Information processing server, information processing system, and storage medium

Abstract

The invention provides an information processing server, an information processing system, and a storage medium, which can output checkout guidance information contributing to improving the work efficiency of a checkout machine. The information processing server comprises an input interface, a processor and an output interface. The input interface inputs image data from a camera that captures an area including columns arranged by a user according to a checkout method. The processor detects a type of each column included in the image data and an arrangement order of users based on column management information for assigning a type to each column included in the image data. On the basis of checkout machine management information that manages the type of each checkout machine and the idle state, a prescribed checkout machine corresponding to the type of a prescribed column in which a prescribed user in a prescribed arrangement is arranged is selected. The output interface outputs checkout guidance information for guiding a user to the prescribed checkout machine.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese application No. JP2024-159202, filed on September 13, 2024, and incorporates the contents of the aforementioned application in their entirety. Technical Field

[0002] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing server, an information processing system, and a storage medium. Background Technology

[0003] In recent years, self-checkout machines, where customers check out their purchases themselves, have become widely available in large retail stores such as supermarkets. Typically, multiple self-checkout machines are uniformly installed in the checkout area, where customers enter and operate the machines. In addition, there are cases where various models of self-checkout machines are available to accommodate different customer payment methods, and these mixed-model machines are placed within the checkout area.

[0004] The layout of checkout machines within the checkout area can make it difficult to determine which machines are idle. Furthermore, during busy periods, even if a machine is available, customers may still experience wait times. Additionally, when multiple machine types are mixed in the checkout area, customers must find the machine type that corresponds to their payment method and then complete the transaction at that machine. Therefore, machines that do not correspond to the payment method of the first customer entering the checkout area may remain idle for a period, potentially reducing the overall efficiency of the checkout system. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the above problems, the problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information processing server, an information processing system and a storage medium that outputs checkout guidance information that helps improve the working efficiency of checkout machines.

[0006] To address the aforementioned problems, the information processing server described in this embodiment includes an input interface, a processor, and an output interface. The input interface receives image data from a camera capturing images of areas including columns arranged by the user according to their checkout method. The processor detects the type of each column in the image data and the user's arrangement order based on column management information assigning types to each column. It then selects a designated checkout machine corresponding to the type of column arranged by the designated user in the designated arrangement order, based on checkout machine management information managing the type and availability of each checkout machine. The output interface outputs checkout guidance information to direct the user to the designated checkout machine.

[0007] Based on the aforementioned information processing server, checkout guidance information can be output to help improve the working efficiency of multiple checkout machines.

[0008] In the aforementioned information processing server, the checkout machine management information includes the priority order of each checkout machine. When the specified column of the specified user in the first ranking corresponds to the type of cash payment, the processor selects the specified checkout machine with the highest priority among the idle checkout machines that accept cash payments. When the specified column of the specified user in the first ranking corresponds to the type of non-cash settlement, the processor selects the specified checkout machine with the highest priority among the idle checkout machines that accept non-cash settlement.

[0009] Based on the aforementioned information processing server, the specified user can be directed to the checkout machine of the model that is suitable for the specified user's checkout method (cash payment or non-cash settlement) in the first order.

[0010] In the aforementioned information processing server, the processor, when the specified column of the specified user in the first ranking corresponds to the type of goods registered at checkout, selects the specified checkout machine with the highest priority among the idle checkout machines corresponding to the type of goods registered at checkout; and when the specified column of the specified user in the first ranking corresponds to the type of goods registered before checkout, selects the specified checkout machine with the highest priority among the idle checkout machines corresponding to the type of goods registered before checkout.

[0011] Based on the aforementioned information processing server, the specified user can be guided to the checkout machine of the model that is suitable for the specified user in the first order of priority for the checkout method (item registration at checkout or item registration before checkout).

[0012] In the aforementioned information processing server, the checkout guidance information includes the identification information of the specified checkout machine. The processor selects the specified information output device corresponding to the specified column based on the output management information of multiple information output devices configured to manage each column. The output interface outputs the checkout guidance information to the specified information output device.

[0013] Based on the aforementioned information processing server, users listed in the designated columns can smoothly navigate to the designated checkout machine and perform the checkout operation according to the checkout guidance information provided by the information output device set in the corresponding column.

[0014] In the aforementioned information processing server, the output interface outputs the checkout guidance information to the sub-monitors set up corresponding to the columns arranged by the user according to the checkout method.

[0015] Based on the aforementioned information processing server, users can be guided to the checkout machine via a secondary monitor.

[0016] In the aforementioned information processing server, the output interface outputs the checkout guidance information to the waiter's terminal.

[0017] Based on the aforementioned information processing server, store clerks can be assisted in guiding users to the checkout machine.

[0018] In the aforementioned information processing server, the processor, when the specified column of the specified user in the first ranking corresponds to the cash payment type and there is no idle checkout machine accepting cash payments, selects the checkout machine with the highest priority among the idle checkout machines accepting non-cash payments. The output interface outputs checkout guidance information for users in the non-cash payment column. The processor, when the specified column of the specified user in the first ranking corresponds to the non-cash payment type and there is no idle checkout machine accepting non-cash payments, selects the checkout machine with the highest priority among the idle checkout machines accepting cash payments. The output interface outputs checkout guidance information for users in the cash payment column.

[0019] Based on the aforementioned information processing server, if the checkout machine available to the first-ranked user is not idle, users of other payment methods in the subsequent queues will be guided first.

[0020] In the aforementioned information processing server, the output interface outputs the checkout guidance information to the secondary monitors that correspond to the columns arranged by the user according to the checkout method.

[0021] Based on the aforementioned information processing server, users can be guided to the checkout machine via a secondary monitor.

[0022] Another aspect of the information processing system of the present invention includes an information processing server and a plurality of information output devices corresponding to each column. The information processing server includes: a first input interface for inputting image data from a camera capturing an area including columns arranged by the user according to the checkout method; a processor for detecting the type of each column contained in the image data and the user's arrangement order based on column management information that assigns types to each column contained in the image data, and selecting a specified checkout machine corresponding to the type of a specified column arranged by a specified user with a specified arrangement order based on checkout machine management information that manages the type and idle status of each checkout machine; and an output interface for outputting checkout guidance information for guiding the user to the specified checkout machine, wherein the checkout guidance information includes identification information of the specified checkout machine; the processor for selecting a specified information output device corresponding to the specified column based on output management information that manages the plurality of information output devices corresponding to each column; and the output interface for outputting the checkout guidance information to the specified information output device. The specified information output device includes: a second input interface for inputting the checkout guidance information; and a display for displaying the checkout guidance information.

[0023] According to the aforementioned information processing system, users can see the identification information of the designated checkout machine contained in the checkout guidance information displayed on the monitor corresponding to the designated column, and successfully proceed to the designated checkout machine to complete the checkout operation.

[0024] Another aspect of the present invention is a storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform the following steps: detecting the type of each column contained in the image data from the camera and the arrangement order of the users based on column management information that assigns types of each column to the users according to the checkout method; selecting a designated checkout machine corresponding to the type of a designated column arranged by a designated user with a designated arrangement order based on checkout machine management information that manages the type and availability of each checkout machine; and outputting checkout guidance information for guiding the user to the designated checkout machine.

[0025] Based on the aforementioned storage medium, a function can be provided to the computer to output checkout guidance information that helps improve the working efficiency of multiple checkout machines. Attached Figure Description

[0026] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the structure of a store system as described in one embodiment.

[0027] Figure 2 This is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the self-service POS terminal and the first camera.

[0028] Figure 3It is a sequence diagram showing the correspondence between the screen transitions on the touch panel of the self-service POS terminal, the user's operations, and the terminal status of the self-service POS terminal.

[0029] Figure 4 This is a block diagram showing the main circuit structure of the monitoring device.

[0030] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the main functional components of the processor in the monitoring device.

[0031] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the decision table.

[0032] Figure 7 This is a flowchart illustrating the main steps of information processing performed by the processor of the monitoring device according to the terminal monitoring program.

[0033] Figure 8 This is a flowchart illustrating the main steps of information processing performed by the processor of the monitoring device according to the terminal monitoring program.

[0034] Figure 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the main steps of information processing performed by the processor of the monitoring device according to the terminal monitoring program.

[0035] Figure 10 This is an example of an image displayed on a monitor.

[0036] Figure 11 This is an example of an image displayed on a monitor.

[0037] Figure 12 This is an example of an image displayed on a monitor.

[0038] Figure 13 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the main functional configuration of the processor of the monitoring device in the second embodiment.

[0039] Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating the main steps of information processing performed by the processor of the monitoring device in the second embodiment according to the terminal monitoring program.

[0040] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the main functional components of the processor in the monitoring device.

[0041] Figure 16 This is a diagram showing an example of list management information.

[0042] Figure 17 This is a diagram illustrating an example of terminal management information.

[0043] Figure 18 This is a diagram illustrating an example of output management information.

[0044] Figure 19 This is a flowchart illustrating an example of a monitoring device outputting checkout guidance information.

[0045] Figure 20 This is a first transition diagram used to illustrate the arrangement of queues and the guidance to self-service POS terminals.

[0046] Figure 21 This is a second transition diagram used to illustrate the arrangement of queues and the guidance to self-service POS terminals.

[0047] Figure 22 This is a third transformation diagram used to illustrate the arrangement of queues and the guidance to self-service POS terminals.

[0048] Figure 23 This is the fourth transition diagram used to illustrate the arrangement of queues and the guidance to self-service POS terminals.

[0049] Figure 24 This is the fifth transition diagram used to illustrate the arrangement of queues and the guidance to self-service POS terminals.

[0050] Figure 25 This is the sixth transition diagram used to illustrate the arrangement of queues and the guidance to self-service POS terminals.

