Patent Publication Number: US-2010131372-A1

Title: Data processing device, computer program, and data storage medium

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a data processing device used for assisting structural modification of a unit system formed based on an arbitrary combination of a plurality of types of unit components vertically engaged and laterally arranged; a data processing device providing a web site used for assisting structural modification of a commodity display system to a user terminal device via the Internet; a computer program utilized at the data processing devices; and a data storage medium storing the computer program. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     At present, cigarette packs are displayed as a commodity and sold at shops such as so-called convenience stores. The “cigarette pack” mentioned herein refers to a commodity having a plurality of individual cigarettes to be smoked enclosed in a rectangular solid package. 
     Therefore, the commodity display system for displaying cigarette packs is typically composed of a plurality of magazine units and one system frame. Each magazine unit is typically made of a colorless clear resin, and formed into an open-top box shape oblong in the depth-wise direction. Each magazine unit, keeping the cigarette packs upright therein, is accommodated from the top while arranging them in the depth-wise direction. 
     The system frame holds the plurality of magazine units while arranging them in the vertical and lateral directions. In this way, the conventional commodity display system can display the cigarette packs in a vertically and laterally arranged manner. 
     Construction of an attractive sales floor is an important factor in view of promoting sales of commodities such as cigarette packs. Among various factors necessarily taken into consideration for constructing the sales floor, the size of the location where commodities are to be displayed is key. 
     Conventionally, sales floors for commodities have mainly resided on broad floors such as those in shopping malls, large volume sales stores and so forth. Recent changes in marketing style, however, have allowed for a large growth of narrow-and-small sales floors such as those in convenience stores. 
     In this sort of narrow-and-small sales floor, the most important theme of marketing strategies is how to bring about maximum appeal to the customers with limited space. However, conventionally, there has not been sufficient evaluation of the construction of sales floors which are highly appealing to the customers in this sort of narrow-and-small sales floor. Moreover, most commodity display systems introduced into shops are fixed, allowing only limited strategies for constructing sales floors. 
     In particular, for narrow-and-small shops such as convenience stores, the commodity display systems have rarely been developed from the viewpoint of customer appeal and contributing to the sales floor organization. This is because it has been necessary to ensure sales spaces for installing the commodity display systems so as to complete installation of the system within a short time. 
     [Patent Document 1] Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2004-151955 
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION 
     In order to solve the above-described subjects, the present applicant previously invented a unit-structured commodity display system filed as Japanese Patent Application No. 2006-266625. In this commodity display system, a plurality of types of unit components are arbitrarily combined, vertically engaged, and laterally arranged. 
     Therefore, the commodity display system can readily be transported and rapidly installed, even at narrow-and-small shops. In addition, highly appealing sales floors can be produced, by virtue of its large flexibility in terms of location of installation and cigarette pack display style. 
     In particular, the above-described commodity display system may be modified in the structure, by re-assembling the unit components, even after being introduced into the shop. Therefore, the system may flexibly be adaptable to renewal of the shop or sales floor. 
     The number of combinations of the unit components is, however, huge due to an extremely large degree of freedom of the commodity display system. For this reason, a worker at the shop, who is going to re-assembling the unit components of the commodity display system, may feel a great difficulty in determining a new combination. 
     The above-described commodity display system is freely modifiable also in dimensions in the lateral and vertical directions, by re-assembling work of the unit components. Therefore, for an exemplary case of renewal of the sales floor, it may sometimes be necessary for the commodity display system to be structurally modified, while taking the occupied dimension thereof into consideration. The worker may, therefore, feel a still larger difficulty in determining an optimum combination of the unit components. 
     Moreover, for an exemplary case where the unit system such as the commodity display system is structurally modified as described in the above, the task therefore is not a sort of routine task. In the shops or the like at present, the number of workers and the work time are carefully adjusted taking the work load into consideration, for each of various tasks. 
     However, due to non-routine nature of the structural modification of the commodity display system, it may be difficult to preliminarily confirm the work load. For this reason, the task once actually started would accidentally remain unfinished by the scheduled time. 
     In particular, some of the shops such as convenience stores stay open around the clock. In this sort of shops, the structural modification of the commodity display system may take place in a time zone with a minimum number of customers. 
     On the other hand, the shops such as convenience stores have extremely small numbers of workers, despite their extremely long business hours. For this reason, it may be impossible to thoughtlessly mobilize a large number of workers, even for the case where the structural modification of the commodity display system is finished within a predetermined duration of time. 
     As a consequence, for the structural modification of the commodity display system at the shops such as convenience stores, it may be critical to preliminarily confirm the number of workers and work time necessary to finish the task. 
     Conventionally, typically by the above-described Patent Document 1, proposals have been made regarding techniques of simulating how to display commodities such as cigarette packs on fittings such as a system frame, aiming at ideal organization of sales floors. However, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 allows simulation on how to display commodities only for fitting of fixed structures. 
     Therefore, the technique disclosed in Patent Document 1 could not simulate any combinations of the unit components of the commodity display system widely modifiable in the structure, and could not organize an ideal sales floor. 
     The present invention is conceived after considering the above-described subjects, and is to provide a data processing device configured to assist efficient structural modification of a unit system formed based on an arbitrary combination of a plurality of types of unit components. 
     According to the present invention, there is provided a first data processing device used for assisting structural modification of a unit system formed based on an arbitrary combination of a plurality of types of unit components vertically engaged and laterally arranged, including: 
     a display device that outputs various data to be displayed on a screen; 
     an input device that accepts various input operations; 
     a unit storage unit that stores unit data including unit images modeled after front geometry of each of the plurality of types of unit components on a predetermined scale of reduction; 
     a layout storage unit that stores layout data of the plurality of unit components composing the unit system; 
     an image display unit that outputs the plurality of unit images to be displayed on the screen, according to a layout corresponded to the stored layout data; 
     an operation detection unit that detects a layout operation which is effected through the input device on the unit images output for display; 
     a unit layout unit that modifies the layout of the unit images output for display on the screen, corresponding to the detected layout operation; 
     a result calculation unit that calculates work load of the structural modification of the unit system, corresponding to the modification of layout; and 
     a result output unit that outputs the calculated work load to be displayed on the screen. 
     According to the data processing device of the present invention, a plurality of unit images are arranged corresponding to preliminarily-entered layout data, and then output to be displayed. The layout of the unit images thus output to be displayed can be modified by a layout operation through an input device. When the layout of the unit images is modified, an actual work load correspondent to the modification of layout is calculated, and output to be displayed. Accordingly, for an exemplary case where the unit system, such as commodity sales systems used at the shops, is structurally modified, a new layout of the unit components can preliminarily and readily examined, and also the work load of the modification of layout can preliminarily and readily be confirmed. 
     According to the present invention, there is provided a second data processing device which provides, via the Internet, a user terminal device with a web site used for assisting structural modification of a unit system including a plurality of unit components vertically engaged and laterally arranged, including: 
     a unit storage unit that stores unit data including unit images modeled after front geometries of each of the plurality of types of unit components on a predetermined scale of reduction; 
     a layout storage unit that stores, on the worker basis, a layout data of each of the plurality of unit components composing the unit system; 
     a login acceptance unit that accepts login by the worker through the user terminal device on which the web site is browsed; 
     an image display unit that outputs the plurality of unit images to be displayed on the screen of the web site, according to a layout corresponded to the layout data of the logged-in worker; 
     an operation detection unit that detects a layout operation effected through the input device on the unit images output for display; 
     a unit layout unit that modifies the layout of the unit images output for display on the screen, corresponding to the detected layout operation; 
     a result calculation unit that calculates work load of the structural modification of the unit system, corresponding to the modification of layout; and 
     a result output unit that outputs the calculated work load to be displayed on the screen. 
     According to the data processing device of the present invention, a web site to be browsed on the user terminal device may be established on the Internet, and the user can login the web site through the user terminal device. A plurality of unit images are then output to be displayed on the web site in an arranged form, corresponding to the layout data preliminarily entered by the user. The user can modify, through the user terminal device, the layout of the unit images thus output to be displayed. If the layout of the unit images is thus modified, an actual work load correspondent to the modification of layout is output to be displayed. As a consequence, for an exemplary case of structural modification of the unit system, such as a commodity sales system being used in the shop, a new layout of the unit components can preliminarily and readily be examined, and also the work load of the modification of layout can preliminarily and readily be confirmed. 
     According to the present invention, there is provided a first computer program for a data processing device including a display device that outputs various data to be displayed on a screen, and an input device that accepts various input operations, and is used for assisting structural modification of a unit system formed based on an arbitrary combination of a plurality of types of unit components vertically engaged and laterally arranged, the computer program allowing the data processing device to execute: 
     unit storage processing of storing unit data including unit images modeled after front geometry of each of the plurality of types of unit components on a predetermined scale of reduction; 
     layout storage processing of storing a layout data of the plurality of unit components composing the unit system; 
     image display processing of outputting the plurality of unit images to be displayed on the screen, according to a layout corresponded to the stored layout data; 
     operation detection processing of detecting a layout operation effected through the input device on the unit images output for display; 
     unit layout processing of modifying the layout of the unit images output for display on the screen, corresponding to the detected layout operation; 
     result calculation processing of calculating work load of the structural modification of the unit system, corresponding to the modification of the layout; and 
     result output processing of outputting the calculated work load to be displayed on the screen. 
