Movable fixture installation support system and program

Abstract

To provide a movable fixture installation support system capable of supporting additional installation, etc., according to congestion conditions.SOLUTION: A movable fixture installation support system comprises an evaluation unit and a notification unit. When the number of operating sales data processing devices in a store where a plurality of sales data processing devices are installed is changed, the evaluation unit evaluates the number of movable fixtures to be installed corresponding to the number of operating sales data processing devices after the change. The notification unit notifies a terminal device used by store staff of information on a change in the number of movable fixtures to be installed on the basis of the output results of the evaluation unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 9

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a movable fixture installation support system and program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, in retail stores such as supermarkets and mass retailers, customers themselves bag their products. For this bagging work, a bagging table installed in the store is used.

[0003] Since the number of customers visiting the store varies depending on the time of day, the number of machines operating for registering products and making payments has been increased or decreased in the past (for example, Patent Document 1). However, since the sack tables are fixedly installed, there is an inconvenience of a lack of space for bagging when it is crowded.

[0004] Although the above describes the example of a shortage of soccer tables, similar issues can arise with other fixtures. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a movable fixture installation support system and program that supports additional installation, etc. depending on the congestion situation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The movable fixture installation support system of one embodiment includes a review unit that, when the number of operating sales data processing devices installed in a store is changed, reviews the number of movable fixtures to be installed that corresponds to the changed number of operating sales data processing devices, and a notification unit that, based on the output of the review unit, notifies a terminal device used by a store staff member of information related to the change in the number of movable fixtures to be installed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of a system configuration according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the store server. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the management server. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of each control unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit of the management server. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit of the prediction terminal. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit of the store server. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit of the store server. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit of the management server. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] (First embodiment) An embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a system configuration of an embodiment. This system is an example of a movable fixture installation support system that supports the temporary installation of movable fixtures. This system includes a POS system 100, a congestion prediction system 300, and a fixture management system 500. "POS" is an abbreviation for "Point Of Sale" and means "point of sale information management."

[0009] The POS system 100 is a system that controls sales data processing within a store, and includes a store server 1, an attendant terminal 7, a normal POS 81, a semi-self-service POS 82, a mobile POS 83, a full-self-service POS 84, and a cash register 85.

[0010] Each of the normal POS 81, the semi-self-service POS 82, the mobile POS 83, the full-self-service POS 84, and the cashier 85 is a type of POS terminal, and is an example of a sales data processing device that performs product registration processing and payment processing. The POS system 100 of this embodiment includes one or more (i.e., one or more) of each type of POS terminal. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the POS system 100 may not include any type of POS terminal.

[0011] The normal POS 81 is a sales data processing device operated mainly by a store clerk, and executes product registration processing and payment processing through the store clerk's operation. The full-self POS 84 is a sales data processing device operated mainly by a customer, and executes product registration processing and payment processing through the customer's operation.

[0012] The semi-self-service POS 82 is a sales data processing device that is mainly operated by a store clerk, and executes product registration processing through operation by the store clerk, and executes payment processing through operation by the customer.

[0013] The mobile POS 83 is a sales data processor that is mainly operated by customers while shopping around, and executes product registration processing through customer operation. The mobile POS 83 is realized by a portable terminal device, such as a tablet terminal or a smartphone terminal. The mobile POS 83 can be used in a state where it is attached to a shopping cart, or in a state where it is held in the customer's hand and operated. For example, a customer registers a product by reading a barcode attached to the product using a camera provided on the portable device, or by selecting the product to be registered via the screen of the portable device.

[0014] The accounting machine 85 performs payment processing for products registered in the semi-self-service POS 82 or mobile POS 83. The accounting machine 85 is a sales data processing device that is mainly operated by customers, and executes payment processing for products registered in the semi-self-service POS 82 or mobile POS 83 through operation by the customer.

[0015] The POS system 100 may be configured so that payment processing for products registered at the semi-self-service POS 82 or mobile POS 83 is carried out by online electronic payment (for example, credit card payment).

[0016] The attendant terminal 7 is a terminal device used by a store clerk, and is realized by, for example, a PC (Personal Computer), a tablet terminal, or a smartphone terminal. The attendant terminal 7 is used for purposes such as displaying notifications received from the store server 1 and various POS terminals. The terminal device used by the store clerk may be a POS terminal where the store clerk performs product registration operations.