[0051] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures

[0052] 11 Terminal 12 Server 13 Display Control Device 14 Waiter Terminal 15 Communication Network 21 First Camera 22 Second Camera 23 Monitoring Device 30 Monitor 30M Main Monitor 30S Sub-Monitor 30S Sub-Monitor Corresponding to the Third Column 30S Sub-Monitor Corresponding to the Second Column 30S Sub-Monitor Corresponding to the First Column 40 Main Body 41 Touch Panel 42 Scanner Reading Window 43 Card Insertion Slot 44 Ticket Dispensing Slot 45 Coin Insertion Slot 46 Coin Dispensing Slot 47 Banknote Insertion Slot 48 Banknote Dispensing Slot 50 51 Bag holder 52 Bag holder 53 Holding arm 60 Basket stand 61 Communication cable 62 Reader / writer 63 Placement platform 64 Display column 65 Warning light 80 Judgment table 100 System 200 Terminal monitoring system 231 Processor 232 Clock 235 Communication interface 236 First camera interface 237 Second camera interface 238 Monitor interface 239 System transmission line 301 Input interface 302 Display 2133 Selection unit 2312 Detection unit 2313 Selection unit 2314 Generation unit 2315 Output unit Detailed Implementation

[0053] The embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. The scale of each part of the drawings used in the following description of the embodiments has been appropriately changed. Furthermore, in the drawings used to describe the following embodiments, some structures have been omitted or their configurations have been appropriately modified.

[0054] In this embodiment, a monitoring device for a self-service POS (Point of Sales) terminal is disclosed, which allows customers to independently complete the checkout process from registering the goods they wish to purchase to making a payment.

[0055] <First Embodiment>

[0056] [Explanation of the Store System]

[0057] Figure 1 This is a diagram illustrating the structure of a store system built within a supermarket or similar establishment equipped with self-service POS terminals. This store system includes a self-service POS system 100 and a terminal monitoring system 200.

[0058] The self-service POS system 100 includes multiple self-service POS terminals 11, a POS server 12, a display control device 13, a waiter terminal 14, and a communication network 15. The self-service POS system 100 connects the multiple self-service POS terminals 11, the POS server 12, and the display control device 13 to the communication network 15. Furthermore, the self-service POS system 100 connects the waiter terminal 14 to the display control device 13. A typical communication network 15 is a LAN (Local Area Network). A LAN can be either a wired LAN or a wireless LAN.

[0059] The self-service POS terminal 11 is a fully self-service checkout terminal, allowing customers to complete the entire process from registering their purchases to settling the payment themselves. The customer can also be referred to as the checkout operator. Multiple self-service POS terminals 11 are installed in a checkout space P, separate from the sales area where the goods are displayed. Customers who have completed their purchases in the sales area enter the checkout space P and operate an idle self-service POS terminal 11 to complete the entire process from registering their purchases to settling the payment.

[0060] POS server 12 is a computer used to collect and analyze data on each product that has been registered for sale via self-service POS terminal 11, etc., to manage the store's sales, inventory, etc. To achieve this management, POS server 12 has a product master file and a sales master file. The product master file is a pre-defined database that associates item data such as the unit price and product name of the product identified by that product code with the product code that individually identifies each product. The sales master file is a database that associates item data such as the quantity purchased, the quantity sold, and the sales amount of the products identified by that product code with the product code of each product, and performs statistics on, for example, a single working day.

[0061] The display control device 13 is a controller that generates images for each self-service POS terminal 11 based on data signals output from each self-service POS terminal 11 and displays them on the monitor of the server terminal 14. The server terminal 14 is a terminal used by a store clerk, referred to as a server, to check the status of each self-service POS terminal 11. The server terminal 14 includes a display such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The server terminal 14 divides the screen into multiple areas and displays images of different self-service POS terminals 11 in each area.

[0062] The terminal monitoring system 200 includes multiple first cameras 21, one or more second cameras 22, a monitoring device 23, and multiple monitors 30. The multiple first cameras 21 are installed within the checkout space P, each corresponding to an equal number of self-service POS terminals 11. The first cameras 21 capture images of the person settling their transaction at the corresponding self-service POS terminal 11.

[0063] The second camera 22 is positioned in the waiting space Q where customers who have not yet entered the checkout space P wait to pay. The second camera 22 captures images of the customers waiting in the waiting space Q.

[0064] The monitoring device 23 is a device that monitors the idle status of the self-service POS terminal 11 based on the terminal status STa output by the display control device 13 and the image data CIa captured by each of the first cameras 21. The monitoring device 23 generates image data MI representing the idle status of the self-service POS terminal 11 based on the image data CIb captured by the second camera 22, and outputs it to the monitor 30 set in the waiting space Q.

[0065] The terminal status STa is status data indicating whether the self-service POS terminal 11 is in an idle state before accepting the user's input or in an operational state after accepting the input. Each self-service POS terminal 11 stores the terminal status STa in its internal memory. The display control device 13 obtains the terminal status STa from each self-service POS terminal 11 and provides it to the monitoring device 23. The monitoring device 23 is an example of a settlement terminal monitoring device.

[0066] The multiple monitors 30 include a main monitor 30M that displays the overall guidance, and multiple secondary monitors 30S that are configured corresponding to the columns arranged by the user according to the checkout method. In addition, the display area of ​​one secondary monitor 30S can be divided into multiple partitioned display areas, so that the guidance displayed on multiple secondary monitors 30S can be displayed in multiple partitioned display areas of one secondary monitor 30S.

[0067] [Instructions for the self-service POS terminal and the first camera]

[0068] Figure 2 This diagram illustrates the positional relationship between the self-service POS terminal 11 and the first camera 21. First, the external structure of the self-service POS terminal 11 will be described. Furthermore, the self-service POS terminal 11 has various models. Figure 2 This is an example of the appearance of a self-service POS terminal 11 of one of the models.

[0069] The self-service POS terminal 11 includes a main body 40 mounted on the ground and a bagging station 50 disposed on one side of the main body 40. A touch panel 41 is mounted on the upper part of the main body 40. The touch panel 41 includes a display and a touch sensor. The display is a device used to show various screens to the operator of the self-service POS terminal 11. The touch sensor is a device used to detect the operator's touch input on the screen. In the self-service POS terminal 11, the operator is typically a customer acting as the checkout.

[0070] The main body 40 has a basket stand 60 located at the center of the side opposite to the side where the bagging station 50 is located. The basket stand 60 is used by checkout customers coming from the store to hold shopping baskets or other items containing the goods they wish to purchase. The checkout customer stands in a position where they can see the screen on the touch panel 41. Figure 2 The operation is carried out within the operating area R on the front side of the main body 40. Therefore, from the perspective of the payer standing in the operating area R, the basket stand 60 is located on the right side of the main body 40, and the bagging stand 50 is on the left side. In the following description, the side where the operating area R is located is referred to as the front of the main body 40, the side where the bagging stand 50 is located is referred to as the left side of the main body 40, and the side where the basket stand 60 is located is referred to as the right side of the main body 40.

[0071] The main body 40 has a scanner reading window 42, a card insertion slot 43, a ticket dispensing slot 44, a coin insertion slot 45, a coin dispensing slot 46, a banknote insertion slot 47, and a banknote dispensing slot 48 formed on its front side. Furthermore, a communication cable 61 extends outward from the right side of the main body 40, and a reader / writer 62 for electronic money media is connected to the end of the communication cable 61. The reader / writer 62 is mounted on a mounting platform 63 located on the upper right side of the main body 40.

[0072] The main body 40 has a display lever 64 mounted on its upper surface. The display lever 64 has an indicator light 65 at its top that selectively emits, for example, green or red light. The display lever 64 indicates the status of the self-service POS machine 11, such as standby, running, calling, or an error, by the color of the indicator light 65.

[0073] The bagging station 50 is configured such that a bag holder 52 is mounted on the upper part of the housing 51. The bag holder 52 has a pair of holding arms 53 for holding shopping bags prepared in the store or shopping bags brought by the checkout customer, such as so-called eco-friendly shopping bags.

[0074] Compared to the self-service POS terminal 11 with this appearance structure, the first camera 21 is installed in a position that can capture the settler from above. The settler stands in the operation area R of the self-service POS terminal 11 and is facing the main body 40, bagging table 50 and basket table 60, etc.

[0075] Incidentally, the cashier standing in the operating area R first places the basket containing the purchased goods on the basket counter 60 on the right, and holds the shopping bag or eco-friendly shopping bag on the holding arm 53 on the left. Then, the cashier follows the instructions displayed on the touch panel 41 to announce the start of using the self-service POS terminal 11.

[0076] Next, the cashier takes out the items they wish to purchase one by one from the shopping basket placed on the basket counter 60. If the item has a barcode, the cashier scans the barcode at the reader window 42 to register the purchase. If the item does not have a barcode, the cashier operates the touch panel 41 and selects the item from the list of barcode-free items to register the purchase. The cashier then places the registered purchases into a shopping bag or an eco-friendly shopping bag, etc.

[0077] After registering all purchased goods, the cashier operates the touch panel 41 and performs a total operation, then selects a payment method. For example, when choosing cash payment, the cashier inserts banknotes or coins into the banknote slot 47 or coin slot 45 and retrieves the change from the banknote dispensing slot 48 or coin dispensing slot 46. For example, if choosing electronic money payment as one of the non-cash payment methods, the cashier aligns the electronic money medium with the reader / writer 62. For example, if paying by credit card as one of the non-cash payment methods, the cashier inserts the credit card into the card insertion slot 43. When the settlement is completed through these payment operations, the cashier collects the dispensed receipt from the receipt dispensing slot 44 and leaves the store with the shopping bag or eco-friendly shopping bag removed from the holding arm 53. A first camera 21 is installed in a position that can capture the cashier's actions when operating this self-checkout POS terminal 11.

[0078] [Explanation of Status Data]

[0079] Figure 3 This is a timing diagram showing the transitions between the screens displayed on the touch panel 41 of the self-service POS terminal 11, the user's operations, and the status data of the self-service POS terminal 11, as well as the corresponding relationship between the so-called terminal status STa. When the terminal status STa is "0", that is, when the self-service POS terminal 11 is in an idle state before accepting user input, a standby screen SCa is displayed on the touch panel 41. The standby screen SCa is the screen waiting to accept user input.

