Sales data processing system and program

Abstract

To provide a sales data processing system that can reduce the number of steps to be taken when a deadline set for an article to be purchased has passed.SOLUTION: A sales data processing system including a terminal device that performs processing for registering information on an article by an operation of a customer during shopping around comprises a deadline check unit that performs check processing on whether deadline information included in the information of the article has passed the current date and time at least one or more times during a period from a time when there is a first operation which is an operation to register the information on the article in the terminal device, to a time when there is a second operation which is an operation to start processing for payment of the registered article.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 11

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a sales data processing system and a program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there is a sales data processing system including a terminal device (for example, Patent Document 1) that performs a process of registering product information by an operation of a customer during shopping.

[0003] In a system as described above, even if the expiration date set for the product that the customer intends to purchase has passed, it will not be found during the customer's shopping. For this reason, in a system as described above, for example, when the expiration date has passed at the time of checkout after the customer has finished shopping and left the sales floor, it takes time and effort to bring an alternative product from the sales floor.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a sales data processing system and a program capable of reducing the effort when the expiration date set for the product to be purchased has passed.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The sales data processing system according to the embodiment includes a terminal device that performs a process of registering product information by an operation of a customer during shopping. A deadline check unit is provided that performs a check process at least once to determine whether the deadline information included in the product information exceeds the current date and time from when a first operation, which is an operation for registering product information, is performed on the terminal device until a second operation, which is an operation for starting a process related to payment for the registered product, is performed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

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DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] (First Embodiment) The embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the sales data processing system according to the present embodiment. The sales data processing system according to the present embodiment includes a server 1, a mobile POS 3, a store server 4, an attendant terminal 5, a cash register 6, a POS terminal 7, a self-checkout 8, a label printer 9, and the like. Note that "POS" is an abbreviation of "Point Of Sale" and means "sales point information management". The mobile POS 3, the POS terminal 7, and the self-checkout 8 are one embodiment of a sales data processing device that processes registration of products and settlement of registered products.

[0008] The mobile POS 3 is an example of a terminal device that performs a process of registering product information by an operation of a customer during a round-robin purchase. The mobile POS 3 is a mobile terminal (for example, a smartphone or a tablet terminal) on which a POS app (abbreviation of application software) operates. The POS app is provided by an external system. The mobile POS 3 provides a POS function by starting the downloaded and installed POS app.

[0009] The mobile POS 3 performs a product registration process by an operation of a customer. The cash register 6 performs an accounting process for the products registered on the mobile POS 3 by an operation of a customer. The POS terminal 7 performs a product registration process and an accounting process by an operation of a store clerk. The self-checkout 8 performs a product registration process and an accounting process by an operation of a customer. The label printer 9 prints and issues a label attached to a product. The label displays a product name, a product code, a code symbol such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code, a selling price, a manufacturing date and time, and the like.

[0010] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the server 1. The 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 storage unit 19, and the like.

[0011] The CPU 11 is an example of a processor and comprehensively controls each part of the server 1. The ROM 12 stores various programs. The RAM 13 is a workspace for expanding programs and various data. The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 are connected via a bus or the like and constitute the control unit 10 of the computer configuration.

[0012] The communication unit 14 is a communication interface that communicably connects the control unit 10 and other devices (such as the mobile POS 3, store server 4, attendant terminal 5, etc.) via the network 2.

[0013] The storage unit 19 has a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), or flash memory, and maintains the stored content even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 19 stores a program 191 executable by the CPU 11 and various setting information such as a product master 192 and an expiration master 193. In addition, the storage unit 19 stores transaction information 195 received from each store.

[0014] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of items included in the product master 192. The product master 192 is an example of product information, and information on products handled by the store (product information) is summarized in a table format, for example. The items of the product master 192 are as follows, for example. · Product code · Product name · Classification · Unit price · Image

[0015] The product code is an example of information (identification information) that can identify a product, and is, for example, a JAN code. Other information (such as product name, classification, unit price, etc.) is stored in association with the product code.

[0016] What is recorded in the "Product Name" field is the name of the product. What is recorded in the "Classification" field is the classification (department, category) of the product, and the values are, for example, "Produce", "Prepared Foods", "Daily Delivery", "Processed Foods", etc. What is recorded in the "Unit Price" field is the price of one product.

[0017] When registering a product, the mobile POS 3, POS terminal 7, and self-checkout 8 obtain product information by referring to the product master 192 stored in the server 1.

[0018] Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of the items included in the expiration master 193. Figure 5 is a diagram showing an example of the screen 551 that is displayed on the display unit 55 by the web browser operating on the attendant terminal 5.

[0019] The expiration master 193 is, for example, a collection of information regarding the handling of products with expiration dates (shelf life or best before date) among the products handled by the store when the expiration date is approaching, in the form of a table. The expiration master 193 stores at least a part of the product information (e.g., product code) in association with the expiration information (described later). The expiration master 193 can be referred to and edited from the screen 551.

[0020] The items of the expiration master 193 are, for example, as follows. · Product Code · Best Before Date · Time / Date · Automatic Markdown · Markdown Condition · Condition · Value

[0021] The screen 551 is a screen for referring to and editing the expiration master 193, and includes columns 5501, 5502, 5505, 5511 to 5514 for receiving input or displaying information, and operators 5503, 5504, 5506 to 5510. The column 5501 receives and displays the input of the product code. The product code is the same as that described above.

[0022] The operators 5503 and 5504 on the screen 551 are operators that determine whether the value received and displayed by the column 5505 is the number of hours or the date. The value (number of hours or date) in the column 5505 is recorded in the "Best Before Date" item of the expiration master 193. The value of the number of hours is, for example, "40" (unit is [hour]).

[0023] The operators 5503 and 5504 on the screen 551 are so-called toggle buttons. When one is selected, the other is deselected. When the operator 5503 is selected, "Time" is recorded in the "Time / Date" item of the expiration master 193. This indicates that the value recorded in the "Best Before Date" item of the expiration master 193 is the number of hours. Also, when the operator 5504 is selected, "Date" is recorded in the "Time / Date" item of the expiration master 193. This indicates that the value recorded in the "Best Before Date" item of the expiration master 193 is the date.

