Article accounting system, article registration device, and program

Abstract

To improve transaction efficiency with respect to semi-self checkout systems.SOLUTION: An article accounting system according to the embodiment includes an accounting medium, a registration unit, and an accounting unit. The accounting medium incorporates a wireless tag. The registration unit registers an article for one transaction and issues the accounting medium in which payment information for settlement of the registered article for one transaction is written into the wireless tag. The accounting unit reads the payment information from the wireless tag of the accounting media, performs settlement for the article pertaining to the one registered transaction, and rewrites the payment information to the status of no outstanding payment when the settlement is completed. The reporting unit reports when the accounting medium passes through and the payment information on the wireless tag is in the status of having outstanding payment.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known an accounting system (hereinafter also referred to as a semi-self-checkout system) in which a store clerk performs a registration operation for registering merchandise information such as merchandise and services using a registration device, and a shopper performs accounting processing using an accounting device. In the semi-self-checkout system, the shopper performs the accounting processing.

[0003] In such a semi-self-checkout system, a plurality of accounting devices may be connected to one registration device. However, in a situation where a store clerk designates at the registration device side which accounting device will perform the accounting processing, that is, the transmission destination of transaction data related to one transaction, there is a risk of congestion on the accounting device side, such as when it takes a long time for a customer to perform accounting at the accounting device. Also, for a shopper (customer), it may be difficult to understand which accounting device to use, such as when the accounting device designated by the store clerk is unclear, and it may be difficult to grasp which accounting device should be used for the accounting processing. For these reasons, there has been room for improvement in the semi-self-checkout system from the viewpoint of improving transaction efficiency.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to improve the efficiency of transactions in a semi-self-checkout system.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] The merchandise accounting system according to the embodiment includes an accounting medium, a registration unit, and an accounting unit. The accounting medium incorporates a wireless tag. The registration unit performs registration of merchandise related to a single transaction, and issues an accounting medium in which payment information for settlement of the merchandise related to the registered single transaction is written to the wireless tag. The accounting unit reads the payment information from the wireless tag of the accounting medium, settles the merchandise related to the registered single transaction, and rewrites the payment information to a state of no outstanding payment when the settlement is completed. The notification unit performs notification when the payment information of the wireless tag is in a state of having outstanding payment when the accounting medium passes through.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0007] Hereinafter, with reference to the drawings, a merchandise accounting system, a merchandise registration device, an accounting device, a gate device, a program, and a recording medium (Computer Program Product) on which the program is recorded according to the embodiment will be described.

[0008] The embodiments described below are embodiments of a merchandise accounting system, a merchandise registration device, an accounting device, a gate device, a program, and a recording medium according to the present disclosure, and do not limit the configuration, specifications, etc. thereof. The embodiments described below are application examples to a POS (Point Of Sales) system introduced in a store such as a supermarket.

[0009] Specifically, the merchandise accounting system according to the embodiment is a system configured to perform transaction processing in a store where a semi-self checkout system such as a supermarket is introduced.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a merchandise accounting system 1 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the merchandise accounting system 1 includes an accounting card 2, a store server 3, a registration machine 4, an accounting machine 5, and an exit gate 6.

[0011] In the merchandise accounting system 1, the store server 3 is communicably connected to each of the registration machine 4, the accounting machine 5, and the exit gate 6 via an arbitrary communication line. As these communication lines, the Internet, a VPN (virtual private network), a LAN (local area network), a public communication network, a mobile communication network, etc. can be used alone or in appropriate combination.

[0012] Also, in the merchandise accounting system 1, each of the store server 3, the registration machine 4, the accounting machine 5, and the exit gate 6 is configured to be capable of wireless communication with the accounting card 2, for example, using short-range wireless communication. Note that this wireless communication may be via the Internet, a VPN, a LAN, a public communication network, a mobile communication network, etc.

[0013] As shown in FIG. 1, the accounting card 2 is an accounting medium incorporating a wireless tag 21 such as an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag. The wireless tag 21 holds (stores) payment information described later so that it can be read and written from the outside using, for example, short-range wireless communication. In the merchandise accounting system 1, at least more accounting cards 2 than the number of accounting machines 5 can be prepared. Preferably, the number of accounting cards 2 is larger than the total number of transactions during merchandise registration and the number of transactions that have been registered and are before the customer leaves the store in that store.

[0014] In addition, in this embodiment, for example, an accounting medium formed as a flat accounting card 2 is illustrated, but it is not limited to this. As an example, the accounting medium may be formed in a shape that is easy for the customer to carry, such as a key holder or a neck strap. As an example, the accounting medium may be formed in a shape that can be attached to a shopping basket or a shopping cart. As an example, the accounting medium may be a shopping basket incorporating the wireless tag 21. As an example, the accounting medium may be a shopping cart incorporating the wireless tag 21.

[0015] In addition, the accounting medium is preferably something that it is unnatural to leave the store while holding. For example, it is preferable that the color and shape of the accounting medium are determined so that it can be easily visually recognized by a store clerk, a security guard, or a monitor, or so that the customer can easily be aware of holding it.