[0080] In this state, when the payer initiates operation OPa on the self-service POS terminal 11, the screen of the touch panel 41 switches to the registration screen SCb. The registration screen SCb displays data such as the name and price of the purchased goods that have been registered for sale. At this time, the state of the self-service POS terminal 11 changes from an idle state before accepting the payer's operation input to an operational state after accepting the operation input. That is, the terminal state STa changes from "0" to "1".

[0081] Subsequently, the payer registers the items to be purchased on the self-service POS terminal 11 (OPb). Then, after completing the registration of all purchased items, the payer performs a totaling operation (OPc). In response to this totaling operation (OPc), the touch panel 41 switches to the checkout screen (SCc). The checkout screen is the screen for accepting payment. The payer then performs a payment operation (OPd) on the self-service POS terminal 11.

[0082] When payment is completed, the touch panel 41 displays the end screen SCd. The end screen SCd is used to inform the payer that the settlement is complete. At this time, the self-service POS terminal 11 returns from the operating state to the idle state. That is, the terminal state STa changes from "1" to "0". Afterwards, when a predetermined time has elapsed, the touch panel 41 displays the standby screen STa. Then, the self-service POS terminal 11 waits to receive the next payer to start the operation OPa.

[0083] As described above, when the settler initiates the start operation Opa, the terminal state STa is "0" before the screen on touch panel 41 transitions to the registration screen SCb. When the screen transitions to the registration screen SCb, the terminal state STa becomes "1". When the settler initiates the payment operation OPd, the terminal state STa remains "1" before the screen on touch panel 41 transitions to the end screen SCd. When the screen transitions to the end screen SCd, the terminal state STa becomes "0". That is, the self-service POS terminal 11 is in an idle state before accepting the settler's input, before the screen on touch panel 41 transitions from the standby screen SCA to the registration screen SCb. The self-service POS terminal 11 is in an operational state where it has already accepted the settler's input, before the screen on touch panel 41 transitions from the registration screen SCb to the end screen SCd.

[0084] [Structural Description of the Monitoring Device]

[0085] Figure 4 This is a block diagram showing the main circuit structure of the monitoring device 23. The monitoring device 23 includes circuit components such as a processor 231, main memory 232, auxiliary storage device 233, clock 234, communication interface 235, first camera interface 236, second camera interface 237, and monitor interface 238, as well as system transmission lines 239. The system transmission lines 239 include address bus, data bus, and control signal lines. The monitoring device 23 forms a computer by connecting the various circuit components to the system transmission lines 239.

[0086] Processor 231 is equivalent to the central part of the computer. Processor 231 controls various parts according to the operating system or application program (application software) to realize various functions as a monitoring device 23. Processor 231 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Processor 231 can be, for example, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), a SoC (System on a Chip), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), a PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or a FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), etc. Alternatively, processor 231 can be a combination of multiple of these.

[0087] Main memory 232 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer described above. Main memory 232 includes non-volatile storage areas and volatile storage areas. Main memory 232 stores the operating system or application programs in the non-volatile storage areas. Main memory 232 can store data required by the processor 231 to perform processing of various control units in either the non-volatile storage areas or the volatile storage areas. Main memory 232 uses the volatile storage areas as working areas where data can be appropriately rewritten by the processor 231. Non-volatile storage areas are, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). Volatile storage areas are, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0088] Auxiliary storage device 233 corresponds to the auxiliary storage section of the computer described above. For example, EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disc Drive), or SSD (Solid State Drive) can be auxiliary storage device 233. Auxiliary storage device 233 stores data used by processor 231 during various processes, or data created by the processes performed by processor 231. Auxiliary storage device 233 can also store the aforementioned application programs.

[0089] Clock 234 records the date and time. Monitoring device 23 obtains the date and time recorded by clock 234 as the current date and time.

[0090] Communication interface 235 connects to display control device 13. Communication interface 235 obtains the terminal status STa of each self-service POS terminal 11 from display control device 13. Additionally, communication interface 235 can also output checkout guidance information from monitoring device 23 to waiter terminal 14. Communication interface 235 can be used as an output interface. First camera interface 236 connects to multiple first cameras 21. First camera interface 236 acquires image data CIa captured by each first camera 21. Second camera interface 237 connects to second camera 22. Second camera interface 237 acquires image data CIb captured by second camera 22. Monitor interface 238 connects to monitor 30. Monitor interface 238 outputs image data MI generated by monitoring device 23 to monitor 30.

[0091] The monitor 30 includes an input interface 301 and a monitor 302. The input interface 301 receives the video signal output from the monitor interface 238. The monitor 302 displays the video based on the video signal input from the input interface 301.

[0092] [Functional Description of the Monitoring Device]

[0093] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the main functional structure of the processor 231 of the monitoring device 23. The processor 231 functions as an acquisition unit 71, a detection unit 72, an identification unit 73, a confirmation unit 74, and a guidance unit 75.

[0094] In addition, the monitoring device 23 includes a decision table 80. For example... Figure 6 As shown, decision table 80 is a data table including a first column Ca, a second column Cb, a third column Cc, a fourth column Cd, and a fifth column Ce. Decision table 80 is stored, for example, in auxiliary storage device 233.

[0095] The terminal number No. is recorded in the first column Ca. The terminal number No. is a consecutive number starting from "1" assigned to each self-service POS terminal 11 for individual identification. Incidentally, Figure 6 An example of a decision table 80 for a self-service POS system 100 including eight self-service POS terminals 11 is shown, wherein the eight self-service POS terminals 11 are respectively assigned "1" to "8" as terminal numbers No.

[0096] The terminal status STa is recorded in the second column Cb. The terminal status STa is the status data obtained from the self-service POS terminal 11 identified by the corresponding terminal number No. The terminal status STa indicates whether the self-service POS terminal 11 is in an idle state or an operational state. In this embodiment, the terminal status STa is "0" when the self-service POS terminal 11 is in an idle state. The terminal status STa is "1" when the self-service POS terminal 11 is in an operational state.

[0097] The third column Cc records the person status STb. Person status STb is data identifying whether there is a person in the operating area R of the self-service POS terminal 11, identified by the corresponding terminal number No. In this embodiment, person status STb is "0" when there is no person in the operating area R, and "1" when there is a person in the operating area R.

[0098] The idle status STc is recorded in the fourth column Cd. The idle status STc is data representing the idle status of the self-service POS terminal 11 identified by the corresponding terminal number No. In this embodiment, the idle status STc is "0" when the self-service POS terminal 11 is idle. The idle status STc is "1" when the self-service POS terminal 11 is not idle.

[0099] The fifth column Ce records the guidance flag F. The guidance flag F is a 1-bit data used to identify whether the payer is guided to the self-service POS terminal 11 identified by the corresponding terminal number No. In this embodiment, the guidance flag F, indicating that no guidance has been performed, is set to "0". The guidance flag F, indicating that guidance has been performed, is set to "1".

[0100] Back Figure 5 Explanation.

[0101] The acquisition unit 71 has the function of acquiring status data indicating whether the self-service POS terminal 11 is in an idle state before accepting the operator's input or in an operating state after accepting the input. As described above, the status data of each self-service POS terminal 11, i.e., the terminal status STa, is provided to the monitoring device 23 by the display control device 13. The acquisition unit 71 acquires the terminal status STa of each self-service POS terminal 11 from the display control device 13 via the communication interface 235. Then, the acquisition unit 71 updates the terminal status STa in the determination table 80. That is, for a self-service POS terminal 11 in an idle state, the terminal status STa corresponding to the terminal number No. of that self-service POS terminal 11 is set to "0". For a self-service POS terminal 11 in an operating state, the terminal status STa corresponding to the terminal number No. of that self-service POS terminal 11 is set to "1".

[0102] The detection unit 72 has the function of detecting people located in the area where the self-service POS terminal 11 is used for payment. The detection unit 72 analyzes the image data CIA captured by the first camera 21 to determine whether a person has been captured. Then, if a person has been captured, the detection unit 72 identifies the person as being located within the operation area R of the self-service POS terminal 11 corresponding to the first camera 21. The detection unit 72 updates the person status STb in the determination table 80 based on the detection result. That is, for self-service POS terminals 11 where no person is detected in the operation area R, the person status STb corresponding to the terminal number No. of the self-service POS terminal 11 is set to "0". For self-service POS terminals 11 where a person is detected in the operation area R, the person status STb corresponding to the terminal number No. of the self-service POS terminal 11 is set to "1".

[0103] The identification unit 73 has the function of identifying the self-service POS terminal 11 as idle when the acquisition unit 71 acquires status data indicating that the terminal is in an idle state and the detection unit 72 does not detect a person. That is, the identification unit 73 identifies the self-service POS terminal 11 identified with a terminal code No. where the terminal status STa is "0" and the person status STb is "0" in the determination table 80 as an idle terminal. The identification unit 73 identifies the self-service POS terminal 11 identified with a terminal number No. where the terminal status STa is "1" or the person status STb is "1" in the determination table 80 as a non-idle terminal. The identification unit 73 sets the idle status STc corresponding to the terminal number No. of the self-service POS terminal 11 identified as idle to "0". The identification unit 73 sets the idle status STc corresponding to the terminal number No. of the self-service POS terminal 11 identified as non-idle to "1".

[0104] The confirmation unit 74 has the function of confirming whether there are customers waiting to use the self-service POS terminal 11. The confirmation unit 74 analyzes the image data CIb of the waiting space Q captured by the second camera 22 to determine whether a person has been captured. Then, if more than one person has been captured, the confirmation unit 74 determines that there are customers waiting to use the self-service POS terminal 11. If no one has been captured, the confirmation unit 74 determines that there are no customers waiting to use the self-service POS terminal 11.