[0017] The store server 1 comprehensively manages information handled by the other terminal devices in the store (attendant terminal 7, normal POS 81, semi-self-service POS 82, mobile POS 83, full-self-service POS 84, and cashier 85). The store server 1 may be configured as a so-called center server connected to an external network, in addition to being managed within the same store.

[0018] The congestion prediction system 300 is a system for predicting congestion in a store, and includes a prediction terminal 3, a camera 61, and a sensor 62. The camera 61 and the sensor 62 are examples of a monitoring device.

[0019] The camera 61 captures images of the entrances and exits of the store and the locations where various POS terminals are installed. The sensor 62, like the camera 61, is provided at the entrances and exits of the store and the locations where various POS terminals are installed, and detects moving objects (people).

[0020] The prediction terminal 3 is an information processing device such as a PC, and predicts the congestion state in the store, for example, by counting or estimating the number of customers entering and leaving the store, or estimating the density of people at the image capture location or detection location, based on the output of the camera 61 and the sensor 62. For such congestion prediction, an existing system using, for example, AI (Artificial Intelligence) may be used.

[0021] The fixture management system 500 is a system that manages the location of fixtures in a store, and includes a management server 5, a receiver 91, and a beacon 92. The beacon 92 is an example of a transmitter.

[0022] The fixtures that are managed by the fixture management system 500 include, for example, movable soccer tables. The movable soccer tables are an example of movable fixtures and are used as temporary soccer tables. It is preferable that the movable soccer tables have the following characteristics, for example. - Equipped with wheels, etc., making it easy to move Equipped with a support part that supports the shopping bag in an open state - Equipped with a platform on which a basket containing paid items can be placed -Foldable

[0023] The foldable mobile sucker table can be folded up when not in use, so that the space required for storage can be reduced. It is even more preferable if it is stackable. The mobile sucker table and other fixtures are stored, for example, in a warehouse, and when they are to be used, they are taken out by a store clerk and set up at the place of use.

[0024] The movable soccer table is not limited to being taken out of the warehouse and installed at the place of use. For example, the movable soccer table may be a table with a flip-up top attached to a wall near a permanent soccer table in a store via a hinge. In this case, the wall supports one side of the top so that it can rotate freely. When using the movable soccer table, the store clerk moves the top from a state parallel to the wall to a state parallel to the floor.

[0025] Beacon 92 is an example of a transmitter, and is attached to each piece of furniture to transmit a predetermined signal. The signal emitted by beacon 92 includes identification information (e.g., a beacon ID, which will be described later). Receiver 91 is installed in a warehouse in which the furniture is stored, and receives the signal emitted by beacon 92.

[0026] The management server 5 stores in its own storage setting information that associates the signals emitted by the beacons 92 with the fixtures. The management server 5 grasps the fixtures stored in the warehouse based on the setting information stored in its own storage and the output of the receiver 91.

[0027] 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the store server 1. The store server 1 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a communication unit 14, a display unit 15, an operation unit 16, a storage unit 19, etc.

[0028] The CPU 11 is an example of a processor and controls each part of the store server 1. The ROM 12 stores various programs. The RAM 13 is a workspace for expanding the programs and various data. The CPU 11, the ROM 12, and the RAM 13 are connected via a bus or the like to constitute the control unit 10 of the computer configuration.

[0029] The communication unit 14 is a communication interface that connects the control unit 10 and devices in the store (such as the prediction terminal 3 and the management server 5) so that they can communicate with each other via a network.

[0030] The display unit 15 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays information to an operator of the store server 1. The operation unit 16 is, for example, a keyboard or a pointing device. The operation unit 16 may also be a touch panel that is provided over the surface of the display unit 15 and accepts operations according to the display contents of the display unit 15.

[0031] The storage unit 19 has a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), or a flash memory, and maintains the stored contents even when the power is cut off. The storage unit 19 stores a program 191 executable by the CPU 11, setting information 192, and the like.

[0032] The setting information 192 associates information for identifying various POS terminals (identification information) with information related to the POS terminals, and is summarized in the form of a table, for example. The setting information 192 includes the following items, for example. Device ID ·kinds · Number of bagging stations required per POS terminal · Operation status

[0033] The terminal ID is an example of identification information. The type is, for example, a "normal POS", a "semi-self-service POS", a "mobile POS", a "full-self-service POS", a "cash register", etc. The operation status is, for example, the number of operating units and the total number of units. The operation status is updated by the control unit 10 based on the operation received from the operator (store clerk) via the operation unit 16.

