Journal alert system, alert data transmission method, and program for alert data transmission

Abstract

To easily detect and confirm operational errors and fraudulent acts by store clerks.SOLUTION: A journal alert system comprises: recording means 440 for recording keywords that are expected to be recorded in journal data and account information if an operational error or fraudulent activity occurs during a cash register operation at a cash register in a store; communication means 450 for receiving the journal data and transmitting alert data; and control means 410. The control means 410 detects whether the keyword is recorded in the journal data, obtains the operation time of the cash register operation in which the keyword was detected from time information of the journal data, and creates the alert data for each keyword, which records the obtained time information, cash register identification information for identifying the cash register, and store identification information for identifying the store to transmit the data to an account using the communication means 450.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a journal alert system, an alert data transmission method, and a program for transmitting alert data, and more specifically, to a journal alert system, an alert data transmission method, and a program for transmitting alert data that are capable of transmitting alert data to a specified account. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, convenience stores, supermarkets, and other stores have introduced payment terminals (Point of Sales (POS) registers, hereafter referred to as "registers") that electronically record, as journal data, information such as the time when a customer purchases an item, the store number (store-specific information), the terminal number (register number, register-specific information), the product name, the number of items, the product price, and the total purchase amount when the customer purchases an item.

[0003] In recent years, there have been cases of fraudulent acts, such as cash register operation errors by store clerks, cash theft by malicious store clerks, and embezzlement of cash by illicit operation of the register. There have also been cases of customers complaining about the way store clerks handled the situation. As these cases often occur due to the behavior of store clerks around the register, cameras have recently been installed to capture images of the area around the register.

[0004] By checking the situation around the cash register after the fact through camera footage, managers and others can confirm the specific ways in which store staff responded to customers, such as by making operational errors or engaging in fraudulent activity.

[0005] Furthermore, today, an information processing device has been proposed that records journal data recorded at the cash register in association with camera footage, allowing an administrator to search the journal data using a search device (e.g., an administrator's PC) and identify and review camera images associated with the search results (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6764737 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] For example, if a customer makes a complaint, it is possible to use the information processing device shown in Cited Document 1 to search the journal data based on the product name and purchase time recorded on the customer's receipt, etc., to find and review the associated camera footage.

[0008] However, it is difficult to pinpoint the time when a store clerk made an operational error or committed an illegal act. For this reason, a manager, etc., would be unable to find the camera footage of the relevant cash register operation unless he or she determined the time period during which the amount of cash remaining in the register did not match the amount of cash recorded in the journal data (for example, a period of approximately six hours if the register is closed four times a day) based on the closing time of the register and continuously checked the camera footage of the relevant time period.

[0009] This required managers to review camera footage from the relevant time period for long periods of time, making it difficult to detect and confirm operational errors or fraudulent activity by store clerks.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above problems, and has as its objective the provision of a journal alert system, an alert data transmission method, and an alert data transmission program that can easily detect and confirm operational errors and fraudulent activity by store clerks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] In order to solve the above problems, the journal alert system of the present invention comprises a recording means for recording keywords that are expected to be recorded in the journal data of a store's cash register when an operational error or fraudulent act occurs during the operation of the cash register, and account information for sending the alert data, a communication means for receiving the aggregated journal data and sending the alert data to the account, and a control means, wherein the control means detects whether the keyword is recorded in the journal data received by the communication means, obtains the operation time of the cash register operation at which the keyword was detected from the time information recorded in the journal data, creates the alert data for each keyword, in which the time information obtained from the journal data, cash register specific information for identifying the cash register recorded in the journal data, and store specific information for identifying the store in which the cash register is installed are recorded, and sends the alert data created for each keyword to the account using the communication means.

[0012] The above-mentioned journal alert system may include a video recording means for recording video data capturing the cash register operation at the cash register in association with the time of capture, and the control means may record pass information for the alert data created for each keyword, for reading from the video recording means the video data captured at the time specified by the time information, and send the alert data with the pass information recorded therein to the account.

[0013] Furthermore, the above-mentioned journal alert system may be capable of setting or changing the keywords recorded in the recording means by an input means capable of inputting or selecting the keywords.

[0014] The alert data transmission program of the journal alert system according to the present invention is a program for transmitting alert data of a journal alert system including a recording means for recording keywords that are expected to be recorded in the journal data of a cash register when an operational error or fraudulent act occurs during the operation of the cash register at a store, and account information for transmitting the alert data, a communication means for receiving the aggregated journal data and transmitting the alert data to the account, and a control means. The program is characterized by having the following features: a keyword detection function for causing the control means to detect whether the keyword is recorded in the journal data received by the communication means; a time information acquisition function for causing the control means to acquire, when the keyword is detected by the keyword detection function, the operation time of the cash register operation at which the keyword was detected from the time information recorded in the journal data; an alert data creation function for creating, for each keyword, the alert data in which the time information acquired from the journal data, the cash register specific information for identifying the cash register recorded in the journal data, and the store specific information for identifying the store in which the cash register is installed are recorded; and an alert data transmission function for causing the alert data created for each keyword by the alert data creation function to be transmitted to the account using the communication means.