     According to the present invention, there is provided a second computer program for a data processing device which provides, through the Internet, a user terminal device with a web site used for assisting structural modification of a unit system including a plurality of unit components vertically engaged and laterally arranged, the computer program allowing the data processing device to execute: 
     unit storage processing of storing unit data including unit images modeled after front geometries of each of the plurality of types of unit components on a predetermined scale of reduction; 
     layout storage processing of storing, on the worker basis, a layout data of each of the plurality of unit components composing the unit system; 
     login acceptance processing of accepting login by the worker through the user terminal device on which the web site is browsed; 
     image display processing of outputting the plurality of unit images to be displayed on the screen of the web site, according to a layout corresponded to the layout data of the logged-in worker; 
     operation detection processing of detecting a layout operation effected through the input device on the unit images output for display; 
     unit layout processing of modifying the layout of the unit images output for display on the screen, corresponding to the detected layout operation; 
     result calculation processing of calculating workload of the structural modification of the unit system, corresponding to the modification of layout; and 
     result output processing of outputting the calculated work load to be displayed on the screen. 
     According to the present invention, there is provided a first data storage medium for a data processing device including a display device that outputs various data to be displayed on a screen, and an input device that accepts various input operations, and is used for assisting structural modification of a unit system formed based on an arbitrary combination of a plurality of types of unit components vertically engaged and laterally arranged, the data storage medium storing a computer program that allows the data processing device to execute: 
     unit storage processing of storing unit data including unit images modeled after front geometries of each of the plurality of types of unit components on a predetermined scale of reduction; 
     layout storage processing of storing a layout data of the plurality of unit components composing the unit system; 
     image display processing of outputting the plurality of unit images to be displayed on the screen, according to a layout corresponded to the stored layout data; 
     operation detection processing of detecting a layout operation effected through the input device on the unit images output for display; 
     unit layout processing of modifying the layout of the unit images output for display on the screen, corresponding to the detected layout operation; 
     result calculation processing of calculating work load of the structural modification of the unit system, corresponding to the modification of the layout; and 
     result output processing of outputting the calculated work load to be displayed on the screen. 
     According to the present invention, there is provided a second data storage medium for a data processing device which provides, through the Internet, a user terminal device with a web site used for assisting structural modification of a unit system that includes a plurality of unit components vertically engaged and laterally arranged, the data storage medium storing a computer program that allows the data processing device to execute: 
     unit storage processing of storing unit data including unit images modeled after front geometries of each of the plurality of types of unit components on a predetermined scale of reduction; 
     layout storage processing of storing, on the worker basis, a layout data of each of the plurality of unit components composing the unit system; 
     login acceptance processing of accepting login by the worker through the user terminal device on which the web site is browsed; 
     image display processing of outputting the plurality of unit images to be displayed on the screen of the web site, according to a layout corresponded to the layout data of the logged-in worker; 
     operation detection processing of detecting a layout operation effected through the input device on the unit images output for display; 
     unit layout processing of modifying the layout of the unit images output for display on the screen, corresponding to the detected layout operation; 
     result calculation processing of calculating workload of the structural modification of the unit system, corresponding to the modification of layout; and 
     result output processing of outputting the calculated work load to be displayed on the screen. 
     Note that the depth-wise direction and the lateral direction, defined in the present invention in addition to the vertical direction, are merely for the convenience&#39;s sake in order to simplify explanation of relative relations of the constituents of the present invention, and by no means limit the directions relevant to manufacturing and use in embodiments of the present invention. 
     In addition, the individual constituents of the present invention are not necessarily independent entities, instead allowing that a plurality of constituents is formed to give a single component, that a single constituent is formed by a plurality of components, and that a certain constituent is a part of other constituent, for example. 
     “Storing data” in the context of the present invention means that the device of the present invention has at least a function of storing data. The present invention therefore allows not only that the device of the present invention stores data newly registered by the consumer; but also that the device stores data registered by the supplier at manufacturing and does not accept any registration of new data by the consumer after the shipment. 
     According to the data processing device of the present invention, the layout of the unit images output for display can be modified by a layout operation through the input device. If the layout of the unit images is thus modified, an actual work load correspondent to the modification of layout is output to be displayed. For an exemplary case of structural modification of the unit system, such as a commodity sales system being used in the shop, a new layout of the unit components can preliminarily and readily be examined, and also the work load of the modification of layout can preliminarily and readily be confirmed. As a consequence, even when the unit system needs be re-assembled for the purpose of renewal of the sales floor at the shop, how many workers and how long time are necessary to finish the task can preliminarily be confirmed, and thereby an efficient structural modification of the unit system can be assisted. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more apparent from the following description of certain preferred embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
       [ FIG. 1 ] A schematic drawing illustrating a logical structure of a data processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention. 
       [ FIG. 2 ] A block diagram illustrating a physical structure of the data processing device. 
       [ FIG. 3 ] A schematic drawing illustrating a displayed image on a screen of a display device of the data processing device. 
       [ FIG. 4 ] A perspective view illustrating an appearance of a cigarette display system as the unit system. 
       [ FIG. 5 ] An exploded perspective view illustrating a structure of a main portion of the cigarette display system. 
       [ FIG. 6 ] A perspective view illustrating an appearance of the cigarette display system adopting stocker units. 
       [ FIG. 7 ] An exploded perspective view illustrating a mesh unit of the cigarette display system. 
       [ FIG. 8 ] Schematic drawings illustrating four types of unit image. 
       [ FIG. 9 ] Schematic drawings illustrating two further types of unit image. 
       [ FIG. 10 ] Schematic drawings illustrating two still further types of unit image. 
       [ FIG. 11 ] Schematic drawings illustrating four further types of unit image. 
       [ FIG. 12 ] Schematic drawings illustrating two still further types of unit image. 
       [ FIG. 13 ] A schematic drawing illustrating a sales counter image. 
       [ FIG. 14 ] A schematic drawing illustrating a person image. 
       [ FIG. 15 ] A schematic drawing illustrating a logical structure of a computer program. 
       [ FIG. 16 ] A flow chart illustrating the former half of a processing operation of the data processing device. 
       [ FIG. 17 ] A flow chart illustrating the latter half. 
       [ FIG. 18 ] A perspective view illustrating an appearance of another cigarette display system. 
       [ FIG. 19 ] An exploded perspective view illustrating a structure of a main portion of the cigarette display system. 
       [ FIG. 20 ] An exploded perspective view illustrating still another cigarette display system. 
       [ FIG. 21 ] A schematic drawing illustrating a logical structure of still another data processing device. 
     
    
    
     BEST MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 
     One embodiment of the present invention will be explained referring to the attached drawings. A data processing device  800  of this embodiment, detailed later, is used for assisting structural modification of a cigarette display system  1000  which is a unit system formed based on an arbitrary combination of a plurality of types of frame units  300  as the unit components vertically engaged and laterally arranged. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the data processing device  800  has, as the hardware, a display device  801  outputting various data to be displayed on a screen; an input device  802  accepting various input operations; a computer unit  803  executing various types of data processing, and so forth. 
     For more details, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the computer unit  803  has a CPU (Central Processing Unit)  831  executing various types of data processing, a ROM (Read Only Memory)  832  storing various data in a fixed manner, a RAM (Random Access Memory)  833  temporarily storing various data, and so forth, all of which are connected through a bus line  834 . 
     The bus line  834  is further connected to hardware including a HDD (Hard Disc Drive)  841  storing large volume of various data, a card reader  842  allowing thereon loading and unloading of a data card  851 , a CD drive  843  allowing loading and unloading of a CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable)  852  thereon, a keyboard  844  and a mouse  845  as an input device  802 , a display device  801  typically composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and an I/F (Interface) unit  846 . 
     In the data processing device  800  of this embodiment, the ROM  832 , the RAM  833 , the HDD  841 , the removable data card  851 , the removable CD-R  852 , and so forth correspond to the data storage medium, wherein at least one of which stores various computer programs  860  for the CPU  831 , as detailed later. 
     The data processing device  800  executes various types of data processing, such as image display by the display device  801 , corresponding to the computer program  860 , data entered through the input device  802  and so forth. 
     The data processing device  800  for this purpose logically includes a display device  801  which outputs various data to be displayed on a screen; an input device  802  which accepts various input operations; a data storage unit  810  as a unit storage unit which stores unit data including unit images UP modeled after front geometry of each of the plurality of types of frame units  300  and so forth on a predetermined scale of reduction; a layout storage unit  811  which stores a layout data LD of the plurality of frame units  300  and so forth composing the cigarette display system  1000 ; an image display unit  812  which outputs the plurality of unit images UP to be displayed on the screen, according to a layout corresponded to the stored layout data LD; an operation detection unit  813  which detects a layout operation effected through the input device  802  on the unit images UP output for display; a unit layout unit  814  which modifies the layout of the unit images UP output for display on the screen, corresponding to the detected layout operation; a result calculation unit  816  which calculates work load of the structural modification of the cigarette display system  1000 , corresponding to the modification of layout; and a result output unit  817  which outputs the calculated work load to be displayed on the screen. 