[0034] The number of bagging locations required per POS terminal varies depending on the type of POS terminal. For example, if the number of semi-self-service POS 82 in operation is increased by two, and six more bagging locations are required, then the "number of bagging locations required per unit" for the semi-self-service POS 82 is "3." Also, if the number of regular POS 81 in operation is increased by two, and three more bagging locations are required, then the "number of bagging locations required per unit" for the regular POS 81 is "1.5."

[0035] In addition, the number of bagging places required per POS terminal is considered to be the smallest for the "full-self POS", followed by the "normal POS", "mobile POS", and "semi-self POS". Taking this into consideration, the "number of bagging places required per POS terminal" is determined and set in advance in the setting information 192.

[0036] 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the management server 5. The management server 5 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a communication unit 54, a display unit 55, an operation unit 56, a storage unit 59, and the like.

[0037] The CPU 51 is an example of a processor, and controls each part of the management server 5. The ROM 52 stores various programs. The RAM 53 is a workspace for expanding the programs and various data. The CPU 51, the ROM 52, and the RAM 53 are connected via a bus or the like, and constitute a control unit 50 having a computer configuration.

[0038] The communication unit 54 is a communication interface that connects the control unit 50 to devices in the store (such as the store server 1 and the receiver 91) so that they can communicate with each other via a network.

[0039] The display unit 55 is a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays information to an operator of the management server 5. The operation unit 56 is, for example, a keyboard or a pointing device. The operation unit 56 may also be a touch panel that is provided over the surface of the display unit 55 and accepts operations according to the display contents of the display unit 55.

[0040] The storage unit 59 has a storage medium such as an HDD, an SSD, or a flash memory, and maintains the stored contents even when the power is cut off. The storage unit 59 stores a program 591 executable by the CPU 51, setting information 592, and the like.

[0041] The setting information 592 associates information that enables identification of fixtures (identification information) with the stock status, and is summarized in the form of a table, for example. The setting information 592 includes the following items, for example. Beacon ID Fixture name Fixture type Number of bagging stations provided per vehicle Availability

[0042] The beacon ID is an example of identification information of the beacon 92. In the setting information 592, the fixture name, fixture type, and inventory status are associated with the beacon ID. In this embodiment, the beacon ID is used as identification information of the fixture to which the beacon 92 is attached.

[0043] The inventory status is, for example, "in stock" or "in use." "In stock" indicates a state in which the fixture is stored in a warehouse in which the fixture is stored. "In use" indicates a state in which the fixture is not in the warehouse (has been taken out of the warehouse). The inventory status is updated as appropriate by the functional parts (described later) of the control unit 50.

[0044] The number of bagging locations provided per unit is "1" for a movable type of sucker table that is equipped with wheels or the like and can be moved. Also, for a lift-up type movable sucker table with a tabletop area equivalent to that of a normal stationary sucker table, the number of bagging locations provided per unit is, for example, "2."

[0045] 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of each control unit. The control unit 30 of the prediction terminal 3 functions as an acquisition unit 301, a prediction unit 302, a congestion notification unit 303, etc. The control unit 10 of the store server 1 functions as an alert unit 103, an operation reception unit 104, a configuration change notification unit 105, a capacity notification unit 106, etc. The control unit 50 of the management server 5 functions as an inventory confirmation unit 501, an update unit 502, a reception unit 505, a review unit 506, a notification unit 507, etc. The control unit 30 of the prediction terminal 3 is composed of a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM, for example, similar to the above-described store server 1, etc.

[0046] The acquisition unit 301 periodically acquires the outputs from the camera 61 and the sensor 62 , and outputs them to the prediction unit 302 .

[0047] The prediction unit 302 predicts the crowded state based on the output of the camera 61 and the sensor 62 acquired by the acquisition unit 301. The crowded state is predicted, for example, by counting or estimating the number of customers entering and leaving the store, or estimating the density of people at the image capture location or detection location. The prediction unit 302 predicts the occurrence of congestion when, for example, the counted or estimated value exceeds a predetermined value.

[0048] When the prediction unit 302 predicts the occurrence of congestion, the congestion notification unit 303 transmits a notification to that effect to the store server 1.