[0015] In the above-mentioned program for sending alert data for the journal alert system, the journal alert system may be provided with a video recording means for recording video data captured of the cash register operation at the cash register in association with the time of capture, and in the alert data creation function, the control means may record in the alert data for each keyword, in addition to the time information, the cash register specific information, and the store specific information, pass information for reading out from the video recording means the video data captured at the time specified by the time information, and in the alert data transmission function, the control means may transmit the alert data in which the pass information has been recorded by the alert data creation function to the account using the communication means.

[0016] In addition, the program for sending alert data of the above-mentioned journal alert system may be capable of setting or changing the keywords recorded in the recording means by an input means capable of inputting or selecting keywords.

[0017] The alert data transmission method of the journal alert system according to the present invention is an alert data transmission method of a journal alert system including a recording means for recording keywords that are expected to be recorded in the journal data of a cash register when an operational error or fraudulent act occurs in the cash register operation of a store, and account information for transmitting the alert data, a communication means for receiving the aggregated journal data and transmitting the alert data to the account, and a control means, wherein the control means includes a keyword detection step for detecting whether the keyword is recorded in the journal data received by the communication means, a time information acquisition step for acquiring the operation time of the cash register operation in which the keyword was detected from the time information recorded in the journal data when the keyword is detected in the keyword detection step, an alert data creation step for creating the alert data for each keyword, in which the time information acquired from the journal data, cash register specific information for identifying the cash register recorded in the journal data, and store specific information for identifying the store in which the cash register is installed are recorded, and an alert data transmission step for transmitting the alert data created for each keyword in the alert data creation step to the account using the communication means.

[0018] In the above-mentioned alert data transmission method of the journal alert system, the journal alert system is provided with a video recording means in which video data captured of the cash register operation at the cash register is recorded in correspondence with the time of capture, and in the alert data creation step, the control means records in the alert data for each keyword, in addition to the time information, the cash register specific information, and the store specific information, pass information for reading out from the video recording means the video data captured at the time specified by the time information, and in the alert data transmission step, the alert data with the pass information recorded therein may be transmitted to the account using the communication means.

[0019] In addition, the alert data transmission method of the above-mentioned journal alert system may be capable of setting or changing the keyword recorded in the recording means by an input means capable of inputting or selecting a keyword. Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the journal alert system, the alert data transmission method, and the alert data transmission program of the present invention, operational errors and fraudulent acts by store clerks can be easily discovered and confirmed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a journal alert system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a store system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 3] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a store PC according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a WEB server according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] 11 is a flowchart showing a video data recording process executed by a store CPU according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] 13 is a flowchart showing a journal data aggregation process executed by a store CPU according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 11 is a flowchart showing a process of creating detection result information and a process of sending an email executed by a server CPU according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 13 illustrates an example of CSV data according to an embodiment. [Figure 9] 11A and 11B are block diagrams showing other schematic configurations of the journal alert system according to the embodiment, where (a) shows a schematic configuration of a cloud type and (b) shows a schematic configuration of a LAN type. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] An example of a journal alert system according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a journal alert system according to an embodiment.

[0023] The journal alert system 100 is broadly composed of an administrator's PC (personal computer) 200 for an administrator to check camera footage, a store system 300 installed in each store, and a web server 400 managed by a cloud 700. The administrator's PC 200 and the store system 300 are connected by a LAN (Local Area Network) 800 (FIG. 1 shows, as an example, a network realized by a virtual private network (VPN) using the Internet environment), and it is possible for the administrator's PC 200 to access a recording server 350 of the store system 300, which will be described later.

[0024] Furthermore, since the WEB server 400 is managed by the cloud 700, it is installed outside the LAN 800, but it is possible to connect to (access) the WEB server 400 from the administrator PC 200 and a store PC 330 (described later) of the store system 300 by using ID information, passwords, etc. Note that authentication in the WEB server 400 is not limited to basic authentication and digest authentication using ID information and passwords, and various authentication methods such as session-based authentication, token-based authentication, and authentication using a one-time password can be used.

[0025] The administrator's PC 200 is configured with a general personal computer. The administrator can perform various settings and changes on the WEB server 400 by operating an input unit (input means) 230 such as a keyboard and mouse of the administrator's PC 200. A general display unit 240 such as a liquid crystal display is also connected to the administrator's PC 200. The administrator's PC 200 can read camera images (image data) recorded in the recording server 350 of the store system 300 and display them on the display unit 240.