[0016] The store server 3 is at least one server device installed, for example, in the store's backyard or the like. As an example, the store server 3 is installed / operated by an administrator who manages the installed store. Note that the store server 3 is not limited to being installed in the store and may be configured as a cloud server installed on the cloud. Here, the store server 3 according to the embodiment is an example of a management unit.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the store server 3 in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the store server 3 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, a controller 33, and a communication unit 34. The control unit 31, the storage unit 32, the controller 33, and the communication unit 34 are communicably connected via, for example, a bus 39.

[0018] The control unit 31 includes a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) and memories such as a ROM (Read Only Memory) and a RAM (Random Access Memory), and is configured in the same manner as a general computer. For example, the control unit 31 loads various programs stored in a memory such as a ROM or the storage unit 32 into the RAM of the memory, and the processor executes the loaded various programs, thereby realizing each function of the store server 3 including a management unit 311.

[0019] The management unit 311 collects sales information from at least one registration machine 4 provided in the store. For example, the management unit 311 stores the sales information received from the registration machine 4 and manages the store's sales using the stored sales information.

[0020] In addition, the management unit 311 acquires and stores accounting information 323 associated with the identification information (accounting card number) of the accounting card 2 from at least one registration machine 4 provided in the store. That is, the management unit 311 acquires and stores payment information and an image of the customer's face photo respectively associated with the accounting card number. Note that, for example, when the photographing unit 48 is not provided in the registration machine 4, or when a camera capable of photographing the customer's face is provided outside the registration machine 4 in the store, the management unit 311 may acquire an image of the customer's face photo from the camera and store it as accounting information 323 in association with the payment information and the accounting card number of the accounting card 2 acquired from the corresponding registration machine 4.

[0021] In addition, the management unit 311 marks the accounting information 323 as settled in response to a notification of payment completion from the accounting machine 5 including the identification information of the accounting card 2 (for example, the accounting card number). Then, from the perspective of privacy protection, the store server 3 deletes the face image of the customer associated with the accounting card 2 that has been marked as settled.

[0022] Note that as the processor of the control unit 31, other processors may be provided instead of or in addition to the CPU. As other processors, various processors such as GPU (Graphics Processing Unit) and DSP (Digital Signal Processor), and dedicated arithmetic circuits realized by ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) and FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array) can be appropriately used.

[0023] Note that as the memory of the control unit 31, in addition to ROM and RAM, non-volatile recording media such as HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), and Flash memory can be appropriately used.

[0024] The storage unit 32 is a storage device equipped with a non-volatile recording medium such as HDD, SSD, or Flash memory. The storage unit 32 stores various programs related to the operation of the store server 3, various data, device drivers of devices connected to the store server 3 via the controller 33, and the like.

[0025] As an example, the storage unit 32 stores a control program 321, a product master 322, and accounting information 323. For example, the control program 321 includes at least one program for realizing each functional unit of the store server 3. For example, the product master 322 stores product information of each product in association with product identification information for identifying the product. Here, the product identification information is, for example, a product code indicating the product, but any information that can identify the product is acceptable and does not have to be a product code. The accounting information 323 includes payment information related to accounting for each transaction written on each accounting card 2 in each registration device 4. The payment information related to one transaction includes product information such as product codes for each of at least one product for which the product has been registered, unit price and quantity, and the total payment amount. Further, the accounting information 323 includes an image of the customer's face photo for each transaction. That is, the accounting information 323 related to one transaction is information including payment information and a face image respectively associated with the accounting card number (identification information) of the accounting card 2.

[0026] The controller 33 is an input / output interface for connecting a device to the store server 3.

[0027] The communication unit 34 is a communication interface for performing communication between the store server 3 and the outside. The communication unit 34 includes either a communication circuit for wired communication or a communication circuit for wireless communication, and is connected to the above communication line by the communication circuit.

[0028] The registration device 4 is at least one sales data processing device (POS terminal, product registration device) installed in the store. The registration device 4 is configured to be able to execute at least the registration process among the transaction processes related to one transaction for the products purchased in the store, that is, among the product registration process and the settlement process. Here, the registration device 4 according to the embodiment is an example of a registration unit.

[0029] Here, the product registration process is a process of reading and registering product information (product name, product price, etc.) of a product identified by package recognition processing or the like from a product master. Further, the settlement process includes processes such as displaying the total amount and tax amount of products related to a single transaction for which products have been registered, calculating and displaying change based on the deposit received from the customer, and issuing a receipt on which product information and settlement information (total amount, deposit amount, change amount, etc.) are printed.

[0030] Note that the registration machine 4 may be one for a store clerk to perform operations related to transaction processing, or may be a semi-self-service type in which a part of the operations related to settlement processing is performed by a customer. Note that the registration machine 4 may be integrally configured with the store server 3.

[0031] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the registration machine 4 in FIG. 1. As an example, the number of registration machines 4 is less than the number of accounting machines 5. FIG. 3 illustrates registration machines 4-1 and 4-2 as the registration machine 4. Note that the number of registration machines 4 may be one, or may be two or more. Also, the number of registration machines 4 does not necessarily have to be less than the number of accounting machines 5. As shown in FIG. 3, the registration machine 4 includes a control unit 41, a storage unit 42, a controller 43, a communication unit 44, an operation unit 45, a display unit 46, a reading unit 47, and a photographing unit 48. The control unit 41, the storage unit 42, the controller 43, and the communication unit 44 are communicably connected via, for example, a bus 49. The operation unit 45, the display unit 46, the reading unit 47, and the photographing unit 48 are communicably connected to the controller 43, respectively.