     More specifically, the cigarette display system  1000 , for which a layout of the frame units  300  is simulated using the data processing device  800  of this embodiment, is configured as illustrated in  FIG. 4  to have a plurality of magazine units  100  each of which are formed into a depth-wisely oblong, open-top box so as to hold a plurality of cigarette packs TP arranged therein in the depth-wise direction; a plurality of tray units  200  each of which being formed into an open-top box so as to hold the plurality of magazine units  100  arranged thereon in the lateral direction in a freely replaceable manner; a plurality of frame units  300  formed into an open-front box so as to hold the plurality of tray units  200  arranged therein in a freely detachable manner while keeping them distant from each other in the vertical direction; and a vertical engagement mechanism engaging the plurality of frame units  300  in the vertical direction. 
     The cigarette display system  1000  displays cigarette packs TP as commodities, cigarette cartons TK each of which being a commodity containing a plurality of cigarette packs TP packaged therein, box packs BP each of which being a commodity containing a cigarette pack TP packaged together with some novelty goods, and so forth. The box packs BP are typically supplied to the shops together with simple fittings EF made of cardboard. 
     At present, the cigarette packs TP are formed into rectangular solids having the depth-wise and lateral dimensions generally in common, while allowing some difference in the vertical dimension. In this embodiment, the largest surfaces of the cigarette pack TP are defined as the front surface and the rear surface, and the smallest surfaces are defined as the top surface and the bottom surface. 
     General cigarette pack TP has a brand name and so forth printed on the front surface (and rear surface). Therefore, the cigarette packs TP may preferably be displayed in an appropriate state while keeping the front surfaces thereof facing towards the front. Each magazine unit  100  accommodates a plurality of cigarette packs TP arranged in the depth-wise direction, while keeping each pack in the appropriate direction as described in the above, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . 
     Also the tray unit  200  is formed into an open-top box using a colorless clear resin. In each tray unit  200 , a plurality of magazine units  100  are accommodated while being arranged in the lateral direction. 
     Note that, in the cigarette display system  1000  of this embodiment, there are wide tray units  200  capable of accommodating five magazine units  100  and narrow tray units  200  capable of accommodating three magazine units  100 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     The frame unit  300  is composed of a pair of main frames  310  and a plurality of support frames  320 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Each main frame  310  is composed of a metal plate bent so as to give a rectangular frame geometry in the front view, and the pair of which are arranged in the depth-wise direction. 
     Each support frame  320  is made of a metal plate formed into a thin oblong rail extended in the depth-wise direction so as to support the tray unit  200 , a plurality of which are arranged in the vertical direction and joined to the inner surfaces of the pair of main frames  310 . 
     The tray units  200  herein are available in two types different in the lateral dimension, as described in the above. Therefore in the cigarette display system  1000  of this embodiment, there are the frame unit  300  holding three wide tray units  200 , the frame unit  300  holding two wide tray units  200 , the frame unit  300  holding three narrow tray units  200 , and the frame unit  300  holding two narrow tray units  200 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . 
     In the frame unit  300 , the main frames  310  are attached with surface fasteners  311  which serve as the vertical engagement mechanism, on the top surfaces and bottom surfaces thereof on both end portions. The main frames  310  are provided with frame through-holes (not illustrated) which serve as recesses of the frame, at the individual centers of the bottom surfaces thereof. The main frames  310  are provided also with projection components  314  which serve as projections of the frame, at the individual centers of the top surfaces thereof. 
     Accordingly, in the cigarette display system  1000  of this embodiment, a plurality of frame units  300  having the same width, when vertically arranged, can be engaged with the aid of the surface fasteners  311 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4 . At the same time, the frame through-holes and the projection components  314  are engaged. 
     The above-described cigarette display system  1000  is generally installed over the sales counter (not illustrated) of a shop. Meanwhile, the cigarette display system  1000  additionally has stocker units  400  and table units  410 , as illustrated in  FIG. 6 , for the convenience of installation at locations having no sales counter. 
     Each stocker unit  400  is formed into a box shape having a flat surface at least on the top, and can freely be opened and closed from the front. Each table unit  410  is formed into a vertically-flattened box shape having a flat top surface. 
     Each table unit  410  is configured to have a unit box  411  and table components  412  housed therein in a freely slidable manner in the depth-wise direction. The table component  412  can therefore be drawn out to the front, for the convenience of operability. 
     Since the frame units  300  are available in two types of lateral dimension as described in the above, the stocker units  400  and the table units  410  are also available in two types of lateral dimension corresponding to the frame units  300 . In this way, the stocker units  400  and the table units  410  can also be combined corresponding to the frame units  300  to be adopted. 
     Since the tray units  200  are also available in two types of depth-wise length, so that the stocker units  400  and the table units  410  are formed to have a depth-wise length corresponding to the tray unit  200  having the largest depth-wise length. 
     Accordingly, whichever types of tray units  200  are used, the tray units  200  will not project out from the stocker units  400 . By using the above-described stocker units  400 , the cigarette display system  1000  can appropriately be installed, even at places having no sales counter (not illustrated). 
     Therefore, in the data processing device  800  which simulates the cigarette display system  1000  configured as described in the above, the data storage unit  810  stores unit images UP modeled after the display style of cigarette packs TP on the basis of the individual types of the frame unit  300 . 
     Now, at least a part of the plurality of types of frame units  300  is designated with a plurality of display styles. Accordingly, the data storage unit  810  stores a plurality of types of unit images UP modeled after a plurality of types of display styles. 
     For more details, basically in the cigarette display system  1000 , the magazine units  100  are loaded on the tray units  200  loaded on the frame unit  300 , and the cigarette packs TP are accommodated in the magazine units  100  as illustrated in  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 6 . 
     Accordingly, the unit images UP modeled after the front geometries of the frame units  300  are set to the individual unit data UD while containing, as illustrated in  FIG. 8 , a unit image UPa representing a state of use having the tray units  200  vertically loaded in three layers, each tray unit  200  having the cigarette packs TP laterally arranged in five columns using the magazine units  100 ; a unit image UPb representing a state of use having the tray units  200  vertically loaded in two layers, each tray unit  200  having the cigarette packs TP laterally arranged in five columns using the magazine units  100 ; a unit image UPc representing a state of use having the tray units  200  vertically loaded in three layers, each tray unit  200  having the cigarette packs TP laterally arranged in three columns using the magazine units  100 ; and a unit image UPd representing a state of use having the tray units  200  vertically loaded in two layers, each tray unit  200  having the cigarette packs TP laterally arranged in three columns using the magazine units  100 . 
     Besides the style of accommodation of the cigarette packs TP in the magazine units  100  loaded on the frame units  300  with the aid of the tray units  200  as described in the above, the cigarette display system  1000  may also accommodate the cigarette cartons TK in the tray units  200  loaded on the frame units  300 , while aligning the longitudinal direction of the cartons in the depth-wise direction or in the lateral direction, as illustrated in  FIG. 4  to  FIG. 6 . In other words, the cigarette display system  1000  allows several styles of use of the frame units  300 . 
     Therefore in the data processing device  800  of this embodiment, also a plurality of types of unit images UPe, UPf and so forth, given with graphics correspondent to the plurality of styles of use as illustrated in  FIG. 8  and  FIG. 9 , are respectively set to the corresponding unit data UD. 
     In the cigarette display system  1000 , simple fittings EF for carrying box packs BP, for example, can also be directly placed on the frame units  300  or the tray units  200 , as illustrated in  FIG. 4  and  FIG. 6 . 
     Alternatively, in the cigarette display system  1000 , the box packs BP and so forth may be displayed using a mesh unit  450  freely attachable and detachable to and from the frame unit  300 , as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . 
     Therefore, in the data processing device  800  of this embodiment, also a unit image UPg modeled after the above-described simple fitting EF as illustrated in  FIG. 10(   a ), and a unit image UPh modeled after the mesh unit  450  as illustrated in  FIG. 10(   b ) are respectively set to the corresponding unit data UD. 
     In addition, also a plurality of unit images UP modeled after the front geometry of the stocker unit  400  as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , and the unit images UP of a plurality of table units  410  modeled after the front geometry of the table units  410  as illustrated in  FIG. 12 , are respectively set to the corresponding unit data UD. 
     Also the stocker units  400  are available in four types based on combinations of two types of lateral dimension and two types of vertical dimension. Accordingly, the unit images UP of the stocker units  400  also appear as unit images UPi to UPl based on combinations of two types of lateral dimension and two types vertical dimension, as illustrated in  FIG. 11 . 
     Similarly, since the table units  410  are available in two types of lateral dimension, so that the unit images UP of the table units  410  also appear as unit images UPm and UPn having two types of lateral dimension, as illustrated in  FIG. 12 . 