[0026] 2 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the store system 300. The store system 300 is installed in each retail store, such as a supermarket or a convenience store. The store system 300 is generally composed of a number of cash registers 310, a number of cameras 320 installed so as to capture the operation contents (the state of cash register operation) of the store clerk at each cash register 310, a store PC 330 that receives and records journal data compiled at the cash registers 310, and a recording server (video recording means) 350 that records the video data (frame data) captured by the cameras 320. Each cash register 310, each camera 320, and the recording server 350 are connected to the store PC 330 via an in-store LAN 900.

[0027] The store PC 330 acquires journal data from each cash register 310 at regular intervals or at a predetermined timing (for example, when a customer's transaction is completed at each cash register 310) via the in-store LAN 900. The store PC 330 also receives video data (frame data, image data) from each camera 320 via the in-store LAN 900 constantly or at predetermined intervals. Each of the multiple cash registers 310 and the multiple cameras 320 is preset with individual identification information (cash register specific information, camera specific information), and the journal data of each cash register 310 and the video data of each camera 320 (frame data, image data) each have their own identification information (cash register specific information, camera specific information) and time information at the time of transaction and capture recorded.

[0028] 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the store PC 330. The store PC 330 has a store PC main body 331, an input unit 338 consisting of a keyboard and a mouse, and a display unit 339 consisting of a liquid crystal display or the like. The store PC main body 331 has a store CPU (Central Processing Unit) 332, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 333, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 334, a recording unit 335, a communication I / F (interface) 336, and an input / output I / F 337.

[0029] The store CPU 332 receives journal data and video data (frame data, image data) from the camera 320 and records them in the recording unit 335. The store CPU 332 also compiles the journal data recorded in the recording unit 335 and outputs it to the WEB server 400, for example, once a day. The ROM 333 stores programs (programs related to the flowcharts shown in Figs. 5 and 6, which will be described later) that indicate the processing contents of the store CPU 332. The store CPU 332 executes processing by reading the programs from the ROM 333. The RAM 334 is used as a work area for processing executed by the store CPU 332.

[0030] In the recording unit 335, journal data acquired by the store CPU 332 from each cash register 310 and video data acquired by each camera 320 are recorded. More specifically, frame data (image data) captured by each camera 320 at each time is continuously transmitted to the store PC 330. The store CPU 332 of the store PC main body 331 generates video data by recording the continuously received frame data (image data) of the camera 320 in chronological order. The store CPU 332 according to the embodiment generates five-minute video data by connecting the received frame data (image data) as one file, and records the generated video data in the recording unit 335. Thus, a plurality of five-minute video data captured by each camera 320 are recorded in the recording unit 335.

[0031] As described above, the frame data (image data) transmitted from each camera 320 includes the identification number of each camera 320 and time information when the image was captured. Based on this information, the store CPU 332 arranges the folders in the recording unit 335 into a hierarchical structure, assigns the identification number of each camera 320 as the folder name, and includes the identification number of the camera 320 and time information when the image was captured as the file name. This makes it possible to record the image data in the recording unit 335 in a state where it is possible to search for which image data was captured by which camera 320 and at what time.

[0032] The recording unit 335 is not limited to being provided inside the store PC main body 331, but may be an additional device provided outside the store PC main body 331 (for example, an external hard disk, etc.), or may be a video data recording means consisting of a NAS (Network Attached Storage) or the like installed on the in-store LAN 900.

[0033] 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a WEB server 400. The WEB server 400 includes a server CPU (control means) 410, a ROM 420, a RAM 430, a recording unit (recording means) 440, and a communication I / F (interface, communication means) 450.

[0034] The server CPU 410 receives the aggregated journal data transmitted once a day from the store PC 330 via the communication I / F 450 and records the data in the recording unit 440 . The server CPU 410 also performs a process of recording information set by the administrator PC 200 (setting information for extraction keywords (keywords) described later, setting information for email destinations (account information, email address), etc.) in the recording unit 440. The server PC 410 also performs a process of sending detection result information (in the journal alert system 100 relating to the embodiment, CSV (Comma Separated Values) format data is used as the detection result information. Alert data) containing information on journal data extracted based on the extraction keywords and link information for the video data (recording URL information and path information described later) to the set email address via the communication I / F 450. Here, the link information (path information) is information indicating the location and name of files and folders in the LAN 800 for the video data, which is required for the administrator PC 200 to read and play the video data recorded in the recording server 350. The specific processing in the server CPU 410 will be described later.

[0035] The ROM 420 stores a program (program related to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7) showing the processing contents in the server CPU 410. The server CPU 410 executes the above-mentioned processing by reading the program from the ROM 420. The program is not limited to being stored in the ROM 420, and may be stored in the recording unit 440. The RAM 430 is used as a work area for the processing executed by the server CPU 410. The communication I / F 450 is an interface for transmitting and receiving data to and from the administrator PC 200 and the store PC 330 via a network line. Since the WEB server 400 is built in the cloud 700, the server CPU 410 performs data transmission and reception processing to and from the administrator PC 200 and the store PC 330 via the Internet line and the LAN 800 by using the communication I / F 450.