[0024] The operators 5506 and 5507 on the screen 551 are so-called toggle buttons. When one is selected, the other is deselected. When the operator 5506 is selected, "Not Target" is recorded in the "Automatic Cut-off" item of the expiration master 193. When the operator 5507 is selected, "Target" is recorded in the "Automatic Cut-off" item of the expiration master 193. When the value of the "Automatic Cut-off" item is "Target", automatic cut-off is performed. Automatic cut-off is a process of automatically discounting the price at a predetermined time before the expiration date (expiry date or best before date).

[0025] The operators 5508 - 5510 on the screen 551 are so-called toggle buttons. When one is selected, the other two are deselected. When the operator 5508 is selected, "Discount" is recorded in the "Cut-off Condition" item of the expiration master 193. When the operator 5509 is selected, "Price Reduction" is recorded in the "Cut-off Condition" item of the expiration master 193. When the operator 5510 is selected, "Set Price" is recorded in the "Cut-off Condition" item of the expiration master 193.

[0026] Note that the discount determines the discount rate from the unit price, such as a 30% discount. The price reduction determines the amount to be reduced from the unit price, such as a reduction of 30 yen. Also, the set price determines the amount to be used as the selling price, such as 50 yen.

[0027] Column 5511 accepts and displays the input of conditions. The condition is, for example, "1.0 (hours ago)". Columns 5512 to 5514 are columns that accept and display the input of values for the condition, and any one corresponding to the states of operators 5508 to 5510 is set to the input enabled state. For example, when operator 5508 is selected, column 5512 is set to the input enabled state. The value input to column 5512 is, for example, "30 (% discount)". The input content of column 5511 is recorded in the "condition" item of the expiration master 193. Also, in the "value" item of the expiration master 193, the input content of the one that matches the state of operators 5508 to 5510 among columns 5512 to 5514 is recorded.

[0028] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a barcode including expiration information. The barcode is an example of a code symbol and is displayed on a label or the like attached to the package of a product. In the present embodiment, the barcode includes not only the product code but also the expiration information. The barcode including the expiration information is often attached to products with a relatively short expiration date, such as a few days, like prepared foods cooked and sold in stores.

[0029] The barcode as described above includes the following information. (1) Product code (2) Date and time (3) Date printing flag (4) Value discount processing flag (5) Value discount data (6) Check digit (C / D) Since the check digit is the same as the existing one, the explanation is omitted.

[0030] (1) The product code is the same as that described above. (2) The date and time is the date and time of the expiration date (expiry date or best-before date), which is an example of expiration date information. In the illustrated example, the year, month, and day are each shown in two digits.

[0031] (3) The date printing flag indicates whether the expiration date is printed on the label attached to the product. If this flag is, for example, "1", it indicates that the date corresponding to the (2) date and time is printed.

[0032] (4) The discount processing flag specifies the method of discount processing. The values of the discount processing flag are, for example, 0, 1, 2, 3. (5) The discount data is either the discount rate, the discounted amount, or the selling price, and corresponds to the discount processing flag.

[0033] For example, the discount processing flag "0" indicates that this product is subject to automatic clearance. Note that the example shown in FIG. 5 is an example of the setting of a product subject to automatic clearance.

[0034] Also, the discount processing flag "1" indicates that the selling price is the unit price discounted by the value of the (5) discount data (discount rate), "2" indicates that the selling price is the unit price discounted by the value of the (5) discount data (discounted amount), and "3" indicates that the value of the (5) discount data becomes the selling price instead of the unit price.

[0035] Returning to FIG. 2, the transaction information 195 is information on the products purchased by the customer, summarized in, for example, a table format. The server 1 stores (accumulates) and manages the new transaction information 395 (described later) received from the mobile POS 3 as the transaction information 195 in the storage unit 19. The items of the transaction information 195 are, for example, as follows. · Transaction ID · Date and time · Store ID · Terminal ID · Staff ID · Product information · Total

[0036] The transaction ID is an example of information (identification information) for identifying a transaction. The transaction ID is, for example, automatically numbered (assigned a number) at the time of the first product registration process related to the transaction. The date and time is the date and time when the transaction of the record was conducted. The store ID, terminal ID, and employee ID are identification information of the store, terminal (such as POS terminal 7), and employee where the transaction of the record was conducted.

[0037] Here, for the combination of the transaction ID, date and time, and store ID, there is one total, but multiple product information may be associated. The product information includes, for example, the following items. · Product code · Quantity · Price

[0038] The total is the total (gross amount) of the prices of all products purchased in the transaction of the record. The product code is as described above. The quantity is the quantity (number, weight, volume, etc.) of the product indicated by the product code purchased in the transaction of the record. The price is the value obtained by multiplying the unit price (or selling price) by the quantity.

[0039] Note that Program 191, Product Master 192, Expiration Master 193, and Transaction Information 195 do not necessarily need to be stored in the same storage unit 19.

[0040] Figure 7 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of Mobile POS 3. Mobile POS 3 is realized by, for example, a mobile terminal (such as a smartphone or tablet terminal), and includes a CPU 31, ROM 32, RAM 33, communication unit 34, display unit 35, operation unit 36, voice output unit 37, imaging unit 38, storage unit 39, etc.

[0041] CPU 31 is an example of a processor and comprehensively controls each part of Mobile POS 3. ROM 32 stores various programs. RAM 33 is a workspace for expanding programs and various data. CPU 31, ROM 32, and RAM 33 are connected via a bus or the like and constitute a control unit 30 of a computer configuration.

[0042] The communication unit 34 is a communication interface that communicably connects the control unit 30 and another device (such as the server 1) via the network 2.

[0043] The display unit 35 has a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and displays various information under the control of the CPU 31.

