Turntable, control system and control method

Abstract

To provide a technique for improving the expedience of a POS terminal which can be switched between an operation mode in which a shop assistant can operate in front of a customer and an operation mode in which a customer himself or herself can operate.SOLUTION: A turntable comprises a mount part where a POS terminal can be mounted, a pedestal, and a rotation part which supports the mount part rotatably on the pedestal, the mount part comprises a first through hole through which the cable of the POS terminal is passed from the top surface of the mount part to the reverse surface of the mount part, and the pedestal comprises a second through hole through which the cable is passed from the top surface of the pedestal to the reverse surface or side surface of the pedestal.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a rotary table, a control system, and a control method. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art There are POS (Point Of Sales) terminals that can be switched between an operation mode in which a store clerk can operate the terminal while facing a customer and an operation mode in which the customer can operate the terminal by himself / herself.

[0003] Generally, when a store clerk operates a POS terminal, the clerk may face a customer across the terminal. In this case, the input device and the like for the store clerk to operate the POS terminal must be placed on the store clerk's side. However, in this case, it is not assumed that the customer will be on the store clerk's side of the POS terminal, so the customer cannot operate the POS terminal in the same orientation as the store clerk.

[0004] Therefore, even if the operation mode of a POS terminal can be switched, when the operator who actually operates the POS terminal changes, the orientation of the POS terminal may need to be changed.

[0005] Patent Document 1 describes a POS terminal that includes a base and a connection mechanism that rotatably connects the base and a cash register unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-020370 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] There is a demand for improved convenience in POS terminals that can be switched between an operation mode that can be operated by a store clerk in person and an operation mode that can be operated by the customer themselves.

[0008] One example of an objective of the present disclosure is to provide a technology for improving the convenience of a POS terminal that can be switched between an operation mode that can be operated by a store clerk in person and an operation mode that can be operated by a customer themselves. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] The rotating table in one embodiment of the present disclosure comprises a mounting section on which a POS terminal can be placed, a base, and a rotating section provided on the base and rotatably supporting the mounting section, the mounting section having a first through hole through which a cable of the POS terminal can pass from the upper surface of the mounting section to the lower surface of the mounting section, and the base having a second through hole through which the cable can pass from the upper surface of the base to the lower surface or side surface of the base.

[0010] A control system in one embodiment of the present disclosure includes a POS terminal capable of switching its operation mode between a clerk operation mode operated by a clerk and a customer operation mode operated by a customer, a turntable on which the POS terminal is rotatably mounted, an orientation detection means for detecting the orientation of the POS terminal mounted on the turntable, a mode detection means for detecting the operation mode of the POS terminal, and a control means for performing control to change at least one of the orientation and the operation mode based on the orientation and the operation mode.

[0011] A control method in one aspect of the present disclosure includes a computer detecting an orientation of a POS terminal placed on a turntable on which the POS terminal, the operation mode of which can be switched between a clerk operation mode operated by a clerk and a customer operation mode operated by a customer, is rotatably mounted, detecting the operation mode of the POS terminal, and performing control to change at least one of the orientation and the operation mode based on the orientation and the operation mode.

[0012] A control program in one embodiment of the present disclosure causes a computer to execute a process that detects the orientation of a POS terminal placed on a turntable on which the POS terminal, whose operation mode can be switched between a clerk operation mode operated by a clerk and a customer operation mode operated by a customer, is rotatably mounted, detects the operation mode of the POS terminal, and performs control to change at least one of the orientation and the operation mode based on the orientation and the operation mode.

[0013] Each program may be stored in a non-transitory computer-readable recording medium. Effect of the Invention

[0014] One example of an effect of the present disclosure is to improve the convenience of a POS terminal that can be switched between an operation mode that can be operated by a store clerk in person and an operation mode that can be operated by a customer themselves. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0015] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams showing application examples of a turntable according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 2] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example turntable according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 3] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a turntable according to the present disclosure. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a turntable according to the present disclosure. [Diagram 5] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a turntable according to the present disclosure. [Figure 6] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a turntable according to the present disclosure. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a turntable according to the present disclosure. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of another example of a turntable according to the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a configuration of a control system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the control system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 11]FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the control system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the control system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the control system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 14] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control system. [Figure 15] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification screen. [Figure 16] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the notification screen. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of the operation of the control system. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification screen. [Figure 19] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the notification screen. [Figure 20] FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing another example of the configuration of the control system according to the present disclosure. [Figure 21] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the control system. [Figure 22] FIG. 13 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a notification screen. [Diagram 23] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the notification screen. [Figure 24] FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram showing another example of the notification screen. [Diagram 25] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example turntable according to the present disclosure. [Figure 26] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of another example of a turntable according to the present disclosure. [Figure 27] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration for realizing a control system according to the present disclosure using a computer and its peripheral devices. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0017] [First embodiment] A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the first embodiment, a rotating table will be described.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an application example of a turntable according to the present disclosure.

[0019] 1, the turntable 10 is a turntable on which a POS terminal is placed. The turntable 10 is a turntable that changes the orientation of the placed POS terminal by rotating in a direction within a horizontal plane. In addition to the POS terminal 20 placed on the turntable 10, some or all of the peripheral devices of the POS terminal 20 may also be placed on the turntable 10. The peripheral devices are devices related to the use of the POS terminal 20, and examples of the peripheral devices include, but are not limited to, a payment terminal used for electronic payment, a receipt issuing device that issues receipts, and a scanner used for product registration.

[0020] In FIG. 1, the POS terminal 20 is a POS terminal whose operation mode can be switched between a clerk operation mode operated by a clerk and a customer operation mode operated by a customer. The clerk operation mode is an operation mode in which the clerk performs at least one of the operation of registering the purchased goods and the operation of paying for the registered purchased goods in the transaction for the purchased goods using the POS terminal 20. The customer operation mode is an operation mode in which the customer performs the operation that is not performed by the clerk in the transaction for the purchased goods using the POS terminal 20. For example, the clerk operation mode may be an operation mode in which the clerk performs the registration operation and the payment operation, and the corresponding customer operation mode may be an operation mode in which the customer performs the registration operation and the payment operation. That is, the POS terminal 20 may be switchable between a face-to-face mode and a full self-service mode. Also, for example, the clerk operation mode may be a mode in which the clerk performs the registration operation and the customer performs the payment operation, and the corresponding customer operation mode may be an operation mode in which the customer performs the registration operation and the payment operation. That is, the POS terminal 20 may be switchable between a semi-self-service mode and a full self-service mode.

[0021] As shown in FIG. 1, the rotating platform 10 is placed on a checkout counter, for example. One side of the checkout counter is a position where a store clerk operates the POS terminal 20, and a customer who makes a payment for a purchased item comes to a position opposite the store clerk across the checkout counter. Therefore, the rotating platform 10 on which the POS terminal 20 is placed, whose operation mode can be switched between a store clerk operation mode operated by the store clerk and a customer operation mode operated by the customer, can rotate the orientation of the POS terminal 20 between an orientation for store clerk operation and an orientation for customer operation. Here, the orientation for store clerk operation is an orientation in which the operation surface of the POS terminal 20 faces the operation surface of the store clerk when the POS terminal 20 is in the store clerk operation mode. Also, the orientation for customer operation is an orientation in which the operation surface of the POS terminal 20 faces the operation surface of the customer when the POS terminal 20 is in the customer operation mode. For example, as shown in FIG. 1, when the store clerk operates the POS terminal 20, the store clerk and the customer face each other across the checkout counter. In this case, the orientation for store clerk operation and the orientation for customer operation are different by 180 degrees.

[0022] Next, the configuration of the turntable 10 will be described with reference to the perspective views and cross-sectional views of FIGS.

[0023] The rotating table 10 includes a mounting portion 11, a base 12, a rotating portion 13, a first through hole 14, and a second through hole 15.

[0024] The placement unit 11 is a member having a placement surface on which the POS terminal 20 can be placed. The placement surface is the upper surface of the placement unit 11. In the following description, the direction on the rotating table 10 on which the POS terminal 20 is placed is referred to as "up" and the direction of the rotating table 10 with respect to the placed POS terminal 20 is referred to as "down". The placement surface on which the POS terminal 20 can be placed is a surface on which the POS terminal 20 will not fall even if the placed POS terminal 20 is operated. The placement surface on which the POS terminal 20 can be placed is, for example, a surface large enough that the entire bottom surface of the POS terminal 20 can contact the surface. The placement unit 11 may have a fixing means for fixing the POS terminal 20 on the placement surface. In addition to the POS terminal 20, the placement unit 11 may be capable of placing peripheral devices related to the use of the POS terminal 20 and other items used when using the POS terminal 20.

[0025] The shape of the member forming the mounting portion 11 is not particularly limited. The mounting portion 11 is made of, for example, a plate-shaped member. Also, for example, the mounting portion 11 may be made of a cylindrical member as shown in FIG. 2. In this case, as shown in FIG. 4, the inside of the cylindrical member is hollow, and the rotating portion 13 described later may be provided in the hollow. In this case, the side surface 11A of the mounting portion 11 realized by the cylindrical member can prevent dust from accumulating in the space between the mounting portion 11 and the base 12 and the rotating portion 13, and can prevent the space between the mounting portion 11 and the base 12 and the rotating portion 13 from being seen from the outside. Although the side surface 11A is not shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 5 to FIG. 7, the side surface 11A may be present in any case.

[0026] Next, the base 12 is a base for the rotating unit 13 that is installed on the upper part. The shape of the member forming the base 12 is not particularly limited. The base 12 is made of, for example, a plate-shaped member. In this case, the base 12 is used by being placed on another table such as a cash register counter. Also, for example, the base 12 may be a cash register counter. Note that a cash register counter is a table or desk on which the POS terminal 20 is placed and on which the transaction of products in a store is carried out. Also, the base 12 may be formed of a cylindrical member with a hollow interior, similar to the placement unit 11.