     Alternatively, the cigarette display system  1000  can also be installed over the sales counter (not illustrated) of a shop, as described in the above. The data storage unit  810  therefore also stores a sales counter image CP modeled after the front geometry of the sales counter on the same scale of reduction with the unit image UP, as illustrated in  FIG. 13 . 
     In the data processing device  800  of this embodiment, the layout storage unit  811  stores the layout data LD preliminarily entered by the supplier or the like of the cigarette packs TP. Details will be described later. 
     Accordingly, the image display unit  812  allows thereon layout of the various unit images UPa to UPn and the sales counter image CP and so forth corresponding to the layout data, and allows them to be output to be displayed in a dedicated layout window LW on the screen. 
     In addition, typically alongside of the above-described layout window LW, a plurality of unit images UPa to UPn, the sales counter image CP and so forth are displayed as samples. The layout window LW typically displays a grid having each edge representing 10 cm. 
     The unit layout unit  814  modifies the layout of the unit images UP and the sales counter image CP, corresponding to the detected layout operation, while keeping the plurality of unit images UP output to be displayed in an arranged manner as described in the above. 
     The data storage unit  810  stores also a person image, an image of a person, PP modeled after the front geometry of a person on the same scale of reduction with the unit image UP, as illustrated in  FIG. 14 . Accordingly, the image display unit  812  also outputs the person image PP to be displayed on the screen, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . 
     The operation detection unit  813  therefore also detects a layout operation of the person image PP. The unit layout unit  814  arranges the person image PP in front of, or alongside of the already-arranged unit images UP, corresponding to a detected layout operation. 
     The above-described person image PP is composed of a main body portion PPa modeled after the head, trunk and legs of a worker, and a pair of upper limb portions PPb modeled after the upper limb of a person. The pair of upper limb portions PPb are made freely rotatable around positions corresponding to the shoulder portions of the main body portion PPa. 
     The operation detection unit  813  also detects an input operation for rotating the upper limb portions PPb of the person image PP output for display. The image display unit  812  displays the person image PP, with the upper limb portions PPb of which being rotated according to an input operation. 
     According to the data processing device  800  of this embodiment, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 , the unit data UD stored by the above-described data storage unit  810  further includes required time as the work load, set together with the unit images UP, and lateral occupied dimensions which represent occupied dimensions in the lateral direction and vertical occupied dimensions which represent occupied dimensions in the vertical direction for each of the plurality of types of frame units  300 . 
     Accordingly, the result calculation unit  816  respectively calculates also a total of the lateral occupied dimension, a total of the vertical occupied dimension, and a total of the required time, corresponding to the layout of the unit images UP, and the result output unit  817  outputs also thus-calculated totals of the lateral occupied dimension, the vertical occupied dimension, and the required time to be displayed. 
     Note that the above-described vertical and lateral occupied dimensions are typically composed of the outer vertical and lateral dimensions of the frame units  300 . The above-described required time is set typically corresponding to an average time required for attachment/detachment of each of the correspondent frame units  300 . 
     Accordingly, the above-described required time is typically set to 5 minutes for the unit data UD which represents a three-row-five-column large frame unit  300  as illustrated in  FIG. 8(   a ), and set to 3 minutes for a unit data UD which represents a two-row-three-column small frame unit  300  as illustrated in  FIG. 8(   d ). 
     The data processing device  800  of this embodiment has, in addition to the above-described components  810  to  817 , a time input unit  821  which accepts input operations of scheduled time, a time storage unit  822  which temporarily holds thus-entered scheduled time, and an alarm unit  823  which outputs an alarm when thus-calculated total of required time exceeds the temporarily-held scheduled time, as illustrated in  FIG. 1 . 
     Still further, the data processing device  800  of this embodiment has a left/right value input unit  825  which accepts input operations of the planned lateral dimensions which represent the planned dimensions in the lateral direction, a left/right value storage unit  826  temporarily holding thus-entered planned lateral dimensions, a top/bottom value input unit  827  accepting input operations of the planned vertical dimensions which represent the planned dimensions in the vertical direction, and a top/bottom value storage unit  828  temporarily holding thus-entered planned vertical dimensions. 
     Accordingly, the alarm unit  823  also outputs an alarm when thus-calculated total occupied dimension in the lateral direction or in the vertical direction exceeds the temporarily-held planned dimension in the same direction. 
     The above-described output for alarming is executed in such a way that the later-described time margin and the dimensional margin are displayed in red in a flashing manner, associated typically with a balloon sign containing a guidance message given by the display device  801 . Details will be described later. 
     The data storage unit  810  also stores an allowable vertical dimension which represents an allowable dimension of the cigarette display system  1000  in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the alarm unit  823  outputs an alarm also when a thus-calculated vertical occupied dimension exceeds the preliminarily-stored allowable vertical dimension. 
     The above-described various input units  821 ,  825  and  827  are displayed on the screen as regions for entry of text data, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Accordingly, the data processing device  800  of this embodiment is also provided with a display unit for current price which represents the above-described total required time, and a display unit for time margin which represents a difference between the scheduled time and the required time, alongside of the time input unit  821 . 
     Similarly, display units for the total lateral dimension and total vertical dimension, and display units for dimension margin which represents differences between the planned dimensions and the current dimensions are respectively provided alongside of the left/right value input unit  825  and the top/bottom value input unit  827 . 
     The plurality of types of frame units  300  of the cigarette display system  1000  can yield combinations of those engageable with each other and combinations of those unengageable with each other in the vertical direction. The data storage unit  810  therefore stores unit data UD set with the combinations of those engageable with each other in the vertical direction, on the basis of the individual types of the frame units  300 . 
     The unit layout unit  814  therefore nullifies any layout operation relevant to the combination of the unit components unengageable with each other in the vertical direction, and the alarm unit  823  outputs an alarm when a layout operation is effected on the combination of unit images UP unengageable with each other in the vertical direction. 
     The above-described individual sections  810 —of the data processing device  800  are logically realized by the computer unit  803  executing various process operations corresponding to the computer program  860  installed thereon as described in the above. 
     This sort of computer program  860  is offered by a supplier of the cigarette packs TP to the shops, for example, in the form of application software stored in a data storage medium such as a CD-R  852  (not illustrated). 
     The data processing device  800  at the shop, onto which the above-described computer program  860  is installed as application software, has an OS (Operating System) preliminarily installed thereon. Therefore, the above-described individual sections  810 —are actually realized by the cooperative operation of the OS and the application software. 
     The computer program  860  of the application software is typically composed of a resource set  861  and a program module set  870 , as illustrated in  FIG. 15 . 
     The resource set  861  contains various data including the unit data UD which is composed of the unit image UP and the required time as described in the above; the sales counter image CP; the person image PP; allowable vertical dimension, and so forth. 
     The program module set  870  contains various program modules, including a storage process module  871  which makes the data processing device  800  execute unit storage processing of storing the unit data UD, which is composed of unit images UP modeled after the front geometries on a predetermined scale of reduction, set together with the occupied dimensions in the lateral and vertical dimensions, the required time and so forth, on the basis of the individual types of the frame units  300 , and layout storage processing of storing layout data LD of a plurality of frame units  300  and so forth composing the cigarette display system  1000 ; a display process module  872  which makes the data processing device  800  execute an image display processing of outputting a plurality of unit images UP to be displayed on the screen, according to a layout corresponded to the stored layout data LD; a detection process module  873  which makes the data processing device  800  execute operation detection processing of detecting layout operations effected through the input device  802  on the unit images UP output for display; a layout process module  874  which makes the data processing device  800  execute unit layout processing of modifying the layout of the unit images UP output for display on the screen of the display device  801 , corresponding to any detected layout operation; a calculation process module  875  which makes the data processing device  800  execute result calculation processing of calculating a total of the occupied dimensions and a total of the required time, corresponding to the layout of the unit images UP; and an output process module  876  which makes the data processing device  800  execute result output processing of outputting the thus-calculated total of occupied dimensions and the total of required time to be displayed on the screen. 
     Methods of using the data processing device  800  of this embodiment and the cigarette display system  1000  configured as described in the above will be explained below. First, the cigarette display system  1000  of this embodiment may be configured, depending on needs, by freely combining four types of frame unit  300 , four types of tray unit  200 , two types of magazine unit  100  and so forth. 
     Accordingly, the cigarette display system  1000  of this embodiment may have an appearance adapted to the installation space, so as to ensure an effective use of space. In particular, by virtue of using the narrow frame unit  300  capable of accommodating the cigarette packs TP in three columns, and the wide frame units  300  capable of accommodating the cigarette packs TP in five columns, the cigarette display system  1000  can be well adaptable to the lateral dimension of the installation space. 
     In addition, by virtue of using the tall frame units  300  capable of holding the cigarette packs TP in three rows, and the short frame units  300  capable of holding them in two rows, the cigarette display system  1000  can be well adaptable also to the vertical dimension of the installation space. 