[0036] The recording unit 440 records the aggregated journal data transmitted once a day by the store PC 330. If there are multiple stores, the aggregated journal data for each store is organized by reception date and recorded in the recording unit 440. The aggregated journal data is data obtained by aggregating one day's worth of journal data recorded at each cash register 310 at each store, and the contents are recorded in a data format detectable by the server CPU 410.

[0037] Furthermore, the recording unit 440 records information on extraction keywords and email address information (account information) set by the administrator PC 200. The administrator can set and change the extraction keyword information and email address information by accessing the WEB server 400 using the administrator PC 200. For example, the administrator can use an Internet browser (WEB browser, generally called a "browser") installed in the administrator PC 200 to access the URL of the extraction keyword setting page (WEB page) and the URL of the email address setting page (WEB page) opened on the WEB server 400, and enter a user ID and password using the input unit 338 to log in to each setting page.

[0038] The administrator can set conditions and keywords for performing journal data detection processing on the extraction keyword setting page displayed on the administrator PC 200. Specifically, the administrator can set the store name to be detected, specific keywords, keyword detection interval, number of times the keywords are detected, etc.

[0039] The administrator can set any word (text information, keyword) as a specific keyword. For example, "VOID", "Cancel designation", "Charge", "Coupon", "Discount", "10,000 yen ticket", "Coupon", etc. can be set.

[0040] "VOID" means "return accounting process." When a store clerk processes a return accounting by operating the cash register, the text information "VOID" is recorded in the journal data. A malicious store clerk may use "return accounting process" (VOID) to remove cash from the cash register. It is possible that a malicious store clerk will perform a false "return accounting process" on the cash register 310 and embezzle the cash equivalent to the refund amount, even though he or she has not actually refunded the bill to the customer. Similarly, a store clerk may mistakenly refund the amount that should be refunded in the "return accounting process," causing a discrepancy between the cash remaining in the register and the amount recorded in the journal data.

[0041] Therefore, if the word "VOID" is recorded in the journal data, it can be determined that there is a possibility that a store clerk made an error in operating the cash register, or that fraudulent activity has occurred. Note that, when using a cash register in which the word "returned bill" is recorded in the journal data instead of the word "VOID," it is preferable to set "returned bill" as the extraction keyword instead of "VOID."

[0042] "Cancel designation" means a process of canceling the data of a product read by the cash register 310. When a store clerk designates a scanned product and performs a cancel process at the cash register 310, text information "cancel designation" is recorded in the journal data. For example, if the barcode of the same product is accidentally scanned twice, the store clerk presses the "cancel designation" button on the cash register 310 to select one scanned data and perform a cancel process of the data. When a malicious store clerk steals cash from the cash register 310, a customer may purchase two of the same products, perform a transaction (payment) process for the two products, and then press the "cancel designation" button to record the transaction amount in the journal data as if one product had been canceled, and the store clerk may embezzle the cash for the amount of the canceled product. In addition, due to an operation error of the cash register by a store clerk, the store clerk may charge the wrong amount to a customer without performing a cancellation process, even though the "cancel designation" button should have been pressed to perform a cancellation process for one product.

[0043] "Charge" refers to a process of depositing a predetermined amount of money in advance (a process of depositing money by cash, etc.) into a card with an IC chip or an accounting application (software) installed on a smartphone. For example, when a customer deposits money into his / her card, he / she asks a clerk at the register 310 to charge the card, hands over the card and cash, and has the clerk perform the charge process at the register 310. The clerk presses a "charge" button or the like on the register 310 to read the card information, and then performs the charge process for the amount of cash handed over. In this case, the journal data records the text information "charge" and the amount of the charge, etc. When a customer requests a charge, a malicious clerk may pretend to perform the charge process (without actually performing the charge process) and embezzle the cash handed over. In addition, a clerk may make an operational mistake by selecting the wrong amount to charge, or may forget to press the "charge" button, resulting in the clerk receiving only the cash without performing the charge process.

[0044] "Coupons" and "discounts" are used when subtracting the amount corresponding to a coupon or discount voucher (discount sticker) from the total bill. When a customer uses a coupon or the like at the time of payment, the total bill is discounted by the amount specified on the coupon. When a customer uses a coupon, the word "coupon" is recorded in the journal data, and when a discount voucher (discount sticker) is used, the word "discount" is recorded in the journal data. For example, even if a customer does not present a coupon or discount voucher at the time of payment, a malicious store clerk may operate the register as if the coupon or discount voucher had been applied, thereby embezzling the amount that would have been deducted by the use of the coupon or discount voucher. In addition, even if a customer presents a coupon, the store clerk may make an operational mistake and not process the coupon or may process the wrong amount as a discount.