[0027] Here, the shape, thickness, size, and other features of the mounting portion 11 and the base 12 are not limited to the examples shown in Figs. 2 to 6. For example, in Fig. 1, the mounting portion 11 and the base 12 are circular when viewed vertically, but are not limited thereto. For example, the mounting portion 11 and the base 12 may be rectangular when viewed vertically. In Fig. 1, the mounting portion 11 and the base 12 have the same size and shape when viewed vertically, but at least one of the size and shape of the mounting portion 11 and the base 12 may be different when viewed vertically. For example, the mounting portion 11 may be circular when viewed vertically, and the base 12 may be square with one side longer than the diameter of the circle of the mounting portion 11. Also, for example, the area of ​​the top surface of the base 12 may be larger than the area of ​​the mounting portion 11. In this case, for example, the base 12 may be capable of placing items such as devices that are not rotated together with the POS terminal 20 in either the orientation for clerk operation or the orientation for customer operation. Items such as devices that are not rotated together with the POS terminal 20 are items such as devices that are mainly used by customers, or items such as devices that are mainly used by clerks. That is, items such as devices that are mainly used by customers may always be placed in the orientation for customer operation because they are not usually used by clerks. Items such as devices that are mainly used by clerks may always be placed in the orientation for clerk operation because they are not usually used by customers. Items such as devices that are mainly used by customers may include, for example, a receipt issuing device, a payment terminal used by customers, an automatic change machine, items such as cutlery that can be taken home with products, and a box for discarding receipts. Items such as devices that are mainly used by clerks include a cash drawer, stationery, etc.

[0028] Next, the rotating unit 13 is a rotating mechanism that rotatably supports the mounting unit 11 on the base 12. The rotating unit 13 is a rotating mechanism that can rotate at least 180 degrees. For example, in Figs. 3 to 6, the rotating unit 13 includes a plurality of casters 13A and a shaft 13B. The casters 13A are swivel casters whose moving direction is not fixed. The number of casters 13A is not particularly limited. The shaft 13B is fixed to either the mounting unit 11 or the base 12, and the rotating unit 13 rotates on the other by the caster 13A moving around the shaft 13B. The rotating mechanism of the rotating unit 13 is not limited to this example.

[0029] The rotating portion 13 may be formed integrally with the placement portion 11.

[0030] Next, the through-hole will be described. The through-hole is a through-hole for passing the cable of the POS terminal 20. The shape of the through-hole is not limited to a circle as shown in FIG. 2, and may be any shape. Here, the cable of the POS terminal 20 passed through the through-hole is a cable that connects a connector to the outside at a position farther than the rotating table 10 on which the POS terminal 20 is placed. For example, it is a power cable of the POS terminal 20 or a LAN (Local Area Network) cable. In addition, the cable of the POS terminal 20 passed through the through-hole may include a cable of a peripheral device of the POS terminal 20. The through-holes are a first through-hole 14, a second through-hole 15, and a third through-hole 16, which will be described later.

[0031] The first through hole 14 is a through hole provided in the mounting portion 11. The first through hole 14 is a through hole through which the cable of the POS terminal 20 passes from the mounting surface on which the POS terminal 20 is placed to the base 12 side, i.e., from the top to the bottom of the mounting portion 11. As shown in Fig. 3 and Figs. 5 to 8, the first through hole 14 passes from the mounting surface to the lower surface of the member forming the mounting portion 11. Note that the first through hole 14 may be provided so as to pass from the side surface 11A of the member forming the mounting portion 11 to the inner surface of the side surface 11A, as shown in Fig. 4.

[0032] The second through hole 15 is a through hole provided in the base 12. The second through hole 15 is a through hole through which the cable of the POS terminal 20 passes from the upper surface of the base 12 to the lower surface or side surface of the base 12. For example, the second through hole 15 may be provided so as to pass from the upper surface of the base 12 to the lower surface of the base 12 as shown in Figs. 3 to 4 and Figs. 6 to 8. Also, for example, the second through hole 15 may be provided so as to pass from the upper surface of the base 12 to the side surface of the base 12 as shown in Fig. 5. Also, for example, the second through hole 15 may be a through hole that branches from the upper surface of the base 12 to the side surface of the base 12 and the lower surface of the base 12. When the second through hole 15 is a through hole that branches into two, the direction in which the cable passes can be selected depending on the position of the connection destination of the cable to be used.

[0033] A cable connected to the POS terminal 20 passes between the first through hole 14 and the second through hole 15. Therefore, as long as the first through hole 14 and the second through hole 15 are provided in a positional relationship that does not impede the rotation of the rotating unit 13, the positions of the through holes are not limited to the examples in Figures 3 to 8. For example, when the rotating unit 13 has the above-mentioned caster 13A and shaft 13B, the first through hole 14 and the second through hole 15 may be provided inside or outside a circle that is an orbit around which the caster 13A in Figures 3 to 8 rotates.

[0034] 6, a third through hole 16 may be provided in the rotating part 13. The third through hole 16 is a through hole through which the cable of the POS terminal 20 passes from the upper part of the rotating part 13 where the first through hole 14 is located to the lower part of the rotating part 13 where the second through hole 15 is located. In the example of FIG. 6, the third through hole 16 is provided so as to pass through the axis 13B of the rotating part 13 between the lower part of the first through hole 14 and the upper part of the second through hole 15.

[0035] As shown in FIG. 6, the through hole provided on the center side of the circle when the rotating table 10 is viewed vertically allows the cable connected to the bottom surface of the POS terminal 20 to pass through the rotating table 10. In this way, when the rotating table 10 having a through hole on the center side is combined with the POS terminal 20 having a cable connected to the bottom surface, the cable connected to the bottom surface of the POS terminal 20 is inserted into the first through hole 14 on the center side. Therefore, even when the rotating table 10 rotates, the cable does not move significantly, so it is easy to rotate stably. On the other hand, when the rotating table 10 has a through hole provided on the outside of the circle when the rotating table 10 is viewed vertically as shown in FIG. 3, etc., the rotating table 10 is easy to install a general POS terminal 20 in which a cable is connected to the side surface of the POS terminal 20.

[0036] The through hole is a through hole of a size that allows the cable of the POS terminal 20 to pass through. When a connector provided at the end of the cable is larger than the cable, the through hole is a through hole of a size that allows the connector to pass through. The sizes of the first through hole 14 and the second through hole 15 may be substantially the same or different. Furthermore, the sizes of the first through hole 14 and the second through hole 15 and the size of the third through hole may be substantially the same or different.

[0037] Furthermore, the through hole may be provided with a lid. The through hole is formed, for example, larger than the thickness of the cable and the thickness of the connector so that the cable can be easily passed through. In contrast, after the cable is passed through, a lid may be provided to prevent the cable from entering or exiting. For example, the lid has a hole smaller than the through hole and about the same size as the cable. In this case, the lid is a lid that can be opened and closed. Also, for example, the lid may be a lid that has a plurality of radial slits in the center and is formed of an elastic material. The lid is not limited to these examples.

[0038] Also, the first through hole 14, the second through hole 15, and the third through hole 16 may each be provided in a plurality. Each of the plurality of through holes may be a plurality of through holes of the same type but at different positions, or a combination of different types of through holes may be provided. For example, the rotating table 10 may each have a plurality of the first through holes 14 of FIG. 3 and a plurality of the second through holes 15 of FIG. 3. Also, for example, the rotating table 10 may each have the first through hole 14 of FIG. 3, the first through hole 14 of FIG. 6, the second through hole 15 of FIG. 3, the second through hole 15 of FIG. 5, the second through hole 15 of FIG. 6, and the third through hole 16 of FIG. 6. The combination of the plurality of through holes is not limited to these examples.

[0039] The rotating table 10 may also include a storage section 17 capable of storing a cable passing from the first through hole 14 to the second through hole 15. The storage section 17 is a space between the mounting section 11 and the base 12. The storage section 17 may include a structure for not impeding the rotation of the rotating section 13. The structure for not impeding the rotation of the rotating section 13 is, for example, a partition between the rotating section 13 and the storage section 17, or a locking section for locking the cable inside the storage section 17. The locking section is, for example, at least one hook provided on any surface of the storage section 17, such as the inner surface of the side surface 11A, for locking the cable.

[0040] An example of the storage section 17 will be described with reference to Figs. 7 and 8. In Fig. 7, the storage section 17 is a space provided inside the shaft 13B of the rotating section 13. In other words, the storage section 17 is a space that is partitioned by the side surface 11A and a partition 17A. In Fig. 8, the partition 17A is integral with a member that forms the mounting section 11, but the partition 17A may be formed integrally with the base 12.

[0041] Furthermore, the rotating table 10 may include a drive unit (not shown) that rotates the rotating unit 13. The drive unit rotates the rotating unit 13 by electrical control. For example, the drive unit includes gears and a motor. For example, the drive unit rotates the rotating unit 13 in response to a rotation instruction such as pressing a button or a control signal.

[0042] Furthermore, the rotating table 10 may further include a fixing part capable of fixing the POS terminal 20 placed on the rotating table 10 in two or more different orientations. The fixing part may be capable of fixing, for example, in one orientation and in an orientation rotated 180 degrees from the one orientation. The fixing part may be capable of fixing, for example, in an orientation for clerk operation and an orientation for customer operation. The orientation for clerk operation and the orientation for customer operation may be, for example, an orientation rotated 180 degrees or an orientation rotated 90 degrees, but are not limited to these examples. The fixing mechanism of the fixing part may be, for example, a magnet provided on each of the side surface 11A and the base 12, or a recess and a protrusion provided on each of the side surface 11A and the base 12, but is not particularly limited.

[0043] Furthermore, there are no particular limitations on the material, color, etc., of the members forming the rotating table 10. The rotating table 10 may be formed of any material that can realize the functions described above.

[0044] The rotating base in the above-described embodiment includes a mounting section on which a POS terminal can be placed, a base, and a rotating section provided on the base for rotatably supporting the mounting section. The mounting section includes a first through hole for passing the cable of the POS terminal from the upper surface of the mounting section on which the POS terminal is placed to the lower surface, and the base includes a second through hole for passing the cable of the POS terminal from the upper surface of the base to the lower surface or side surface of the base.

[0045] As a result, the rotating table in this embodiment can easily change the orientation of the POS terminal by rotating the POS terminal placed on the rotating table. Therefore, the rotating table in this embodiment can improve the convenience of the POS terminal, which can be switched between an operation mode in which a store clerk can operate face-to-face and an operation mode in which a customer can operate by themselves. In addition, the rotating table has a first through hole and a second through hole, which makes it easy to handle the cables of the POS terminal when it is rotated. In addition, the rotating table has a first through hole and a second through hole, which makes it easy to handle the cables of the POS terminal when it is rotated.

[0046] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. Below, the description of the second embodiment will be omitted to the extent that the description of the present embodiment is not unclear.

[0047] In the second embodiment, a control system including the rotating base 10 described in the first embodiment and a POS terminal 20 placed on the rotating base 10 will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0048] The control system includes the rotating base 10, the POS terminal 20, an orientation detection unit 101, a mode detection unit 102, and a control unit 103. The orientation detection unit 101, the mode detection unit 102, and the control unit 103 may be provided in either the rotating base 10, the POS terminal 20, or the control device, respectively. The functions of the orientation detection unit 101, the mode detection unit 102, and the control unit 103 will be described later.