     For example, the shop which wishes to introduce the cigarette display system  1000  measures the vertical and lateral dimensions of the space for installation, and sends the results together with a desired number of cigarette packs TP to be displayed, a desired total number of cigarette packs TP to be accommodated and so forth, to the supplier. 
     The supplier then creates the layout data LD of the cigarette display system  1000 , adapted to the space for installation and requirements of the shop, typically by using a system (not illustrated) similar to the data processing device  800 . 
     The layout data LD is then stored together with the above-described application software into the CD-R  852 . In addition, image data which expresses the unit images UP arranged corresponding to the layout data LD is printed out as an assembly manual (not illustrated) of the cigarette display system  1000 . 
     The supplier then provides the shop with various frame units  300  and so forth, corresponded to thus-created layout data LD, together with the above-described CD-R  852  and the assembly manual. At the shop, the cigarette display system  1000  is organized using the various frame units  300  and so forth, while referring to the supplied assembly manual. 
     Unlike the conventional system frame (not illustrated) having a fixed structure, thus-organized cigarette display system  1000  is fully adaptable to various requirements of the shops, including dimensions of the sales floor, the number of display and the number of accommodation of the cigarette packs TP. As a consequence, the best sales floor may be configured. 
     The requirements of the shop, such as those on the dimension of sales floor, the number of display and the number of accommodation of the cigarette packs TP and so forth, may vary when the shop having the cigarette display system  1000  introduced therein is in need of renewal. 
     Even in such a case, unlike the conventional system frame (not illustrated) having a fixed structure, the cigarette display system  1000  may be adaptable to requirements of the shop, through the structural modification based on re-assembling of the frame units  300 . 
     A less-skilled worker may, however, feel a great difficulty in the structural modification of the cigarette display system  1000 , due to an extremely large degree of freedom of its structure. For this reason, it may be recommendable for the shop, under planning of the structural modification of the cigarette display system  1000 , to fully examine the layout of the frame units  300 . 
     The cigarette display system  1000  also allows re-assembling of the various frame units  300  in various ways. Therefore, the required time for the structural modification of the cigarette display system  1000  may not always be the same. 
     For this reason, the structural modification of the cigarette display system  1000  in a try-and-error manner by a less-skilled worker may result in waste of time. The structural modification of the cigarette display system  1000  may preferably be preceded by preliminary confirmation of the required time corresponding to details of the task. 
     The worker at the shop, under planning of the structural modification of the cigarette display system  1000 , then loads the CD-R  852  provided by the supplier on a computer device owned by the shop, installs the computer program  860 , and activate the computer program  860  so as to allow the computer device to function as the data processing device  800 . 
     Then in the data processing device  800 , the individual unit images UPa to UPn, the sales counter image CP, the person image PP, the layout window LW, the input unit  821  for the various times, the input units  825 ,  827  and display unit for the various dimensions and so forth are output to be displayed on the screen of the display device  801 , as illustrated in  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 16  (step S 1 ). 
     On the initial screen in this process, the layout window LW, the input units  821 ,  825 ,  827 , display units for the times and dimensions and so forth appear blank. Also a mouse cursor MC is output to be displayed on the screen, as a result of cooperative operation of the above-described computer program  860  and the OS. 
     For example, when a read-out of the layout data LD is designated in this state by a predetermined operation (step S 2 ), the layout data LD is read out, and various unit images UP are output to be displayed in the layout window LW on the screen of the display device  801 , according to a layout corresponded to the layout data, as illustrated in  FIG. 3  (step S 3 ). 
     In an exemplary case of structural modification for the first time of the cigarette display system  1000  provided by the supplier as described in the above, there is only a single entry of the layout data LD in the CD-R  852 , so that this layout data LD is designated and read out. 
     In this case, the layout window LW on the screen of the display device  801  will have a schematic image of the cigarette display system  1000  provided by the supplier and actually installed at the shop. 
     If the worker makes, depending on needs, input operations of the scheduled time for structural modification, and planned vertical and lateral dimensions through the input device  802  into the input units  821 ,  825 , and  827  (steps S 4  to S 6 ), the entry data are held and output to be displayed to the input units  821 ,  825 ,  827  (steps S 7  to S 9 ). 
     For example, if the scheduled time for the structural modification of the cigarette display system  1000  at the shop is two hours, a text data of “2 hr 00 min” is entered by an input operation through the input device  802 , and then output to be displayed. 
     When the planned lateral dimension of the new installation space of the cigarette display system  1000  in the shop is 120 cm, a text data of “120” is entered by an input operation to the left/right value input unit  825 , and then output to be displayed. 
     Similarly, when the planned vertical dimension of the new installation space of the cigarette display system  1000  in the shop is 140 cm, a text data of “140” is entered by an input operation to the top/bottom value input unit  827 , and then output to be displayed. 
     When the worker optionally makes a layout operation of the unit images UP and the sales counter image CP output for display in the layout window LW, typically by a drag-and-drop operation using the mouse cursor MC, the data processing device  800  which detects this operation (step S 10 ) then judges whether the layout operation is appropriate or not (step S 11 ). 
     For example, as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the unit images UP of the frame units  300  and the stocker units  400 , and the sales counter image CP may be arranged at the lowermost portion of the layout window LW. 
     In addition, the unit image UP of the stocker unit  400  may be arranged right above the unit image UP of the stocker unit  400 . Also the unit images UP of the table unit  410  and the frame unit  300  may be arranged right above the unit image UP of the stocker unit  400  and the sales counter image CP. The unit image UP of the frame unit  300  may be arranged right above the unit image UP of the frame unit  300 . 
     It is, however, not permissible to arrange the sales counter image CP anywhere other than the lowermost portion. It is also not permissible to arrange the unit image UP of the stocker unit  400  right above the unit image UP of the frame unit  300 . 
     The unit image UP of the table unit  410  cannot be arranged anywhere other than the intermediate region between the unit images UP of the sales counter image CP or the stocker units  400  and the unit image UP of the frame unit  300 . The above-described limitations on the layout are set typically as attribute data, respectively to the unit data UD, the sales counter image CP and so forth. 
     Accordingly, if any impossible layout operation is executed by the worker (step S 11 -N), such a layout operation is ignored, and a layout alarm with a guidance message such as “Impossible layout. This unit is . . . ”, for example, is output to be alarmed typically in a form of balloon (step S 12 ). 
     On the other hand, when any possible layout operation is executed by the worker (step S 11 -Y), a layout data is produced corresponding to the layout operation, and the sales counter image CP and the unit images UP are displayed in an arranged form in the layout window LW (step S 13 ). 
     When the layout operation is made on the unit images UP and so forth output for display in the layout window LW as described in the above, any unnecessary unit images UP, for example, may temporarily be disposed in the blank portion or outside of the layout window LW. 
     If the unit images UP of all frame units  300  of the cigarette display system  1000  owned by the shop are output to be displayed in the layout window LW, this means that there is no frame unit  300 , addable to the cigarette display system  1000  based on such layout, available in the shop. 
     Therefore, any unit image UP outside the layout window LW appears dark, and the darkened unit image UP is not arrangeable in the layout window LW. 
     Accordingly, when the layout operation of the unit images UP is attempted in the layout window LW, beyond the range of the types and quantity of the frame units  300  owned by the shop, the data processing device  800  outputs, as a layout alarm, a guidance message such as “The unit not in your stock. Buy it now, if necessary. Place your order to . . . ”, or “All units in use in the current layout. Buy it now, if necessary. Place your order to . . . ” or the like is output to be displayed, typically in a form of balloon sign (step S 12 ). 
     On the other hand, if any unit image UP output to be displayed in the layout window LW is brought outside by a layout operation, the correspondent unit image UP is highlighted. This indicates that the frame unit  300  correspondent to the highlighted unit image UP is available in the shop. 
     Therefore, any unit image UP highlighted outside the layout window LW may be arranged in the layout window LW. Note that the sales counter is an installation at the shop, and is not a kind of provision from the supplier, so that the sales counter image CP always appears highlighted and may be arranged in the layout window LW. 
     According to the data processing device  800  of this embodiment, for example, the sales counter image CP arranged by the layout operation as described in the above may be expanded or shrunk in the lateral direction typically by an input operation through the input device  802 . The sales counter image CP may be corresponded to the sales counter actually installed at the shop. 
     The layout window LW is variable in the vertical and lateral dimensions, typically through an input operation again using the mouse cursor MC. The unit images UP arranged in the layout window LW are output for display on the scale of reduction corresponding to the layout window LW. 
     In the data processing device  800  of this embodiment, also the person image PP may be arranged in the layout window LW as illustrated in  FIG. 3 , through a process operation independent from the above-described layout operation of the unit images UP. 
     In this case, the upper limb portions PPb of the person image PP may be rotated by operation, depending on needs. Accordingly, the unit images UP may be arranged while making comparison with standard stature and working range of the worker. 
     Once the unit images UP are arranged in the layout window LW as described in the above, the required times, or the work load, of the unit data UD correspondent to the unit images UP are summed up. 