[0044] The operation unit 36 has an input device such as a touch panel provided on the surface of the display unit 35, a keyboard, or a pointing device, and outputs the operation content input via the input device to the CPU 31.

[0045] The audio output unit 37 has a speaker and a buzzer, and outputs audio under the control of the CPU 31.

[0046] The imaging unit 38 is a camera provided in a device (such as a smartphone or a tablet terminal) that realizes the mobile POS 3. The mobile POS 3 has a function of decoding a code symbol (such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code) included in the captured image output by the imaging unit 38. If the code symbol encodes, for example, a product code, the function outputs the product code.

[0047] Note that the mobile POS 3 may obtain the value obtained by the above device reading and decoding the code symbol by receiving the output from a device such as a wired or wirelessly connected code scanner.

[0048] The storage unit 39 has a storage medium such as an HDD, an SSD, or a flash memory, and maintains the stored content even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 39 stores a program 391 executable by the CPU 31, transaction information 395, and the like.

[0049] The program 391 is application software for operating the mobile POS 3.

[0050] The transaction information 395 is information on products registered as those to be purchased by the customer (i.e., products subject to the transaction), which is summarized in, for example, a table format. Since the items of the transaction information 395 are substantially the same as those of the transaction information 195, the description thereof is omitted. The mobile POS 3 acquires product information from the server 1 each time a product is registered.

[0051] Note that the transaction information 395 may be stored in the RAM 33 instead of the storage unit 39. The storage unit 39 or the RAM 33 stores the transaction information 395, which is information on the registered products (products registered) from the start to the completion of at least one transaction. The transaction is completed when the accounting process is completed. The accounting process is a process of receiving payment for the registered products from the customer. The payment is made at the accounting machine 6 by means of electronic payment such as credit settlement or electronic money settlement in addition to cash.

[0052] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the store server 4. The store server 4 includes a CPU 41, a ROM 42, a RAM 43, a communication unit 44, a storage unit 49, and the like.

[0053] The CPU 41 is an example of a processor and comprehensively controls each part of the store server 4. The ROM 42 stores various programs. The RAM 43 is a workspace for developing programs and various data. The CPU 41, the ROM 42, and the RAM 43 are connected via a bus or the like to constitute a control unit 40 of a computer configuration.

[0054] The communication unit 44 is a communication interface that communicably connects the control unit 40 to other devices (e.g., the server 1, etc.) via the network 2. Further, the communication unit 44 communicably connects the control unit 40 to other devices within the store (e.g., the accounting machine 6, the POS terminal 7, the self-checkout 8, the label printer 9, etc.) via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) installed within the store.

[0055] The storage unit 49 has a storage medium such as an HDD, SSD, or flash memory, and maintains the stored content even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 49 stores various setting information such as a program 491 executable by the CPU 41, a product master 492, and an expiration master 493.

[0056] The storage unit 49 stores the product master 492 and the expiration master 493 so that they can be referred to from devices within the store. The items included in the product master 492 and the expiration master 493 are substantially the same as those of the product master 192 and the expiration master 193.

[0057] The product master 492 and the expiration master 493 are obtained by acquiring information for the own store (i.e., records associated with the store ID of the own store) from the product master 192 and the expiration master 193 stored in the server 1. The store server 4 receives information for the own store from the server 1 at a predetermined timing (e.g., during a time period from after closing to before opening), and updates the product master 492 and the expiration master 493.

[0058] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the attendant terminal 5. The attendant terminal 5 is realized by a device such as a PC (Personal Computer), and includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, a communication unit 54, a display unit 55, an operation unit 56, an audio output unit 57, a storage unit 59, and the like.

[0059] The CPU 51 is an example of a processor and comprehensively controls each part of the attendant terminal 5. The ROM 52 stores various programs. The RAM 53 is a workspace for developing 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 of a computer configuration.

[0060] The communication unit 54 is a communication interface that communicably connects the control unit 50 and another device (e.g., server 1) via the network 2. Further, the communication unit 54 communicably connects the control unit 50 and other devices within the store (e.g., store server 4, accounting machine 6, POS terminal 7, self-checkout 8, label printer 9, etc.) via a network such as a LAN installed within the store.

[0061] The display unit 55 has a display device such as an LCD and displays various information under the control of the CPU 51.

[0062] The operation unit 56 has an input device such as a touch panel provided over the surface of the display unit 55, a keyboard, or a pointing device, and outputs the operation content input via the input device to the CPU 51.

[0063] The voice output unit 57 has a speaker or a buzzer and outputs voice under the control of the CPU 51.

[0064] The storage unit 59 has a storage medium such as an HDD, SSD, or flash memory and maintains the stored content even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 59 stores a program 591 executable by the CPU 51 and the like.

[0065] The program 591 is application software for operating the attendant terminal 5.

[0066] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of various functional units provided in each of the control units 10, 30, 40, 50 and their cooperation. The control units 10, 30, 40, 50 provide the various functional units shown in FIG. 10 by executing the programs 191, 391, 491, 591, respectively.

[0067] The control unit 10 of server 1 functions as a master cooperation unit 101, a registration unit 102, an expiration check unit 105, a notification unit 106, and an expiration processing unit 107. The control unit 40 of store server 4 functions as a master cooperation unit 401. The control unit 30 of mobile POS 3 functions as a reading unit 301, an accounting unit 309, and a notification unit 306. The control unit 50 of attendant terminal 5 functions as a setting processing unit 501 and a notification unit 506.

[0068] The master cooperation unit 101 attempts to achieve master cooperation by transmitting (sending) an update of product master 192 and expiration master 193 to store server 4 at a predetermined timing (for example, during the time period from after closing to before opening). The master cooperation unit 401 attempts to achieve master cooperation by updating product master 492 and expiration master 493 based on the information transmitted (received) from server 1.

[0069] The setting processing unit 501 accepts input, change, and update of settings via screen 551 displayed on display unit 55.

[0070] The reading unit 301 outputs to server 1 the value obtained by decoding the code symbol included in the captured image output by imaging unit 38.