[0045] "10,000 yen note" is text information recorded in the journal data when a customer uses a 10,000 yen note to make a payment. Specifically, when a payment is made with a 10,000 yen note (high denomination bill), the store clerk presses the "10,000 yen note" button on the register and hands the 10,000 yen note to the manager, etc., and receives 10,000 yen worth of cash exchanged into 1,000 yen or 5,000 yen notes from the manager, etc., and performs a change refund process. The manager, etc. stores the received 10,000 yen note in a safe, etc. in the back yard. When the store clerk presses the "10,000 yen note" button on the register 310, the fact that a payment was made with a 10,000 yen note (time information at that time, etc.) is recorded in the journal data. For example, when a customer receives 10,000 yen worth of cash exchanged into 1,000 yen or 5,000 yen notes from the manager, etc., a malicious store clerk may remove a portion of the cash and put the remaining bills in the register, thereby embezzling cash every time a payment is made with a 10,000 yen note. In addition, due to a store clerk's incorrect checking, there is a risk that the total amount of the exchanged 1,000 yen and 5,000 yen bills may not add up to 10,000 yen, and the transaction may be processed as is.

[0046] In this way, by setting keywords related to processes that may lead to cash register errors or fraudulent acts by store clerks as extraction keywords, the administrator can identify the time when an error or fraudulent act may occur from the content recorded in the journal data.

[0047] In addition, the administrator can set the detection interval and detection count of the keyword on the extraction keyword setting page. For example, in recent years, by introducing store-specific apps for smartphones, coupons and the like are frequently issued to members. In addition, customers often make payments by actively using coupons provided by store-specific apps, etc. Therefore, if all the character information of "coupons," which may be recorded in large quantities in the journal data, is extracted from the journal data, a large amount of character information of "coupons" will be extracted and detected, which may increase the burden of checking the extracted and detected contents.

[0048] On the other hand, if a malicious store clerk commits a fraudulent act, character information such as "coupon" may be frequently recorded in the journal data only during the time period when the store clerk is in charge of the cash register 310. Similarly, if a lot of operational errors occur by store clerks, character information such as "coupon" may be frequently recorded in the journal data only during the time period when a particular store clerk is in charge of the cash register 310. For this reason, on the setting page of the extraction keyword of the administrator PC 200, the administrator can set the detection interval of the extraction keyword "coupon" to 90 minutes and the number of detections to 5, for example, so that the server PC 410 can extract the time information when "coupon" was recorded only when the character information "coupon" is recorded in the journal data five or more times within 90 minutes.

[0049] After setting such conditions, when the time information when "coupon" was recorded is extracted, it can be determined that the character information "coupon" is frequently recorded only during a specific time period. Therefore, when the amount of cash remaining in the register 310 does not match the amount recorded in the journal data, it can be presumed that the store clerk who operated the register during the time period of the extracted time information may have made a mistake in operating the register or committed a fraudulent act. Note that even when a word other than "coupon" is used as an extraction keyword, it is possible to set the detection interval and the number of detections for each keyword on the extraction keyword setting page.

[0050] In addition, on the setting page for keywords for extraction, the administrator can set and select the store information of the journal data to be detected for each keyword individually. For example, there may be a high frequency of discrepancies between the amount of cash remaining in the cash register 310 and the amount recorded in the journal data for a specific store. In this case, it is possible to set only the journal data of the relevant store as the target for keyword extraction, and to perform the process of extracting keywords for extraction using only the journal data of that store.

[0051] In addition, the administrator can set or change the email address to which the detection result information (CSV format data, alert data) described above is attached and sent on the email address setting page displayed on the administrator PC 200. The setting or change of the email address is not limited to one email address, and multiple email addresses can be set or changed.

[0052] 5 is a flowchart showing the video data recording process executed by the store CPU 332 of the store PC 330. The store CPU 332 receives frame data (image data) from each camera 320 (S.01) and causes the data to be temporarily recorded in the recording unit 335 (S.02). Note that the temporarily recorded frame data (image data) is not necessarily limited to being recorded in the recording unit 335. A separate frame buffer with a capacity capable of recording five minutes of video data may also be provided, and the frame data (image data) may be recorded in this frame buffer.

[0053] The store CPU 332 determines whether the amount of frame data (image data) that can be used to create 5-minute video data has been recorded in the recording unit 335 (S.03). If the amount of data that can be used to create 5-minute video data has been recorded (Yes in S.03), the store CPU 332 creates 5-minute video data based on the recorded frame data (image data) (S.04).

[0054] The store CPU 332 then reads out the camera 320 identification number information (camera specific information) and the time information at the time of shooting from the frame data used to create the video data (S.05), creates a folder corresponding to the identification number of camera 320 so that the identification number of camera 320 can be known (S.06), determines the file name of the video data to be a file name including the camera 320 identification number information and the time information (S.07), and records the created 5-minute video data in the folder consisting of the identification number of the corresponding camera 320 (S.08).

