator's operation and starts,
suspends, or terminates tag reading. The updating unit 504 updates
the individual progress information in accordance with tag reading
and reflects the updated individual progress information regarding
the screen. Here, the individual progress information is
information indicative of by what degree of the allocated range
reading by the reader 400 has been finished.
[0076] The transmission unit 505 sends to the server 300 the read
data based on the tag information read by the reader 400 under the
control of the reading unit 503 at a predetermined timing. More
specifically, the transmission unit 505 sends to the server 300 the
tag information (read data) stored in the memory 520 after the end
of tag reading of the reader 400 under the control of the reading
unit 503.
[0077] FIG. 9 shows an example of processing of performing the
controller 510 of the portable terminal 500. This processing will
be described with reference to various screens (FIGS. 10 to 24)
displayed by the display device 560 of the portable terminal
500.
[0078] As shown in FIG. 9, in Step S1, the controller 510 causes
the display device 560 to display a menu screen. FIG. 10 shows an
example of the menu screen. As shown in FIG. 10, the menu screen
includes a button 801 for activating a stocktaking application and
buttons for activating various other applications. An operation
received by each button is entered into the controller 510 via the
operation device 570 (touch panel).
[0079] The controller 510 waits for reception of an operation
through the operation device 570 (No in Step S2). In a case where
the controller 510 determines that the button 801 receives the
operation on the menu screen (Yes in Step S2), the processing of
the controller 510 proceeds to Step S3. In Step S3, the controller
510 causes the display device 560 to display a person-in-charge
input screen. FIG. 11 shows an example of the person-in-charge
input screen. As shown in FIG. 11, the person-in-charge input
screen includes a person-in-charge code entry field 802 and an OK
button 803. The person-in-charge code entry field 802 receives
input of the person-in-charge code which is identification
information for identifying a person-in-charge (operator).
[0080] The controller 510 waits for reception of input and
operation via the operation device 570 (No in Step S4). In a case
where the controller 510 determines that the person-in-charge code
is entered into the person-in-charge code entry field 802 and the
OK button 803 receives the operation (Yes in Step S4), the
processing of the controller 510 proceeds to Step S5. In Step S5,
the controller 510 causes the display device 560 to display a
narrowing-down screen. FIG. 12 shows an example of the
narrowing-down screen. As shown in FIG. 12, the narrowing-down
screen includes a floor selection portion 804, an area selection
portion 805, and an OK button 806. The floor selection portion 804
receives floor selection from a pull-down menu. The area selection
portion 805 receives area selection from the pull-down menu.
[0081] The controller 510 waits for reception of selection and an
operation via the operation device 570 (No in Step S6). In a case
where the controller 510 determines that the floor and the area are
selected and the OK button 806 receives the operation (Yes in Step
S6), the processing of the controller 510 proceeds to Step S7. In
Step S7, the controller 510 causes the display device 560 to
display the allocated-range selection screen. FIG. 13 shows an
example of the allocated-range selection screen. As shown in FIG.
13, the allocated-range selection screen displays one or more
allocated ranges included in the floor and the area selected on the
narrowing-down screen that is the previous screen as a list.
Selection keys 807 are displayed in each row of the list as shown
in FIG. 13.
[0082] It should be noted that except for the allocated ranges
whose status (described later) is "Already written" or "Complete",
the allocated-range selection screen shown in FIG. 13 displays only
allocated ranges whose status is "Not performed" or "Now
performing". The status "Already written" indicates that the
stocktaking work has been already completed and a result has been
reflected on the WMS 200. Moreover, the status "Complete" indicates
that the stocktaking work has been completed. Moreover, the status
"Not performed" indicates that the stocktaking work is not
performed. Then, the status "Now performing" indicates that the
stocktaking work is being performed.