     In addition, the lateral dimension and vertical dimension of the unit data UD are respectively summed up corresponding to the layout of the unit images UP, and thereby a current lateral dimension and a current vertical dimension are calculated (step S 14 ). The required time, the current lateral dimension, and the current vertical dimension thus calculated are output for display (step S 15 ). 
     For an exemplary case where the unit images UP of the frame unit  300  respectively characterized by a required time of 5 minutes, a lateral dimension of 35 cm and a vertical dimension of 25 cm are arranged in three columns in the lateral direction, and in six rows in the vertical direction, a text data of “1 hr 30 min” appears in the display unit for the required time in adjacent to the time input unit  821 , a text data of “105” appears in the display unit for the current lateral dimension in adjacent to the left/right value input unit  825 , and a text data of “150” appears in the display unit for the current vertical dimension in adjacent to the top/bottom value input unit  827 . 
     For the case where the scheduled time is entered by an input operation and temporarily held as described in the above (step S 16 ), a time margin is calculated as a result of subtraction of the required time from the scheduled time (step S 17 ). 
     If the time margin falls on a positive value (step S 18 -N), the time margin can be output for display as it is (step S 20 ). On the other hand, if the time margin falls on a negative value (step S 18 -Y), the time margin can typically be displayed in red in a flashing manner, associated with a balloon sign containing a guidance message such as “Time exceeded.”, output as a time alarm (step S 19 ). 
     For another exemplary case, as illustrated in  FIG. 17 , where the planned lateral dimension is entered by an input operation and temporarily held as described in the above (step S 21 -Y), a lateral dimensional margin is calculated as a result of subtraction of the current lateral dimension from the planned lateral dimension (step S 22 ). 
     If the lateral dimensional margin falls on a positive value (step S 23 -N), the lateral dimensional margin can be output to be displayed as it is (step S 25 ). On the other hand, if the lateral dimensional margin falls on a negative value (step S 23 -Y), the lateral dimensional margin can typically be displayed in red in a flashing manner, associated with a balloon sign containing a guidance message such as “Laterally oversized beyond planned value.”, output as a lateral value alarm (step S 24 ). 
     The current vertical dimension is judged whether it exceeds the allowable vertical dimension (step S 26 ), and if it is found to exceed, the current vertical dimension is displayed in red in a flashing manner, associated with a balloon sign containing a guidance message such as “Vertically oversized beyond safety range.”, output as a left/right value alarm (step S 30 ). 
     On the other hand, if the current vertical dimension is not found to exceed the allowable vertical dimension (step S 26 -N), and if the planned vertical dimension is preliminarily entered by an input operation and temporarily held as described in the above (step S 27 -Y), a vertical dimensional margin is calculated as a result of subtraction of the current vertical dimension from the planned vertical dimension (step S 28 ). 
     If the vertical dimensional margin falls on a positive value (step S 29 -N), the vertical dimensional margin can be output for display as it is (step S 31 ). On the other hand, if the vertical dimensional margin falls on a negative value (step S 29 -Y), the vertical dimensional margin can typically be displayed in red in a flashing manner, associated with a balloon sign containing a guidance message such as “Vertically oversized beyond planned value.”, output as a vertical value alarm (step S 30 ). 
     For an exemplary case where the layout operation yields calculated values of a required time of “01 hr 30 min”, a current lateral dimension of “105”, and a current vertical dimension of “150”, while the scheduled time is preliminarily set to “02 hr 00 min”, the planned lateral dimension to “120”, and the planned vertical dimension to “140” as described in the above, a time margin of “00 hr 30 min” and a lateral dimensional margin of “15” are output to be displayed as positive values, whereas the vertical dimensional margin appears as a negative value of “−10” in red in a flashing manner, associated with the alarm guidance. 
     Even if the alarms relevant to the time and dimension are once output for display as described in the above, it is also possible to make the alarm no longer be output (steps S 14  to S 31 ), by re-entering the scheduled time and the planned dimension (steps S 4  to S 9 ), or by modifying the layout of the unit images UP (steps S 10  to S 13 ), as illustrated in  FIG. 16 . 
     Even for an exemplary case where the unit images UP of the frame units  300  each having a vertical dimension of 25 cm are vertically arranged in six rows, thereby to give a current vertical dimension of “150” and a vertical dimensional margin of “−10”, while the planned vertical dimension is set to “140” as described in the above, deletion of the topmost unit image UP causes the current vertical dimension to be reduced to “125” and the vertical dimensional margin to be increased to “15”, with the alarm guidance then disappearing. 
     If the reset icon on the screen is entered by an input operation (step S 32 -Y), thus-entered scheduled time, thus-arranged unit images UP and so forth are reset (step S 33 ). 
     The worker, who is successful in establishing a desired layout of the unit images UP as a result of the input operation as described in the above, may typically print out the image displayed in the layout window LW by a predetermined operation (not illustrated). 
     In this case, the structural modification of the cigarette display system  1000  is carried out at the shop, referring to the printed result. Since the time required for the structural modification is preliminarily confirmed, the structural modification of the cigarette display system  1000  may deliberately be carried out. 
     The worker, who was successful in establishing a desired layout of the unit images UP using the data processing device  800  as described in the above, may also make an input operation on the “Save” icon. 
     Then as illustrated in  FIG. 17 , the data processing device  800  which detects the input operation (step S 34 ) stores a new layout data LD together, for example, with the current date and time, a serial number and so forth (step S 35 ). 
     Accordingly, when the cigarette display system  1000  organized corresponding to the above-described new layout is structurally modified again, the above-described new layout data LD may be designated (step S 2 ) so as to modify the layout of the unit images UP (step S 4  to S 35 ). 
     The cigarette display system  1000  of this embodiment may freely be modified in the dimensions in the vertical and lateral directions and so forth, by freely re-assembling a plurality of types of frame units  300  at the shop, as described in the above. 
     Accordingly, a new sales floor may ideally be configured, even for the case of renewal of the shop. This means, however, that the any shop making use of the cigarette display system  1000  is requested to determine a layout of the frame units  300  and so forth, so as to adapt them to the vertical and lateral dimensions of the new place of installation. 
     In addition, any shop under planning to structurally modify the cigarette display system  1000  has to consider also the required time which depends on details of the structural modification. The cigarette display system  1000  is, however, extremely large in the degree of freedom of layout of the frame units  300  and so forth. It may, therefore, be not easy to determine an optimum layout, while taking even the overall occupied dimension and the required time for the structural modification into consideration. 
     In contrast, according to the data processing device  800  of this embodiment, the current structure of the cigarette display system  1000  may be reproduced by a plurality of unit images UP and output to be displayed as described in the above, and the unit images UP output for display may be arranged by the layout operation through the input device  802 . 
     Accordingly, the new configuration may preliminarily and extensively be examined, and an optimum new configuration may be created, even when the cigarette display system  1000  is structurally modified typically for the purpose of renewal of the shop. 
     Moreover, the actual work load of the structural modification of the cigarette display system  1000  may be calculated as a result of the layout operation of the unit images UP, and output to be displayed. Accordingly, the work load of the structural modification may also preliminarily and readily be confirmed, when the cigarette display system  1000  is structurally modified. 
     In particular, the data processing device  800  calculates the required time as the work load of the structural modification of the cigarette display system  1000 , and outputs it to displayed. Accordingly, the shop is now capable of structurally modifying the cigarette display system  1000  deliberately at a desired time. 
     Shops such as convenience stores are limited in time for the individual types of tasks. Accordingly, if the shops having the cigarette display system  1000  installed therein are convenience stores, it is important to preliminarily confirm the required time for the structural modification. 
     Moreover, the data processing device  800  calculates the total required time and outputs it for display, every time the layout operation of the unit images UP takes place. The worker can therefore confirm the required time for the structural modification in real time, while executing the layout operation of desired unit images UP. Accordingly, a new configuration obtainable after modification within a limited duration of time can readily be created. 
     In particular, the data processing device  800  allows input of the scheduled time at the worker&#39;s will, and displays the required time alongside of the scheduled time. Also the time margin calculated by subtracting the required time from the scheduled time is displayed alongside thereof. 
     Accordingly, the worker can compare the required time with the scheduled time in real time, while arranging any desired unit images UP, and can therefore confirm the time margin in real time. 
     In particular, when the time margin falls on a negative value, the time alarm is output. The worker can therefore confirm that the required time exceeded the scheduled time, in the process of arranging the unit images UP. 
     Modification of the layout of the unit images UP or edition of the scheduled time can be allowable even when the time alarm remains active, and output of the time alarm is cleared when the time margin falls on a positive value. 
     Accordingly, the worker can examine, for example, the layout of the frame units  300  modifiable within the scheduled time, and the required time for the structural modification of the desired cigarette display system  1000  in real time. 
     The data processing device  800  of this embodiment calculates the occupied dimension of the actual cigarette display system  1000 , and outputs it to be displayed, every time the layout operation of the unit images UP takes place. 