[0071] When the registration unit 102 receives the value obtained by decoding the code symbol from mobile POS 3, if the value includes a product code, it performs product registration processing. That is, the registration unit 102 acquires product information matching the received product code from product master 192 and registers it as transaction information 195.

[0072] Also, when the value obtained by decoding the received code symbol includes expiration information, before performing product registration processing, the registration unit 102 passes the value obtained by decoding the code symbol to the expiration check unit 105 and waits for the result. If the result is not an expiration error (described later), it performs product registration processing.

[0073] The accounting department 309 starts accounting processing in response to the operations of customers received via the operation unit 36. In this process, the accounting department 309 causes the display unit 35 to display a code symbol for linking information (such as a transaction ID) identifying a transaction to the accounting machine 6.

[0074] The accounting machine 6 reads the code symbol displayed on the display unit 35, refers to the record of the transaction information 195 that matches the information (such as a transaction ID) obtained from the value obtained by decoding the code symbol, and performs accounting processing (receives payment from the customer) for the transaction indicated by the information in the record.

[0075] The expiration check unit 105 performs a check process at least once within a predetermined period to determine whether the expiration information included in the product information exceeds the current date and time. The above-mentioned predetermined period is from the time when there is a first operation, which is an operation for registering product information in the mobile POS 3, to the time when there is a second operation, which is an operation for starting the process related to the payment of the registered product. The first operation in this embodiment is to cause the imaging unit 38 to image a code symbol. Also, the second operation in this embodiment is an operation on the operator 3509 (see FIG. 12 and others, described later) that receives an operation to start accounting processing.

[0076] Specifically, when the expiration check unit 105 receives the above information (the value obtained by decoding the code symbol) from the registration unit 102, it performs an expiration check on the product registered by the registration unit 102. Also, the expiration check unit 105 may perform an expiration check on the products already registered in the currently ongoing transaction upon receiving the above information from the registration unit 102. Furthermore, the expiration check unit 105 may perform an expiration check process on the products related to the transaction subject to accounting processing when it receives information from the accounting department 309.

[0077] In the expiration date check process, when the expiration date (expiration date or best - before date) is set to a date and time (2) that has passed (exceeded) the current date and time, the expiration date check section 105 determines that it is an expiration date error. The expiration date check section 105 passes the result of the expiration date check to the registration section 102. Also, when the result of the expiration date check is an expiration date error, the expiration date check section 105 passes the result to the notification section 106.

[0078] When the notification section 106 receives information indicating an expiration date error from the expiration date check section 105, it transmits (sends) information reporting the expiration date error to the mobile POS 3 and the attendant terminal 5. When the notification section 306 of the mobile POS 3 receives the information transmission from the notification section 106, it notifies the customer of the information using the display section 35 or the like. When the notification section 506 of the attendant terminal 5 receives the information transmission from the notification section 106, it notifies the store clerk of the information using the display section 55 or the like.

[0079] Also, when the value discount processing flag (4) is "0", the expiration date check section 105 acquires the information of the record that matches the product code from the expiration date master 193 and passes it to the expiration date processing section 107.

[0080] When there is a first operation, the expiration date processing section 107 performs a value discount process based on the difference between the expiration date and time indicated by the expiration date information of the product registered by the first operation and the current date and time. The value discount process is a process related to handling such as discounting products with approaching expiration dates.

[0081] Specifically, when the information of the expiration date master 193 comes from the expiration date check section 105, the expiration date processing section 107 discounts the corresponding product based on the sell - by conditions defined in the expiration date master 193 and the combinations of conditions 1 - 5 and values 1 - 5. Also, the expiration date processing section 107 performs a process related to handling such as selling a product determined to be an expiration date error by the expiration date check section 105 after obtaining confirmation of expiration date exceeding from the customer.

[0082] (The first case) FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the process executed in the first case in the sales data processing system of the present embodiment.

[0083] First, the server 1 (master cooperation unit 101) and the store server 4 (master cooperation unit 401) perform master cooperation at a predetermined timing (for example, during store closing) (step S1).

[0084] During store business hours, the customer uses the mobile POS 3. The customer scans the code symbol with the mobile POS 3 (step S2). That is, the customer holds the label attached to the product in front of the imaging unit 38. As a result, the imaging unit 38 outputs an imaging image including the code symbol displayed on the label. The reading unit 301 reads the code symbol included in the imaging image and outputs the value obtained by decoding the code symbol to the server 1 (step S3).

[0085] The registration unit 102 performs product registration processing when the value obtained by decoding the code symbol does not include expiration information and when the expiration date and time indicated by the expiration information have not exceeded the current date and time. The information added to the transaction information 195 in this process is sent to the mobile POS 3 and added to the transaction information 395. The transaction information 395 is reflected on the screen 351 described below.

[0086] FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the screen 351 displayed on the display unit 35 of the mobile POS 3. The screen 351 is a screen for displaying information on registered products, and includes a total score 3501, a total amount 3502, information 3503 on registered products and the score 3504 of the product, information 3505 on the last registered product and the score 3506 of the product, an operator 3509, and the like.

[0087] The operator 3509 accepts an operation to start the accounting process. When the operator 3509 is operated, the control unit 30 starts processing as the accounting unit 309. The total score 3501 is the number of all registered products. The total amount 3502 is the total selling price of all registered products. The product information 3503, 3505 is, for example, the product name, information on taxation (external tax, internal tax, tax rate, etc.), selling price, and the like.

[0088] When the value obtained by decoding the code symbol contains expiration information, the registration unit 102 passes the value to the expiration check unit 105 and waits for the result. The expiration check unit 105 that has received the value performs an expiration check process (step S4) and returns the result to the registration unit 102.

[0089] When the registration unit 102 receives the expiration check result from the expiration check unit 105, if the expiration check result is an expiration error, that is, if the expiration date and time has passed the current date and time, the product registration process for the code symbol is not performed.