[0049] The specific configuration of the devices that realize the control system is not particularly limited. Examples of devices that configure the control system will be described with reference to Figs.

[0050] The control system 1 includes at least a rotating base 10 and a POS terminal 20. The control system 1 may be the control system 1, the control system 1A, the control system 1B, the control system 1C, or the control system 1D in Figs. 9 to 13. The control system 1 may include, for example, the rotating base 10, the POS terminal 20, and the control device 100. Here, the control device 100 includes at least a control unit 103. The control device 100 may be the control device 100 or the control device 100B in Figs. 9 to 13. The control device 100 may be included in another device different from the rotating base 10 and the POS terminal 20. For example, the control device 100 may be included in a POS server that manages a plurality of POS terminals 20.

[0051] FIG. 9 is a configuration example of a control system 1 including a control device 100. In the example of FIG. 9, the control system 1 includes a control device 100, a rotating table 10, and a POS terminal 20. In the example of FIG. 9, the control device 100 includes an orientation detection unit 101, a mode detection unit 102, and a control unit 103. The control device 100 is communicably connected to the rotating table 10 and the POS terminal 20. Note that, when the orientation detection unit 101 detects the orientation based on information obtained from the POS terminal 20, the control device 100 does not need to be connected to the rotating table 10. In addition, the control device 100 may be connected to the POS terminal 20 via a POS server (not shown) that manages the multiple POS terminals 20. Furthermore, the control device 100 may be communicably connected to the multiple rotating tables 10 and the multiple POS terminals 20, and may control each of the POS terminals 20 placed on the rotating table 10.

[0052] Fig. 10 is a configuration example of a control system 1A including a control device 100. In the example of Fig. 10, the control system 1A includes a rotating base 10 and a POS terminal 20. In the example of Fig. 10, the control device 100 includes an orientation detection unit 101, a mode detection unit 102, and a control unit 103. The control device 100 is also included in the POS terminal 20A. As in the case of Fig. 9, when the orientation detection unit 101 detects the orientation based on information obtained from the POS terminal 20A, the POS terminal 20A does not need to be connected to the rotating base 10.

[0053] FIG. 11 is a configuration example of a control system 1B including a control device 100B. In the example of FIG. 11, the control system 1B includes a rotating table 10B, a POS terminal 20B, and a control device 100B. In the example of FIG. 11, the control device 100B includes a control unit 103. The rotating table 10B includes an orientation detection unit 101. The POS terminal 20 includes a mode detection unit 102. The control device 100B is communicably connected to the rotating table 10B and the POS terminal 20B. In the example of FIG. 11, the control unit 103 of the control device 100B acquires the orientation detected by the orientation detection unit 101 of the rotating table 10B and the operation mode detected by the mode detection unit 102 of the POS terminal 20B, and performs control. As in the example of FIG. 9, the control device 100B may be communicably connected to a plurality of rotating tables 10B and a plurality of POS terminals 20B, and may perform control over each of the POS terminals 20B placed on the rotating table 10B.

[0054] Fig. 12 shows a configuration example of a control system 1C that does not include a control device 100. In the example of Fig. 12, the control system 1C includes a turntable 10B and a POS terminal 20C. In the example of Fig. 12, the POS terminal 20C includes a mode detection unit 102 and a control unit 103. In the example of Fig. 12, the control unit 103 of the POS terminal 20 acquires the orientation detected by an orientation detection unit 101 of the turntable 10B and performs control.

[0055] Fig. 13 is a configuration example of a control system 1D that does not include a control device 100. In the example of Fig. 13, the control system 1D includes a turntable 10D and a POS terminal 20D. The turntable 10D includes an orientation detection unit 101 and a turntable control unit 103-1. The POS terminal 20D includes a mode detection unit 102 and a POS terminal control unit 103-2. The turntable control unit 103-1 and the POS terminal control unit 103-2 include at least some of the functions of the control unit 103, which will be described in detail later.

[0056] The connections between each rotary table and each POS terminal, and between each control device and each POS terminal, may be made via a POS server.

[0057] As described above, the control system may be realized in various configurations. The configuration examples of the control system are not limited to these examples, and it is sufficient that the orientation detection unit 101, the mode detection unit 102, and the control unit 103 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0058] Next, each functional configuration of the control system in the second embodiment will be described in detail.

[0059] The rotating base 10 is the rotating base 10 described in the first embodiment. As described above, the rotating base 10 in the control system may be the rotating base 10B including the orientation detection unit 101, or the rotating base 10D including the orientation detection unit 101 and the rotating base control unit 103-1.

[0060] As described in the first embodiment, the POS terminal 20 is a POS terminal placed on the placement section 11 of the turntable 10. The POS terminal 20 is a POS terminal whose operation mode can be switched between a store clerk operation mode operated by a store clerk and a customer operation mode operated by a customer.

[0061] The orientation detection unit 101 is an example of an orientation detection means for detecting the orientation of the POS terminal. In the following description, the orientation of a turntable on which the POS terminal 20 is placed may be regarded as the orientation of the POS terminal 20. The orientation detection unit 101 detects at least whether the orientation is an orientation for customer operation or an orientation for store clerk operation. The orientation detection unit 101 may further detect that the orientation is neither an orientation for customer operation nor an orientation for store clerk operation.

[0062] An example in which the orientation detection unit 101 detects the orientation of the turntable 10 as the orientation of the POS terminal 20 will be described. For example, the orientation detection unit 101 detects the orientation of the turntable 10 based on the rotation angle of the turntable 10. That is, in this example, the orientation may be represented by a rotation angle based on a predetermined direction of the turntable. In this case, a storage unit (not shown) stores information in which the numerical value of the rotation angle and each operation mode are associated in advance. The orientation detection unit 101 may detect the orientation of the turntable 10 by referring to the stored information. The information in which the numerical value of the rotation angle and each operation mode are associated is, for example, information indicating that the operation mode is a store clerk operation mode when the rotation angle is 0 degrees, and that the operation mode is a customer operation mode when the rotation angle is 180 degrees. The information in which the numerical value of the rotation angle and each operation mode are associated is not limited to this example. The rotation angle of the turntable 10 may be detected by a known method. For example, the rotation angle of the turntable 10 may be detected by an encoder provided on the turntable 10, but is not limited to this example. The orientation detection unit 101 may obtain the rotation angle from a device that detects the rotation angle, such as an encoder.

[0063] Also, for example, the orientation detection unit 101 may detect the orientation of the turntable 10 based on information read by a sensor provided on the turntable 10. For example, the orientation detection unit 101 detects the orientation of the turntable 10 depending on whether it reads a symbol given in an orientation for customer operation or a symbol given in an orientation for store clerk operation. Note that the symbol may be, for example, a barcode, a two-dimensional code, or the like, and the sensor may be any sensor capable of reading a symbol.

[0064] Next, an example in which the orientation detection unit 101 detects the orientation of the POS terminal 20 will be described. The orientation detection unit 101 may detect the orientation of the POS terminal 20 based on an image captured by a camera. For example, the camera is a camera provided in the POS terminal 20. In this case, a storage unit (not shown) stores in advance information in which an object detected from an image captured by the camera provided in the POS terminal 20 is associated with each orientation. In this case, the orientation detection unit 101 may detect the orientation of the POS terminal 20 by referring to the stored information. The information in which an object detected from an image captured by the camera provided in the POS terminal 20 is associated with each orientation is, for example, information indicating that when a product displayed behind a store clerk is detected, the orientation is an orientation for store clerk operation, and when a product displayed behind a customer is detected, the orientation is an orientation for customer operation. Also, for example, the information in which an object detected from an image captured by a camera provided in the POS terminal 20 is associated with each orientation may be information indicating that the orientation is an orientation for clerk operation when the customer operation side of an adjacent checkout counter is detected, and that the orientation is an orientation for customer operation when the clerk operation side of an adjacent checkout counter is detected. The information in which an object detected from an image captured by a camera provided in the POS terminal 20 is associated with each operation mode is not limited to this example. Also, for example, the orientation detection unit 101 may detect the orientation of the POS terminal 20 depending on whether the image captured by the camera provided in the POS terminal 20 has a higher similarity to an image captured in advance in the orientation for customer operation, or to an image in the orientation for clerk operation.

[0065] Also, for example, the orientation detection unit 101 may detect the orientation of the POS terminal 20 based on an image of the POS terminal 20 captured by a surveillance camera. The surveillance camera is installed in a position where it can capture an image of the POS terminal 20. The orientation detection unit 101 may detect the orientation of the POS terminal 20 depending on whether the image of the POS terminal 20 captured by the surveillance camera has a higher similarity to an image of the POS terminal 20 captured in advance in an orientation for customer operation, or to an image of the POS terminal 20 captured in advance in an orientation for store clerk operation.

[0066] The method of detecting the orientation by the orientation detection unit 101 is not limited to these examples, and it is sufficient if it can detect the orientation of the POS terminal 20. Furthermore, the orientation detection unit 101 may be provided in any of the turntable 10, the POS terminal 20, and the control device 100, as described with reference to Figs. 9 to 13.

[0067] Next, the mode detection unit 102 is an example of a mode detection means that detects whether the operation mode of the POS terminal 20 is a store clerk operation mode or a customer operation mode. The operation modes include a store clerk operation mode and a customer operation mode.

[0068] When the mode detection unit 102 is provided in the POS terminal 20, the mode detection unit 102 detects the operation mode set in the POS terminal 20. When the mode detection unit 102 is provided outside the POS terminal 20, for example, the mode detection unit 102 transmits an instruction to the POS terminal 20 or a POS server that manages the POS terminal 20 to transmit the operation mode set in the POS terminal 20. Then, the mode detection unit 102 may detect the operation mode of the POS terminal 20 from information received from the POS terminal 20 or the POS server that manages the POS terminal 20.

[0069] Furthermore, the mode detection unit 102 may receive information indicating the operating status of the POS terminal 20, including the operation mode of the POS terminal 20. The operating status may include whether the POS terminal 20 is operating or not, whether a transaction is being processed or not, and the like.

[0070] The control unit 103 is an example of a control means that performs control to change at least one of the orientation and the operation mode based on the orientation and the operation mode. In this embodiment, the control unit 103 performs control to match the orientation and the operation mode.