[0032] The control unit 41 includes, for example, a processor such as a CPU and a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, and is configured in the same manner as a general computer. For example, the control unit 41 loads various programs stored in a memory such as a ROM or the storage unit 42 into the RAM of the memory, and the processor executes the loaded various programs, whereby the control unit 41 is configured to realize each function of the registration machine 4, including a registration control unit 411, an accounting card issuing unit 412, and a photographing control unit 413.

[0033] The registration control unit 411 controls the reading unit 47 and acquires product identification information for identifying the product to be read. The registration control unit 411 performs a registration process for registering the product based on the product identification information of the read product. In the registration process, the registration control unit 411 determines the payment information for the products related to one transaction for each transaction. Here, the registration control unit 411 according to the embodiment is an example of a registration unit.

[0034] The accounting card issuing unit 412 controls the reading unit 47, acquires an accounting card number (identification information) from an accounting card 2 (accounting medium) held or inserted by a store clerk over the reading unit 47, and recognizes the accounting card 2. Further, the accounting card issuing unit 412 controls the reading unit 47 and performs an issuing process for the recognized accounting card 2. The issuing process of the accounting card 2 includes a writing process of writing the payment information related to one transaction determined by the registration control unit 411 into the wireless tag 21 of the accounting card 2. That is, the accounting card issuing unit 412 issues an accounting card 2 in which the payment information for settlement of the registered product is written in the wireless tag 21. Further, the accounting card issuing unit 412 transmits the payment information written in the accounting card 2 to the store server 3 in association with the accounting card number. Here, the accounting card issuing unit 412 according to the embodiment is an example of an issuing unit.

[0035] Note that the accounting card 2 may be used multiple times a day. For example, after the settlement process is performed on the accounting machine 5 by a customer, it is collected and retrieved by an accounting card collection (return) box provided on the store exit side of the exit gate 6. Therefore, the accounting card issuing unit 412 controls the reading unit 47 and checks whether payment information in a state with unpaid amount is recorded on the accounting card 2 prior to the writing process of writing the payment information. Then, when the accounting card 2 is retrieved in an unaccounted state, that is, when payment information in a state with unpaid amount is recorded on the accounting card 2 before writing the payment information, the accounting card issuing unit 412 notifies the store clerk that theft has occurred. This notification may be made, for example, by a screen display on the display unit 46, or may be made by providing a separate display lamp (warning lamp) on the registration machine 4 and lighting it, or may be made by providing a separate speaker on the registration machine 4 and outputting its voice or notification sound (warning sound).

[0036] The photographing control unit 413 controls the photographing unit 48 and performs a face image acquisition process of photographing the face of a customer related to one transaction and acquiring a face image for each transaction. Further, the photographing control unit 413 associates the acquired face image with the accounting card number related to that one transaction and transmits it to the store server 3. Here, the photographing control unit 413 according to the embodiment is an example of the photographing unit.

[0037] Note that as the processor of the control unit 41 according to the embodiment, various processors such as a GPU and a DSP, or a dedicated arithmetic circuit realized by an ASIC or an FPGA can be appropriately used instead of or in addition to the CPU.

[0038] The storage unit 42 is a storage device including a non-volatile recording medium such as an HDD, an SSD, or a Flash memory. The storage unit 42 stores various programs related to the operation of the registration machine 4, various data, and a device driver of a device connected to the registration machine 4 via the controller 43.

[0039] As an example, the storage unit 42 stores a control program 421 and a product master 422. For example, the control program 421 includes at least one program for realizing each functional unit of the registration machine 4. The product master 422 stores product information of each product in association with product identification information for identifying the product. Here, the product identification information is, for example, a product code indicating the product, but any information that can identify the product is acceptable and does not have to be a product code.

[0040] The controller 43 is an input / output interface for connecting devices to the registration machine 4. In the example of FIG. 3, an operation unit 45, a display unit 46, a reading unit 47, and a photographing unit 48 are connected to the controller 43.

[0041] The communication unit 44 is a communication interface for communicating with the outside of the registration machine 4. The communication unit 44 includes either a communication circuit for wired communication or a communication circuit for wireless communication, and is connected to a communication line by the communication circuit.

[0042] The operation unit 45 is an input interface for receiving operation inputs from users such as store clerks. The operation unit 45 is, for example, a touch panel that is arranged on the display surface (screen) of the display unit 46, detects the touch operation of the operator, and outputs a signal to the control unit 41. As an example, the operation unit 45 is configured to be able to receive operation inputs from the operator for the operation screen displayed on the display unit 46. Note that the operation unit 45 is not limited to a touch panel, and various input devices such as a keyboard, a switch, and a button can be appropriately provided.

[0043] The display unit 46 is configured to be able to display various generated screens according to the control of the control unit 41. As the display unit 46, for example, various display devices such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) and an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display can be appropriately used.