[0090] Also, when the expiration check result of the expiration check unit 105 is an expiration error, the expiration check unit 105 passes the result to the notification unit 106. Upon receiving this, the notification unit 106 notifies the mobile POS 3 of the error (step S5) and notifies the attendant terminal 5 of the occurrence of the error (step S6).

[0091] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the screen 361. When the mobile POS 3 receives the error notification (step S5) from the server 1, the notification unit 306 causes the display unit 35 to display the screen 361, etc., to notify the customer of the expiration error.

[0092] The screen 361 is, for example, a pop-up window that is displayed over the screen being displayed on the display unit 35 of the mobile POS 3 (for example, the screen 352 shown in FIG. 14). FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the screen 352 displayed on the display unit 35 of the mobile POS 3. The screen 352 is a screen that displays information on the registered products, similar to FIG. 12, but in the case where the information (information 3505 and points 3506 in FIG. 12) of the last scanned product is not registered.

[0093] The screen 361 (FIG. 13) includes a statement 3601 reporting the content of the error and an operator 3609 that accepts an operation to approve the statement 3601. The statement 3601 is, for example, "The expiration date has passed. Please replace the product and register it again."

[0094] A customer who has confirmed the text 3601 operates the operator 3609. When the operator 3609 receives the operation, the control unit 30 closes the screen 361. In this case, the screen 352 (FIG. 14) remains on the display unit 35.

[0095] After that, the customer returns the product with an expiration error to the display location (step S7), and returns to step S2 to scan a new code symbol.

[0096] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a screen 561 displayed on the display unit 55 of the attendant terminal 5. When the attendant terminal 5 receives a notification of an error occurrence (step S6) from the server 1, the notification unit 506 causes the display unit 55 to display the screen 561, etc., to inform the store clerk of the occurrence of the expiration error and the countermeasures thereto, and requests a confirmation operation.

[0097] The screen 561 is, for example, a pop-up window that is displayed over the screen being displayed on the display unit 55 of the attendant terminal 5. The screen 561 includes a text 5601 indicating the notification content and an operator 5609 that accepts an operation indicating that the text 5601 has been confirmed. The text 5601 is, for example, "It has been detected that a product with an expired expiration date has been scanned. Please check the sales floor and remove the product with the expired expiration date." Further, the screen 561 may further include an image 5605 or the like for attracting attention.

[0098] As described above, according to the process shown in FIG. 11, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that a product whose expiration date has passed before registration is accidentally registered. Therefore, for example, it is no longer possible for the expiration date to be found at the time of accounting after the customer has finished shopping and left the sales floor, so there is no need to go through the trouble of bringing a replacement product from the sales floor after the start of accounting. Therefore, according to this process, it is possible to reduce the steps when the expiration date set for the product to be purchased has passed.

[0099] (Other screen examples) FIG. 16 is a diagram showing screen 353, which is another example of FIG. 14 (screen 352). Similar to FIGS. 12 and 14, screen 353 is a screen for displaying information on registered products. In implementation, as shown in FIG. 16, on screen 353, information 3505 on products not registered due to an expiration error and their scores 3506 may be displayed in a distinguishable manner from information 3503 on registered products, etc.

[0100] On screen 353, in order to enable the above distinction, information 3505 on products not registered due to an expiration error and their scores 3506 may be displayed in a lighter color, for example, compared to information 3503 on registered products, etc. Also, on screen 353, in order to enable the above distinction, information 3511 indicating the cause of the error, a strikethrough 3512, etc. may be added to information 3505 on products not registered due to an expiration error and their scores 3506. The information 3511 indicating the cause of the error may be a concise statement enclosed in a figure such as an ellipse, or may be a symbol, mark, etc. that can be associated with the cause of the error.

[0101] (Modification example) In the sales data processing system of this embodiment, on the screen 353 shown in FIG. 16, for example, when the display column of information 3505 on an expired product is tapped, a screen for asking whether to purchase the product (a confirmation screen for the purchase intention of an expired product) may be displayed on the display unit 35 of the mobile POS 3. When the purchase intention of the customer is indicated via the above confirmation screen, the sales data processing system redisplays (displays again) information 3505 on the expired product and its score 3506 in a manner close to that of information 3503 on the registered products. Specifically, the redisplay in a close manner is, for example, to remove the strikethrough 3512 from the display column of information 3505 on the expired product.

[0102] (Second case) FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing executed in the second case in the sales data processing system of this embodiment. In the second case, it corresponds to the situation where at least one of the registered products has exceeded its expiration date before accounting, and at the time of accounting, the expiration dates of the registered products are rechecked.

[0103] In this process, since steps S1 to S4 are the same as those in the first case, the description thereof is omitted. After step S4, if the value obtained by decoding the code symbol includes expiration information and the current date and time has not exceeded the expiration date and time indicated by the expiration information, the registration unit 102 performs product registration processing (step S15).

[0104] When the customer operates the operator 3509 during payment (step S21), the accounting unit 309 of the mobile POS 3 checks the information of all registered products. If there is a product with expiration information, it sends a re-check request for all expiration dates to the server 1 with the transaction ID of the ongoing transaction appended (step S22).

[0105] Upon receiving the request, the server 1, in the expiration check unit 105, re-checks whether the current date and time has exceeded the expiration date and time for all products with expiration information that are associated with the transaction ID received together with the request among the transaction information 195 (step S24).

[0106] If there is an expiration error in the result of the re-check, the expiration check unit 105 passes the result to the notification unit 106. Upon receiving this, the notification unit 106 notifies the mobile POS 3 of the error (step S25) and also notifies the attendant terminal 5 of the occurrence of the error (step S26).

[0107] FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of the screen 362. When the control unit 30 of the mobile POS 3 receives the error notification from the server 1 (step S25), it notifies the customer of the error by causing the notification unit 306 to display the screen 362 on the display unit 35 or the like. The screen 362 is, for example, a pop-up window that is displayed over the screen currently being displayed on the display unit 35 of the mobile POS 3.