[0049] The notification unit 103 notifies a store clerk of a shortage of sales data processing devices (various POS terminals) when congestion is predicted based on the output of monitoring devices (for example, cameras 61 and sensors 62) installed in the store.

[0050] Specifically, when the notification unit 103 receives a congestion prediction notification from the prediction terminal 3, it notifies the store clerk by displaying the contents of the notification on the display unit 15 (or emitting a sound, etc.), or by attaching an indicator light device consisting of an LED (Light Emitting Diode) or the like to the display unit.

[0051] The notification unit 103 may notify the store clerk by transmitting information to the attendant terminal 7 instead of the display unit 15.

[0052] The store clerk who receives the notification determines whether the POS configuration needs to be changed, and if so, changes the number of operating POS terminals of the type appropriate for the current situation, taking into consideration the operating status of each POS terminal.

[0053] When a congestion forecast notification is received, the number of operating units can be increased for POS terminals whose number of operating units is less than the total number of units. Increasing the number of operating units of POS terminals that are in operation but not in use (free) is considered to have no effect on easing congestion. Therefore, in order to ease congestion, it is preferable to increase the number of operating units of POS terminals that are in continuous use.

[0054] In this embodiment, the decision as to how many and what type of POS terminals to add to the operation is made by a store clerk, but it may be automated. When automating this, the control unit 10 may use, for example, a monitor device (camera 61 and sensor 62) to identify a type of POS terminal that is not in operation and has customers waiting in line, and increase the number of operating POS terminals of that type. In addition, in this process, the control unit 10 may count the number of customers waiting for the corresponding POS terminal to become available, and reflect this counting result in the number of operating terminals.

[0055] The operation reception unit 104 receives an operation by an operator (a store clerk) via the operation unit 16. The configuration change notification unit 105 transmits information (notification) indicating the content of the change to the management server 5 when an operation to instruct a change in the configuration of the POS is performed via the operation unit 16.

[0056] The capacity notification unit 106 estimates the capacity of the product from the registration status of the product at each POS terminal, and transmits information (notification) indicating the estimated capacity to the management server 5. The capacity of the product affects the area of ​​the bagging counter required for the customer using the POS terminal. In other words, the larger the capacity of the product, the larger the area of ​​the bagging counter required for bagging. In this embodiment, the most common capacity is associated with the required number of bagging locations per POS terminal, "1". The most common capacity may be, for example, the capacity of about two plastic shopping bags, or it may be the average capacity of the products purchased by each customer.

[0057] When the number of signals received from the beacon 92 increases or decreases, the stock confirmation unit 501 checks the beacon ID included in the signal against the setting information 592 and outputs the increased or decreased beacon ID to the update unit 502.

[0058] The update unit 502 updates the record of the inventory status of the movable sucker tables in the warehouse according to the reception status of the signal from the beacon 92 by the receiver 91.

[0059] Specifically, the update unit 502 updates the inventory status based on the output of the inventory confirmation unit 501. That is, if the number of receptions has increased, the inventory status of the increased beacon ID is updated from "in use" to "in stock." This records that the fixture corresponding to the beacon ID has returned to the warehouse. Also, if the number of receptions has decreased, the inventory status of the decreased beacon ID is updated from "in stock" to "in use." This records that the fixture corresponding to the beacon ID has been removed from the warehouse.

[0060] The receiving unit 505 receives information indicating the change in the POS configuration from the store server 1. The receiving unit 505 also receives information indicating the volume of the product from the volume notification unit 106. Upon receiving the information, the receiving unit 505 passes the information to the reviewing unit 506 together with the received information.

[0061] The review unit 506 reviews whether to increase or decrease the number of pedestrians based on the received information (the change in the POS configuration and the product capacity). The review can be performed, for example, as follows.

[0062] First, when a change is made to increase the number of operating POS terminals of any type, the review unit 506 calculates the sum of the "number of bagging locations required per unit" (total number required) of the various POS terminals that will be in operation after the change. Next, the review unit 506 calculates the sum of the "number of bagging locations provided per unit" of currently available sucker tables (total number provided) (or acquires it if one has already been calculated and stored). The review unit 506 checks the total number required against the total number provided to determine whether there is a shortage in the "number of bagging locations required," and picks up enough mobile sucker tables from the inventory in the warehouse to cover the "number of bagging locations provided" that is appropriate for the shortage.