[0044] The reading unit 47 is a device for acquiring product identification information regarding the product to be read. As an example, the reading unit 47 can identify the product by imaging and analyzing symbols such as barcodes or two-dimensional codes attached to the product, or can identify the product based on the shape or appearance of the imaged product, and may be an imaging device (camera) for acquiring product identification information for identifying the corresponding product through package recognition. As an example, the reading unit 47 may be a wireless tag reader for acquiring product identification information for identifying the corresponding product by reading tag information from a wireless tag such as an RFID tag attached to the product using short-range wireless communication. As an example, the reading unit 47 may be a scanner for optically reading symbols such as barcodes or two-dimensional codes attached to the product and acquiring product identification information for identifying the corresponding product.

[0045] Also, the reading unit 47 is a wireless tag reader for reading tag information (identification information such as an accounting card number) from a wireless tag 21 such as an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag attached to an accounting medium such as the accounting card 2 using short-range wireless communication. Also, the reading unit 47 is a wireless tag writer for writing tag information (payment information) to the wireless tag 21 attached to an accounting medium such as the accounting card 2 using short-range wireless communication.

[0046] The photographing unit 48 is configured to be able to photograph in a photographing range including at least the face of the customer who purchases the product related to one transaction for each transaction, and is an imaging device (camera) for acquiring an image including at least the face of the customer. Note that the photographing unit 48 is not an essential component and may not be provided in the registration machine 4. In this case, images of other cameras such as security cameras installed in the store may be used instead of the photographing unit 48, or the processes related to photographing / destroying face images described later may not be performed.

[0047] The accounting machine 5 is at least one accounting device installed in the store. The accounting machine 5 is configured to be capable of executing a settlement process among transaction processes related to one transaction for goods purchased in the store. Here, the accounting machine 5 according to the embodiment is an example of an accounting department.

[0048] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the accounting machine 5 in FIG. 1. As an example, the number of accounting machines 5 is larger than the number of registration machines 4. FIG. 4 illustrates accounting machines 5-1, 5-2, and 5-3 as the accounting machine 5. Note that the number of accounting machines 5 may be one, or may be two, three, or a plurality of four or more. Also, the number of accounting machines 5 does not necessarily have to be larger than the number of registration machines 4. As shown in FIG. 4, the accounting machine 5 includes a control unit 51, a storage unit 52, a controller 53, a communication unit 54, an operation unit 55, a display unit 56, and a reading unit 57. The control unit 51, the storage unit 52, the controller 53, and the communication unit 54 are communicably connected via, for example, a bus 59. The operation unit 55, the display unit 56, and the reading unit 57 are communicably connected to the controller 53, respectively.

[0049] The control unit 51 includes a processor such as a CPU, for example, and a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, and is configured in the same manner as a general computer. For example, the control unit 51 loads various programs stored in a memory such as a ROM or the storage unit 52 into the RAM of the memory, and the processor executes the loaded various programs, thereby realizing each function of the accounting machine 5 including an accounting control unit 511 and an accounting card processing unit 512.

[0050] The accounting control unit 511 reads payment information from the wireless tag 21 of the accounting card 2 and performs settlement for the products registered in the registration device 4. That is, the accounting control unit 511 performs settlement processing for one transaction based on the payment information read by the accounting card processing unit 512, that is, without performing communication such as information requests to the store server 3 or the registration device 4. Further, the accounting control unit 511 transmits a settlement completion notification including the accounting card number (identification information) of the accounting card 2 for which settlement has been performed, the product information of the product for which settlement has been completed (paid item), and the settlement information (that is, sales information) to the store server 3. Note that the settlement information may not be transmitted from the viewpoint of reducing communication volume. Further, when settlement has been completed for all products, instead of the product information of the paid items, notification information indicating that settlement has been completed for all products may be transmitted. Alternatively, when settlement has been completed for all products, only the accounting card number (identification information) of the accounting card 2 for which settlement has been performed may be transmitted, and based on this, the registration device 4 may be configured to recognize that settlement has been completed for all products. Note that when settlement has been completed for all products, at the store server 3, the face image temporarily stored in response to the settlement completion notification is deleted. That is, when settlement has been completed for all products, the accounting control unit 511 transmits the settlement completion notification to the store server 3 to delete (erase) the customer's face image.

[0051] The accounting card processing unit 512 controls the reading unit 57 and acquires the accounting card number (identification information) and payment information from the accounting card 2 (accounting medium) held or inserted by the customer to the reading unit 57, for example. Further, the accounting card processing unit 512 controls the reading unit 57 to rewrite the payment information of the accounting card 2 and erase the payment information of the product for which settlement has been completed (paid item). That is, the accounting card processing unit 512 controls the reading unit 57 to delete the payment information for transactions for which settlement has been completed for all products for which products have been registered. In other words, the accounting card processing unit 512 rewrites the payment information of the accounting card 2 to a state without unpaid amount when settlement is completed.

[0052] Note that, as the processor of the control unit 51 according to the embodiment, instead of or in addition to the CPU, various processors such as GPUs and DSPs, and dedicated arithmetic circuits realized by ASICs and FPGAs can be appropriately used.

[0053] The storage unit 52 is a storage device including a non-volatile recording medium such as an HDD, an SSD, or a Flash memory. The storage unit 52 stores various programs related to the operation of the accounting machine 5, various data, and device drivers of devices connected to the accounting machine 5 via the controller 53.