[0083] The controller 510 waits for selection via the operation
device 570 (No in Step S8). In a case where the controller 510
determines that any one of the selection keys 807 receives an
operation (Yes in Step S8), the processing of the controller 510
proceeds to Step S9. In Step S9, the controller 510 acquires from
the server 300 the theoretical inventory in the allocated range
indicated by a row corresponding to the selection key 807 that has
received the operation. Moreover, the controller 510 acquires from
the server 300 a stocktaking progress status (overall progress
status) of the entire warehouse including the allocated range
indicated by the row corresponding to the selection key 807 that
has received the operation. Moreover, the controller 510 acquires
from the server 300 the number of portable terminals 500 currently
performing stocktaking in the warehouse. Subsequently, in Step S10,
the controller 510 displays the work screen used for
stocktaking.
[0084] Here, the work screen will be described before the steps
following Step S10 is described. FIGS. 14 to 16 each show an
example of the work screen used for stocktaking. FIG. 14 is a work
screen in a state before the start of reading, FIG. 15 is a work
screen in a state during time of reading, and FIG. 16 shows a work
screen in a state at the end of reading. For example, the work
screen includes an individual progress display field 810 and an
overall progress display field 820 as shown in FIG. 14. Moreover,
the work screen shown in FIG. 14 includes various buttons 831 to
836.
[0085] As shown in FIG. 14, the individual progress display field
810 displays an allocated area 811, a total reading count 812, a
reading count 813, a theoretical count 814, percentage 815, and a
circle chart 816. The allocated area 811 indicates the name of an
area which the portable terminal 500 is in charge of.
[0086] The total reading count 812 indicates the total number of RF
tags read by the reader 400 connected to the portable terminal 500.
The reading count 813 indicates the number of RF tags of the RF
tags read by the reader 400 connected to the portable terminal 500,
which excludes RF tags read two or more times and RF tags other
than targets. The theoretical count 814 indicates the number of
objects which the portable terminal 500 is in charge of (i.e., the
number of RF tags that have to be read).
[0087] The percentage 815 indicates a value indicating what
percentage of the theoretical count 814 the reading count 813 is.
The circle chart 816 indicates the percentage 815 as a circle
chart.
[0088] The display of the individual progress display field 810 is
updated every time the management information 523 is updated during
the time of reading of RF tags.
[0089] The overall progress display field 820 displays percentage
821, a bar chart 822, an update time 823, and the number of
terminals 824. The percentage 821 indicates a value indicative of
what percentage of stocktaking in the entire warehouse, which is
currently performed by the portable terminal 500, has been
finished. The bar chart 822 indicates the percentage 821 as a bar
chart. The update time 823 is a time at which various types of
information (overall progress information) to be displayed in the
overall progress display field 820 is acquired from the server 300.
Such a time is a time in Step S9 of FIG. 9. It should be noted that
the overall progress information is information indicative of how
many objects of all objects to be managed have been read. The
number of terminals 824 indicates the number of portable terminals
500 currently performing stocktaking in the warehouse (the number
of portable terminals 500 in Step S9 of FIG. 9).
[0090] The work screen before the start of reading, which is shown
in FIG. 14, includes a reading start button 831, a theoretical
inventory button 832, a list screen button 833, a suspension button
834, and a reading end button 835. The reading start button 831
becomes a reading stop button 836 after the start of reading (see
FIG. 15 or 16). An operation received by each button 831 to 836 is
entered into the controller 510 via the operation device 570 (touch
panel).
[0091] When the reading start button 831 receives an operation, the
controller 510 causes the reader 400 to start the work of reading
tag information of RF tags by causing the antenna 441 to emit radio
waves. When the reading stop button 836 (see FIG. 15 or 16)
receives an operation, the controller 510 causes the reader 400 to
temporarily stop reading of the tag information of the RF tags by
causing the antenna 441 to stop emitting radio waves.
[0092] When the theoretical inventory button 832 receives an
operation, the controller 510 switches the operation modes of the
reader 400 and the portable terminal 500 to readable modes,
focusing on the theoretical inventory to be worked. That is, when
the operation modes of the reader 400 and the portable terminal 500
are switched to the readable modes, the controller 510 does not
store in the memory 520 read data based on tag information of RF
tags which are absent in the theoretical inventory out of the tag
information entered through the reader 400.