[0063] In addition, when the receiving unit 505 receives information (notification) indicating the volume of the product, the reviewing unit 506 also takes the information into consideration in the review. In other words, when it is estimated that a large amount of products will be packed in bags, the reviewing unit 506 estimates the number of movable sucker tables that need to be additionally installed on the higher side.

[0064] The notification unit 507 notifies the attendant terminal 7 of the review result of the review unit 506 (i.e., the changes to the configuration of the soccer table). Here, the notification unit 507 notifies, for example, the number of movable soccer tables to be additionally installed as the review result of the review unit 506. In addition, the notification unit 507 may also transmit information specifying the type of movable soccer table to be additionally installed (a type that is movable with wheels or the like, a flip-up type, etc.) to the attendant terminal 7 together with this notification.

[0065] The store clerk who receives the notification at the attendant terminal 7 refers to the notified information, retrieves a suitable movable sucker table from the warehouse, and sets it up in a specified location.

[0066] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit 50 of the management server 5. The control unit 50 of the management server 5 functions as an inventory confirmation unit 501, and checks the reception status of the beacons 92 against the setting information 592. If the number of received beacons has increased (increase in step S1), the control unit 50 records the return of the corresponding fixture as the update unit 502 (step S2), and if the number of received beacons has decreased (decrease in step S1), the control unit 502 records the removal of the corresponding fixture as the update unit 502 (step S3).

[0067] 6 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit 30 of the prediction terminal 3. The control unit 30, as the acquisition unit 301, acquires the output of the camera 61 and the sensor 62 (step S11), and as the prediction unit 302, predicts the congestion state based on the output (step S12). If congestion is predicted in step S12 (Yes in step S12), the control unit 30, as the congestion notification unit 303, transmits a notification (congestion prediction notification) to the store server 1 that congestion is predicted to occur (step S13). If congestion is not predicted in step S12 (No in step S12), the control unit 30 returns the processing to step S11.

[0068] 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit 10 of the store server 1. The control unit 10 of the store server 1 waits to receive a congestion prediction notification from the prediction terminal 3 (No in step S21), and upon receiving the notification (Yes in step S21), the notification unit 103 notifies the user by displaying the contents of the notification on the display unit 15 (step S22).

[0069] The store clerk who sees the above-mentioned notification judges whether it is necessary to change the POS configuration, and if so, performs an operation to change the POS configuration. In this operation, the store clerk, for example, specifies the type of POS terminal to increase or decrease the number of operating units. In other words, the store server 1 specifies the type of POS terminal and increases or decreases the number of operating units by accepting input from the operator via the operation unit 16 such as a keyboard or pointing device, or via the touch panel of the display unit 15.

[0070] 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit 10 of the store server 1. The control unit 10 of the store server 1 waits for an operation to instruct a change in the POS configuration as the operation reception unit 104 (No in step S31), and when the operation is received (Yes in step S31), the control unit 10 of the store server 1 sends information (notification) indicating the change content to the management server 5 as the configuration change notification unit 105 (step S32).

[0071] 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the control unit 50 of the management server 5. The control unit 50 of the management server 5 waits as the receiving unit 505 for information (notification) indicating the change contents of the POS configuration (No in step S41), and upon receiving the notification (Yes in step S41), the reviewing unit 506 reviews the increase or decrease of the number of sucker counters (step S42).

[0072] Furthermore, when the control unit 50 receives information (notification) indicating the volume of the product as the receiving unit 505, the review unit 506 also takes this information into consideration when carrying out the review.

[0073] When the control unit 50 determines that the number of tables needs to be increased or decreased (Yes in step S43), the notification unit 507 notifies the attendant terminal 7 of the change in the configuration of the tables (step S44). When the control unit 50 determines that the number of tables does not need to be increased or decreased (No in step S43), the control unit 50 skips step S44 and ends this process.

[0074] As described above, according to this embodiment, if a shortage of pop-up tables is predicted when the POS configuration is changed, information about the movable pop-up tables needed to alleviate the shortage (e.g., number and type) can be notified to the store clerk via a notification to the attendant terminal 7, etc.

[0075] The notified store clerk can refer to the notified information, take out the movable food rack from the warehouse, and set it up in the designated place. Without this configuration, the store clerk would have to think and estimate for himself the extent of the shortage of bagging space due to not only the change in the POS configuration but also the increase in the number of operating POS terminals. This estimation would be difficult for anyone other than an experienced store clerk, but the system of this embodiment can support this. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a movable fixture installation support system that supports additional installation, etc. depending on the congestion situation.