[0054] As an example, the storage unit 52 stores a control program 521. For example, the control program 521 includes at least one program for realizing each functional unit of the accounting machine 5. Note that a product master may be stored in the storage unit 52.

[0055] The controller 53 is an input / output interface for connecting devices to the accounting machine 5. In the example of FIG. 4, an operation unit 55, a display unit 56, and a reading unit 57 are connected to the controller 53.

[0056] The communication unit 54 is a communication interface for communicating between the accounting machine 5 and the outside. The communication unit 54 includes either a communication circuit for wired communication or a communication circuit for wireless communication, and is connected to a communication line by the communication circuit.

[0057] The operation unit 55 is an input interface for receiving operation inputs from users such as customers. The operation unit 55 is, for example, a touch panel disposed on the display surface (screen) of the display unit 56, which detects the touch operation of the operator and outputs a signal to the control unit 51. As an example, the operation unit 55 is configured to be able to receive operation inputs from the operator for the operation screen displayed on the display unit 56. Note that the operation unit 55 is not limited to a touch panel, and various input devices such as a keyboard, a switch, and a button can be appropriately provided.

[0058] The display unit 56 is configured to be able to display various generated screens in accordance with the control of the control unit 51. As the display unit 56, various display devices such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display can be appropriately used.

[0059] The reading unit 57 is a wireless tag reader for obtaining information necessary for settlement processing by reading tag information from a wireless tag 21 such as an RFID tag attached to the accounting card 2 using short-range wireless communication. The information necessary for settlement processing includes the identification information (accounting card number) of the accounting card 2 and payment information, and is information sufficient for the completion of the settlement processing. Further, the reading unit 57 is a wireless tag writing device for rewriting (or deleting) tag information (payment information) to a wireless tag 21 attached to an accounting medium such as the accounting card 2 using short-range wireless communication.

[0060] The exit gate 6 is a gate device provided between the accounting machine 5 and the store entrance / exit on the movement path where customers move from inside the store to outside the store. The exit gate 6 according to the embodiment is an example of a notification unit.

[0061] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the exit gate 6 in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 5, the exit gate 6 includes a control unit 61, a storage unit 62, a controller 63, a communication unit 64, a reading unit 65, and a notification unit 66. The control unit 61, the storage unit 62, the controller 63, and the communication unit 64 are communicably connected via, for example, a bus 69. The reading unit 65 and the notification unit 66 are communicably connected to the controller 63, respectively.

[0062] The control unit 61 has a processor such as a CPU and a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, and is configured in the same manner as a general computer. For example, the control unit 61 loads various programs stored in a memory such as a ROM or the storage unit 62 into the RAM of the memory, and the processor executes the loaded various programs, thereby realizing each function of the exit gate 6 including a payment status confirmation unit 611 and a notification control unit 612.

[0063] The payment status confirmation unit 611 controls the reading unit 65 to obtain, for example, the accounting card number (identification information) and payment information from the accounting card 2 (accounting medium) held by a customer passing through the exit gate 6. Further, the payment status confirmation unit 611 confirms, based on the read payment information, whether the state is one without outstanding payment (paid), that is, whether there is payment information for goods for which settlement has not been completed.

[0064] The notification control unit 612 controls the notification unit 66 to perform a notification process for notifying, for example, when the accounting card 2 held by a customer passing through the exit gate 6 is in a state with outstanding payment. In other words, the notification control unit 612 performs a notification when the payment information of the wireless tag 21 is in a state with outstanding payment when the accounting card 2 passes. This notification may be one that issues an alert by the notification unit 66. As the alert, it may be one that outputs a warning sound or voice, or one that lights a display lamp in a warning color (for example, red), or one that lights a dedicated warning lamp, or one that notifies a portable terminal carried by a store clerk, security guard, monitor, etc., or a combination thereof. Further, in the notification process, when the accounting card 2 is in a state without outstanding payment (paid), the notification control unit 612 may not perform any processing, or may notify, for example, by lighting a display lamp in a normal color (for example, blue), that there is no outstanding payment. Further, in the notification process, the notification control unit 612 may notify the store server 3 of the accounting card number of the accounting card 2 in a state with outstanding payment, or may notify the store server 3 of the confirmation result of the payment status regarding each read accounting card number.

[0065] Note that there may also be a configuration in which, for outstanding payment information, a customer performs a settlement process after leaving the store using a membership application (application program) installed on a portable terminal such as a smartphone. For this reason, the notification at the exit gate 6 may not be limited to a warning, but may be one that notifies the customer side and / or the store clerk side of whether the payment has been made.

[0066] In the notification process, the notification control unit 612 may notify the customer side and / or the store clerk side when the customer has passed through the exit gate 6 but the accounting card 2 cannot be read.

[0067] Note that as the processor of the control unit 61 according to the embodiment, instead of or in addition to the CPU, various processors such as GPUs and DSPs, and dedicated arithmetic circuits realized by ASICs and FPGAs can be appropriately used.

[0068] The storage unit 62 is a storage device including a non-volatile recording medium such as an HDD, an SSD, or a Flash memory. The storage unit 62 stores various programs related to the operation of the exit gate 6, various data, and device drivers of devices connected to the exit gate 6 via the controller 53.

[0069] As an example, the storage unit 62 stores a control program 621. For example, the control program 621 includes at least one program for realizing each functional unit of the exit gate 6.