[0108] The screen 362 includes a statement 3602 that requests confirmation from the customer and an operator 3609 that accepts an operation to approve the statement 3602. The statement 3602 is, for example, "This is a product that requires confirmation by the cashier. Please inform the cashier."

[0109] Customers who have confirmed the classical Chinese 3602 wait for confirmation and operation by the store clerk. When the operator 3609 receives an operation, the control unit 30 closes the screen 362.

[0110] FIG. 19 is a diagram showing an example of a screen 562 displayed on the display unit 55 of the attendant terminal 5. When the attendant terminal 5 receives a notification of an error occurrence (step S26) from the server 1, the notification unit 506 causes the display unit 55 to display the screen 562, etc., to inform the store clerk of the occurrence of an expiration error and how to deal with it.

[0111] The screen 562 is, for example, a pop-up window that is displayed over the screen being displayed on the display unit 55 of the attendant terminal 5. The screen 562 includes a text 5602 indicating the notification content and an operator 5609 that accepts an operation to approve the text 5602. The text 5601 is, for example, "It has been detected that a product with an expired shelf life has been scanned. Please check the customer's basket, replace the product with an expired shelf life, and register it again."

[0112] The store clerk who has confirmed the text 5602 operates the operator 5609. When the operator 5609 receives an operation, the control unit 50 closes the screen 562. Subsequently, the store clerk operates the operation unit 56 to cause the display unit 55 to display a list screen 552 (FIG. 20).

[0113] FIG. 20 is a diagram showing an example of the list screen 552. The list screen 552 includes a list showing the operating status of each terminal (mobile POS 3) in each row. The list includes, for example, items such as a terminal code (an example of identification information), a stay time, a time of the previous operation, the number of registered products, a status (operating status), a cash register No. (identification information of the cash register 6), and a transaction No. (transaction ID).

[0114] The list screen 552 includes a link 5522 to the detailed screen 553 (Fig. 21), with a mark 5521 that evokes the relevant meaning added to the rows that require the attention of the store clerk. When the link 5522 receives an operation, the control unit 50 of the attendant terminal 5 causes the display unit 55 to display the detailed screen 553 (Fig. 21).

[0115] Fig. 21 is a diagram showing an example of the detailed screen 553. The detailed screen 553 includes header information 5531 and detail information 5532. The header information 5531 includes, for example, the terminal code, the total amount and total points of the registered products, etc. The detail information 5532 includes, for example, information regarding the scanning order, product name, quantity, amount, and tax. Furthermore, the detail information 5532 adds a mark 5533 that evokes the relevant meaning and information 5534 indicating the cause of the error to the rows that require the attention of the store clerk, and shows confirmation points 5535. The information 5534 indicating the cause of the error is, for example, a concise statement enclosed in a figure such as an ellipse.

[0116] The store clerk who has confirmed the information of the target mobile POS 3 on the list screen 552 and the detailed screen 553 goes to the place where the customer is waiting and operates the target mobile POS 3. Here, the store clerk carries the store clerk ID card during work. The store clerk ID is displayed on the store clerk ID card as a character string or a code symbol. The store clerk ID is an example of information that can identify the store clerk. The code symbol is the encoded store clerk ID.

[0117] The store clerk who has gone to the place where the customer is waiting holds the code symbol displayed on the store clerk ID card in front of the imaging unit 38 of the mobile POS 3 (step S27). Thereby, the reading unit 301 acquires the store clerk ID. Then, the control unit 30 of the mobile POS 3 causes the display unit 35 to display the screen 363 (Fig. 22).

[0118] Fig. 22 is a diagram showing an example of the screen 363. The content reported by the screen 363 is the same as that of the screen 562, and reports the occurrence of a deadline error to the store clerk and the countermeasures therefor. The screen 363 is, for example, a pop-up window that is displayed over the screen currently being displayed on the display unit 35 of the mobile POS 3.

[0119] The screen 363 includes a text 3603 indicating the notification content and an operator 3609 that accepts an operation to approve the text 3603. The text 3603 is, for example, "There is a product whose expiration date has passed. Please replace the product and register it again."

[0120] The store clerk who has confirmed the text 3603 operates the operator 3609. When the operator 3609 receives the operation, the control unit 30 closes the screen 363 and displays the screen 353 (FIG. 16). The screen 353 displays the information 3505 of the product that was not registered due to the expiration error and its score 3506 in a manner distinguishable from the information 3503 of the registered product, etc.

[0121] Subsequently, the store clerk scans the code symbol attached to the alternative product (step S28). Thereby, the control unit 30 of the mobile POS 3 returns the process to step S3.

[0122] As described above, by the process shown in FIG. 17, when at least one of the registered products has exceeded the expiration date before checkout, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that the product exceeding the expiration date is accidentally purchased.

[0123] (Another screen example) FIG. 23 is a diagram showing a screen 354 which is another example of FIG. 16 (screen 353). The screen 354 is an example when the mobile POS 3 is realized by a tablet-type terminal. The screen 354 can display more information than the screen 353 and further includes, for example, a text 3510 and an operator 3515. The text 3510 is, for example, "There is an expired product. The cashier will check."

[0124] The operator 3515 accepts an operation to cancel the registration of the product indicated by the row in which the operator 3515 is displayed. Since the screen 354 is displayed under the presence of the store clerk after step S27, the operator 3515 for performing an operation to cancel the registration of the product can be included.

[0125] (The third case) FIG. 24 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing executed in a third case in the sales data processing system of the present embodiment. In the third case, when any of the registered products has expired before checkout, the expiration date of the registered product is rechecked at the time of product registration.

[0126] Since steps S15 and above are the same as in the second case, the description thereof is omitted.

[0127] When the customer scans the second and subsequent products (step S31), the control unit 30 of the mobile POS 3 outputs the decoded value of the code symbol read by the reading unit 301 to the server 1 and performs the process of step S32. In step S32, the control unit 30 checks all the registered product information, and if there is a product with expiration information, it sends a request for rechecking all the expiration dates to the server 1 with the transaction ID of the ongoing transaction appended.