[0076] The above-described embodiment can be modified as appropriate by changing part of the configuration or function of each of the above-described devices.

[0077] For example, in the above embodiment, the congestion state is predicted, and the POS configuration is changed based on the prediction, and the increase or decrease of the movable sucker tables is considered as a trigger, but the implementation is not limited to this. In implementation, regardless of the congestion state prediction, when the POS configuration is changed, the increase or decrease of the movable sucker tables may be considered, and processing may be performed according to the result of the consideration.

[0078] The transmitter exemplified as the beacon 92 in the above embodiment may be a wireless tag. The wireless tag is, for example, an electronic tag such as an RF tag. The RF tag is a tag that supports RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology and includes an IC (Integrated Circuit) configured to enable contactless reading using radio waves or the like.

[0079] The programs executed by each device of the above-described embodiments are provided by being pre-installed in a ROM, etc. The programs executed by each device of the above-described embodiments may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable format on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a digital versatile disk (DVD).

[0080] Furthermore, the programs executed by each device of the above-described embodiments may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Also, the programs executed by each device of the above-described embodiments may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0081] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, modifications, and combinations can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0082] 100…POS system, 1 ... store server, 10...Control unit, 103: Notification unit, 104: Operation reception unit, 105: Configuration change notification unit, 106: Capacity notification unit, 11...CPU, 12...ROM, 13...RAM, 14: communication unit, 15: display unit, 16: operation unit, 19: memory unit, 191: program, 192: setting information, 300…Congestion prediction system, 3... Prediction terminal, 30...Control unit, 301: Acquisition unit, 302: Prediction unit, 303: Congestion notification unit, 500…Fixture management system, 5 ... Management server, 50...control unit, 501...Inventory confirmation section, 502...Update section, 505: Receiving unit, 506: Review unit, 507: Notification unit, 51...CPU, 52...ROM, 53...RAM, 54: communication unit, 55: display unit, 56: operation unit, 59: storage unit, 591: program, 592: setting information, 61...camera (an example of a monitoring device), 62...sensor (an example of a monitoring device), 7 ... Attendant terminal (terminal device used by store clerks), 81...Normal POS (an example of a sales data processing device), 82...Semi-self POS (an example of a sales data processing device), 83...Mobile POS (an example of a sales data processing device), 84...Full self-service POS (an example of a sales data processing device), 85...Accounting machine (an example of a sales data processing device), 91...receiver, 92...beacon (an example of a transmitter). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0083] [Patent Document 1] JP 2004-178277 A

Claims

1. a reviewing unit that, when the number of operating sales data processing devices in a store in which a plurality of sales data processing devices are installed is changed, reviews the number of movable fixtures to be installed corresponding to the changed number of operating sales data processing devices; A notification unit that notifies a terminal device used by a store clerk of information regarding a change in the number of movable fixtures based on the output of the examination unit; A movable fixture installation support system.

2. The review unit reviews the number of installations based on a required number of bagging locations that is predetermined according to the type of the sales data processing device and a number of bagging locations that is predetermined to be provided for the movable fixture. A movable fixture installation support system as described in claim 1.

3. The notification unit also includes information designating the type of the movable fixture in the notification. A movable fixture installation support system as described in claim 1.

4. A transmitter attached to the movable fixture; A receiver is provided in a place where the movable fixture is stored, and receives a signal emitted by the transmitter; An update unit that updates a record of the inventory status of the movable fixtures at the location according to the reception status of the signal by the receiver; The movable fixture installation support system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

5. a notification section for notifying a store clerk of a shortage of the sales data processing devices via the terminal device when congestion is predicted based on an output of a monitor device installed in the store; The movable fixture installation support system according to claim 1 , further comprising:

6. A computer provided in a movable fixture installation support system that supports the temporary installation of movable fixtures, a reviewing unit that, when the number of operating sales data processing devices in a store in which a plurality of sales data processing devices are installed is changed, reviews the number of movable fixtures to be installed corresponding to the changed number of operating sales data processing devices; A notification unit that notifies a terminal device used by a store clerk of information regarding a change in the number of movable fixtures based on the output of the examination unit; A program to function as a

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