[0070] The controller 63 is an input / output interface for connecting a device to the exit gate 6. In the example of FIG. 5, a reading unit 65 and a notification unit 66 are connected to the controller 63.

[0071] The communication unit 64 is a communication interface for communicating with the outside of the exit gate 6. The communication unit 64 includes either a communication circuit for wired communication or a communication circuit for wireless communication, and is connected to a communication line by the communication circuit.

[0072] The reading unit 65 is a wireless tag reader for acquiring information necessary for the payment status confirmation process by reading tag information from a wireless tag 21 such as an RFID tag attached to the accounting card 2 using short-range wireless communication. The information necessary for the payment status confirmation process includes the identification information (accounting card number) of the accounting card 2 and payment information, and is information sufficient for determining whether there is unpaid payment information.

[0073] The notification unit 66 may be a speaker that outputs a warning sound or voice, a display lamp, or a combination thereof. As the display lamp, it may be one that lights up in a warning color (for example, red) to notify when there is unpaid payment information. Also, as the display lamp, it may be one that lights up in a normal color (for example, blue) when there is no unpaid amount (paid). Further, as the display lamp, it may be one that performs notification by its blinking or lighting.

[0074] Here, with reference to the drawings, an operation example of the merchandise accounting system 1 having the above configuration will be described.

[0075] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of one transaction in the merchandise accounting system 1 according to the embodiment. Note that the flow in FIG. 6 is merely an example, and addition, deletion, and order change of steps can be arbitrarily performed.

[0076] First, the store clerk operates the registration machine 4 to perform a product registration process for registering at least one product purchased by the customer (S1). Then, the registration machine 4 refers to the product master 422 for the registered product to determine the payment amount and determines the payment information related to the transaction (S2).

[0077] Then, the store clerk causes the registration machine 4 to recognize the accounting card 2, associates the identification information of the accounting card 2 with the determined payment information, writes the determined payment information on the accounting card 2, and issues the accounting card 2 (S3). In this case, the accounting card 2 is in a state with an unpaid amount. The store clerk hands the issued accounting card 2 to the customer. Also, the registration machine 4 takes a picture of an image including the face of the customer of that transaction (S4). After that, the registration machine 4 transmits the payment information, image, that is, the accounting information, respectively associated with the identification information of the accounting card 2 to the store server 3.

[0078] Here, if the customer does not have the intention of theft (S5: No), the customer takes the accounting card 2 handed over by the store clerk and moves to an arbitrary accounting machine 5. Also, the customer performs a settlement process (S6) by having the accounting machine 5 read the accounting card 2. Further, the accounting machine 5 rewrites and deletes the payment information in the accounting card 2 for the merchandise for which the settlement process has been completed (accounted-for item). That is, when the settlement process is completed, the accounting machine 5 rewrites the accounting card 2 to a state where there is no outstanding payment (paid). Also, the accounting machine 5 notifies the store server 3 of the completion of the settlement. The notification of the completion of the settlement includes, for example, the identification information (e.g., accounting card number) of the accounting card 2. Then, the store server 3 sets the accounting information 323 as accounted-for in response to the notification of the completion of the settlement from the accounting machine 5. And the store server 3 discards the customer's face image of the accounting information 323 associated with the accounting card 2 that has been set as accounted-for from the perspective of privacy protection (S7).

[0079] Here, if the customer has the intention of theft (S5: Yes), the customer tries to leave the store with at least one item unaccounted for and moves towards the store exit without making a payment at the accounting machine 5 (S8). In this case, the payment information on the accounting card 2 has not been rewritten for all the merchandise for which it has been registered and remains in a state with outstanding payment.

[0080] After that, the security exit gate 6 provided at the store exit reads the accounting card 2 held by the passing customer (S9).

[0081] When the accounting card 2 has no outstanding payment (S10: Yes), the exit gate 6 may not perform any special processing. Alternatively, the exit gate 6 may, for example, turn on an indicator light in a normal color (e.g., blue) to notify that there is no outstanding payment. Then, the customer who has passed through the exit gate 6 returns the accounting card 2 that was held in the return box installed on the store exit side of the exit gate 6, that is, the place beyond the exit gate 6 (S11). Here, the accounting return box only needs to be able to collect the accounting card 2 returned by the customer, and it may be a simple box, or it may have a structure that prevents the customer from taking it out after dropping it in, like a donation box, for example.

[0082] On the other hand, when the accounting card 2 has an outstanding payment (S10: No), the exit gate 6 issues an alert (S12).

[0083] Figure 7 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow related to a single transaction executed by the product accounting system 1 according to the embodiment. Note that the processing flow in Figure 7 is only an example, and steps can be added, deleted, and reordered arbitrarily.

[0084] The registration machine 4 performs the registration process of the products related to a single transaction and determines the payment information (S101). Then, the registration machine 4 obtains the accounting card number (identification information) from the accounting card 2 (accounting medium) held or inserted by the clerk in front of the reading unit 47, for example, and recognizes the accounting card 2 (S102).