[0093] When the suspension button 834 receives an operation, the
controller 510 stops emission of radio waves of the antenna 441 to
thereby cause the reader 400 to suspend reading of the tag
information of the RF tag. Moreover, in a case where the suspension
button 834 receives an operation, the controller 510 causes the
display device 560 to display a suspension confirmation screen
(pop-up screen). FIG. 17 shows an example of the suspension
confirmation screen. The suspension confirmation screen shown in
FIG. 17 includes a text 841, a No button 842, and a Yes button
843.
[0094] The text 841 indicates a description of a confirmation item
for suspension of reading and is "Are you sure you want to suspend
reading work? Current data will be saved." for example. The No
button 842 receives an operation to reject the confirmation item of
the text 841. The Yes button 843 receives an operation to accept
the confirmation item of the text 841. When the Yes button 843
receives an operation, the controller 510 saves the read data (tag
information) that has been entered through the reader I/F 530 in
the nonvolatile memory 520.
[0095] When the reading end button 835 receives an operation, the
controller 510 causes the antenna 441 of the reader 400 to
terminate emission of radio waves and causes the reader 400 to
terminate reading of the RF tag. Moreover, when the reading end
button 835 receives an operation, the controller 510 causes the
display device 560 to display the end confirmation screen (pop-up
screen). FIG. 18 shows an example of the end confirmation screen.
The end confirmation screen shown in FIG. 18 includes a text 851, a
No button 852, and a Yes button 853.
[0096] The text 851 indicates a description of a confirmation item
for reading end and is "Are you sure you want to fix stocktaking
and send data?" for example. The No button 852 receives an
operation to reject the confirmation item of the text 851. The Yes
button 853 receives an operation to accept the confirmation item of
the text 851. When Yes button 853 receives an operation, the
controller 510 sends to the server 300 the read data (tag
information) that has been entered through the reader I/F 530 and
saved in the nonvolatile memory 520.
[0097] The list screen button 833 shown in FIG. 14 is a link that
receives an operation for causing the display device 560 to display
a list screen. FIGS. 19 and 20 each show an example of the list
screen. The list screen displays a management code of objects which
the portable terminal 500 is in charge of. In each row 861 of the
list screen shown in FIG. 19, a reading count/theoretical count 862
of an object uniquely identified with each management code is also
displayed.
[0098] When the select button 863 receives an operation, the
controller 510 waits for an operation of selecting the row 861.
When any one of the rows 861 is selected, a selection mark 864 is
displayed in the selected row as shown in FIG. 20. Moreover, when a
select button 863 shown in FIG. 19 receives an operation, a
selection release button 865 is displayed instead of the select
button 863 as shown in FIG. 20.
[0099] Moreover, a re-work button 866 is displayed on the list
screen shown in FIG. 20 such that the re-work button 866 can be
operated. When the re-work button 866 receives an operation, the
controller 510 initializes read data in the selected row.
[0100] A selection key 867 is displayed in each row of the list
screen shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. When any one of selection keys 867
receives an operation, the controller 510 causes the display device
560 to display the stock number description screen displaying
detailed information of an object indicated by a management code in
that row. FIG. 21 shows an example of the stock number description
screen. The stock number description screen shown in FIG. 21
displays a reading count/theoretical count 871 of the object
indicated by the management code besides a commodities code, a
commodities name, a management code, various sorts. Moreover, the
stock number description screen displays the serial number of each
RF tag in a display field 872. A selection key 873 that receives an
operation of selecting each row is provided in each row of the
serial number.
[0101] When the selection key 873 receives an operation, the
controller 510 switches the operation modes of the reader 400 and
the portable terminal 500 to the modes to search for the RF tag of
the corresponding serial number. On the search modes, the
controller 510 causes the display device 560 to display a search
screen. FIG. 22 shows an example of the search screen. The search
screen includes a search start button 881, an end button 882, and a
position guide display portion 883. When the search start button
881 receives an operation, the controller 510 searches for a target
RF tag. When the end button 882 receives an operation, the
controller 510 causes the display device 560 to display the stock
number description screen shown in FIG. 21 again.
[0102] In addition, the stock number description screen shown in
FIG. 21 includes a search link 874. When the search link 874
receives an operation, the controller 510 causes the display device
560 to display the search screen. In a case where the screen of the
display device 560 shifts to the search screen in accordance with
an operation on the search link 874, the controller 510 switches
the operation modes of the reader 400 and the portable terminal 500
to modes to search for those of the objects displayed on the stock
number description screen, which have not been read.