[0055] After recording the video data in the folder (S.08), or if the amount of data recorded in the recording unit 335 is not sufficient to create 5-minute video data (No in S.03), the store CPU 332 transitions the process to S.01 and repeatedly executes the above-mentioned process until the store's business hours end.

[0056] 6 is a flow chart showing the journal data compilation process executed by store CPU 332 of store PC 330. Every time a transaction is completed at each cash register 310 (each time a customer completes a transaction), store CPU 332 acquires journal data from each cash register 310 (S.11) and records the acquired journal data in recording unit 335 (S.12). Since the journal data contains the cash register identification number information (cash register specific information) and time information when the cash register was operated, it is possible to identify the video data of camera 320 that captured the area around the cash register based on the time information and cash register identification number information from recording unit 335 (identify the folder hierarchy and file name in which the video data is recorded).

[0057] The store CPU 332 then determines whether the store's business hours have ended (S.13). The determination whether the store's business hours have ended may be based on the current time, or may be based on the condition that data indicating that the closing operation at each register 310 has been completed has been received from all registers 310. If it is determined that the store's business hours have ended (Yes in S.13), the store CPU 332 tallies all the journal data for all registers 310 for one day that is recorded in the recording unit 335 (S.14), transmits the tallied journal data (tally-aggregated journal data) to the Web server 400 (S.15), and ends the process. If it is determined that the store's business hours have not ended (No in S.13), the store CPU 332 returns to S.11 and executes the above-mentioned process again.

[0058] Fig. 7 is a flow chart showing the process of creating detection result information (CSV data) and the process of sending an email executed by the server CPU 410 of the WEB server 400. The process shown in Fig. 7 is executed once a day, mainly at night. Basically, the process is executed after the cash register closing operation of all the cash registers 310 is completed in each store PC 330. As already explained, the recording unit 440 of the WEB server 400 records information on the extraction keywords set by the administrator PC 200 and email address information (account information).

[0059] The server CPU 410 of the WEB server 400 receives the aggregated journal data from the store PC 330 (S.21) and records it in the recording unit 440 of the WEB server 400 (S.22). Here, the server CPU 410 does not simply record the aggregated journal data in the recording unit 440, but performs processing to make the aggregated journal data into a database and record it (register it in database format). Making the data into a database and recording it in the recording unit 440 makes it easier to carry out extraction processing using extraction keywords, which will be described next.

[0060] The server CPU 410 reads the extraction keyword from the recording unit 440, and performs a process of checking whether the extraction keyword exists in the aggregated journal data recorded in the recording unit 440 (registered as a database) (S.23, keyword detection step, keyword detection function). As already explained, in the extraction keyword setting page, the administrator can set the detection interval and the number of detections for each keyword, in addition to the extraction keyword. Therefore, in the process of checking whether the extraction keyword exists in the aggregated journal data shown in S.23, the server CPU 410 detects the recording time of each extracted extraction keyword, and judges whether the extraction keyword has been detected the set number of times at the set detection interval, based on the relationship between the number of detections of the extracted extraction keyword and the recording time of each extraction keyword.

[0061] When the extraction keyword is detected the set number of times at the set detection interval (Yes in S.23), the server CPU 410 acquires the operation time of the cash register operation at which the extraction keyword was detected from the time information recorded in the journal data (S.24, time information acquisition step, time information acquisition function). Then, the server CPU 410 creates CSV format data (CSV data, alert data) showing the detection result information for each extracted extraction keyword (S.25, alert data creation step, alert data creation function). After that, the server CPU 410 attaches the CSV data (alert data) created for each extraction keyword to the email addresses recorded in the recording unit 440 (if multiple email addresses are registered, to all registered email addresses), performs processing to send them all at once (S.26, alert data transmission step, alert data transmission function), and ends the processing. If the extraction keyword is not detected the set number of times within the set detection interval (No in S.23), the server CPU 410 performs a process of sending emails to all email addresses recorded in the recording unit 440 at once to inform them that the extraction keyword that satisfies the conditions was not detected (did not exist) (S.27), and then ends the process.

[0062] 8 shows an example of CSV data showing the detection result information. The CSV data includes the store name D01 of the journal data where the extraction keyword was detected, the camera name (camera identification information) D02, the register number (POS number, register identification information) D03, the receipt number D04, the time information (receipt time) D05 obtained from the journal data, the journal data information (journal information) of the corresponding receipt (time) D06, the start and end times of the video data obtained from the time information obtained from the journal data (the start and end times of the recording file) D07 (the length of this video data is 5 minutes), and the recording URL D08 for accessing the recording server 350 where the video data is recorded (path information for accessing the corresponding video data via the LAN 800).