[0071] The alignment of the orientation and the operation mode means that the orientation of the POS terminal 20 placed on the rotating table 10 is aligned with the operation mode of the POS terminal 20. The alignment of the orientation and the operation mode refers to a combination of an orientation for customer operation and a customer operation mode for customer operation, and a combination of an orientation for clerk operation and a clerk operation mode for clerk operation. The inconsistency of the orientation and the operation mode refers to a combination of an orientation for customer operation and a clerk operation mode, and a combination of an orientation for clerk operation and a customer operation mode. Furthermore, the inconsistency of the orientation and the operation mode may include a case where the orientation does not fall into either the orientation for customer operation or the orientation for clerk operation.

[0072] The control unit 103 uses information indicating a predetermined combination of orientation and operation mode stored in advance in a storage unit (not shown) to determine whether the orientation detected by the orientation detection unit 101 and the operation mode detected by the mode detection unit 102 are consistent. The predetermined combination is, for example, a correct combination that is determined to be consistent. The information indicating the correct combination of orientation and operation mode includes, for example, at least information indicating a case where the above-mentioned combination of orientation and operation mode is consistent. The control unit 103 may determine that the combination is consistent when the combination of the orientation detected by the orientation detection unit 101 and the operation mode detected by the mode detection unit 102 corresponds to the consistent combination of orientation and operation mode. In addition, for example, the information indicating the correct combination of orientation and operation mode may be information indicating a case where the above-mentioned combination of orientation and operation mode is not consistent. The control unit 103 may determine that the combination is not consistent when the combination of the orientation detected by the orientation detection unit 101 and the operation mode detected by the mode detection unit 102 corresponds to the inconsistent combination of orientation and operation mode. The control unit 103 performs control for matching the orientation and the operation mode, depending on the result of the determination as to whether the orientation and the operation mode are matched.

[0073] For example, the control unit 103 performs a notification for matching the orientation and the operation mode. In this case, the control unit 103 performs a notification when the orientation and the operation mode are not matched, based on the orientation detected by the orientation detection unit 101, the operation mode detected by the mode detection unit 102, and information indicating a correct combination of the orientation and the operation mode.

[0074] The notification when the orientation and the operation mode are inconsistent is a notification that notifies a store clerk or a customer that the orientation and the operation mode are inconsistent. The notification that notifies that the orientation and the operation mode are inconsistent may include an instruction to change the orientation or an instruction to change the operation mode. For example, the instruction to change the orientation may include content instructing the store clerk or the customer to change the orientation to an orientation for store clerk operation or an orientation for customer operation depending on the operation mode. Also, for example, the instruction to change the operation mode may include content instructing the store clerk or the customer to change the operation mode to a store clerk operation mode or a customer operation mode depending on the orientation.

[0075] The method of notification when the orientation and the operation mode are not particularly limited. For example, the control unit 103 may display the notification on the screen of the terminal device such as the POS terminal 20, the smartphone used by the store clerk for business, or a computer. Also, for example, the control unit 103 may output the notification by voice to an audio output device of the terminal device such as the POS terminal 20, the smartphone used by the store clerk for business, or a computer, or an audio output device in the store. The POS terminal 20 that displays the notification or outputs the voice may be another POS terminal in the same store as the POS terminal 20 whose orientation and operation mode are not consistent.

[0076] Next, the process performed by control unit 103 to perform notification will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 14, first, the orientation detection unit 101 detects the orientation of the turntable 10 or the POS terminal 20 placed on the turntable 10 (step S101).

[0078] Next, the mode detection unit 102 detects the operation mode of the POS terminal 20 (step S102).

[0079] The order of the processes of steps S101 and S102 is not limited to this example. The processes of steps S101 and S102 may be performed in parallel, or the process of step S101 may be performed after the process of step S102. The processes of steps S101 and S102 may be performed when either the orientation or the operation mode is switched, or may be performed at a predetermined time interval. Furthermore, the processes of steps S101 and S102 may be performed when the POS terminal 20 that has been idle is started to operate. The timing of starting the processes of steps S101 and S102 is not limited to these examples.

[0080] Next, the control unit 103 determines whether the orientation and the operation mode detected in step S101 and step S102 are consistent (step S103). If it is determined in step S103 that the orientation and the operation mode are consistent (step S103: Yes), the control system ends the process.

[0081] In step S103, if it is determined that the orientation and the operation mode are not consistent (step S103: No), the control unit 103 issues a notification that the orientation and the operation mode are not consistent (step S104).

[0082] Here, an example of the notification screen in step S104 will be described with reference to FIG. 15 and FIG.

[0083] In FIG. 15, the notification screen includes, for example, a message indicating that the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal 20 are not consistent. The notification screen may also include information indicating the detected orientation and operation mode. The notification screen may also include an instruction to align the orientation and operation mode. In the example of FIG. 15, the notification screen includes an instruction to change the orientation of the POS terminal 20. The instruction to align the orientation and operation mode is not limited to this example, and may be an instruction to change the operation mode of the POS terminal 20. The change instruction to align the orientation and operation mode may be set in advance to an instruction to change the orientation or an instruction to change the operation mode. Also, for example, the change instruction to align the orientation and operation mode may be set in advance to an instruction to change the other orientation or operation mode depending on the orientation or operation mode that was last switched. The notification screen may also include a method for changing the orientation or operation mode of the POS terminal 20, or a button for transitioning to a screen indicating the change method. For example, when the control unit 103 issues a notification including an instruction to change the orientation of the POS terminal 20, as shown in FIG. 15, the notification screen may include a button for confirming the method for changing the orientation. When the control unit 103 issues a notification including an instruction to change the operation mode of the POS terminal 20, the notification screen may include a button for confirming a method for changing the operation mode of the POS terminal 20. The notification screen may also include a method for changing the orientation or operation mode according to the change instruction.

[0084] FIG. 16 shows another example of a notification screen. In FIG. 16, the notification screen includes a message indicating that the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal 20 are not consistent, and information indicating the detected orientation and operation mode, as in FIG. 15. In FIG. 16, the notification screen may include a button for changing the orientation and a button for changing the operation mode. When the button for changing the orientation or the button for changing the operation mode is pressed, a method for changing the orientation or the operation mode may be displayed on the screen according to the button. Also, for example, the control unit 103 may perform control for changing the orientation or control for changing the operation mode according to the selected button. The control for changing the orientation and the control for changing the operation mode will be described later.

[0085] With the above, the control system ends a series of operations when the control unit 103 issues a notification. As described in steps S101 and S102, these operations may be repeated at a predetermined time interval, or may be triggered by switching either the orientation or the operation mode, or by the POS terminal 20 starting operation from a rest state.

[0086] Also, for example, the control unit 103 performs control to change the orientation or the operation mode. The control to change the orientation or the operation mode is, for example, control to match the orientation and the operation mode. In this case, the control unit 103 performs control to change the orientation or the operation mode when the orientation and the operation mode are not matched based on the orientation, the operation mode, and the information indicating the correct combination of the orientation and the operation mode described above. For example, the control unit 103 may change the orientation to an orientation corresponding to the operation mode detected by the mode detection unit 102. Specifically, when the operation mode is a customer operation mode and the orientation is an orientation for store clerk operation, the control unit 103 may change the orientation to an orientation for customer operation. Alternatively, when the operation mode is a store clerk operation mode and the orientation is an orientation for customer operation, the control unit 103 may change the orientation to an orientation for store clerk operation. Furthermore, when the orientation is neither an orientation for store clerk operation nor an orientation for customer operation, the control unit 103 may change the orientation to an orientation corresponding to the operation mode detected by the mode detection unit 102. Also, for example, the control unit 103 changes the operation mode to an operation mode corresponding to the orientation detected by the orientation detection unit 101. Specifically, when the orientation is an orientation for customer operation and the operation mode is a store clerk operation mode, the control unit 103 may change the operation mode to the customer operation mode. Alternatively, when the orientation is an orientation for store clerk operation and the operation mode is the customer operation mode, the control unit 103 may change the operation mode to the store clerk operation mode.

[0087] When the control unit 103 changes the orientation, the control unit 103 changes the orientation of the turntable 10 by controlling a drive unit that rotates the turntable 10. For example, the control unit 103 transmits a control signal to the drive unit to change the orientation to an orientation for customer operation or an orientation for store clerk operation. Then, the drive unit changes the orientation of the turntable 10 by driving the rotation unit 13 of the turntable 10 in response to the control signal.

[0088] When the control unit 103 changes the operation mode, the control unit 103 changes the operation mode of the POS terminal 20 by instructing a control unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) provided in the POS terminal 20 to change the operation mode. For example, the control unit 103 transmits a control signal for changing the operation mode to a customer operation mode or a store clerk operation mode to the control unit of the POS terminal 20. Then, the control unit of the POS terminal 20 switches the operation mode of the POS terminal 20 in response to the control signal, thereby changing the operation mode of the POS terminal 20.

[0089] The control unit 103 may control one of the orientation and the operation mode, which is set in advance. For example, when there is no function to control the rotation of the turntable 10, it may be set in advance to change the operation mode of the POS terminal 20. Also, for example, the orientation or operation mode to be changed by the control unit 103 may be the other of the last changed orientation or operation mode. Furthermore, the orientation or operation mode to be controlled by the control unit 103 may be determined according to the situation around the POS terminal 20. For example, when a human presence sensor is provided in each of the orientations for customer operation and for store clerk operation of the POS terminal 20, if a person is detected in the orientation for store clerk operation, the orientation or operation mode may be changed to match the orientation for store clerk operation. Also in this case, for example, if a person is not detected in the orientation for store clerk operation, the orientation or operation mode may be changed to match the orientation for customer operation.

[0090] Next, a process performed by the control unit 103 to control the orientation and operation mode to be consistent will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0091] As shown in FIG. 17, first, the orientation detection unit 101 detects the orientation of the turntable 10 or the POS terminal 20 placed on the turntable 10 (step S201).

[0092] Next, the mode detection unit 102 detects the operation mode of the POS terminal 20 (step S202).

[0093] The order of the processes in steps S201 and S202 is not limited to this example, as is the order of the processes in steps S101 and S102 described above. The processes in steps S201 and S202 may be performed in parallel, or the process in step S201 may be performed after the process in step S202. The processes in steps S201 and S202 may be performed when either the orientation or the operation mode is switched, or may be performed at a predetermined time interval. Furthermore, the processes in steps S101 and S102 may be performed when the POS terminal 20 that has been idle starts operating. The timing of starting the processes in steps S101 and S102 is not limited to these examples.