[0103] FIGS. 23 and 24 each show an example of the stock number
description screen in a case of performing stocktaking using a
barcode. While the stock number description screen is displayed,
the controller 510 also enables stocktaking using a barcode to be
performed. Moreover, the number of items read can also be entered
on the stock number description screen as shown in FIG. 23. When
the number of items read is entered, the word "barcode" and the
number of items read are displayed together in the display field
872 of the serial number as shown in FIG. 24.
[0104] Now referring back to FIG. 9, descriptions following Step
S10 will be made. While the work screen is displayed, the
controller 510 waits for an operation via the operation device 570
(No in Step S11). In a case where the controller 510 determines
that the reading start button 831 receives the operation (Yes in
Step S11), the processing of the controller 510 proceeds to Step
S12. In Step S12, the controller 510 causes the reader 400 to start
reading of the tag information of the RF tag. Subsequently, in Step
S13, the controller 510 updates the management information 523 on
the basis of the read data (tag information or the like) entered
through the reader 400 and reflects the management information 523
on the display of the individual progress display field 810.
[0105] Subsequently, in Step S14, the controller 510 determines
whether or not reading of the tag information of the RF tag in the
allocated range has been completed. In a case where the controller
510 determines that reading of the tag information of the RF tag in
the allocated range has not been completed (No in Step S14), the
processing of the controller 510 returns to Step S12. Moreover, in
Step S14, in a case where the controller 510 determines that
reading of the tag information of the RF tag in the allocated range
has been completed (Yes in Step S14), the processing of the
controller 510 proceeds to Step S15. Then, in Step S15, the
controller 510 sends the management information 523 to the server
300 and terminates this processing.
[0106] After that, in the portable terminal 500, the instruction
522 and the management information 523 which have been used become
unnecessary, and thus the controller 510 deletes such information
from the memory 520 before acquisition of the next instruction
522.
[0107] Next, an operation of the server 300 will be described. FIG.
25 shows an example of a log-in screen displayed by the display
device 340 of the server 300. In the information processing system
100 shown in FIG. 1, the controller 310 of the server 300 first
causes the display device 340 to display the log-in screen and
determines an input into a warehouse code entry field 901 and a
warehouse key entry field 902 on the log-in screen. On the log-in
screen shown in FIG. 25, the warehouse code entry field 901
receives selection of a warehouse code from a pull-down menu based
on the warehouse master 321. The warehouse key entry field 902
receives an input of an authentication key through a keyboard.
[0108] When the warehouse code and the authentication key are
entered on the log-in screen and an enter key 903 in the log-in
screen is pressed, the controller 310 of the server 300 causes the
display device 340 to display a web stocktaking screen. FIG. 26
shows an example of the web stocktaking screen. The web stocktaking
screen displays a warehouse stocktaking progress status identified
with the warehouse code on the basis of the management information
323 such that the warehouse stocktaking progress status can be
narrowed-down with respect to the floor or area. On the web
stocktaking screen shown in FIG. 26, narrowing-down display based
on range specification using the date and time of loading of the
theoretical inventory is also possible.
[0109] As shown in FIG. 26, each of rows 904 displayed as a list on
the web stocktaking screen displays a status (progress status) 905
at the head of the row.
[0110] The status 905 includes "Not performed", "Already written",
"Now performing", "Complete", and the like in a progress level
order for example. "Not performed" indicates that stocktaking
indicated by the row 904 has not been performed. "Already written"
indicates that the stocktaking work has been completed and a result
has been reflected on the WMS 200. "Now performing" indicates that
the stocktaking indicated by the row 904 is currently performed by
any one of the portable terminals 500. "Complete" indicates that
any one of the portable terminals 500 has finished the stocktaking
indicated by the row 904.
[0111] Moreover, the web stocktaking screen shown in FIG. 26
displays a total reading count 906 and the like in the
narrowing-down range. The total reading count 906 set forth herein
refers to the sum of the reading counts of the objects with the
respective management codes contained in the management information
323. Then, the total reading count 906 is displayed in comparison
with the sum of the theoretical counts, and thus overall progress
can be grasped.