[0105] The guidance unit 75 has the function of guiding the payer to an idle self-service POS terminal 11 based on the identification result of the identification unit 73. Specifically, the guidance unit 75 guides the payer to an idle self-service POS terminal 11 by displaying information on the monitor 30. The guidance unit 75 displays different guidance information on the monitor 30 based on whether the confirmation unit 74 confirms that there is a payer waiting to use the self-service POS terminal 11 or not.

[0106] The functions of the acquisition unit 71, detection unit 72, identification unit 73, confirmation unit 74 and guidance unit 75 described above are all realized by the processor 231 through information processing executed by the terminal monitoring program.

[0107] The terminal monitoring program is an application program stored in the main memory 232 or the secondary storage device 233. There are no particular limitations on the method of installing the terminal monitoring program into the main memory 232 or the secondary storage device 233. The terminal monitoring program can be stored on a removable storage medium, or distributed via network communication and installed in the main memory 232 or the secondary storage device 233. The storage medium is not limited in form, as long as it can store the program and is readable by the device, such as a CD-ROM or a memory card.

[0108] [Instructions for the Operation of the Monitoring Device]

[0109] Figures 7 to 9 This is a flowchart illustrating the main steps of information processing executed by the processor 231 of the monitoring device 23 according to the terminal monitoring program. The main operations of the monitoring device 23 will be explained below using various diagrams. Furthermore, the operations described below are only examples. The steps and processing content can be appropriately modified to achieve the same effect.

[0110] When the processor 231 of the monitoring device 23 reaches, for example, the store's opening time, it will proceed according to... Figures 7 to 9 The flowchart shows the steps to begin information processing. First, as... Figure 7 In ACT1, processor 231 clears decision table 80. Through this process, the data recorded in the second column Cb, the third column Cc, the fourth column Cd, and the fifth column Ce of decision table 80, namely terminal state STa, character state STb, idle state STc, and guide flag F, all become "0".

[0111] After clearing the decision table 80, processor 231 proceeds to ACT2. In ACT2, processor 231 resets the adder counter n to "0". Next, in ACT3, processor 231 increments the adder counter n by "1". Then, in ACT4, processor 231 checks whether the adder counter n exceeds a threshold N. The threshold N is the number of self-service POS terminals 11 included in the self-service POS system 100. That is, in the case of a monitoring device 23 for the self-service POS system 100 including eight self-service POS terminals 11, each assigned a terminal number from "1" to "8", the threshold N is "8".

[0112] If the adder counter n does not exceed the threshold N, the processor 231 proceeds to ACT5. In ACT5, the processor 231 obtains the terminal status STa of the self-service POS terminal 11 with terminal number n from the display control device 13b. The "n" in terminal number n is the count value of the adder counter n. In ACT6, the processor 231 records the terminal status STa of the self-service POS terminal 11 obtained from the display control device 13 in the second column Cb corresponding to terminal number n.

[0113] Processor 231, having completed ACT5 and ACT6, proceeds to ACT7. In ACT7, processor 231 selects the first camera 21 set up for the self-service POS terminal 11 with terminal number n. Then, in ACT8, processor 231 acquires and analyzes image data CIA captured by the selected first camera 21. In ACT9, processor 231 confirms whether a person has been detected in the image data CIA.

[0114] If no character is detected, processor 231 proceeds to ACT10. In ACT10, processor 231 sets the character state STb to "0". Correspondingly, if a character is detected, processor 231 proceeds to ACT11. In ACT11, processor 231 sets the character state STb to "1".

[0115] After completing ACT10 or ACT11, processor 231 proceeds to ACT12. In ACT12, processor 231 records the character status STb obtained during the processing of ACT10 or ACT11 into the third column Cc of decision table 80, which corresponds to the terminal number n.

[0116] After recording the character's state STb in decision table 80, processor 231 proceeds to... Figure 8 In ACT21, processor 231 checks the terminal state STa of terminal number n. If terminal state STa is "0", processor 231 proceeds to ACT22. In ACT22, processor 231 checks the character state STb of terminal number n. If character state STb is also "0", processor 231 proceeds to ACT23. In ACT23, processor 231 sets the idle state STc to "0".

[0117] Correspondingly, if the terminal state STa is "1" in ACT21, or if the character state STb is "1" in ACT22, the processor 231 proceeds to ACT24. In ACT24, the processor 231 sets the idle state STc to "1".

[0118] After completing ACT23 or ACT24, processor 231 proceeds to ACT25. In ACT25, processor 231 records the idle status STc obtained during the processing of ACT23 or ACT24 into column Cc in decision table 80 corresponding to terminal number n.

[0119] Thus, for a self-service POS terminal 11 identified by a terminal number code No. where both terminal state STa and person state STb are "0", the processor 231 sets the idle state STc to "0". That is, the processor 231 identifies the self-service POS terminal 11 as idle. Conversely, for a self-service POS terminal 11 identified by a terminal number code No. where at least one of terminal state STa and person state STb is "1", the processor 231 sets the idle state STc to "1". That is, the processor 231 identifies the self-service POS terminal 11 as not idle.

[0120] After finishing processing ACT25, processor 231 returns to... Figure 7 ACT3. Then, processor 231 performs the processing after ACT3 in the same way as described above. That is, whenever processor 231 increments the adder counter n by "1", it obtains the terminal state STa identified by the self-service POS terminal 11 with terminal number n and records it in the decision table 80. In addition, processor 231 analyzes whether a person is captured based on the image data CIA of the first camera 21 corresponding to the self-service POS terminal 11 with terminal number n, obtains the person state STb, and records it in the decision table 80. Then, processor 231 determines the idle state state STc based on the correlation between the terminal state STa and the person state STb, and records it in the decision table 80. Processor 231 repeats the above processing until the count of adder counter n exceeds the threshold N.

[0121] In ACT4, when the confirmation that the adder counter n exceeds the threshold N, processor 231 proceeds to... Figure 9 ACT31. As ACT31, processor 231 retrieves the decision table 80 and obtains the number of idle status STc that becomes "0", and uses this number as the initial value of subtraction counter k. That is, the value of subtraction counter k is the number of self-service POS terminals 11 that are identified as being idle based on the relationship between terminal status STa and user status STb.

[0122] As ACT32, processor 231 determines whether the subtraction counter k is greater than "0". When the subtraction counter k is "0", that is, when the number of self-service POS terminals 11 identified as being idle is 0, processor 231 skips the processing from ACT33 to ACT40 and proceeds to ACT41. As ACT41, processor 231 generates image data MIA indicating that there are no self-service POS terminals 11 being idle, and outputs the image data MIA to monitor 30.

[0123] Correspondingly, in ACT32, when the subtraction counter k is greater than "0", that is, when more than one self-service POS terminal 11 is identified as being idle, the processor 231 proceeds to ACT33. In ACT33, the processor 231 acquires and analyzes the image data CIb from the second camera 22. In ACT34, the processor 231 confirms whether a person has been detected from the image data CIb, that is, whether there is a customer waiting to settle in the waiting space Q.

[0124] When no person is detected according to the image data CIb, that is, when there is no customer waiting to check out in the waiting space Q, the processor 231 proceeds to ACT35. As ACT35, the processor 231 generates image data MIb that can identify a list of self-service POS terminals 11 that are currently idle and those that are not idle, and outputs it to the monitor 30.

[0125] On the other hand, in ACT34, when a person is detected based on the image data CIb, i.e., when there is a customer waiting to check out in the waiting space Q, the processor 231 proceeds to ACT36. As ACT36, the processor 231 selects terminal number No. X whose idle state STc is "0" and whose guidance flag F is "0". As ACT37, the processor 231 creates image data Mic that guides the customer waiting to check out to the self-service POS terminal 11 identified by terminal number No. X, and outputs it to the monitor 30.

[0126] Following this, as ACT38, processor 231 sets the boot flag F corresponding to terminal number No.X in decision table 80 to "1". Furthermore, as ACT39, processor 231 decrements the subtraction counter k by "1". Then, as ACT40, processor 231 checks whether the subtraction counter k has become "0".

[0127] If the subtraction counter k is greater than "0", the processor 231 returns to ACT33. Then, the processor 231 performs the processing after ACT33 in the same way as described above. That is, the processor 231 confirms whether there is a customer waiting to pay in the waiting space Q based on the image data CIb of the second camera 22. Then, if there is a customer waiting to pay, the processor selects the terminal number No.X with the idle status STc set to "0" and the guidance flag F set to "0", and outputs the image data MIC used to guide the customer waiting to pay to the self-service POS terminal 11 identified by the terminal number No.X to the monitor 30.

[0128] Processor 231 checks whether there are customers waiting to settle in waiting space Q, or repeats the processes ACT33 to ACT40 until the subtraction counter k becomes "0". If it is determined in ACT34 that there are no customers waiting to settle in waiting space Q before the subtraction counter k becomes "0", processor 231 proceeds to ACT35. That is, processor 231 generates image data MIB that can identify a list of idle self-service POS terminals 11 and non-idle self-service POS terminals 11 and outputs it to monitor 30.

[0129] On the other hand, if the subtraction counter k becomes "0" in the waiting space Q when there is a customer waiting to settle, then the processor 231 proceeds to ACT41. That is, the processor 231 generates image data MIA indicating that there is no idle self-service POS terminal 11 and outputs it to the monitor 30.

[0130] In ACT35, processor 231 temporarily terminates the output of image data MIB to monitor 30 or image data MIC to monitor 30. Figures 7 to 9 The information processing steps are shown in the flowchart. After this, processor 231 restarts. Figures 7 to 9 The information processing steps are shown in the flowchart.

[0131] Here, processor 231 performs the processing of ACT3 to ACT6, thereby functioning as an acquisition unit 71. Processor 231 performs the processing of ACT7 to ACT12, thereby functioning as a detection unit 72. Processor 231 performs the processing of ACT21 to ACT25, thereby functioning as an identification unit 73. Processor 231 performs the processing of ACT33 and ACT34, thereby functioning as a confirmation unit 74. Processor 231 performs the processing of ACT35 to ACT41, thereby functioning as a guidance unit 75.