[0085] The registration machine 4 performs the issuance process for the recognized accounting card 2 (S103). In the issuance process of the accounting card 2, the registration machine 4 writes the payment information related to that single transaction to the accounting card 2 (S104). Also, the registration machine 4 performs the process of obtaining a face image, which captures the face of the customer related to that single transaction and obtains the face image (S105). Then, the registration machine 4 associates the payment information and the face image related to that single transaction with the accounting card number of the accounting card 2 and transmits them to the store server 3. Note that the registration machine 4 may transmit the payment information and the face image to the store server 3 separately.

[0086] The accounting machine 5 performs accounting processing related to an accounting card 2 (accounting medium) that has been held or inserted by a customer over the reading unit 57 (S106). At this time, the accounting machine 5 acquires an accounting card number (identification information) and payment information from the accounting card 2 (S107). Then, the accounting machine 5 performs settlement processing for the goods related to a single transaction based on the payment information read from the accounting card 2, that is, without making an inquiry to the store server 3 or the registration machine 4.

[0087] In addition, the accounting machine 5 performs an erasure process on the accounting card 2 for the goods for which settlement has been completed (S108). In the erasure process, the accounting machine 5 rewrites the payment information on the accounting card 2 to erase the payment information for the goods for which settlement has been completed (paid items). That is, for transactions in which settlement has been completed for all the goods registered on the accounting card 2, the payment information is deleted from the accounting card 2.

[0088] Then, for transactions in which settlement has been completed for all the goods registered on the accounting card 2, the accounting machine 5 performs a disposal process on the customer's face image (S110). In the disposal process of the face image, the accounting machine 5 transmits a settlement completion notice including the accounting card number (identification information) of the accounting card 2 for which settlement has been performed to the store server 3. Also, at the store server 3, the face image is deleted from the accounting information 323 in response to the notice from the accounting machine 5. That is, the accounting machine 5 discards the face image related to that single transaction by transmitting a settlement completion notice to the store server 3.

[0089] The exit gate 6 performs a confirmation process of the payment status (S111). In the confirmation process, the exit gate 6 reads the payment information of the passing accounting card 2 (S112). Also, the exit gate 6 checks whether the passing accounting card 2 is in a state without outstanding payment (paid). Then, the exit gate 6 performs a notification process based on the confirmation process of the payment status (S113). For example, the exit gate 6 notifies in the case of a state with outstanding payment.

[0090] As described above, the merchandise accounting system 1 according to the embodiment is a semi-self-checkout system, which issues an accounting card 2 storing payment information based on a registration process, and is configured to perform a settlement process based on the payment information.

[0091] According to this configuration, since the data necessary for the settlement process is recorded on the accounting card 2, it is possible to realize a settlement process starting from the accounting card 2 and based on the information stored on the accounting card 2. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the labor of the store clerk to specify at the registration machine 4 which accounting machine 5 the customer will use for accounting. In addition, since the customer can use any accounting machine 5 such as an available accounting machine 5, in a situation where it is difficult to understand which accounting machine 5 is designated by the store clerk, or in a situation where it is difficult to grasp which accounting machine 5 should be used for the settlement (accounting) process, or a situation where it takes time to reach the designated accounting machine 5, such situations can be eliminated. For this reason, according to the above configuration, since it is possible to reduce the risk of congestion on the accounting machine side and improve the efficiency of transactions, it is also possible to reduce the number of accounting machines 5 per registration machine 4.

[0092] In addition, in a store such as a supermarket, unlike a system that can perform accounting using a medical examination ticket associated with an individual such as a hospital, it is necessary to perform accounting for a casual customer at a glance. Under such circumstances, according to the above configuration, since the payment information is entered in the accounting card 2, it is possible to realize a settlement process based on the information stored in the accounting card 2 even for accounting for a casual customer at a glance.

[0093] In addition, since the payment information is entered in the accounting card 2, inquiries from the accounting machine 5 to the store server 3 or the registration machine 4 in the settlement process can be eliminated, and accounting similar to the conventional semi-self-service accounting can be realized even in an offline environment. At the same time, the data communication volume of the accounting machine 5 can be reduced as one-way communication from the accounting machine 5 to the master (store server 3). Reducing the data communication volume of the accounting machine 5 reduces the load on the master side and is also useful for wireless communication between the accounting machine 5 and the outside.

[0094] In addition, since the payment information is stored on the accounting card 2, even if the accounting card 2 is discovered at a later date, that is, even if the information related to the transaction has been deleted from the master of the store server 3, the store side can grasp the payment information related to the outstanding transaction.

[0095] In addition, since the payment information is stored on the accounting card 2, even if there is fraud such as theft (unpaid) or if the accounting card 2 is discovered at a later date and no information remains on the store server 3, it is possible to determine what was stolen.

[0096] In addition, the accounting card 2 is a card-shaped accounting medium with a built-in wireless tag 21 and is relatively inexpensive. Therefore, even if the accounting card 2 cannot be retrieved, for example, if the customer takes it home without returning it to the return box, the loss to the store side is small.

[0097] In addition, since the notification is made at the exit gate 6 based on the payment information of the accounting card 2, store clerks, security guards, and monitors only need to monitor obvious abnormal behaviors of customers, such as leaving the store with only the accounting card 2, so the labor involved in monitoring fraud can be reduced.

[0098] Note that in the above-described embodiment, an example was given in which the notification is made based on whether there are unaccounted items (products) as the payment information, but it is not limited to this. The accounting card 2 may store flag information indicating whether there are unaccounted products, and the notification may be made at the exit gate 6 based on this flag information.