     Accordingly, the dimensions necessary for the installation can be confirmed in real time, while arranging the desired unit images UP by the layout operation. Therefore, the tasks for organizing the cigarette display system  1000 , capable of making the best use of the space for newly installation at the shop, can be assisted in a successful manner. In particular, since the occupied dimensions can be calculated independently in the vertical direction and in the lateral direction, so that a layout best matched to the new installation space can be examined. 
     Also the planned vertical and lateral dimensions can be entered by the input operation at the worker&#39;s will, wherein the current vertical and lateral dimensions are output to be displayed alongside of the planned dimensions. Moreover, the dimensional margins calculated by subtracting the current dimensions from the planned dimensions can further be output for display alongside thereof. 
     Accordingly, the worker can compare the occupied dimensions with the planned dimensions in real time, while arranging any desired unit images UP by the layout operation, and can thereby confirm the dimensional margins in real time. 
     In particular, a dimensional alarm is output when the dimensional margin falls on a negative value. The worker can therefore confirm that the current dimension exceeded the planned dimension in real time, while arranging the unit images UP by the layout operation. 
     Modification of the layout of the unit images UP or edition of the planned dimension can be allowable even when the dimensional alarm remains active in this manner, and output of the dimensional alarm is cleared when the dimensional margin falls on a positive value. 
     Accordingly, the worker can examine the layout of the frame units  300  installable on site without causing any problems, and the space necessary for installing the desired cigarette display system  1000  in real time. 
     The data processing device  800  also stores allowable vertical dimensions which are preliminarily determined from the viewpoint of safety, besides the planned vertical dimension freely set by the worker. Therefore, a specialized dimensional alarm is output when the current vertical dimensions exceed the allowable vertical dimensions, even though the planned vertical dimensions are not exceeded. 
     Therefore, the safe vertical dimensions of the cigarette display system  1000  can readily and exactly be recognized by the worker, and thereby the cigarette display system  1000  is prevented from being used after being organized to have dangerous dimensions. 
     The plurality of types of frame units  300  and so forth of the cigarette display system  1000  can yield combinations of those engageable with each other and combinations of those unengageable with each other in the vertical direction. The data processing device  800  therefore nullifies any layout operation for the combinations of the unit images UP unengageable with each other in the vertical direction, and outputs a layout alarm for alarming when a layout operation is effected on the combinations of unit images UP unengageable with each other in the vertical direction. 
     Therefore, the combinations of the frame units  300  and so forth unengageable can readily and exactly be recognized by the worker, and thereby the cigarette display system  1000  is prevented from being used after being organized to have dangerous structure. 
     Accordingly, the worker may determine an optimum layout of the frame units  300  and so forth, taking also the overall occupied dimension of the cigarette display system  1000  and the work load into consideration. Therefore, the data processing device  800  may successfully assist the task such as modifying the cigarette display system  1000  to have the optimum new configuration with a minimum work load. 
     The cigarette display system  1000  is often installed over the top surface of the sales counter of the shop. The data processing device  800  allows the layout operation, while outputting also the sales counter image CP, modeled after the front geometry of the sales counter on the same scale of reduction with the unit images UP, to be displayed on the screen. The worker can therefore readily confirm a finished image of the cigarette display system  1000 , also for the case where it is installed over the sales counter. 
     In particular, if the sales counter image CP is arranged together with the unit images UP by the layout operation as described in the above, the vertical dimension of the sales counter can be reflected on the vertical dimension of the cigarette display system  1000 , while leaving the lateral dimension and the required time not reflected thereon. Accordingly, only information which is necessary to be examined can be provided to the worker, when the cigarette display system  1000  is planned to be installed over the sales counter. 
     Moreover, since the unit images UP are modeled after the front geometry of the plurality of types of frame units  300  and so forth, the worker may confirm the final image so forth of the cigarette display system  1000  by intuition. 
     In the cigarette display system  1000 , display styles of the cigarette packs TP, the cigarette cartons KT and so forth are designated on the basis of the individual types of the frame units  300 . The data processing device  800  allows the layout operation while outputting and displaying the unit images UP modeled after the display style. The worker can, therefore, readily and exactly confirm different display styles of the cigarette packs TP and so forth on the frame units  300  of the same dimension. 
     In the cigarette display system  1000 , the simple fittings EF such as the box packs BP can directly be placed on the frame units  300  and the tray units  200 . Also the mesh unit  450 , for example, can be adoptable. 
     The data processing device  800  can, however, allow the layout operation while outputting and displaying also the unit images UPa to UPh having graphics of the above-described plurality of types of display styles. The worker can, therefore, readily confirm a finished image of the cigarette display system  1000 , even for the case where the individual unit  450  and so forth are used. 
     The data processing device  800  of this embodiment allows the layout operation, while outputting and displaying also the person image PP modeled after the front geometry of a person on the same scale of reduction with the unit images UP on the screen. 
     The worker can, therefore, confirm also whether the vertical dimension of the structurally-modified cigarette display system  1000  is excessive or not, and can thereby confirm the overall dimension and so forth of the cigarette display system  1000  by intuition. 
     In particular, the person image PP allows rotation of the upper limb portions PPb thereof by the input operation. The worker can, therefore, readily and exactly confirm whether the vertical dimension of the structurally-modified cigarette display system  1000  is appropriate or not. 
     The person image PP has a pair of left and right upper limb portions PPb. It can therefore be possible also to confirm, for example, whether the lateral dimension of the structurally-modified cigarette display system  1000  is appropriate, typically by horizontally placing the left and right upper limb portions PPb of the person image PP. 
     Note that the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, instead allowing various modifications without departing from the spirit thereof. For example, the embodiment in the above shows an exemplary case where the cigarette display system  1000  has the frame units  300  as the unit components, and the data processing device  800  is correspondingly formed. 
     The cigarette display system  1000  may alternatively have a wall unit  500  as the unit component. In this case, as illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the cigarette display system  1000  may be built using the wall unit  500 , without using the frame units  300 . 
     The wall unit  500  is configured by a base wall  500   a  and a panel wall  500   b,  as illustrated in  FIG. 19 . A plurality of panel walls  500   b  can be engaged in the vertical direction, and can be engaged with the upper end of the base wall  500   a.    
     Thus, the wall unit  500  having a desired vertical dimension can be formed. The tray unit  200  may be attached to the wall unit  500  using a tray attachment  600 . 
     The cigarette display system  1000  can be configured to have a desired vertical dimension by engaging a plurality of wall units  500  in the vertical direction, and also to have a desired lateral dimension by arranging the wall units  500  in the lateral direction. 
     The tray attachments  600  may be attached at desired positions on the front faces of the wall units  500  arranged in the vertical and lateral directions as described in the above, so as to allow the tray attachments  600  to hold the tray units  200 . Each tray unit  200  may directly accommodate the cigarette cartons TK, or may accommodate the cigarette packs TP making use of the magazine units  100 . 
     Still further, as illustrated in  FIG. 18 , the wall units  500  arranged in the vertical and lateral directions as described in the above may be installed on the top surfaces of the stocker units  400  arranged in the vertical and lateral directions, together with the table units  410  and so forth. 
     Still alternatively, a system built up with the wall units  500  and a system built up with the frame units  300  may be installed side-by-side to configure the cigarette display system  1000  (not illustrated). 
     The data processing device  800  may output a unit image modeled after the front geometry of the wall unit  500  on the above-described scale of reduction, to be displayed on the screen so as to allow the layout operation (not illustrated). 
     The embodiment in the above shows an exemplary case where the cigarette display system  1000  is built using structural components such as the frame units  300 , and the unit images UP of the frame units  300  and so forth are output, by the displayed data processing device  800 , to be displayed so as to allow the layout operation. 
     The cigarette display system  1000  may, however, have a plurality of types of advertising components  420  attached inside and outside the combined frame units  300 , as illustrated in  FIG. 20 . 
     Therefore, the data processing device  800  may allow the layout operation, while outputting for display also advertising component data which contains advertising component images modeled after the front geometries of the advertising components  420  on the same scale of reduction with the unit images UP, set together with at least required time on the basis of the individual types of the plurality of advertising components  420 , and may calculate the total required time corresponding to thus-arranged unit images UP and the advertising component images. In this case, the shop may examine structural modification of the cigarette display system  1000 , taking also the advertising components  420  into consideration. 
     The embodiment in the above was on the premise of simply setting, on the unit data UD basis, the required time as the work load of the structural modification of the frame units  300  and so forth. Alternatively, the data storage unit  810  may store, for each combination of a plurality of types of frame units  300  and so forth, the unit data UD which includes the required time for the attachment/detachment as the work load, and the result calculation unit  816  may calculate, as the work load, a total of the required time for combining the frame units  300  and so forth, modified in the layout. In this case, the required time may more accurately be calculated, with some increased complexity in data processing by the data processing device  800 . 
     The embodiment in the above describes exemplary case where the data processing device  800  calculates the required time for a single worker as the work load. Alternatively, the data processing device further includes a number-of-persons input unit which accepts an input operation of the number of persons concerning with the structural modification, and a number-of-persons storage unit which temporarily stores the input number of persons, wherein the result calculation unit  816  may divide the total of the required time by the number of persons (not illustrated). 