[0094] Next, the control unit 103 determines whether the orientation and operation mode detected in step S201 and step S202 are consistent (step S203). If it is determined in step S203 that the orientation and operation mode are consistent (step S203: Yes), the control system ends the process.

[0095] In step S203, if it is determined that the orientation and operation mode are not consistent (step S203: No), the control unit 103 performs control to change the orientation or operation mode to make the orientation and operation mode consistent (step S204).

[0096] With the above, the control system ends a series of operations when the control unit 103 performs control to change the orientation and operation mode. As with steps S101 and S102, these operations, steps S201 and S202, may be repeated at a predetermined time interval, or may be performed in response to switching of either the orientation or the operation mode.

[0097] Note that the control unit 103 may also issue a notification when performing control to match the orientation and the operation mode. The notification may be a notification to inform the store clerk or the customer that the orientation or the operation mode will be changed. As described above, the notification destination may be a terminal device such as the POS terminal 20, a smartphone used by the store clerk for business, or a computer, and the notification method may be at least one of display and voice. An example of a notification screen in this case will be described with reference to FIG. 18 and FIG. 19.

[0098] FIG. 18 shows an example of a notification screen. In FIG. 18, the notification screen is, for example, a notification screen that is displayed when it is determined in step S203 that the orientation and the operation mode are not consistent, and before the control of the orientation change, which is an example of step S204, is performed. In addition, the notification screen in FIG. 18 may be displayed until the operation of changing the orientation in step S204 is completed. In FIG. 18, the notification screen includes a message indicating the content to be changed. In addition, the notification screen in FIG. 18 may include a message instructing not to operate the POS terminal 20 during the orientation change. Furthermore, the notification screen in FIG. 18 may include a button to stop the orientation change. When the button to stop the orientation change is selected, the control unit 103 may stop the orientation change operation by the drive unit of the rotating base 10. Furthermore, after the orientation change operation is stopped, the control unit 103 may display a notification screen that allows the user to select whether the orientation and the operation mode are for store clerk operation or for customer operation. In this case, the control unit 103 may change the orientation and the operation mode to the selected orientation and operation mode.

[0099] FIG. 19 shows another example of the notification screen. In FIG. 19, the notification screen is, for example, a notification screen displayed after the control of the change in orientation, which is an example of step S204, is performed. In FIG. 19, the notification screen includes a message indicating the changed content. In addition, in FIG. 19, the notification screen may include a button for starting the operation of the POS terminal 20. The notification screen in FIG. 19 may return from the notification screen to the original screen when the button for starting the operation of the POS terminal 20 is selected or when a predetermined time has elapsed since the notification screen in FIG. 19 was displayed. For example, when the notification screen is displayed on the POS terminal 20, the original screen is a screen for performing a checkout operation on the POS terminal 20. Furthermore, when the operation mode is changed in step S204, the original screen may be a screen for performing a checkout operation according to the changed operation mode. In addition, the original screen may be, for example, a screen that was displayed before the notification screen was displayed.

[0100] The control system in the present embodiment described above includes a POS terminal, a rotating table on which the POS terminal is placed, an orientation detection unit, a mode detection unit, and a control unit. The orientation detection unit detects the orientation of the POS terminal placed on the rotating table. The mode detection unit detects the operation mode of the POS terminal. The control unit then performs control to change at least one of the orientation and the operation mode based on the detected orientation and operation mode. The control to change at least one of the orientation and the operation mode is control to align the orientation and the operation mode. The control to align the orientation and the operation mode is a notification indicating that the orientation and the operation mode are not aligned, based on information indicating the orientation, the operation mode, or a predetermined combination of the orientation and the operation mode, or control to change at least one of the orientation or the operation mode.

[0101] As a result, the control system in this embodiment allows a store clerk or a customer using a POS terminal that can be switched between an operation mode that can be operated by a store clerk in face-to-face contact and an operation mode that can be operated by a customer himself / herself to know that the orientation and operation mode are not consistent. Alternatively, the control system in this embodiment aligns the operation mode and orientation of a POS terminal that can be switched between an operation mode that can be operated by a store clerk in face-to-face contact and an operation mode that can be operated by a customer himself / herself. Therefore, the control system in this embodiment can improve the convenience of a POS terminal that can be switched between an operation mode that can be operated by a store clerk in face-to-face contact and an operation mode that can be operated by a customer himself / herself.

[0102] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In the following, the description of the third embodiment will be omitted to the extent that the description of the present embodiment is not unclear.

[0103] In the third embodiment, the control system 2 differs from the second embodiment in that it performs control to change the orientation and operation mode not only when the orientation and operation mode are inconsistent, but also when other information such as the store situation is triggered.

[0104] Fig. 20 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control system 2. The control system 2 shown in Fig. 20 includes an acquisition unit 204 in addition to the configuration of the control system in the second embodiment. Note that the control system 2 may be realized by various device configurations, as in Figs. 9 to 13 described in the second embodiment. For example, the acquisition unit 204 may be included in any of the turntable 10, the POS terminal 20, and the control device 200.

[0105] The acquiring unit 204 is an example of an acquiring means for acquiring store information indicating the status of the store in which the POS terminal 20 is installed. Here, the status of the store is information related to the operation of the POS terminal 20. The status of the store may include the customer congestion status of the store, the congestion status of the store waiting for payment, the status of customers calling store clerks, the operating status of the store clerks, etc.

[0106] Furthermore, in the third embodiment, the control unit 103 changes the orientation and operation mode based on the detected orientation, the detected operation mode, and the store information to the orientation and operation mode according to the store information.

[0107] For example, the store information includes information related to the congestion of the store and information related to the working status of the store's staff. The control unit 103 may control the orientation and the operation mode according to the congestion of the store and the working status of the staff. The information related to the congestion of the store will be described later. The information related to the working status of the staff is information for determining whether the staff is available to handle the transaction at the POS terminal 20. The information related to the working status of the staff includes at least whether each staff member is at work. In addition, the information related to the working status of the staff may include whether each staff member is on break, whether the work the staff member is engaged in is customer service work, and the like. Customer service work is work that deals with customers, such as handling the transaction and responding to customer inquiries in person or over the phone. Work other than customer service work includes, for example, stocking, ordering, cleaning, meetings between staff members, inventory, inspection, and the like.

[0108] The information related to the working status of the store clerk may be information stored in advance, or may be information identified based on an image captured by a surveillance camera or the like. When the information related to the working status of the store clerk is identified based on an image, for example, a person is detected from the image and the person who is the store clerk is extracted. The person who is the store clerk may be extracted by matching with a face image of a person registered in advance as a store clerk, or a person who wears a name tag, a uniform, or a business terminal device carried by the store clerk may be extracted as a store clerk. Then, the status of the store clerk may be detected from the action and position of the person extracted as the store clerk. The storage device that stores the information related to the working status of the store clerk and the device that identifies the information related to the working status of the store clerk from an image may be included in the control system 2, or may be communicably connected to the control system 2.

[0109] Furthermore, the information related to the congestion state of the store may include information related to the number of people in the store. For example, the information related to the number of people in the store may be the number of people in the store itself. Furthermore, the information related to the number of people in the store may be information correlated with the number of people in the store, such as the number of people per square meter of the store, the number of carts or baskets used in the store, or the carbon dioxide concentration in the store.

[0110] The information related to the congestion state of the store may include information related to the congestion state of people waiting to check out at the store. The information related to the congestion state of people waiting to check out at the store may be, for example, the number of people waiting in front of the POS terminal 20 at the store, or the length of the line of people waiting in front of the POS terminal 20 at the store. Furthermore, the information related to the congestion state of people waiting to check out at the store may be the checkout waiting time predicted by a known method.

[0111] The information related to the crowdedness of the store may be identified by another device communicably connected to the control system 2, or may be identified by an identification unit (not shown) provided in the control system using images or sensor information. The information related to the crowdedness of the store may be, for example, information that expresses the crowdedness as a numerical value or a level.

[0112] For example, when the store is crowded and there is no available clerk based on the store information, the control unit 103 may switch the operation mode of the inactive POS terminal 20 and the orientation of the turntable 10 on which the POS terminal 20 is placed to a customer operation mode. The control unit 103 may determine that the store is crowded when the crowdedness of the store included in the store information is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. The control unit 103 may also determine whether there is an available clerk based on information related to the working status of the clerk. For example, the control unit 103 may determine that there is no available clerk when the number of working POS terminals 20 in the store is the same as the number of clerks working in the store. For example, the control unit 103 may also determine whether there is an available clerk based on the presence or absence of a person performing a task other than customer service included in the information related to the working status of the clerk. In this case, the available clerk is a clerk performing a task other than customer service.

[0113] As described above, when it is determined that the store is crowded and there is no available clerk, the customer may perform the transaction by himself / herself at the POS terminal 20, thereby alleviating the congestion and reducing the stress of the customer waiting for the transaction. Therefore, the control unit 103 switches the operation mode and orientation of the POS terminal 20 that is not in operation to the one for customer operation. The control unit 103 may determine whether the POS terminal 20 is in operation or not from the control information of the POS terminal 20. The control unit 103 may also obtain information indicating whether the POS terminal 20 is in operation or not from the POS server that manages the POS terminal 20. Furthermore, when the orientation detection unit 101 or the mode detection unit 102 detects that at least one of the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal 20 that is not in operation is for clerk operation, the control unit 103 performs control to change the POS terminal 20 that is not in operation to the one for customer operation. Furthermore, when the control unit 103 detects that the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal 20 that is not in operation is for customer operation, the control unit 103 may notify that the POS terminal 20 that is not in operation is available for customer operation.

[0114] Furthermore, the control unit 103 may perform control to change the operation mode and orientation of the inactive POS terminal 20 to a clerk operation mode when the store is crowded and there is a clerk available based on the store information. The clerk operation mode means that the operation mode and orientation of the POS terminal 20 are a clerk operation mode and an orientation for clerk operation, respectively. The control to change the operation mode and orientation of the POS terminal 20 to a clerk operation mode and an orientation for clerk operation, respectively, is control to change the operation mode and orientation of the POS terminal 20 to a clerk operation mode and an orientation for clerk operation, respectively. The control unit 103 may determine that the store is crowded based on the store information, as in the above example. Furthermore, the control unit 103 may determine that there is a clerk available based on information related to the operation status of the clerk, as in the above example. For example, the control unit 103 may determine that there is a clerk available when the number of operating POS terminals 20 in the store is less than the number of clerks working in the store.