[0099] Note that when the exit gate 6 is provided with a door, it may be configured to open the door according to the return of the accounting card 2 or its payment status.

[0100] According to at least one of the embodiments described above, regarding the semi-self-checkout system, it is possible to improve the efficiency of transactions.

[0101] In the above-described embodiment, "determining whether it is A" may mean "determining that it is A", or "determining that it is not A", or "determining whether it is A or not".

[0102] Note that each control program executed by each device of the merchandise accounting system 1 of the present embodiment may be provided by being pre-embedded in a recording medium such as a ROM.

[0103] Each control program executed by each device of the merchandise accounting system 1 of the present embodiment 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.

[0104] Furthermore, each control program executed by each device of the merchandise accounting system 1 of the present embodiment may be configured to be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network for providing. Also, each control program executed by each device of the merchandise accounting system 1 of the present embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0105] For example, the control program 321 executed by the store server 3 of the present embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described respective parts (management part 311). The processor of the control part 31 reads the control program 321 from the above recording medium and loads the above respective parts onto a main storage device such as the RAM of the control part 31. Thereby, the above respective parts are generated on the main storage device.

[0106] For example, the control program 421 executed by the registration machine 4 of the present embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described respective units (registration control unit 411, accounting card issuing unit 412, and photographing control unit 413). The processor of the control unit 41 reads the control program 421 from the recording medium and loads the respective units onto a main storage device such as the RAM of the control unit 41. Thereby, the respective units are generated on the main storage device.

[0107] For example, the control program 521 executed by the accounting machine 5 of the present embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described respective units (accounting control unit 511 and accounting card processing unit 512). The processor of the control unit 51 reads the control program 521 from the recording medium and loads the respective units onto a main storage device such as the RAM of the control unit 51. Thereby, the respective units are generated on the main storage device.

[0108] For example, the control program 621 executed by the exit gate 6 of the present embodiment has a module configuration including the above-described respective units (payment status confirmation unit 611 and notification control unit 612). The processor of the control unit 61 reads the control program 621 from the recording medium and loads the respective units onto a main storage device such as the RAM of the control unit 61. Thereby, the respective units are generated on the main storage device.

[0109] 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, and changes 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 included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0110] 1 Commodity accounting system 2 Accounting card 21 Wireless tag 3 Store server 31 Control Unit 311 Management Unit 32 Memory Unit 321 Control Program 322 Product Master 323 Accounting Information 33 Controller 34 Communication Unit 39 Bus 4 Registration Machine (Product Registration Device) 41 Control Unit 411 Registration Control Unit 412 Accounting Card Issuing Unit 413 Photography Control Unit 42 Memory Unit 421 Control Program 422 Product Master 43 Controller 44 Communication Unit 45 Operation Unit 46 Display Unit 47 Reading Unit 48 Photography Unit 49 Bus 5 Accounting Machine (Accounting Device) 51 Control Unit 511 Accounting Control Unit 512 Accounting Card Processing Unit 52 Memory Unit 521 Control Program 53 Controller 54 Communication Unit 55 Operation Unit 56 Display Unit 57 Reading Unit 59 Bus 6 Exit Gate 61 Control Unit 611 Payment Status Confirmation Unit 612 Notification Control Unit 62 Memory Unit 621 Control Program 63 Controller 64 Communication Unit 65 Reading Unit 66 Notification Unit 69 Bus

Prior Art Documents

Patent Document

[0111]

Patent Document 1

Claims

1. An accounting medium incorporating a wireless tag, A registration unit that registers products related to a transaction and issues the accounting medium in which payment information for settlement of the products related to the registered transaction is written in the wireless tag, An accounting unit that reads the payment information from the wireless tag of the accounting medium, settles the products related to the registered transaction, and rewrites the payment information to a state without outstanding payment when the settlement is completed, An information notification unit that performs notification when the payment information of the wireless tag is in a state with outstanding payment when the accounting medium passes through, A product accounting system.

2. A photographing unit configured to be able to photograph at least the face of a customer who purchases products related to the transaction within a photographing range, A management unit that associates and stores the payment information and the face image photographed by the photographing unit with the identification information of the accounting medium, The product accounting system according to claim 1.

3. When the settlement of the products related to the registered transaction is completed, the accounting unit notifies the management unit of the completion of the settlement, The management unit discards the face image in response to the notification of the completion of the settlement from the accounting unit, The product accounting system according to claim 2.

4. Before writing the payment information, the registration unit performs notification when payment information in a state with outstanding payment is recorded in the wireless tag of the accounting medium, The product accounting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A registration unit that registers products related to a transaction, An issuing unit that issues the accounting medium by writing payment information including product information, unit price, quantity, and total payment amount for each of at least one product for which product registration has been performed, which is information for settlement of the products related to the registered transaction, into a wireless tag incorporated in the accounting medium, A product registration device.

6. Register products related to a transaction, By writing payment information including product information, unit price, quantity, and total payment amount for each of at least one product for which product registration has been performed, which is information for settlement of the products related to the registered transaction, into a wireless tag incorporated in the accounting medium, issue the accounting medium, A program for causing a computer to execute the above.

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