[0128] Upon receiving the request, the server 1, in the expiration check unit 105, rechecks whether the expiration date and time of all the products with expiration information that are associated with the transaction ID received together with the request among the transaction information 195 exceed the current date and time (step S34).

[0129] If there is an expiration error in the result of the recheck, the expiration check unit 105 passes the result to the notification unit 106. Upon receiving this, the notification unit 106 notifies the mobile POS 3 of the error (step S35) and notifies the attendant terminal 5 of the occurrence of the error (step S36).

[0130] When the mobile POS 3 receives the error notification from the server 1 (step S35), the notification unit 306 causes the display unit 35 to display the screen 361 (FIG. 13) or the like to notify the customer of the expiration error. The customer who checks the text 3601 on the screen 361 operates the operator 3609. When the operator 3609 receives the operation, the control unit 30 closes the screen 361. In this case, the screen 352 (FIG. 14) or the screen 353 (FIG. 16) remains on the display unit 35.

[0131] After that, the customer returns the product with an expiration error to the display location (step S37), and returns to step S31 to scan a new code symbol.

[0132] As described above, according to the process shown in FIG. 24, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience that a product whose expiration date has passed after registration remains registered until checkout. Also, according to this process, the customer can notice the expiration date at the timing when they can return to the display location (sales floor) of the product, that is, before the start of the checkout process, so they can appropriately exchange the expired product.

[0133] (Fourth case) FIG. 25 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of the process executed in the fourth case in the sales data processing system of the present embodiment. In the fourth case, products with approaching expiration dates are automatically discounted at the time of registration.

[0134] In this process, steps S1 to S3 and steps S21 to S28 are the same as those in the second case, so the description is omitted.

[0135] After step S3, in server 1, if the value obtained by decoding the code symbol by registration unit 102 contains not only the product code but also expiration information as shown in FIG. 6, the value is passed to expiration check unit 105 and the result is awaited. Expiration check unit 105 that has received the value performs an expiration check and returns the result to registration unit 102. In this expiration check, expiration check unit 105 performs a check for automatic discount setting (step S44).

[0136] In step S44, if the (4) value discount processing flag included in the value obtained by decoding the code symbol is "0 (automatic)", the deadline check unit 105 checks the (2) date and time. Further, if the current date and time has passed the (2) date and time, the deadline master 193 is referred to. Subsequently, if "automatic expiration" is "target" in the record of the corresponding product code in the deadline master 193, the selling price is reflected with a value discount according to the "expiration condition", "condition", and "value" of the deadline master 193, and product registration is performed (step S45).

[0137] FIG. 26 is a diagram showing a screen 355 displayed on the display unit 35 of the mobile POS 3. The screen 355 is a screen for displaying information on registered products and is displayed after step S45. On the screen 355, information 3507 on products discounted at the time of registration and its quantity 3508, information 3521 indicating that it has been discounted, information 3522 indicating the discount rate or discount amount, a strikethrough 3523 for canceling the unit price, etc. are displayed together. The information 3521 indicating that it has been discounted may be a simple statement surrounded by a figure such as an ellipse, or may be a symbol or mark that can be associated with the fact that it has been discounted.

[0138] As described above, according to the process shown in FIG. 25, products approaching their expiration date can be automatically discounted. Further, by this, effects such as sales promotion can be expected.

[0139] (Fifth case) FIG. 27 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing executed in the fifth case in the sales data processing system of the present embodiment. In the fifth case, if there is a product whose expiration date has passed at the payment stage, and confirmation of expiration by the customer is obtained, the product is sold.

[0140] In this process, steps S1 to S4, step S15, and steps S21 to S25 are the same as those in the second case, so the description is omitted.

[0141] FIG. 28 is a diagram showing a screen 364 displayed on the display unit 35 of the mobile POS 3. When the control unit 30 of the mobile POS 3 receives an error notification (step S25) from the server 1, the notification unit 306 causes the display unit 35 to display the screen 364 to confirm the customer's intention (step S51). The screen 364 is, for example, a pop-up window that is displayed over the screen currently being displayed on the display unit 35 of the mobile POS 3.

[0142] The screen 364 includes a message 3604 asking the customer for confirmation and an operator 3609 that accepts an operation to approve the message 3604. The message 3604 is, for example, "There is a product with an expired shelf life. Please check the product."

[0143] The customer who has confirmed the message 3604 operates the operator 3609. When the operator 3609 receives the operation, the control unit 30 closes the screen 364 and displays the screen 356 (FIG. 29).

[0144] FIG. 29 is a diagram showing an example of a screen 356 displayed on the display unit 35 of the mobile POS 3. On the screen 356, the information 3505 of the product with the expiration error and its score 3506 are displayed in a distinguishable manner from the information 3503 of the product without the expiration error, etc., together with the operator 3515. The operator 3515 accepts an operation to cancel the registration of the product shown in the row where the operator 3515 is displayed.

[0145] When the customer performs a checkout start operation (operates the operator 3509) without operating the operator 3515, the control unit 30 displays the screen 365 (FIG. 30).

[0146] FIG. 30 is a diagram showing a screen 365 displayed on the display unit 35 of the mobile POS 3. The screen 365 is, for example, a pop-up window that is displayed over the screen currently being displayed on the display unit 35 of the mobile POS 3.

[0147] The screen 365 includes a statement 3605 that requests confirmation from the customer, and operators 3606 and 3607 that accept a response operation to the statement 3605. The statement 3605 is, for example, "There is an expired product. Do you really want to purchase it?" The operator 3606 accepts an operation indicating the intention to purchase an expired product. The operator 3607 accepts an operation indicating the intention not to purchase an expired product.

[0148] The customer who has confirmed the statement 3605 operates the operator 3606 or the operator 3607. When the operator 3607 receives an operation, the control unit 30 closes the screen 365 and returns the display of the display unit 35 to the screen 356.