     In this case, if the number of workers is given, the required time under such number of workers may be calculated by the data processing device, so that the structural modification of the cigarette display system  1000  may be proceeded in a more deliberate manner. 
     However, the number of workers optimum for the structural modification of the cigarette display system  1000  may be limitative in practice. For example, if  1000  workers should concern with the structural modification of the cigarette display system  1000 , the required time would not be reduced to 1/1000 of the time required by a single worker. 
     The number-of-persons input unit may therefore be configured to accept an operation of selecting the number of persons only from a plurality of predetermined varieties. In this case, the number of persons for the structural modification of the cigarette display system  1000  maybe selectable typically from “one, two, . . . five” output to be displayed as an optimum number of workers, so as to prevent any inappropriate required time from being output, as a result of an input operation of any non-realistic number of workers. 
     Still alternatively, a display unit may be provided corresponding to each of the above-described plurality of varieties of the number of persons, so as to allow therein output of an message of “×× hr ×× min necessary for a one-person operation”, “×× hr ×× min necessary for two-person operation”, or the like. 
     The embodiment in the above describes an exemplary case where the first layout data LD is created by the supplier and provided to the shop, when the cigarette display system  1000  is newly introduced to the shop from the supplier. 
     Alternatively, the shop under planning of introduction of the cigarette display system  1000  may be provided with the above-described application software from the supplier, and may create the first layout data LD using the data processing device  800  installed with the application software. 
     In this case, the frame units  300  and so forth may be provided corresponding to the layout data LD from the supplier to the shop, and the cigarette display system  1000  is organized at the shop using the frame units  300  and so forth. 
     The embodiment in the above is on the premise of using all available frame units  300  and so forth for the structural modification of the cigarette display system  1000 , for simplicity of explanation. However, in the actual structural modification, a part of the frame units  300  may be disused and stocked in the back yard. 
     Therefore, in this case, the data processing device  800  may be allowed to recognize the frame unit  300  in stock, and to highlight the unit images UP disposed outside the layout window LW as described in the above, in the structural modification for the next time. 
     In this case, any frame units  300  addable to the current cigarette display system  1000  may be recognized by the worker at a glance, and the unit images UP thereof may be arranged in the layout window LW so as to make themselves readily adoptable to creation of a new layout. 
     The above-described embodiment discussed the exemplary case where the unit images UP, having the same dimension but different in the display style of the cigarette packs TP and the cigarette cartons TK, are preliminarily registered to the data processing device  800 , and are respectively output for display. 
     Alternatively, only a single unit image may be displayed for every outer dimension, and a schematic image of a display style inside the unit image can be displayed in a toggled manner corresponding to every input operation. In this case, the examination can be made by changing only the display style of the cigarette packs TP and the cigarette cartons TK without modifying the overall dimension of the arranged unit images. 
     The above-described embodiment discussed the exemplary case where the unit images UP are given by the schematic images of the display styles. The unit images UP may alternatively be given by photographic data of the actual frame units  300  and so forth, or may be given by the schematic images and photographic data toggled therebetween. In this case, more realistic finished images of the cigarette display system  1000  can be presented to the worker. 
     The above-described embodiment discussed the exemplary case where only a grid is displayed in the layout window LW. Alternatively, the data processing device may accept input of a photographic data of the shop taken by the worker using a digital camera or the like, and the photographic data may be displayed as a background of the layout window LW. In this case, the worker may be allowed to confirm a state of installation of the cigarette display system  1000  at the shop in a more real manner. 
     The above-described embodiment discussed the exemplary case where also the sales counter image CP may be arranged similarly to the unit images UP in the layout window LW by the layout operation. Alternatively, the sales counter image CP may be displayed while being toggled between the on/off states at a predetermined position in the layout window LW, corresponding to a predetermined input operation (not illustrated). 
     The above-described embodiment discusses the exemplary case where only the lateral dimension of the sales counter image CP may be adjustable. Alternatively, the vertical dimension of the sales counter image CP may be made adjustable, corresponding to an input operation of the vertical dimension of the actual sales counter. 
     It has been made clear also that the degree of interest of the customer depends on the vertical position, with respect to the cigarette display system  1000  having a sufficient vertical dimension as described in the above. The layout window LW may, therefore, be output for display based on a color arrangement corresponding to the degree of interest of the customer. 
     In this case, for example, a layout operation such as arranging the unit image UPg of the simple fitting EF for accommodating the box packs BP at a position which attracts more interest of the customer, and arranging the unit image UPf of the frame unit  300  for accommodating the cigarette cartons TK at a position which attracts less interest of the customer, may be facilitated. 
     Moreover, the above-described embodiment discussed the exemplary case where the allowable vertical dimension of the cigarette display system  1000  is preliminarily denoted, and registered to the data processing device  800 . Alternatively, the data processing device may further include a stature input unit accepting an input operation of the stature of the worker; a stature storage unit temporarily holding thus-entered stature; and an appropriate value calculation unit calculating an appropriate dimension in the vertical direction from the temporarily-held stature (not illustrated), and may output an non-conformity alarm when thus-calculated total of occupied dimensions exceeds the calculated appropriate dimension. In this case, the worker may readily confirm whether the vertical dimension of the structurally-modified cigarette display system  1000  to be built is appropriate to his or her own stature. 
     Alternatively, the data processing device having the stature input unit and the stature storage unit as described in the above may further have a person model adjusting unit adjusting the scale of reduction of the person image PP output for display on the screen corresponding to the temporarily-held stature (not illustrated). 
     In this case, the worker may confirm, by intuition, whether the vertical dimension of the structurally-modified cigarette display system  1000  is appropriate to his or her stature, based on a relative relation between the arranged unit images UP and the person image PP. Moreover, the person image PP having a plurality of types of stature may preliminarily be prepared. 
     The above-described embodiment assumed the exemplary case where the opaque person image PP may be arranged by the layout operation alongside, or in front of the arranged unit images UP. Alternatively, a semi-transparent person image PP may be output for display, and may be displayed while being toggled between the on/off states, typically by so-called right click on the mouse  845 . 
     The above-described embodiment assumed the exemplary case where the data processing device  800  calculates and outputs for display the work load in real time and the occupied dimension of the cigarette display system  1000  depending on the layout operation of the unit images UP. Alternatively, the data processing device may calculate and output for display the work load and the occupied dimension, when the worker arranges the unit images UP using the layout operation and then submits “enter”. 
     The operability by the worker may be improved for the case where the calculation and data output are sequentially executed in real time as described in the above, meanwhile the process load of the data processing device may be reduced for the case where they are executed corresponding to the input operation. 
     Furthermore, at least a part of the plurality of types of frame units  300  is designated with the number of arrangement of the fixed-size cigarette packs TP aligned in the depth-wise direction, as described in the above. While the number of the cigarette packs TP arranged in the vertical and lateral directions in the frame units  300  might be confirmed by the unit images UP, the number arranged in the depth-wise direction cannot be confirmed. 
     The data processing device may, therefore, store the unit images UP with a description of the number of arrangement (not illustrated). In this case, the number of cigarette packs TP arranged in the depth-wise direction of the frame units  300  may be confirmed by the unit images UP output for display. 
     The above-described embodiment assumes the exemplary case where the computer program  860 , which allows the computer device at the shop to function as the data processing device  800 , is supplied in a form of data storage medium such as the CD-R  852  from the supplier. Alternatively, this sort of computer program  860  may be supplied through so-called data communication typically through the Internet. 
     It can still also be allowable that a service which includes functions equivalent to those obtainable by the above-described data processing device  800  may be offered to a user terminal device such as the computer device at the shop by the data processing device such as a server at the supplier. 
     In this case, as illustrated in  FIG. 21 , a data processing device  900  at the supplier offers a web site WS used for assisting structural modification of the above-described cigarette display system  1000 , through the Internet IN to a user terminal device UT. 
     It may be good enough for the data processing device  900  to have at least a data storage unit  910  as the unit storage unit which stores unit data UD including unit images UP modeled after front geometry of each of the plurality of types of frame units  300  and so forth on a predetermined scale of reduction, together with the work load such as required time; a layout storage unit  911  which stores, on the worker basis, a layout data LD of the plurality of frame units  300  and so forth composing the cigarette display system  1000 ; a login acceptance unit (not illustrated) which accepts login by the worker through the user terminal device on which the web site WS is browsed; an image display unit  920  which outputs the plurality of unit images UP to be displayed on the screen of the web site WS, according to a layout corresponded to the layout data LD of the logged-in worker; an operation detection  930  unit which detects a layout operation effected through the input device on the unit images UP output for display; a unit layout unit  940  which modifies the layout of the unit images UP output for display on the screen, corresponding to the detected layout operation; a result calculation unit  950  which calculates work load of the structural modification of the cigarette display system  1000 , corresponding to the modification of layout; and a result output unit  960  which outputs the calculated work load to be displayed on the web site WS. 
     In this case, the supplier who is going to offer the cigarette display system  1000  to the shop may offer functions for assisting structural modification of the cigarette display system  1000  through the web site WS to the shop.