[0115] As described above, when the store is crowded and it is determined that there is a clerk available to handle the transaction, the congestion may be alleviated by increasing the number of clerks who handle the transaction at the POS terminal 20. Therefore, the control unit 103 switches the operation mode and orientation of the inactive POS terminal 20 to that for clerk operation. As in the above example, the control unit 103 may determine whether the POS terminal 20 is in operation from the control information of the POS terminal 20. The control unit 103 may also obtain information indicating whether the POS terminal 20 is in operation from a POS server that manages the POS terminal 20. Furthermore, when at least one of the orientation and operation mode of the inactive POS terminal 20 is for customer operation, the control unit 103 performs control to change the inactive POS terminal 20 to that for clerk operation. Furthermore, when the control unit 103 detects that the orientation and operation mode of the inactive POS terminal 20 are for clerk operation, it may notify the clerk that the inactive POS terminal 20 is available for clerk operation. The notification informing the store clerk that the POS terminal 20 is available for store clerk operation may be a message instructing the store clerk to handle the transaction at the POS terminal 20.

[0116] Furthermore, when it is determined that the store is busy and there is a store clerk available, the control unit 103 may perform control to change the operation mode and orientation of the POS terminal 20 operating for customer operation to that for store clerk operation. The operation mode and orientation are changed, for example, when a transaction being performed at the POS terminal 20 is completed. In this case, a notification to inform the store clerk that the POS terminal 20 is available for store clerk operation may be performed during the transaction.

[0117] Also, for example, the control unit 103 may change the operation mode and orientation of the POS terminal 20 based on detection information of a person around the POS terminal 20. The detection information of a person around the POS terminal 20 is an example of information included in the store information. The detection information of a person around the POS terminal 20 is information indicating the presence or absence of a person detected at least on one of the clerk operation side and the customer operation side of the checkout counter on which the POS terminal 20 and the rotating platform 10 are placed. The detection information of a person on the clerk operation side and the customer operation side of the checkout counter may be detected, for example, by sensor information of a human sensor provided in the POS terminal 20, an image taken by a camera provided in the POS terminal 20, or an image taken by a surveillance camera. For example, when a person is detected on the clerk operation side of the checkout counter, it is considered that there is a clerk who can handle the transaction at the POS terminal 20. Therefore, the control unit 103 may perform control to change the operation mode and orientation of the POS terminal 20 for customer operation to that for clerk operation. Also, for example, the control unit 103 determines that a person is detected on the customer operation side and that a person is not detected on the clerk operation side based on the detection information of a person around the POS terminal 20 included in the store information. In this case, there is no clerk who can handle the transaction at the POS terminal 20, but there is a customer who wants to make the transaction, so if the customer can make the transaction at the POS terminal 20 themselves, the waiting time of the customer who wants to make the transaction can be reduced. Therefore, the control unit 103 may perform control to change the operation mode and orientation of the POS terminal 20, which are intended for clerk operation, to those intended for customer operation. The timing for changing the operation mode and orientation may be, for example, when the transaction being performed at the POS terminal 20 is completed.

[0118] The control unit 103 may further switch the POS terminal 20 to be operated by a store clerk when an alert is detected in the POS terminal 20 for customer operation. In this case, the alert is an alert indicating that a store clerk's response is required, such as an alert due to a customer's incorrect operation, an alert for checking the products purchased by the customer, or an alert due to the customer selecting a button to call a store clerk. In this case, while retaining the details of the transaction in the POS terminal 20, the control unit 103 may control the direction and operation mode of the POS terminal 20 to be changed from that for customer operation to that for store clerk operation.

[0119] Furthermore, when the store is not crowded, even if the POS terminal 20 is operating in a customer operation mode that generally takes time to operate, it may not affect the crowded situation. In such a case, the control unit 103 may control the POS terminal 20 to change its orientation and operation mode, which are for clerk operation, to that for customer operation so that the clerk in charge of the transaction at the POS terminal 20 can perform other work. For customer operation, the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal 20 are the orientation and customer operation mode for customer operation, respectively. The control of changing the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal 20 for customer operation is the control of changing the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal 20 to the orientation and customer operation mode for customer operation, respectively. Furthermore, when the store is not crowded and at least one other POS terminal 20 is for clerk operation, the control unit 103 may control the POS terminal 20 to change its orientation and operation mode for customer operation. Furthermore, when the store is not crowded and no customers waiting to pay are detected, the control unit 103 may perform control to change the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal 20 for customer operation.

[0120] The operation of the control system 2 configured as above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

[0121] As shown in FIG. 21, first, the acquisition unit 204 acquires store information (step S301).

[0122] Next, the orientation detection unit 101 detects the orientation of the turntable 10 or the POS terminal 20 placed on the turntable 10 (step S302).

[0123] Next, the mode detection unit 102 detects the operation mode of the POS terminal 20 (step S303).

[0124] The order of the processes from step S301 to step S303 is not limited to this example, as is the order of the processes from step S101 to step S102 described above. The processes from step S301 to step S303 may be performed in parallel, or the processes from step S302 to step S303 may be performed in parallel after the process from step S301.

[0125] Next, the control unit 103 judges whether the store is crowded based on the store information (step S304). If it is judged that the store is not crowded (step S304: No), the control system 2 may end the series of processes. Note that if it is judged that the store is not crowded (step S304: No), the control unit 103 may perform control to change the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal 20 to those for store clerk operation.

[0126] If it is determined that the store is crowded based on the store information (step S304: Yes), the control unit 103 determines whether there is a store staff member available to assist the customer based on information related to the working status of the store staff included in the store information (step S305).

[0127] If it is determined that there is a store clerk available (step S305: Yes), the control unit 103 determines whether there is a POS terminal 20 for customer operation or a POS terminal 20 that is not in operation (step S306). If it is determined that there is no POS terminal 20 for customer operation or a POS terminal 20 that is not in operation (step S306: No), the control system 2 may end the series of processes. If it is determined that there is no POS terminal 20 for customer operation or a POS terminal 20 that is not in operation (step S306: No), this means that all of the POS terminals 20 in the store are operating for store clerk operation. In addition, the case where all of the POS terminals 20 in the store are operating for store clerk operation includes, for example, the case where all of the POS terminals 20 in the store, except for a POS terminal 20 that is unavailable due to a malfunction or the like, are operating for store clerk operation.

[0128] If it is determined that there is at least one POS terminal 20 for customer operation and one POS terminal 20 that is not in operation (step S306: Yes), the control unit 103 performs control to change the orientation and operation mode of at least one of the POS terminals 20 for customer operation and the POS terminals 20 that are not in operation to that for store clerk operation (step S307). In step S306, if there are multiple POS terminals 20 for customer operation and multiple POS terminals 20 that are not in operation, for example, the control unit 103 may give priority to changing the POS terminals 20 that are not in operation to that for store clerk operation. Also, in step S306, if there are multiple POS terminals 20 for customer operation and multiple POS terminals 20 that are not in operation, the control unit 103 may change the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminals 20 in the number corresponding to the number of store clerks available for handling, to that for store clerk operation. After changing the orientation and operation mode in step S307, the control system 2 ends the series of operations.

[0129] Next, if it is determined that the store is crowded (step S304: Yes) and that there is no available store clerk (step S305: No), the control unit 103 determines whether there is an inactive POS terminal 20 (step S308). If there is no inactive POS terminal 20 (step S308: No), the control system 2 ends the series of operations.

[0130] If there is a POS terminal 20 that is not in operation (step S308: Yes), the control unit 103 performs control to change the orientation and operation mode of the inoperable POS terminal 20 for customer operation (step S309). After changing the orientation and operation mode in step S309, the control system 2 ends the series of operations.

[0131] With the above, the control system 2 ends the series of operations. The series of operations of the control system 2 is not limited to this example. For example, the control unit 103 may determine whether or not there is a POS terminal 20 that is not in operation before the process of step S304. In addition, the series of operations of the control system 2 may be repeated at a predetermined time interval, for example.

[0132] The control unit 103 may issue a notification when changing the orientation and operation mode based on the store information. The notification destination may be a terminal device where a store clerk or a customer in the vicinity of the POS terminal 20 can confirm the notification. The terminal device where a store clerk or a customer in the vicinity of the POS terminal 20 can confirm the notification may be, for example, a terminal device such as a smartphone carried by the store clerk or a customer, the POS terminal 20 whose orientation and operation mode are changed, another POS terminal 20 installed near the POS terminal 20 whose orientation and operation mode are changed, or an audio output device of the store. The notification destination may also be a terminal device where a store clerk in the store where the POS terminal 20 is installed can confirm the notification. The terminal device where a store clerk in the store where the POS terminal 20 is installed can confirm the notification may be a terminal device such as a smartphone carried by the store clerk, a terminal device such as a handy terminal or a store computer used by the store clerk, or an audio output device of the store. Hereinafter, examples of notification screens for terminal devices where a store clerk in the store where the POS terminal 20 is installed can confirm the notification will be described with reference to Figs. 22 to 24.

[0133] FIG. 22 shows an example of a notification screen. In FIG. 22, the notification screen includes a message informing the store clerk that the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal 20 have been changed. The notification screen may also include the changed orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal 20, and information for identifying the POS terminal 20 whose orientation and operation mode have been changed from the multiple POS terminals 20 provided in the store. The information for identifying the POS terminal 20 is, for example, the number of the POS terminal 20, such as "No. 3" as shown in FIG. 22. Furthermore, the notification screen may include information indicating the congestion status of the entire store or the store's waiting time for checkout, and the presence or absence of a store clerk who can handle the transaction. This allows the store clerk to grasp the situation of the store. The notification informing that the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal 20 have been changed for customer operation as shown in FIG. 22 may be performed by the control unit 103, for example, after the processing of step S309.

[0134] FIG. 23 shows another example of the notification screen. In FIG. 23, the notification screen is a notification for prompting the store clerk to confirm whether or not to change the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal 20. For example, when there is a POS terminal 20 that is not in operation in step S308, the control unit 103 may notify the store clerk to confirm whether or not to change the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal 20 for customer operation as shown in FIG. 23. In this case, the notification screen includes at least a button for permitting the POS terminal 20 to be changed for customer operation. The notification screen may also include a button for indicating that the POS terminal 20 is not to be changed for customer operation and is not to be operated, or may include a button for specifying a store clerk to operate the POS terminal 20 for store clerk operation. In this case, the control unit 103 determines to change the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal 20 according to the button selected on the notification screen. Furthermore, the control unit 103 may notify the specified store clerk to instruct the POS terminal 20 to operate for store clerk operation. The notification to the designated store clerk may be output to the terminal device of the designated store clerk or broadcast on the audio output device of the store. The control unit 103 may cause the designated store clerk to turn on a lamp indicating the POS terminal 20 to be handled during the time from when the store clerk is designated to when the store clerk starts working. The control unit 103 may cause the screen of the POS terminal 20 to display a notification informing customers that the POS terminal 20 will start working for store clerk operation during the time from when the store clerk is designated to when the store clerk starts working. In addition, in FIG. 23, the notification screen may include the operating status of the POS terminal 20, which asks whether to change the orientation and operation mode. The operating status may include whether the terminal is idle or in operation, and whether it is for store clerk operation or for customer operation. The operating status may include whether the terminal is in the process of transaction while in operation. In the example of FIG. 23, the notification screen may also include information indicating the congestion status of the entire store or the store waiting for transaction, and the presence or absence of a store clerk available to handle the transaction.