[0132] Figure 10This is an example of image 31 displayed on monitor 30 based on image data MIa. Thus, monitor 30, upon receiving image data MIa, displays information indicating that no self-service POS terminal 11 is idle. Therefore, customers can determine the status of any idle self-service POS terminal 11 based on the information displayed on monitor 30.

[0133] Figure 11 This is an example of image 32 displayed on monitor 30 based on image data MIB. Thus, monitor 30, upon receiving the image data MIB, displays a list that identifies idle and non-idle self-service POS terminals 11. Therefore, customers near waiting space Q can easily determine, based on the information on monitor 30, how many self-service POS terminals 11 are currently idle or how many are not idle.

[0134] Figure 12 This is an example of image 33 displayed on monitor 30 based on image data MIC. Thus, monitor 30, upon receiving the image data MIC, displays information guiding customers waiting to check out to an available self-service POS terminal 11. Therefore, the customer at the front of the queue in waiting space Q can proceed to the self-service POS terminal 11 with the designated terminal number in checkout space P and complete the transaction according to the information displayed on monitor 30.

[0135] [Instructions for operating the monitoring device]

[0136] As detailed above, the monitoring device 23 functions as an acquisition unit 71, a detection unit 72, and an identification unit 73. Through these functions, the monitoring device 23 identifies a self-service POS terminal 11 that is idle and where no one is in the operating area R as being idle, and identifies a self-service POS terminal 11 that is in operation or where someone is in the operating area R as not being idle. Therefore, even if the payer temporarily leaves the self-service POS terminal 11 during the checkout process, because the terminal state STa of the self-service POS terminal 11 is "1" indicating an operating state, it will not be mistakenly identified as being idle. Therefore, a monitoring device 23 is provided that can accurately monitor the idle status of the self-service POS terminal 11.

[0137] Furthermore, the monitoring device 23 functions as a guide unit 75. According to this function, the monitoring device 23, using the monitor 30 installed in the waiting space Q, can guide customers waiting to pay to the self-service POS terminal 11. Therefore, customers waiting to pay only need to enter the checkout space P according to the information displayed on the monitor 30 and operate the idle self-service POS terminal 11 to pay for the goods they wish to purchase.

[0138] Furthermore, the monitoring device 23 functions as a confirmation unit 74, causing the guidance information to differ depending on whether there are customers in the waiting space Q or not. Specifically, when there are no customers in the waiting space Q, the monitoring device 23 displays the following: Figure 11 Image 32 is shown, and when there is a customer in the waiting space Q, it is displayed on the monitoring device 23 as shown. Figure 12 Image 33 is shown. Furthermore, even when no self-service POS terminal 11 is idle, regardless of whether there are customers in the waiting space Q, the monitoring device 23 displays the following on the monitor 30: Figure 10 Image 31 is shown.

[0139] Therefore, customers queuing in waiting space Q, with image 31 displayed on monitor 30, can recognize that no self-service POS terminal 11 is idle. Later, when a self-service POS terminal 11 becomes idle, the image on monitor 30 changes from image 31 to image 33. Thus, the customer at the front of the queue in waiting space Q can know that the self-service POS terminal 11 shown in image 33 is idle. The customer simply needs to enter the operating area R of the self-service POS terminal 11 shown in image 33 and complete the payment for the desired items.

[0140] At this time, when other self-service POS terminals 11 also become idle almost simultaneously, the image displayed on the monitor 30 differs depending on whether there is a second or subsequent customer in the waiting space Q. That is, when there is a customer, the monitor 30 displays an image 33 guiding the customer to the self-service POS terminal 11 that has become idle. Correspondingly, when there is no second or subsequent customer in the waiting space Q, the monitor 30 displays an image 32. Therefore, when there is a second or subsequent customer in the waiting space Q, it is possible to continue displaying the image 33 guiding the customer to the idle self-service POS terminal 11. On the other hand, when there is a second or subsequent customer in the waiting space Q, it is possible to display a list on the monitor 30 that identifies the idle and non-idle self-service POS terminals 11.

[0141] <Second Embodiment>

[0142] Next, use Figure 13 and Figure 14 A second embodiment in which additional functions are added to the monitoring device 23 will be described.

[0143] Figure 13This is a schematic diagram showing the main functional structure of the processor 231 of the monitoring device 23 in the second embodiment. In addition to having the same acquisition unit 71, detection unit 72, identification unit 73, confirmation unit 74 and guidance unit 75 as in the first embodiment, the processor 231 also has the function of being an output unit 76.

[0144] The output unit 76 has the function of outputting the recognition result based on the recognition unit 73. Specifically, the output unit 76 outputs a first warning light control signal to the self-service POS terminal 11 that is identified as idle by the recognition unit 73. The output unit 76 outputs a second warning light control signal to the self-service POS terminal 11 that is identified as idle by the recognition unit 73. The first warning light control signal is, for example, a signal to make the warning light 65 light up green or flash green. The second warning light control signal is, for example, a signal to make the warning light 65 light up red or flash red.

[0145] Figure 14 This is a flowchart illustrating the main steps of information processing performed by the processor 231 according to the terminal monitoring program in the second embodiment. Figure 14 Equivalent to using in the first embodiment Figure 8 The processing steps are described below. Specifically, in the second embodiment, at the end... Figure 8 The post-processing steps of ACT25 in this embodiment are different from those in the first embodiment. Figure 7 The processing of ACT1 to ACT12 in the middle Figure 8 The processing of ACT21 to ACT25 and Figure 9 The processing of ACT31 to ACT41 is the same as in the second embodiment, so the description is omitted here.

[0146] exist Figure 7 In ACT12, after the processor 231 records the character's status STb in the decision table 80, it proceeds to... Figure 14 ACT21 in the series. Then, as ACT21 to ACT25, processor 231 executes and uses... Figure 8 The processes described in ACT21 to ACT25 are the same. That is, for each self-service POS terminal 11 identified by terminal number No., processor 231 checks the terminal state STa and person state STb recorded in decision table 80. Then, for self-service POS terminals 11 identified by terminal number code No. where both terminal state STa and person state STb are "0", processor 231 identifies them as idle. Processor 231 records the idle status STc as "0" in decision table 80. Correspondingly, for self-service POS terminals 11 identified by terminal number code No. where at least one of terminal state STa and person state STb is "1", processor 231 identifies them as not idle. Processor 231 records the idle status STc as "1" in decision table 80.

[0147] Therefore, processor 231 sets the idle status STc of the self-service POS terminal 11 identified by terminal number No.X to "0" or "1", and proceeds to... Figure 14 ACT51 in the process. As ACT51, processor 231 checks whether the idle status STc of the self-service POS terminal 11 identified by terminal number code No.X is "0".

[0148] If the idle state STc is "0", then processor 231 proceeds to ACT52. In ACT52, processor 231 outputs a first warning light control signal (first control signal) to the self-service POS terminal 11 identified by terminal number No.X. In response, if the idle state STc is "1", then processor 231 proceeds to ACT53. In ACT53, processor 231 outputs a second warning light control signal (second control signal) to the self-service POS terminal 11 identified by terminal number No.X.

[0149] After the processor 231 outputs the first warning light control signal or the second warning light control signal, it returns to... Figure 7 Then, processor 231 performs the processing following ACT3 in the same manner as described above.

[0150] Here, the processor 231 performs the function of output unit 76 by executing the processes ACT51 to ACT53.

[0151] In this second embodiment, the output unit 76 outputs a first warning light control signal to the self-service POS terminal 11, which is identified by the identification unit 73 as being idle. As a result, the warning light 65 in the self-service POS terminal 11 illuminates green or flashes green. On the other hand, the output unit 76 outputs a second warning light control signal to the self-service POS terminal 11, which is identified by the identification unit 73 as being idle. As a result, the warning light 65 in the self-service POS terminal 11 illuminates red or flashes red.

[0152] Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the cashier and the store clerk can easily identify whether the self-service POS terminal 11 is idle or not by the color of the warning light included in each self-service POS terminal 11.

[0153] [Other embodiments]

[0154] In the second embodiment, the output unit 76 outputs the result recognized by the recognition unit 73 as a warning light control signal to the self-service POS terminal 11. In another embodiment, the output unit 76 outputs image data of an icon representing the recognition result to the waiter terminal 14. In this way, the waiter can easily identify which self-service POS terminals 11 are idle and which are not by the icon displayed on the waiter terminal 14's screen.

[0155] In the above embodiments, a self-service POS terminal 11 is shown as an example of a settlement terminal monitored by the monitoring device 23. In store systems, there exist systems where goods are registered and settled using separate terminals. For example, one system allows customers to register goods themselves using their smartphones or tablets installed in their shopping carts, and then use a dedicated settlement terminal to pay for the goods. Another store system involves staff registering purchased goods using a dedicated registration machine, and customers using a dedicated settlement terminal to complete the self-service settlement. The monitoring device of this embodiment can also be applied to settlement terminals in such store systems.

[0156] In the above embodiment, the example illustrates the case where the display control device 13 obtains the status STa of each self-service POS terminal 11 and provides it to the monitoring device 23. In this respect, the waiter terminal 14 can obtain the status STa of each self-service POS terminal 11 and provide it to the monitoring device 23. Alternatively, the monitoring device 23 can also directly obtain the status STa of each self-service POS terminal 11.

[0157] In the above embodiments, the first camera 21 is configured in a one-to-one correspondence with the self-service POS terminal 11. However, the first camera 21 does not necessarily have to be configured in a one-to-one correspondence with the self-service POS terminal 11. For example, one first camera can be used to photograph two adjacent self-service POS terminals 11, and the photographed image from the first camera 21 can be used to determine whether there is a person in the operating area R of either of the two self-service POS terminals 11 or both of the self-service POS terminals 11.

[0158] Furthermore, it is also possible to detect people in the operating area R without using the images captured by the first camera 21. For example, people in the operating area R can be detected by using a human body sensor such as an infrared sensor or a weight sensor. This also applies to the second camera 22 for detecting people in the waiting space Q. That is, a human body sensor or a weight sensor can be used instead of the second camera 22 to detect people in the waiting space Q.