[0112] In addition, as shown in FIG. 26, the web stocktaking screen
includes details button 907 and a delete button 908. Moreover, the
web stocktaking screen includes a check box 909 for selecting each
row 904. When the details button 907 receives an operation in a
state in which any one of the check boxes 909 is checked, the
controller 310 causes the display device 340 to display a detailed
screen of the checked row 904. FIG. 27 shows an example of the
detailed screen.
[0113] Each row 910 of the detailed screen shown in FIG. 27
corresponds to each row identified with the management code of the
management information 323. This detailed screen displays a reading
count 911 in the narrowing-down range or the like. The reading
count 911 set forth herein refers to the sum of the reading counts
of the objects with the management code displayed here and is
displayed as compared to the sum of theoretical counts.
[0114] Moreover, the commodities code is displayed as a link 912 on
the detailed screen shown in FIG. 27. When an operation of
selecting the link 912 is made, the controller 310 causes the
display device 340 to display the commodity details screen as a
pop-up screen displayed superimposed on the detailed screen. FIG.
28 shows an example of the commodity details screen. The commodity
details screen displays information narrowed down on the detailed
screen with the commodities code of the object of the link 912
selected on the detailed screen.
[0115] In this manner, with the information processing system 100
according to the embodiment, the portable terminal 500 updates the
display of the individual progress display field 810 every time the
management information 523 is updated while the tag information of
the RF tag is read. Accordingly, a progress status of stocktaking
in an allocated range can be confirmed if necessary with the
various numerical values 812, 813, and 814 as well as the circle
chart 816 and the percentage 815.
[0116] Moreover, in accordance with the embodiment, the portable
terminal 500 displays an overall progress status displayed in the
overall progress display field 820 in accordance with an individual
progress status such that it can be confirmed. Accordingly, in a
case where multiple people perform stocktaking, the number of
portable terminals 500 performing the stocktaking and the overall
progress status can be grasped not relying on the server 300, and
the remaining work can be anticipated through the portable terminal
500.
[0117] It should be noted that the tag reading apparatus according
to the embodiment includes the reader 400 and the portable terminal
500 that are discrete apparatuses. However, the embodiment is not
limited thereto and the tag reading apparatus may include an
integrated apparatus having both a function corresponding to the
reader 400 and a function corresponding to the portable terminal
500. In this case, the tag reading apparatus is an example of the
information processing apparatus.
[0118] Moreover, in the embodiment, the reader/writer may be a
reader/writer other than the handheld reader/writer. For example, a
read-only reader may be used instead of the RFID reader/writer.
Moreover, a reader/writer or a reader that reads IC tag information
other than the RF tag may be used.
[0119] It should be noted that a program to be executed by the
information processing apparatus according to the embodiment is
provided, incorporated in advance in the ROM or the like.
[0120] The program to be executed by the information processing
apparatus according to the embodiment may be provided, recorded in
a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible
disk (FD), a CD-R, and a digital versatile disk (DVD) with a file
in installable format or executable format.
[0121] In addition, the program to be executed by the information
processing apparatus according to the embodiment may be stored in a
computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided
by downloading via the network. Moreover, the program to be
executed by the information processing apparatus according to the
embodiment may be provided or delivered via a network such as the
Internet.
[0122] The program to be executed by the information processing
apparatus according to the embodiment has a module configuration
including the respective blocks (the selecting unit 501, the
acquisition unit 502, the reading unit 503, the updating unit 504,
and the transmission unit 505). The CPU (processor) reads the
program from the storage medium and executes the read program to
thereby load the respective blocks into a main storage unit.
Accordingly, the selecting unit 501, the acquisition unit 502, the
reading unit 503, the updating unit 504, and the transmission unit
505 are generated in the main storage unit.
[0123] While certain embodiments have been described, these
embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not
intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel
embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other
forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in
the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without
departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying
claims and their equivalents are intended to cover such forms or
modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the
inventions.
* * * * *