[0135] FIG. 24 shows yet another example of the notification screen. In FIG. 24, the notification screen is a notification for prompting the store clerk to confirm whether or not to change the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal 20. The notification for prompting the store clerk to confirm whether or not to change the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal 20 as exemplified in FIG. 24 may be performed when the orientation and operation mode according to the store information are for store clerk operation. For example, when it is determined in step S306 that there is at least one POS terminal 20 for customer operation and at least one POS terminal 20 that is not in operation, the control unit 103 may perform a notification as shown in FIG. 24 before proceeding to the process of step S307. As shown in FIG. 24, the notification screen may include information identifying the operation status of the POS terminal 20 for which the user is to confirm whether or not to change the orientation and operation mode, the congestion status of the entire store or the waiting time for the checkout of the store, and the available store clerk. The notification screen may also include a button for permitting the POS terminal 20 to be changed for store clerk operation, and a button for indicating that the POS terminal 20 is not to be changed for store clerk operation. When a button for permitting the POS terminal 20 to be changed to one for clerk operation is selected, the control unit 103 performs control to change the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal 20 to one for clerk operation. Also, when a button for indicating that the POS terminal 20 should not be changed to one for clerk operation is selected, the control unit 103 does not change the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal 20. Note that the notification as shown in FIG. 24 may be notified to a terminal device or the like operated by the clerk indicated by the identification information ABC as a response instruction of the POS terminal 20 to the clerk indicated by the identification information ABC who is specified as capable of handling the request.

[0136] The control system in the above-described embodiment includes a POS terminal, a turntable on which the POS terminal is placed, an acquisition unit, an orientation detection unit, a mode detection unit, and a control unit. The acquisition unit acquires store information indicating the status of the store in which the POS terminal is installed. The orientation detection unit detects the orientation of the POS terminal placed on the turntable. The mode detection unit detects the operation mode of the POS terminal. Then, based on the detected orientation and operation mode, the control unit performs control to change the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal in accordance with the status of the store indicated by the store information.

[0137] As a result, the control system in this embodiment can change the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal, which can be switched between an operation mode that can be operated by a store clerk in person and an operation mode that can be operated by a customer himself, depending on the situation of the store. Therefore, the control system in this embodiment can improve the convenience of the POS terminal, which can be switched between an operation mode that can be operated by a store clerk in person and an operation mode that can be operated by a customer himself.

[0138] [Variations] In each embodiment, the turntable 10 may further include a removable storage platform 18. For example, the storage platform 18 may be provided on the customer operation side of the base 12.

[0139] The storage stand 18 is provided to be removable from the base 12, for example, as shown in the perspective view of Fig. 25. The storage stand 18 may be provided with a rail, for example, so that it can be removable in the direction of the arrow shown in Fig. 25. Furthermore, for example, the storage stand may be provided with a hinge or the like to be openable and closable from the base 12, as shown in the perspective view of Fig. 26.

[0140] The rotating platform 10 may also include a storage table drive unit that moves the storage table 18 in and out. For example, when the rotating platform 10 is oriented for customer operation, the storage table drive unit may move the storage table 18 out so that the customer can use it. The storage table 18 may also include a storage table fixing unit that fixes the storage table 18 so that it cannot be moved in or out. For example, when the rotating platform 10 is oriented for customer operation, the storage table fixing unit may release the lock so that the customer can use the storage table 18, and when the rotating platform 10 is oriented for store clerk operation, the storage table fixing unit may fix the storage table 18 so that it cannot be used.

[0141] In this modification, the control unit 103 of the control system may perform control to change the storage stand 18 to a usable state or an unusable state according to the orientation and operation mode of the POS terminal 20. For example, the control unit 103 may control the storage stand 18 to a usable state when the orientation or operation mode is for customer operation. Also, for example, the control unit 103 may perform control to fix the storage stand 18 so that it cannot be used when the orientation or operation mode is for store clerk operation.

[0142] [Hardware configuration] Some or all of the components of the control system, control device, POS terminal, and orientation detection unit and control unit provided in the turntable in the second embodiment, third embodiment, and modified example of the present disclosure described above are realized by any combination of an information processing device 1000 and a program as shown in Fig. 27. The information processing device 1000 includes, as an example, the following configuration.

[0143] CPU1001 ROM (Read Only Memory) 1002 ·RAM(Random Access Memory)1003 Program 1004 loaded into RAM 1003 A storage device 1005 for storing a program 1004 A drive device 1007 for reading and writing data from the recording medium 1006 A communication I / F 1008 that connects to a communication network 1009 Input / output I / F 1010 for inputting and outputting data A bus 1011 connecting each component Note that I / F is an abbreviation for Interface.

[0144] Each component of each device or system in each embodiment is realized by CPU 1001 acquiring and executing a program that realizes these functions. The program that realizes the function of each component of each device is stored in storage device 1005 or RAM 1003 in advance, for example, and is read by CPU 1001 as necessary. Program 1004 may be supplied to CPU 1001 via communication network 1009, or may be stored in recording medium 1006 in advance, and drive device 1007 may read the program and supply it to CPU 1001.

[0145] There are various variations in the method of implementing each device. For example, each device or system may be implemented by any combination of a separate information processing device 1000 and a program for each component. Also, multiple components included in each device may be implemented by any combination of a single information processing device 1000 and a program.

[0146] Further, a part or all of each component of each device or system is realized by a general-purpose or dedicated circuit including a processor or the like, or a combination of these. The circuit is, for example, a CPU, a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or an LSI (Large Scale Integration) for AI (Artificial Intelligence) processing. These may be configured by a single chip, or may be configured by multiple chips connected via a bus. A part or all of each component of each device may be realized by a combination of the above-mentioned circuits and a program.

[0147] When a part or all of each component of each device or system is realized by a plurality of information processing devices, circuits, etc., the plurality of information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be centrally arranged or distributed. For example, the information processing devices, circuits, etc. may be realized as a client-server system, a cloud computing system, etc., in a form in which each is connected via a communication network.

[0148] Although the present invention has been described above with reference to the embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments. Various modifications that can be understood by those skilled in the art can be made to the configuration and details of the present invention within the scope of the present invention.

[0149] In addition, although the operations are described in a sequence in the form of a flowchart, the sequence does not limit the order in which the operations are performed. Therefore, when implementing each embodiment, the sequence of the operations may be changed as long as it does not affect the content.

[0150] Some or all of the above embodiments can be described as follows, but are not limited to the following:

[0151] [Appendix 1] a placement section on which a POS terminal can be placed; With a pedestal, a rotating section that rotatably supports the placement section on the base, the placement portion includes a first through hole through which a cable of the POS terminal passes from an upper surface of the placement portion to a lower surface of the placement portion; The base includes a second through hole for passing the cable from the upper surface of the base to the lower surface or side surface of the base. Rotating table.

[0152] [Appendix 2] The rotating part includes a third through hole through which the cable passes from the upper part of the rotating part to the lower part of the rotating part. 2. A turntable as described in Appendix 1.

[0153] [Appendix 3] a storage section between the mounting section and the base capable of storing the cable passing from the first through hole to the second through hole, 3. A turntable as described in claim 1 or 2.

[0154] [Appendix 4] The POS terminal further includes a fixing unit capable of fixing the POS terminal placed on the placement unit in an orientation for store clerk operation and an orientation for customer operation, 4. A turntable according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

[0155] [Appendix 5] a POS terminal whose operation mode can be switched between a store clerk operation mode operated by a store clerk and a customer operation mode operated by a customer; A rotating table according to any one of claims 1 to 4 on which the POS terminal is rotatably mounted; An orientation detection means for detecting an orientation of the POS terminal placed on the rotating table; a mode detection means for detecting the operation mode of the POS terminal; a control means for performing control to change at least one of the orientation and the operation mode based on the orientation and the operation mode; A control system comprising:

[0156] [Appendix 6] the control means issues a notification when the orientation and the operation mode are not consistent, based on information indicating the orientation, the operation mode, and a predetermined combination of the orientation and the operation mode; 6. The control system of claim 5.

[0157] [Appendix 7] the notification is a notification to inform the store clerk or the customer that the orientation and the operation mode are not consistent; 7. The control system of claim 6.

[0158] [Appendix 8] the control means performs control to change the orientation or the operation mode based on information indicating the orientation, the operation mode, and a predetermined combination of the orientation and the operation mode. 8. A control system according to any one of claims 5 to 7.

[0159] [Appendix 9] The control means performs control to change the operation mode to the operation mode corresponding to the orientation. 9. The control system of claim 8.

[0160] [Appendix 10] The control means performs control to change the orientation to the orientation corresponding to the operation mode. 10. The control system of claim 8 or 9.

[0161] [Appendix 11] The POS terminal further includes an acquisition unit for acquiring store information indicating a status of the store in which the POS terminal is installed, the control means performs control to change the orientation and the operation mode to an orientation and an operation mode according to the store information, based on the orientation, the operation mode, and the store information; 11. A control system according to any one of claims 8 to 10.

[0162] [Appendix 12] the acquiring means acquires the store information including information related to a congestion state of the store and information related to an operating state of a staff member of the store; the control means performs control to change the operation mode and the orientation of the POS terminal that is not in operation to the customer operation mode and the orientation for customer operation, respectively, when the store is crowded and there is no store clerk available, based on the store information; 12. The control system of claim 11.

[0163] [Appendix 13] The acquisition means acquires the store information including information related to a congestion state of the store and information related to an operating status of a store clerk, the control means performs control to change the operation mode and the orientation of the inactive POS terminal to the store clerk operation mode and the orientation for store clerk operation, respectively, when the store is crowded and a store clerk is available based on the store information; 13. The control system of claim 11 or 12.