[0159] <Third Embodiment>

[0160] [Output checkout guidance information according to checkout method]

[0161] The terminal monitoring system 200 is an example of an information processing system, the monitoring device 23 is an example of an information processing server, the self-service POS terminal 11 is an example of a checkout machine, and the secondary monitor 30S is an example of an information output device. In the third embodiment, an example of checkout guidance information being output by the monitoring device 23 of the terminal monitoring system 200 will be described. Furthermore, the third embodiment is implemented by combining the first and second embodiments, and the basic hardware structure of the third embodiment is as follows: Figure 1 , Figure 2 and Figure 4 As shown, detailed explanations are omitted.

[0162] The self-service POS system 100 includes multiple self-service POS terminals 11 of different models. The self-service POS terminals 11 include various models corresponding to different payment methods, including self-service POS terminals 11 that correspond to a single payment method and self-service POS terminals 11 that correspond to two or more payment methods, etc.

[0163] The self-service POS terminal 11 includes the following models.

[0164] ●The self-service POS terminals 11AX, 11BX, and 11CX that correspond to the product registration during checkout:

[0165] Product registration at checkout refers to the process of using a scanner or similar device to read product codes and register products when using POS terminal 11 for checkout. For example, self-service POS terminal 11AX corresponds to product registration and cash payment at checkout. Self-service POS terminal 11BX corresponds to product registration and non-cash settlement at checkout. Self-service POS terminal 11CX corresponds to product registration and both cash and non-cash settlement at checkout.

[0166] ● Self-service POS terminals 11AY, 11BY, and 11CY that correspond to pre-checkout item registration:

[0167] Pre-checkout item registration refers to the process of reading item codes and registering items using a communication terminal installed on the shopping cart, a communication terminal configured in the store, or a customer's communication terminal, before checkout using POS terminal 11. Sometimes, pre-checkout item registration is recorded as using a communication terminal such as a shopping cart. For example, self-service POS terminal 11AY corresponds to pre-checkout item registration and cash payment. Self-service POS terminal 11BY corresponds to pre-checkout item registration and non-cash settlement. Self-service POS terminal 11CY corresponds to pre-checkout item registration and both cash and non-cash settlement. Furthermore, these self-service POS terminals 11AY, 11BY, and 11CY are examples of dedicated settlement terminals.

[0168] ● Self-service POS terminal 11CZ for both checkout and pre-checkout item registration:

[0169] The self-service POS terminal 11CZ corresponds to the registration of goods and cash payment and non-cash settlement at checkout, and also corresponds to the registration of goods and cash payment and non-cash settlement before checkout.

[0170] Merchants who wish to set up a checkout space with a mix of various self-service POS terminal models will select and introduce two or more models from the aforementioned range. Furthermore, the models used in the self-service POS terminal 11 applied in the third embodiment are not limited to those described above.

[0171] Figure 15 This is a schematic diagram showing the main functional structure of the processor 231 of the monitoring device 23.

[0172] The processor 231 includes a detection unit 2312, a selection unit 2313, a generation unit 2314, and an output unit 2315.

[0173] The detection unit 2312 detects the type of each column in the image data input from the second camera interface 237 and the user's arrangement order based on column management information indicating the column assignment types. Additionally, the user can also be referred to as a customer.

[0174] The selection unit 2313 selects the self-service POS terminal 11 corresponding to the type of the specified column arranged by the specified user, based on terminal management information that manages the identification information, type, priority, and idle status of each self-service POS terminal 11. Furthermore, the selection unit 2313 selects the sub-monitor 30S corresponding to the specified column based on guidance management information that manages the multiple sub-monitors 30S installed corresponding to each column.

[0175] The generation unit 2314 generates checkout guidance information to guide customers to the selected self-service POS terminal 11. For example, the checkout guidance information includes the identification information of the selected self-service POS terminal 11.

[0176] Output unit 2315 outputs the generated checkout guidance information.

[0177] Figure 16 This is a diagram showing an example of list management information.

[0178] The main memory 232 or auxiliary storage device 233 stores column management information. Column management information is used to specify the type corresponding to each column contained in the image data. Column management information includes partition region information specifying a partition area, column identification information for identifying columns, and type information corresponding to a checkout method. The detection unit 2312 detects multiple partition regions from the image area contained in the image data based on the partition region information. The detection unit 2312 detects columns from each partition region through image recognition processing, specifies columns based on column identification information, and identifies the type corresponding to the column based on type information.

[0179] For example, the second camera 22 captures an area including columns arranged by the user according to the checkout method. The second camera interface 237 inputs image data from the second camera 22. The image data includes the image areas arranged by the user according to the checkout method. For example, if the checkout is arranged in three columns according to three checkout methods—cash payment, non-cash settlement, and pre-checkout item registration—the coordinate values ​​of the three designated partition areas are set as partition area information, with each partition area containing one column. For example, the staff sets the coordinate values ​​of the three designated partition areas as partition area information while viewing the image from the second camera 22.

[0180] The detection unit 2312 detects three partition regions from the image regions contained in the image data based on partition region information, specifies the three columns contained in each partition region based on column recognition information, and specifies the first column as cash payment type, the second column as non-cash settlement type, and the third column as pre-checkout product registration type based on type information.

[0181] Alternatively, a second camera 22 can be set up in each column, and the column management information can manage the second camera 22 in association with its type. For example, the column management information can associate the second camera 22 (image data from the second camera 22) set up in the first column with cash payment, the second camera 22 (image data from the second camera 22) set up in the second column with non-cash settlement, and the second camera 22 (image data from the second camera 22) set up in the third column with pre-checkout merchandise registration.

[0182] Figure 17 This is a diagram illustrating an example of terminal management information.

[0183] The main memory 232 or auxiliary storage device 233 stores terminal management information. This terminal management information includes the POS terminal identification information, type, priority, and idle status of each self-service POS terminal 11. The POS terminal identification information is a unique identification number for each self-service POS terminal 11. The type indicates the type of checkout method, etc. The priority is the order assigned according to the checkout method. The idle status indicates whether the self-service POS terminal 11 is idle. The method described in the first and second embodiments is used to detect whether the self-service POS terminal 11 is idle.

[0184] Figure 18 This is a diagram illustrating an example of output management information.

[0185] The main memory 232 or auxiliary storage device 233 stores output management information. For example, multiple secondary monitors 30S are provided corresponding to each column. The output management information manages the information output to these secondary monitors 30S. The output management information includes a combination of monitor identification information that identifies the secondary monitor 30S and column identification information that identifies the column. For example, based on the output management information, the secondary monitor 30S provided corresponding to a specified column is selected as the output destination for the information corresponding to the specified column.

[0186] Alternatively, a secondary monitor 30S can be set up corresponding to each column. The display area of ​​each secondary monitor 30S is divided into multiple partitioned display areas, and the secondary monitor 30S can display the information corresponding to each column in each partitioned display area. In this case, output management information manages the information displayed in each partitioned display area. By... Figure 18 The monitor identification information shown is replaced with partition display area identification information, so that the partition display area can be associated with the column and the information displayed in the partition display area can be managed by outputting management information.

[0187] Figure 19 This is a flowchart showing an example of the checkout guidance information output by the monitoring device 23.

[0188] like Figure 19 As shown, the second camera interface 237 of the monitoring device 23 receives image data from the second camera. The second camera interface 237 is an example of an input interface. The second camera 22 captures an area including columns of customers arranged according to their checkout method.

[0189] The detection unit 2312 detects the type of each column in the image data and the user's arrangement order based on the column management information of the column assignment type of each column contained in the image data input by the second camera interface 237 (ACT101).

[0190] The selection unit 2313 selects a self-service POS terminal 11 (ACT102) that corresponds to the type of the specified column arranged by the specified users in the specified order based on the terminal management information that manages the identification information, type, priority and idle status of each self-service POS terminal 11.

[0191] The generation unit 2314 generates checkout guidance information (ACT103) to guide the customer to the selected self-service POS terminal 11. The checkout guidance information includes the POS terminal identification information of the selected self-service POS terminal 11.

[0192] Output unit 2315 outputs the generated checkout guidance information (ACT104).

[0193] For example, when the specified column of a designated user in the first order (e.g., a designated user ranked first among all columns) corresponds to the cash payment type, the selection unit 2313 selects the self-service POS terminal 11 with the highest priority among available checkout machines that accept cash payments. The generation unit 2314 generates checkout guidance information to guide the customer to the selected self-service POS terminal 11. Furthermore, the selection unit 2131 selects the sub-monitor 30S corresponding to the specified column based on output management information. The monitor interface 238 outputs an image signal related to the checkout guidance information to the sub-monitor 30S corresponding to the specified column. The monitor interface 238 is an example of an output interface.

[0194] Furthermore, when the specified column for the first-ranked user corresponds to a non-cash payment type, the selection unit 2313 selects the self-service POS terminal 11 with the highest priority among available checkout machines accepting non-cash payments. The generation unit 2314 generates checkout guidance information to direct the customer to the selected self-service POS terminal 11. Additionally, the selection unit 2131 selects the sub-monitor 30S corresponding to the specified column based on output management information. The monitor interface 238 outputs an image signal related to the checkout guidance information to the sub-monitor 30S corresponding to the specified column.

[0195] Furthermore, when the specified column of the designated user in the first ranking corresponds to the type of goods registered at checkout, the selection unit 2313 selects the self-service POS terminal 11 with the highest priority from the available checkout terminals of the type corresponding to the goods registered at checkout. The generation unit 2314 generates checkout guidance information to guide the customer to the selected self-service POS terminal 11. In addition, the selection unit 2131 selects the sub-monitor 30S corresponding to the specified column based on the output management information. The monitor interface 238 outputs the image signal related to the checkout guidance information to the sub-monitor 30S corresponding to the specified column.