[0063] By checking the contents of the CSV data attached to the email sent to the administrator's email address, the administrator can learn the time (time information) when extraction keywords indicating cash register operations that are likely to result in operational errors by store clerks were recorded, as well as the time (time information) when extraction keywords indicating operations that may lead to fraudulent acts by store clerks were recorded. Furthermore, the recording URL D08 (pass information) enables the administrator to easily check (play) the video data from the corresponding time.

[0064] Therefore, the manager can know the time when the clerk is likely to have made an operational error and the operating status of the cash register at that time, without having to check all the journal data himself, and similarly, the manager can know the time when the clerk is likely to have committed fraud and the operating status of the cash register at that time. This eliminates the need to check all the journal data as in the past, and makes it possible to reduce the work of checking for operational errors and fraud.

[0065] In addition, the administrator can easily check the video data in five-minute increments at times when operational errors or fraudulent acts are likely to occur without having to check all the video data from all cameras 320, thereby shortening the time required to check the video data from cameras 320.

[0066] Furthermore, video data from times when there is a high possibility of operational errors or fraudulent acts being committed is displayed as a link to a recording URL (path information) in CSV data. Administrators can easily check the video data by clicking on the link in the CSV data, eliminating the need to search through folders in the recording server 350 according to their hierarchy, and reducing the workload of checking the video data.

[0067] The journal alert system, the alert data transmission method, and the alert data transmission program according to the present invention have been described above in detail with reference to the drawings, but the journal alert system, the alert data transmission method, and the alert data transmission program according to the present invention are not limited to those shown in the embodiment. For example, in the journal alert system 100, as shown in FIG. 1, the administrator PC 200 and the store system 300 (including the recording server 350) are connected via a LAN 800, and the WEB server 400 is provided in the cloud 700 (the configuration shown in FIG. 1 is referred to as a "cloud type"). However, the configuration of the journal alert system 100 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 1.

[0068] For example, the journal alert system 100 can be configured as shown in Fig. 9(a). In the journal alert system 100 shown in Fig. 9(a), not only the WEB server 400 but also the recording server 350 is provided in the cloud 700 (in Fig. 9(a), the WEB server 400 and the recording server 350 are illustrated as one server), and the aggregated journal data and video data are stored on the cloud 700 (the configuration shown in Fig. 9(a) is referred to as an "all-cloud type").

[0069] The journal alert system 100 can also be configured as shown in Figure 9(b). In the journal alert system 100 shown in Figure 9(b), the WEB server 400 is not constructed on the cloud 700, but is connected to the same network environment (which may be a LAN constructed by a VPN) as the administrator PC 200. When the administrator clicks on the recording URL of the video data based on the CSV data, the video data can be read from the WEB server 400 installed in the same network environment (administrator LAN). The configuration shown in Figure 9(b) is referred to as the "LAN (VPN) type."

[0070] As shown in Figures 1 and 9(a) and (b), regardless of how the recording server 350 on which video data is recorded and the WEB server 400 on which journal data is recorded are connected to the administrator PC 200 and the store PC 330, the unique effects of the present invention can be achieved as long as the WEB server 400 (or another PC that realizes the functions of the WEB server 400) generates CSV data (alert data) and sends it by email, and the administrator can check (play) the video data at a specified time according to the link in the CSV data (recording URL, path information).

[0071] In addition, in the journal alert system 100 according to the embodiment, a case where CSV format data is created as data (alert data) showing the detection result information has been described as an example. However, the data format of the detection result information created in the journal alert system 100 is not limited to CSV format data. As the detection result information, information such as the store name D01, the register number (POS number) D03, the time information (receipt time) D05, and the recording URL D08 (pass information) can be recorded, and the data may be recorded in another data format as long as the contents can be confirmed on the administrator PC 200.

[0072] Furthermore, in the journal alert system 100 according to the embodiment, a case where CSV data (alert data) is sent to an email address has been described as an example. However, the method of sending CSV data (alert data) is not limited to sending by email. For example, it is also possible to install a specific application program (hereinafter referred to as an "app") on the administrator PC 200, send and receive CSV data via the app, and automatically display an alert on the app when CSV data is acquired.

[0073] In addition, in the journal alert system 100 according to the embodiment, a configuration has been described in which a personal computer such as the administrator PC 200 or the store PC 330 (store PC main body 331) is used to connect to the LAN 800 or the cloud 700 and transmit and receive data. However, instead of a personal computer such as the administrator PC 200 or the store PC 330 (store PC main body 331), a general information communication terminal such as a smartphone or tablet can also be used. [Explanation of symbols]

