Abstract: An Augmented Reality (AR) providing apparatus sends to a server apparatus a request, including image information from an imaging device, for obtaining product information indicating a product that can be displayed on a shelf. and the AR apparatus displays product information included in a reply from the server apparatus in response to the request in an overlaying image manner. The server apparatus determines a shelf from the image information included in the request, determines a size of an empty shelf space, and selects product information of products smaller than the determined size of the empty shelf space. The product information is selected from a storage device storing multiple sets of product information indicating a product and its associated size information. The server apparatus sends a reply including the selected product information to the AR providing apparatus.

Abstract: An Augmented Reality (AR) providing apparatus sends to a server apparatus a request, including image information from an imaging device, for obtaining product information indicating a product that can be displayed on a shelf. and the AR apparatus displays product information included in a reply from the server apparatus in response to the request in an overlaying image manner. The server apparatus determines a shelf from the image information included in the request, determines a size of an empty shelf space, and selects product information of products smaller than the determined size of the empty shelf space. The product information is selected from a storage device storing multiple sets of product information indicating a product and its associated size information. The server apparatus sends a reply including the selected product information to the AR providing apparatus.

Abstract: Product information stored in an IC tag attached to a product, which has been read by an IC tag reader, is input. Whether the product is a new product is determined on the basis of a product master file. When the product is a new product, the product information is registered in the product master file. When the product is not a new product, corresponding product information regarding the product, which has been registered in the product master file, is updated, and inventory management information including position information regarding the product and the number of items of the product is updated on the basis of position information regarding the IC tag reader. Accordingly, the product master file can be automatically updated, and inventory management including position information regarding each product and the number of items can be implemented.

Abstract: A pencil head for automatic pencil drawing is provided with an up-and-down moving mechanism for one of pencil leads held on a periphery of a holding turret and a mounting mechanism for the holding turret, the up-and-down moving mechanism comprising a spring for raising a resilient member grasping the pencil lead which slides through a tubular holder fixed in the periphery of the holding turret and a pushing stick for pushing down the pencil lead, which is supported by a slider sliding along a rail, and the mounting mechanism comprising a coupler projected coaxially from the holding turret with a stair-stepped male cross-section and a socket for engaging and rotating the coupler with a slitted stair-stepped female cross-section corresponding to the stair-stepped male cross-section of the coupler. Accordingly, high fidelity and quick response of the pencil head used for automatic pencil drawing and shortening of time duration required therefor can be realized.