[0196] Furthermore, when the specified column for the first-ranked user corresponds to the type of goods registered before checkout, the selection unit 2313 selects the self-service POS terminal 11 with the highest priority from the available checkout terminals of the type corresponding to the goods registered before checkout. The generation unit 2314 generates checkout guidance information to guide the customer to the selected self-service POS terminal 11. In addition, the selection unit 2131 selects the sub-monitor 30S corresponding to the specified column based on the output management information. The monitor interface 238 outputs the image signal related to the checkout guidance information to the sub-monitor 30S corresponding to the specified column.

[0197] The input interface 301 of the secondary monitor 30S receives video signals related to checkout guidance information, and the display 302 displays the checkout guidance information based on the video signals.

[0198] Figures 20 to 25 This is a diagram used to illustrate the arrangement of columns and the transition to guide customers to a self-service POS terminal. Assuming in... Figures 20 to 25 The scenario depicts customers lining up in three columns according to three payment methods: cash, non-cash, and pre-checkout item registration. Following the checkout guidance information displayed on the secondary monitor 30 seconds ago, the users in these three columns move sequentially to the self-service POS terminal 11. As the users move, the column arrangement changes from... Figure 20 The conversion shown is to Figure 25 As shown.

[0199] like Figure 20 As shown, the detection unit 2312 detects the type of each column in the image data and the user's arrangement order based on column management information. For example, the detection unit 2312 detects the first column for cash payments, the second column for non-cash payments, and the third column for pre-checkout item registration from left to right. Furthermore, the detection unit 2312 detects the first to ninth positions (W1 to W9). The first position (W1) indicates the position at the front of all three columns awaiting checkout. The ninth position (W9) indicates the position at the back of all three columns awaiting checkout.

[0200] For example, the detection unit 2312 sequentially checks the first priority W1, the fifth priority W5, and the ninth priority W9, starting from the first column of cash payments. Furthermore, the detection unit 2312 sequentially checks the second priority W2, the sixth priority W6, and the eighth priority W8, starting from the first column of non-cash settlements. Additionally, the detection unit 2312 sequentially checks the third priority W3, the fourth priority W4, and the seventh priority W7, starting from the first column of pre-checkout merchandise registration.

[0201] Furthermore, the self-service POS terminals 11 are referred to as cash registers R1 to R6. The terminal identification information, type, priority, and idle status of cash registers R1 to R6 are managed through terminal management information. For example, cash registers R1, R2, and R4 correspond to product registration and non-cash settlement during checkout. Cash registers R3, R5, and R6 correspond to product registration and cash payment / non-cash settlement during checkout, and also to product registration and cash payment / non-cash settlement before checkout.

[0202] Furthermore, under the condition of goods registration at checkout and cash payment, the first priority P1 is assigned to cash register R3, the second priority P2 to cash register R6, and the third priority P3 to cash register R5. Under the condition of goods registration at checkout and non-cash settlement, the first priority P1 is assigned to cash register R1, the second priority P2 to cash register R2, the third priority P3 to cash register R5, the fourth priority P4 to cash register R3, the fifth priority P5 to cash register R4, and the sixth priority P6 to cash register R6. Under the condition of goods registration before checkout and cash payment / non-cash settlement, the first priority P1 is assigned to cash register R5, the second priority P2 to cash register R3, and the third priority P3 to cash register R6.

[0203] The selection unit 2313 selects the self-service POS terminal 11 corresponding to the type of the specified column arranged by the specified user in the specified order based on the terminal management information. For example, the selection unit 2313 selects cash registers R3, R5, and R6 corresponding to the type of the first column of cash payment arranged by the user in the first order W1. Furthermore, the selection unit 2313 selects cash registers R3, R5, and R6 that are in an idle state from the selected cash registers, and selects the cash register R3 with the highest priority from the selected cash registers.

[0204] The generation unit 2314 generates checkout guidance information to direct customers to the selected cash register R3. The checkout guidance information includes the POS terminal identification information (e.g., terminal number) of the selected cash register R3. Alternatively, the checkout guidance information can be information used to guide users waiting in line to the cash register where checkout should be processed, or information used by a cashier to guide users waiting in line. The checkout guidance information includes a layout of multiple cash registers, which may include the POS terminal identification information of the selected cash register R3. The selection unit 2131 selects the sub-monitor 30S corresponding to the first column based on the output management information.

[0205] The output unit 2315 outputs the generated checkout guidance information to the sub-monitor 30S corresponding to the first column. The sub-monitor 30S corresponding to the first column displays the checkout guidance information.

[0206] The user in the first position, W1, follows the checkout guidance information displayed on the secondary monitor 30S, which directs them to cashier R3, and uses cashier R3 to complete the checkout process. The columns are arranged from... Figure 20 Switch to Figure 21 .

[0207] Next, as Figure 21 As shown, the selection unit 2313 selects cash registers R1 to R6 that correspond to the type of the second column of non-cash settlement arranged by the user in the second priority W2. Furthermore, the selection unit 2313 selects cash registers R1 to R6 that are in an idle state from the selected cash registers, and selects the cash register R1 with the highest priority from the selected cash registers.

[0208] The generation unit 2314 generates checkout guidance information to direct customers to the selected cash register R1. The selection unit 2131 selects the sub-monitor 30S corresponding to the second column based on the output management information.

[0209] The output unit 2315 outputs the generated checkout guidance information to the secondary monitor 30S corresponding to the second column. The secondary monitor 30S corresponding to the second column displays the checkout guidance information.

[0210] The second user, W2, follows the checkout guidance information displayed on the secondary monitor 30S, which directs them to cashier R1, and completes the checkout process at cashier R1. The columns are arranged from... Figure 21 Transition to Figure 22 .

[0211] Next, as Figure 22 As shown, the selection unit 2313 selects cash registers R3, R5, and R6 that correspond to the type in the third column of the pre-checkout item registration arranged by the user in the third priority position W3. Furthermore, the selection unit 2313 selects cash registers R5 to R6 that are in an idle state from the selected cash registers, and selects the cash register R5 with the highest priority from the selected cash registers.

[0212] The generation unit 2314 generates checkout guidance information to direct customers to the selected cash register R5. The selection unit 2131 selects the sub-monitor 30S corresponding to the third column based on the output management information.

[0213] The output unit 2315 outputs the generated checkout guidance information to the secondary monitor 30S corresponding to the third column. The secondary monitor 30S corresponding to the third column displays the checkout guidance information.

[0214] The third user, W3, follows the checkout guidance information displayed on the auxiliary monitor 30S, which directs them to cash register R5, and completes the checkout process at cash register R5. The column arrangement starts from... Figure 22 Transition to Figure 23 .

[0215] Next, as Figure 23 As shown, the selection unit 2313 selects cash registers R3, R5, and R6 that correspond to the type in the third column of the pre-checkout item registration list arranged by the user in the fourth priority position W4. Furthermore, the selection unit 2313 selects cash register R6, which is currently idle, from the selected cash registers. In this case, since there is only one idle cash register, priority is not considered.

[0216] The generation unit 2314 generates checkout guidance information to direct the user to the selected cash register R6. The selection unit 2131 selects the sub-monitor 30S corresponding to the third column based on the output management information.

[0217] The output unit 2315 outputs the generated checkout guidance information to the secondary monitor 30S corresponding to the third column. The secondary monitor 30S corresponding to the third column displays the checkout guidance information.

[0218] The fourth user, W4, followed the checkout guidance information displayed on the secondary monitor 30S, which led to cash register R6, and used cash register R6 to complete the checkout process. The columns are arranged from... Figure 23 Transition to Figure 23 .

[0219] Next, as Figure 24 As shown, the selection unit 2313 selects cash registers R3, R5, and R6 corresponding to the type of cash payment in the first column of the queue of users in the fifth position (W5). However, none of the selected cash registers R3, R5, and R6 are available. Therefore, the selection unit 2313 selects cash registers R1 to R6 corresponding to the type of non-cash settlement in the second column of the queue of users in the sixth position (W6). Furthermore, the selection unit 2313 selects cash registers R2 and R4 that are currently available from the selected cash registers, and selects the cash register R2 with the highest priority from the selected cash registers.

[0220] The generation unit 2314 generates checkout guidance information to direct the user to the selected cash register R2. The selection unit 2131 selects the sub-monitor 30S corresponding to the second column based on the output management information.

[0221] The output unit 2315 outputs the generated checkout guidance information to the secondary monitor 30S corresponding to the second column. The secondary monitor 30S corresponding to the second column displays the checkout guidance information.

[0222] The sixth user, W6, followed the checkout guidance information displayed on the secondary monitor 30S, which directed them to cashier R1, and completed the checkout process at cashier R1. The columns are arranged from... Figure 24 Transition to Figure 25 .

[0223] In other words, the processor is designated as the first-order user (in...) Figure 24 In cases where columns W1 to W4 have already been settled, so W5 becomes the first priority, and if there is no available checkout machine accepting that payment type (cash payment), the checkout machine with the highest priority is selected from the available checkout machines corresponding to the type accepting the other payment type (non-cash settlement). This structure is formed when there are only two payment types: cash payment and non-cash settlement. The output interface outputs the checkout guidance information for the user (W6) of the column corresponding to the payment type (non-cash settlement) of the selected checkout machine to the sub-monitor corresponding to that column.

[0224] On the other hand, if the processor determines that the column of the specified user in the first order corresponds to the type of non-cash settlement and there is no idle checkout machine that accepts that type of payment (non-cash settlement), it selects the checkout machine with the highest priority from the idle checkout machines that accept the other type of payment (cash payment). The output interface outputs the checkout guidance information of the user in the column of the payment type (cash payment) used to guide the selected checkout machine to the sub-monitor corresponding to that column.

[0225] Therefore, if the checkout machine accepting the payment type of the first-order user is not idle, subsequent users can be directed to an idle checkout machine accepting another payment type. This prevents the checkout machine from being idle and unused before directing the first-order user.