[0074] 100 … Journal Alert System 200…Administrator PC 230 ... (Administrator PC) input section (input means) 240 ... (Administrator PC) display 300 …Store system 310 ... Cashier 320 ... Camera 330 ... Store PC 331 ... Store PC unit 332 ... Store CPU (for store PC) 333 ... (Store PC) ROM 334 ... (Store PC) RAM 335 ... (Store PC) Recording section 336 ... (Store PC) communication I / F 337 ... (Store PC main unit) Input / Output I / F 338 ... (Store PC) input section 339 ... (Store PC) display unit 350 ... Recording server (video recording means) 400 ... WEB server 410 ... Server CPU (control means) 420 ... (WEB server) ROM 430 ... (web server) RAM 440 ... (WEB server) recording unit (recording means) 450 ... (WEB server) communication I / F (communication means) 700... Cloud 800...LAN 900 ... In-store LAN

Claims

1. a recording means for recording keywords that are expected to be recorded in journal data of a cash register when an operational error or fraudulent activity occurs in the operation of the cash register of the store, and account information for transmitting alert data; a communication means for receiving the aggregated journal data and transmitting the alert data to the account; Control means and Equipped with The control means Detecting whether the keyword is recorded in the journal data received by the communication means; The operation time of the cash register operation at which the keyword was detected is obtained from the time information recorded in the journal data; creating the alert data for each of the keywords, the alert data including the time information obtained from the journal data, register identification information for identifying the register recorded in the journal data, and store identification information for identifying the store in which the register is installed; Transmitting the alert data created for each of the keywords to the account using the communication means. A journal alert system featuring.

2. a video recording means for recording video data of the operation of the cash register in association with a time of the video capture, The control means record path information for reading out from the video recording means video data captured at a time specified by the time information for the alert data created for each of the keywords; Sending the alert data in which the pass information is recorded to the account. The journal alert system of claim 1 .

3. The keyword recorded in the recording means can be set or changed by an input means capable of inputting or selecting the keyword. The journal alert system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that

4. a recording means for recording keywords that are expected to be recorded in journal data of a cash register when an operational error or fraudulent activity occurs in the operation of the cash register of the store, and account information for transmitting alert data; a communication means for receiving the aggregated journal data and transmitting the alert data to the account; Control means and A program for transmitting alert data in a journal alert system comprising: The control means a keyword detection function for detecting whether the keyword is recorded in the journal data received by the communication means; a time information acquisition function that, when the keyword is detected by the keyword detection function, acquires the operation time of the cash register operation at which the keyword was detected from the time information recorded in the journal data; an alert data creation function that creates the alert data for each of the keywords, the alert data including the time information obtained from the journal data, register identification information for identifying the register recorded in the journal data, and store identification information for identifying the store in which the register is installed; an alert data transmission function for transmitting the alert data created for each of the keywords by the alert data creation function to the account using the communication means; A program for transmitting alert data for a journal alert system, characterized by realizing the above.

5. The journal alert system includes a video recording means for recording video data of the cash register operation at the cash register in association with a time of the video data being recorded, In the alert data creation function, in addition to the time information, the register identification information, and the store identification information, path information for reading out from the video recording means video data captured at a time identified by the time information is recorded in the alert data for each of the keywords by the control means; In the alert data transmission function, the control means transmits the alert data in which the path information is recorded by the alert data creation function to the account using the communication means.

5. A program for transmitting alert data for the journal alert system according to claim 4.

6. The keyword recorded in the recording means can be set or changed by an input means capable of inputting or selecting the keyword.

7. A program for transmitting alert data for the journal alert system according to claim 5 or 6.

7. a recording means for recording keywords that are expected to be recorded in journal data of a cash register when an operational error or fraudulent activity occurs in the operation of the cash register of the store, and account information for transmitting alert data; a communication means for receiving the aggregated journal data and transmitting the alert data to the account; Control means and An alert data transmission method for a journal alert system comprising: The control means a keyword detection step of detecting whether the keyword is recorded in the journal data received by the communication means; a time information acquisition step of acquiring, when the keyword is detected in the keyword detection step, a time of the cash register operation at which the keyword was detected from time information recorded in the journal data; an alert data creating step of creating the alert data for each of the keywords, the alert data including the time information acquired from the journal data, register identification information for identifying the register recorded in the journal data, and store identification information for identifying the store in which the register is installed; an alert data transmission step of transmitting the alert data created for each of the keywords in the alert data creation step to the account using the communication means; An alert data transmission method for a journal alert system, comprising:

8. The journal alert system includes a video recording means for recording video data of the cash register operation at the cash register in association with a time of the video data being recorded, The control means In the alert data creating step, in addition to the time information, the register specific information, and the store specific information, pass information for reading out from the video recording means video data captured at a time specified by the time information is recorded in the alert data for each of the keywords; In the alert data transmission step, the alert data in which the path information is recorded is transmitted to the account by using the communication means.

8. The method for transmitting alert data of the journal alert system according to claim 7.

9. The keyword recorded in the recording means can be set or changed by an input means capable of inputting or selecting the keyword.

9. An alert data transmission method for a journal alert system according to claim 7 or claim 8.

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