[0164] [Appendix 14] the acquiring means acquires the store information including detection information of a human presence sensor that detects people around the POS terminal; the control means performs control to change the operation mode and the orientation to the store clerk operation mode and the orientation for the store clerk operation, respectively, when a person is detected on the store clerk side based on the store information. 14. A control system according to any one of claims 11 to 13.

[0165] [Appendix 15] the acquiring means acquires the store information including detection information of a human presence sensor that detects people around the POS terminal; the control means performs control to change the operation mode and the orientation to the customer operation mode and the orientation for customer operation, respectively, when a person is detected on the customer side and a person is not detected on the store clerk side based on the store information; 15. A control system according to any one of claims 11 to 14.

[0166] [Appendix 16] Further equipped with a removable storage stand, 5. A turntable according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

[0167] [Appendix 17] The rotating platform further includes a removable storage platform; The control means controls the storage rack to a usable state when the orientation or the operation mode is the orientation for customer operation or the customer operation mode, respectively. 16. The control system of any one of claims 8 to 15.

[0168] [Appendix 18] The computer Detecting the orientation of a POS terminal that is mounted on a rotating platform and is switchable between a clerk operation mode operated by a clerk and a customer operation mode operated by a customer; Detecting the operational mode of the POS terminal; performing control to change at least one of the orientation and the operation mode based on the orientation and the operation mode; Control methods.

[0169] [Appendix 19] The computer, providing a notification when the orientation and the operation mode are not consistent based on information indicating the orientation, the operation mode, and a predetermined combination of the orientation and the operation mode; 19. The control method of claim 18.

[0170] [Appendix 20] the notification is a notification to inform the store clerk or the customer that the orientation and the operation mode are not consistent; 20. The control method of claim 19.

[0171] [Appendix 21] The computer, performing control to change the orientation or the operation mode based on information indicating the orientation, the operation mode, and a predetermined combination of the orientation and the operation mode; 21. The control method according to any one of appendix 18 to 20.

[0172] [Appendix 22] The computer, performing control to change the operation mode to the operation mode corresponding to the orientation; 22. The control method of claim 21.

[0173] [Appendix 23] The computer, performing control to change the orientation to the orientation corresponding to the operation mode; 23. The control method according to claim 21 or 22.

[0174] [Appendix 24] The computer, acquire store information indicating the status of the store in which the POS terminal is installed; performing control to change the orientation and the operation mode to an orientation and an operation mode according to the store information, based on the orientation, the operation mode, and the store information; 24. The control method according to any one of appendix 21 to 23.

[0175] [Appendix 25] The computer, Acquire the store information including information related to the congestion state of the store and information related to the operation state of the store staff; When the store is crowded and there is no available store clerk based on the store information, control is performed to change the operation mode and the orientation of the POS terminal that is not in operation to the customer operation mode and the orientation for customer operation, respectively. 25. The control method according to claim 24.

[0176] [Appendix 26] The computer, Acquire the store information including information related to the congestion state of the store and information related to the operation state of the store staff; When the store is busy and a store clerk is available based on the store information, control is performed to change the operation mode and the orientation of the inactive POS terminal to the store clerk operation mode and the orientation for store clerk operation, respectively. 26. The control method according to claim 24 or 25.

[0177] [Appendix 27] The computer, acquiring the store information including detection information from a human presence sensor that detects people around the POS terminal; When a person is detected on the store clerk side based on the store information, control is performed to change the operation mode and the orientation to the store clerk operation mode and the orientation for the store clerk operation, respectively. 27. The control method according to any one of appendix 24 to 26.

[0178] [Appendix 28] The computer, acquiring the store information including detection information from a human presence sensor that detects people around the POS terminal; When a person is detected on the customer side and a person is not detected on the store clerk side based on the store information, control is performed to change the operation mode and the orientation to the customer operation mode and the orientation for customer operation, respectively. 28. The control method according to any one of appendix 24 to 27.

[0179] [Appendix 29] The rotating platform further includes a removable storage platform; The control means controls the storage rack to a usable state when the orientation or the operation mode is the orientation for customer operation or the mode for customer operation, respectively. 29. The control method according to any one of appendix 21 to 28.

[0180] [Appendix 30] Detecting the orientation of a POS terminal that is mounted on a rotating platform and is switchable between a store clerk operation mode operated by a store clerk and a customer operation mode operated by a customer; Detecting the operational mode of the POS terminal; performing control to change at least one of the orientation and the operation mode based on the orientation and the operation mode; A program that causes a computer to carry out processing.

[0181] [Appendix 31] providing a notification when the orientation and the operation mode are not consistent based on information indicating the orientation, the operation mode, and a predetermined combination of the orientation and the operation mode; 31. The program according to claim 30, which causes a computer to execute the process.

[0182] [Appendix 32] the notification is a notification to inform the store clerk or the customer that the orientation and the operation mode are not consistent; 32. The program according to claim 31.

[0183] [Appendix 33] performing control to change the orientation or the operation mode based on information indicating the orientation, the operation mode, and a predetermined combination of the orientation and the operation mode; 33. A program according to any one of appendices 30 to 32 for causing a computer to execute the process.

[0184] [Appendix 34] performing control to change the operation mode to the operation mode corresponding to the orientation; 34. The program according to claim 33, which causes a computer to execute the process.

[0185] [Appendix 35] performing control to change the orientation to the orientation corresponding to the operation mode; 35. A program according to claim 33 or 34 for causing a computer to execute the process.

[0186] [Appendix 36] acquire store information indicating the status of the store in which the POS terminal is installed; performing control to change the orientation and the operation mode to an orientation and an operation mode according to the store information, based on the orientation, the operation mode, and the store information; 36. A program according to any one of appendices 33 to 35 for causing a computer to execute the process.

[0187] [Appendix 37] Acquire the store information including information related to the congestion state of the store and information related to the operation state of the store staff; When the store is crowded and there is no available store clerk based on the store information, control is performed to change the operation mode and the orientation of the POS terminal that is not in operation to the customer operation mode and the orientation for customer operation, respectively. 37. The program according to claim 36, which causes a computer to execute the process.

[0188] [Appendix 38] Acquire the store information including information related to the congestion state of the store and information related to the operation state of the store staff; When the store is busy and a store clerk is available based on the store information, control is performed to change the operation mode and the orientation of the inactive POS terminal to the store clerk operation mode and the orientation for store clerk operation, respectively. 38. The program according to claim 36 or 37, for causing a computer to execute the process.

[0189] [Appendix 39] acquiring the store information including detection information from a human presence sensor that detects people around the POS terminal; When a person is detected on the store clerk side based on the store information, control is performed to change the operation mode and the orientation to the store clerk operation mode and the orientation for the store clerk operation, respectively. 39. A program according to any one of appendices 36 to 38 for causing a computer to execute the process.

[0190] [Appendix 40] acquiring the store information including detection information from a human presence sensor that detects people around the POS terminal; When a person is detected on the customer side and a person is not detected on the store clerk side based on the store information, control is performed to change the operation mode and the orientation to the customer operation mode and the orientation for customer operation, respectively. 40. A program for causing a computer to execute the process described in any one of appendices 36 to 39.

[0191] [Appendix 41] The rotating platform further includes a removable storage platform; The control means controls the storage rack to a usable state when the orientation or the operation mode is the orientation for customer operation or the customer operation mode, respectively. 41. The program of any one of appendixes 33 to 40. [Explanation of symbols]

[0192] 10, 10B, 10D Rotating table 11 Placement section 11A side 12 Pedestal 13 Rotating section 13A Caster 13B axis 14 First through hole 15 Second through hole 16 Third Through Hole 17 Storage area 17A Partition 18 Storage shelf 20, 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D POS terminals 1, 1A, 1B, 1C, 1D Control system 100, 100B Control device 101 Orientation detection unit 102 Mode detection unit 103 Control section 103-1 Rotating table control unit 103-2 POS terminal control unit 2. Control System 204 Acquisition Department 1000 Information processing device 1001 CPU 1002 ROM 1003 RAM 1004 Program 1005 Storage device 1006 Recording media 1007 Drive device 1008 Communication I / F 1009 Communication Network 1010 Input / Output Interface 1011 Bus

Claims

1. a placement section on which a POS terminal can be placed; With a pedestal, a rotating part provided on the base and rotatably supporting the placement part, the placement portion includes a first through hole through which a cable of the POS terminal passes from an upper surface of the placement portion to a lower surface of the placement portion; The base includes a second through hole for passing the cable from the upper surface of the base to the lower surface or side surface of the base. Rotating table.

2. The rotating portion includes a third through hole through which the cable passes from an upper portion of the rotating portion to a lower portion of the rotating portion.

2. The turntable of claim 1.

3. a storage section between the mounting section and the base capable of storing the cable passing from the first through hole to the second through hole, 2. The turntable of claim 1.

4. a fixing unit capable of fixing the POS terminal placed on the placement unit in an orientation for store clerk operation and an orientation for customer operation, A turntable according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. a POS terminal whose operation mode can be switched between a store clerk operation mode operated by a store clerk and a customer operation mode operated by a customer; a rotating table according to claim 1 on which the POS terminal is rotatably mounted; An orientation detection means for detecting an orientation of the POS terminal placed on the turntable; a mode detection means for detecting the operation mode of the POS terminal; a control means for performing control to change at least one of the orientation and the operation mode based on the orientation and the operation mode; A control system comprising:

6. the control means issues a notification when the orientation and the operation mode are not consistent, based on information indicating the orientation, the operation mode, and a predetermined combination of the orientation and the operation mode; The control system of claim 5.

7. the control means performs control to change at least one of the orientation and the operation mode based on information indicating the orientation, the operation mode, and a predetermined combination of the orientation and the operation mode; A control system according to claim 5 or 6.

8. The POS terminal further includes an acquisition unit for acquiring store information indicating a status of the store in which the POS terminal is installed, the control means performs control to change the orientation and the operation mode to an orientation and an operation mode according to the store information, based on the orientation, the operation mode, and the store information; 8. The control system of claim 7.

9. the acquiring means acquires the store information including information related to a congestion state of the store and information related to an operating state of a staff member of the store; the control means performs control to change the operation mode and the orientation of the POS terminal that is not in operation to the customer operation mode and the orientation for customer operation, respectively, when the store is crowded and there is no store clerk available, based on the store information; 9. The control system of claim 8.

10. The computer Detecting the orientation of a POS terminal that is mounted on a rotating platform and is switchable between a clerk operation mode operated by a clerk and a customer operation mode operated by a customer; Detecting the operating mode of the POS terminal; performing control to change at least one of the orientation and the operation mode based on the orientation and the operation mode; Control methods.

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