[0226] Furthermore, although the examples used cash payment and non-cash settlement were explained, when there are three or more payment types, and a checkout machine accepting other payment types is selected, the user who is first in a column different from the first-ranked user (W6 in the example above) can choose the checkout machine with the highest priority from among the checkout machines accepting the payment types in the column. Additionally, the destination for the checkout guidance information can also be the server terminal 14.

[0227] Next, as Figure 25 As shown, the selection unit 2313 selects cash registers R3, R5, and R6 corresponding to the types listed in the third column of the pre-checkout item registration for the user in the seventh position (W7). However, none of the selected cash registers R3, R5, and R6 are available. Therefore, the selection unit 2313 selects cash registers R1 to R6 corresponding to the types listed in the second column of the non-cash settlement system for the user in the eighth position (W8). Furthermore, the selection unit 2313 selects R4, which is currently idle, from the selected cash registers.

[0228] The generation unit 2314 generates checkout guidance information to direct customers to the selected cash register R4. The selection unit 2131 selects the sub-monitor 30S corresponding to the second column based on the output management information.

[0229] The output unit 2315 outputs the generated checkout guidance information to the secondary monitor 30S corresponding to the second column. The secondary monitor 30S corresponding to the second column displays the checkout guidance information.

[0230] The eighth user, W8, followed the directions to cash register R1 displayed on the secondary monitor 30S and proceeded to cash register R4 to complete the checkout process.

[0231] In addition to the aforementioned cash registers R1 to R6, a cash register R7 can be added. This R7 corresponds to pre-checkout item registration and cash / non-cash payments, but not to checkout item registration. This R7 is just one example of a dedicated checkout terminal. For users listed in the third column, the selection unit 2312 prioritizes cash register R7. If cash register R7 is not idle, the selection unit 2312 selects cash registers R3, R5, and R6, which have lower priority than R7. Cash register R7 of the dedicated checkout terminal is assigned to users registering items before checkout, but not to users registering items during checkout. Therefore, it can efficiently handle users registering items before checkout, helping to shorten checkout waiting time.

[0232] Furthermore, while the above description mentions outputting checkout guidance information to users, it is also possible to output checkout guidance information to store clerks. In this case, the monitoring and control device 23 changes the output destination of the checkout guidance information from the secondary monitor 30S to the waiter terminal 14, and outputs the checkout guidance information to the waiter terminal 14.

[0233] The server terminal 14 includes partitioned areas corresponding to each row and column, replacing the secondary monitor 30S which is also configured for each row and column, and displays checkout guidance information in the partitioned areas corresponding to each row and column. For example, the first partitioned area corresponding to the first column contains checkout guidance information for users lined up in the first column. The server checks the checkout guidance information in the first partitioned area and guides the users lined up in the first column to the designated self-service POS terminal 11. In this way, the monitoring and control device 23 can output checkout guidance information for the server to assist the server in guiding users to the self-service POS terminal 11.

[0234] The third embodiment will now be summarized.

[0235] (1) The monitoring device 23, acting as an information processing server, detects the type of each column contained in the image data and the user's arrangement order based on column management information. Furthermore, the monitoring device 23 selects the designated self-service POS terminal 11 corresponding to the type of the designated column arranged by the designated user in the designated arrangement order based on checkout machine management information. In addition, the monitoring device 23 generates checkout guidance information to guide customers to the designated self-service POS terminal 11, and outputs the generated checkout guidance information to the monitor 30, etc.

[0236] It can generate checkout guidance information based on the checkout machine management information of each self-service POS terminal 11, including its type, priority, and idle status, and can output checkout guidance information that helps improve the working efficiency of multiple self-service POS terminals 11.

[0237] (2) When the specified queue of the specified user in the first ranking corresponds to the type of cash payment, the monitoring device 23 selects the specified self-service POS terminal 11 with the highest priority among the idle self-service POS terminals 11 that accept cash payments. Furthermore, when the specified queue of the specified user in the first ranking corresponds to the type of non-cash settlement, the monitoring device 23 selects the specified self-service POS terminal 11 with the highest priority among the idle self-service POS terminals 11 that accept non-cash settlement.

[0238] Accordingly, the self-service POS terminal 11 can guide the designated user to the payment method (cash payment or non-cash settlement) of the designated user in the first order of priority.

[0239] (3) When the designated queue of the designated user in the first order corresponds to the type of goods registered at checkout, the monitoring device 23 selects the designated self-service POS terminal 11 with the highest priority from the idle self-service POS terminals 11 of the type corresponding to the goods registered at checkout. Furthermore, when the designated queue of the designated user in the first order corresponds to the type of goods registered before checkout, the monitoring device 23 selects the designated self-service POS terminal 11 with the highest priority from the idle checkout machines of the type corresponding to the goods registered before checkout.

[0240] Accordingly, the self-service POS terminal 11 can guide the specified user to the checkout method (item registration at checkout or item registration before checkout) that is suitable for the specified user in the first order.

[0241] (4) The monitoring device 23 selects the designated secondary monitor 30S corresponding to the designated column based on the output management information of the multiple secondary monitors 30S configured to manage each column, and outputs the checkout guidance information to the designated secondary monitor 30S. The checkout guidance information includes the identification information of the designated self-service POS terminal 11.

[0242] Accordingly, users arranged in the specified column can see the identification information (terminal number of the specified self-service POS terminal 11) contained in the checkout guidance information displayed on the specified sub-monitor 30S corresponding to the specified column, and can successfully proceed to the specified self-service POS terminal 11 to perform the checkout operation.

[0243] Furthermore, the program involved in this embodiment can be transferred either in a state where it is stored in an electronic device constituting the information processing system, or in a state where it is not stored in an electronic device. In the latter case, the program can be transferred either via a network or in a state where it is stored in a storage medium. The storage medium is a non-transitory tangible medium. The storage medium is a computer-readable medium. The storage medium can be a computer-readable medium that stores programs, such as an optical disc or a memory card, and its form is not limited. The electronic device downloads the transferred (provided) program via a network and installs it in its memory, or reads the program from the storage medium and installs it in its memory.

[0244] While several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments may be implemented in various other forms and may be subject to various omissions, substitutions, and modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and within the scope of the invention as set forth in the claims and its equivalents.

Claims

1. An information processing server, characterized in that, include: An input interface allows input of image data from a camera, which captures an area including columns arranged by the user according to their checkout method. The processor detects the type of each column in the image data and the user's arrangement order based on column management information that assigns the type of each column in the image data, and selects the specified checkout machine corresponding to the type of the specified column arranged by the specified user with the specified arrangement order based on checkout machine management information that manages the type and idle status of each checkout machine. as well as The output interface outputs checkout guidance information to guide users through the specified checkout machine.

2. The information processing server according to claim 1, wherein, The checkout machine management information includes the priority order of each checkout machine. The processor, If the specified column of the specified user in the first order corresponds to the type of cash payment, select the specified checkout machine with the highest priority among the available checkout machines that accept cash payments. When the specified column of the specified user in the first order corresponds to the type of non-cash settlement, the specified checkout machine with the highest priority among the idle checkout machines that accept the type of non-cash settlement is selected.

3. The information processing server according to claim 1, wherein, The processor, If the specified column of the specified user in the first order corresponds to the type of goods registered at checkout, the specified checkout machine with the highest priority among the available checkout machines corresponding to the type of goods registered at checkout is selected. If the specified column of the specified user in the first order corresponds to the type of goods registered before checkout, the specified checkout machine with the highest priority among the available checkout machines corresponding to the type of goods registered before checkout is selected.

4. The information processing server according to claim 1, wherein, The checkout guidance information includes the identification information of the specified checkout machine. The processor selects the specified information output device corresponding to the specified column based on the output management information of multiple information output devices configured to manage each column. The output interface outputs the checkout guidance information to the specified information output device.

5. The information processing server according to claim 1, wherein, The output interface outputs the checkout guidance information to the secondary monitors that correspond to the columns arranged by the user according to the checkout method.

6. The information processing server according to claim 1, wherein, The output interface outputs the checkout guidance information to the waiter's terminal.

7. The information processing server according to claim 2, wherein, If, in the case where the specified column of the specified user in the first ranking corresponds to the type of cash payment and there is no idle checkout machine that accepts cash payments, the processor selects the checkout machine with the highest priority among the idle checkout machines that accept non-cash payments. The output interface outputs checkout guidance information for users of the column that supports non-cash payments. If the processor selects the checkout machine with the highest priority among the idle checkout machines that accept cash payments, provided that the specified column of the specified user in the first ranking corresponds to the type of non-cash settlement and there is no idle checkout machine that accepts non-cash settlement, then... The output interface outputs checkout guidance information for users of the column that guides cash payments.

8. The information processing server according to claim 7, wherein, The output interface outputs the checkout guidance information to the secondary monitors that correspond to the columns arranged by the user according to the checkout method.

9. An information processing system, comprising an information processing server and multiple information output devices corresponding to each column, characterized in that: The information processing server includes: The first input interface receives image data from a camera that captures images of the area including columns arranged by the user according to their checkout method. The processor detects the type of each column in the image data and the user's arrangement order based on column management information that assigns types to each column in the image data, and selects a specified checkout machine corresponding to the type of a specified column arranged by a specified user with a specified arrangement order based on checkout machine management information that manages the type and idle status of each checkout machine; and The output interface outputs checkout guidance information to guide users through the specified checkout machine, wherein... The checkout guidance information includes the identification information of the specified checkout machine. The processor selects the specified information output device corresponding to the specified column based on the output management information of multiple information output devices configured to manage each column. The output interface outputs the checkout guidance information to the specified information output device. The specified information output device includes: The second input interface is used to input the checkout guidance information; and The monitor displays the checkout guidance information.

10. A storage medium storing a program for causing a computer to perform the following steps: The type of each column in the image data and the order in which the users are arranged according to their checkout method are detected based on column management information contained in the image data from the camera. Based on checkout machine management information regarding the type and availability of each checkout machine, select the checkout machine corresponding to the type of the specified column arranged by the specified user in the specified order; and Output checkout guidance information to guide users to the specified checkout machine.

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