[0149] Also, when the operator 3606 receives an operation on the screen 365 (step S52), the control unit 30 closes the screen 365 and displays the screen 362 (FIG. 18). The customer who has confirmed the statement 3602 on the screen 362 waits for confirmation and operation by the store clerk. When the operator 3609 receives an operation, the control unit 30 closes the screen 362.

[0150] When the control unit 30 of the mobile POS 3 receives the response operation in step S52, it sends a notification indicating that to the server 1 (step S53).

[0151] When the control unit 10 of the server 1 receives the notification in step S53, it sends a notification indicating that to the attendant terminal 5 (step S54).

[0152] When the control unit 50 of the attendant terminal 5 receives the notification in step S54, the notification unit 506 causes the display unit 55 to display the screen 562 (FIG. 19) or the like to inform the store clerk of the occurrence of the expiration error and the countermeasures therefor.

[0153] The store clerk who confirmed the text 5602 on the screen 562 operates the operator 5609 to close the screen 562, and operates the operation unit 56 to display the list screen 552 (Fig. 20) or the detailed screen 553 (Fig. 21) to check the information of the target mobile POS 3. Then the store clerk goes to the place where the customer is waiting, and covers the code symbol displayed on the store clerk's ID with the imaging unit 38 of the target mobile POS 3 (step S55). Thereby, the reading unit 301 acquires the store clerk ID. Then, the control unit 30 of the mobile POS 3 transmits the accounting information (step S56). This accounting information is information for causing the display unit 35 of the mobile POS 3 to display a code symbol for being read by the accounting machine 6. This code symbol associates information for specifying a transaction (for example, a transaction ID) with the accounting machine 6.

[0154] As described above, according to the process shown in Fig. 27, products whose expiration date has passed at the payment stage can be sold after obtaining confirmation of the expiration date from the customer.

[0155] Note that the above-described embodiments can be appropriately modified and implemented by changing a part of the configuration or function of each of the above-described devices. In addition, each case of the above-described embodiments may be implemented individually or may be implemented in an appropriate combination.

[0156] The programs executed by the respective devices of the above-described embodiments are provided by being pre-embedded in a ROM or the like. The programs executed by the respective devices of the above-described embodiments may be configured to be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), etc. in an installable format or an executable format file and provided.

[0157] Furthermore, the program 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 causing it to be downloaded via the network. Also, the program executed by each device of the above-described embodiments may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0158] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, changes, and combinations can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0159] 1... Server 10... Control unit, 101... Master cooperation unit, 102... Registration unit, 105... Expiration check unit, 106... Notification unit, 107... Expiration processing unit, 11... CPU, 12... ROM, 13... RAM, 14... Communication unit, 19... Storage unit, 191... Program, 192... Product master, 193... Expiration master, 195... Transaction information, 2... Network, 3... Mobile POS (an example of a terminal device), 30... Control unit, 301... Reading unit, 306... Notification unit, 309... Accounting unit, 31... CPU, 32... ROM, 33... RAM, 34... Communication unit, 35... Display unit, 36... Operation unit, 37... Voice output unit, 38... Imaging unit, 39... Storage unit, 391... Program, 395... Transaction information, 4... Store server, 40... Control unit, 401... Master cooperation unit, 41... CPU, 42... ROM, 43... RAM, 44... Communication unit, 49…Memory unit, 491…Program, 492…Product master, 493…Expiration master, 5 …Attendant terminal, 50…Control unit, 501…Setting processing unit, 506…Notification unit, 51…CPU, 52…ROM, 53…RAM, 54…Communication unit, 55…Display unit, 56…Operation unit, 57…Voice output unit, 59…Memory unit, 591…Program, 6 …Accounting machine, 7 …POS terminal, 8 …Self-checkout, 9 …Label printer, 351~356…Screens, 3501…Total points, 3502…Total amount, 3503…Product information, 3504…Product points, 3505…Product information, 3506…Product points, 3507…Product information, 3508…Product points, 3509…Operator, 3510…Text, 3511…Information indicating error cause, 3512…Strikethrough, 3515…Operator, 3521…Information indicating discounted value, 3522…Information indicating discount rate or discount amount, 3523…Strikethrough, 361~365…Screens, 3601~3605…Text, 3606~3609…Operators, 551…Screen, 5501, 5505, 5511, 5512…Columns, 5503, 5504, 5506~5510…Operators, 552…List screen, 5521…Mark, 5522…Link, 553…Detail screen, 5531…Header information, 5532…Detail information, 5533…Mark, 5534…Information indicating error cause, 5535…Confirmation point, 561, 562…Screens, 5601, 5602…Text, 5605…Image, 5609…Operator.

Prior art documents

Patent Document

[0160]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. In a sales data processing system including a terminal device that performs a process of registering product information based on an operation by a customer during a door-to-door sales visit, from the time when there is a first operation which is an operation for registering product information in the terminal device until the time when there is a second operation which is an operation for starting a process related to payment for the registered product, a deadline check unit that performs a check process at least once or more on whether deadline information included in the product information exceeds the current date and time. A sales data processing system comprising the same.

2. The deadline check unit performs the check process when there is the first operation. The sales data processing system according to Claim 1.

3. The deadline check unit performs the check process when there is the second operation. The sales data processing system according to Claim 1.

4. The deadline check unit further performs a check process on whether deadline information included in the information of the registered product exceeds the current date and time when there is the first operation. The sales data processing system according to Claim 2.

5. A deadline processing unit that performs a price discount process based on the difference between the deadline date and time indicated by the deadline information of the product registered by the first operation and the current date and time when there is the first operation. The sales data processing system according to Claim 1, further comprising the same.

6. A program for causing a computer included in a sales data processing system including a terminal device that performs a process of registering product information based on an operation by a customer during a door-to-door sales visit to function as a deadline check unit that performs a check process at least once or more on whether deadline information included in the product information exceeds the current date and time from the time when there is a first operation which is an operation for registering product information in the terminal device until the time when there is a second operation which is an operation for starting a process related to payment for the registered product. as described above.

Images