Gate device

Abstract

To enable a state of a gate device to be monitored without locating a shop clerk close to the gate device.SOLUTION: The gate device includes a gate mechanism, a light emitter, a switching part, and a control part. The gate mechanism is located along a passage through which a customer passes. The light emitter is provided above the gate mechanism. The switching part switches an operation mode of the gate mechanism between a first mode of performing notification when a person walking on the passage is detected by a detector that detects a person passing through the passage and a second mode of not performing notification even when a person walking on the passage is detected by the detector. The control part changes a light emission state of the light emitter when in the first mode and when in the second mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD An embodiment of the present invention relates to a gate device. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, store systems have been developed that allow customers to register their purchases using a mobile terminal in the sales floor where products are displayed, and then pay for those purchases by operating a cash register in a separate cash register. Introducing this type of store system in supermarkets and other mass retailers can alleviate congestion at cash registers. It also reduces labor costs by reducing the number of cashiers (employees).

[0003] However, since no store clerk is involved in the payment, there is a concern that fraud may occur if a customer leaves the store without paying. Therefore, it has been considered to install a gate device in the passageway leading to the exit of the cashier area that allows customers who have completed their payment to pass through. However, installing a gate device requires a store clerk to respond when a customer is unable to pass through. The clerk must wait near the gate device to monitor its status, which is inefficient. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-153157 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a gate device that can monitor the state of the device without having to station a store employee near the device. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In one embodiment, the gate device includes a gate mechanism, a light emitter, a switching unit, and a control unit. The gate mechanism is arranged along a passageway through which customers pass. The light emitter is provided above the gate mechanism. The switching unit switches the operation mode of the gate mechanism between a first mode in which a detector that detects a person passing through the passageway issues a notification when the detector detects a person passing through the passageway, and a second mode in which no notification is issued even when the detector detects a person passing through the passageway. The control unit changes the light emission state of the light emitter between the first mode and the second mode. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general configuration of a store system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data described in a transaction file. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the gate device. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a gate mechanism. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main functional configuration of the processor of the gate device. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the main information processing procedures executed by the processor of the gate device. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the main information processing procedures executed by the processor of the gate device. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the main information processing procedures executed by the processor of the gate device. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the no-entry image and the patrol lamp. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the warning image and the state of the patrol lamp. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the confirmation image and the state of the patrol lamp. [Figure 12]FIG. 12 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the store clerk call image and the patrol lamp. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the state of the passage permission image and the patrol lamp. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a traffic error image and the state of a patrol lamp. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a checkout image and the status of a patrol lamp. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating the state transition of the patrol lamp in this embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating the state transition of a patrol lamp in another embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a gate device that can monitor the state of the device without having a store clerk stationed near the device will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a gate device of a store system is illustrated in which a customer, who is a transaction target, operates a mobile terminal to register purchased items and then operates a cash register to pay for the purchased items. First, the store system will be described.

[0009] [Outline of store system] 1 is a schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a store system 100 according to one embodiment. The store system 100 comprises a sales floor system 10 established in a sales floor where products are displayed, and a checkout area system 20 established in a checkout area separated from the sales floor.

[0010] The sales floor system 10 includes a plurality of mobile terminals 11 and a mobile server 12. The sales floor system 10 wirelessly connects the plurality of mobile terminals 11 and the mobile server 12 via an access point 14 of a communication network 13.

[0011] The mobile terminal 11 is a portable information terminal equipped with input / output devices such as a touch panel and a camera, and a wireless communication unit capable of wireless communication with the access point 14. For example, the mobile terminal 11 can be a smartphone owned by a customer, a handheld terminal rented by a store, or a tablet terminal attached to a shopping cart. For example, a smartphone can become the mobile terminal 11 by installing application software, a so-called shopping app, that supports customers' shopping in a store where the sales floor system 10 has been installed.

[0012] Mobile terminal 11 is operated by a customer who moves around the sales floor and collects items for purchase. Each time a customer acquires an item, they operate mobile terminal 11 to input data related to that item. For example, a customer may input the item code of a purchased item by scanning the barcode of the purchased item with the camera of mobile terminal 11. For example, a customer may input the item code, purchase quantity, etc. of the purchased item by operating the touch panel of mobile terminal 11. The data related to the purchased items input to mobile terminal 11 is wirelessly transmitted and received by mobile server 12 via access point 14.

[0013] The mobile server 12 is a computer that supports transactions with customers who register items for purchase using the mobile terminal 11. The mobile server 12 has a memory area for storing multiple transaction files 16. The transaction files 16 are data files that are created for each transaction with a customer who uses the mobile terminal 11.

[0014] 2 is a schematic diagram showing the main data described in the transaction file 16. As shown in the figure, the transaction file 16 describes the transaction number, transaction date and time, one or more product sales data, total data, payment data, settlement completion flag Fa, etc.

[0015] The transaction number is a unique number that is issued to individually identify a transaction using the mobile terminal 11. For example, the transaction number is a sequential number that increments by "1" each time a transaction using the mobile terminal 11 is initiated. The transaction number may also be a sequential number that increments by "1" each time a payment instruction is issued for a transaction using the mobile terminal 11. The transaction number may also be a unique number based on another algorithm.

[0016] The transaction date and time is the date and time when the transaction was made. The time may be the time when the transaction was initiated or the time when the transaction was instructed to be paid for.

[0017] The product sales data is created based on data related to the purchased products entered into the mobile terminal 11. The product sales data includes the product code, price, number of items purchased, purchase amount, etc. of the purchased product. The product code is an identification code of the purchased product entered into the mobile terminal 11. The price is a price obtained from a PLU (Price Look Up) file in which the price of each product is set in association with the product code of that product. The number of items purchased is the number of items entered into the mobile terminal 11 if the number of items purchased has been entered, and is "1" if the number of items purchased has not been entered. The purchase amount is calculated by multiplying the price by the number of items purchased.

[0018] The total data consists of data on the total number of items and the total price. The total number of items is the total number of items purchased in the product sales data included in the transaction file 16. The total price is the total price of the product sales data included in the transaction file 16.

[0019] The payment data includes a payment type to identify the payment method and the payment amount for that payment method. When a transaction identified by a transaction number is settled at the accounting machine 21 (described later), the payment data is written to the transaction file 16.

[0020] The settlement completion flag Fa is one-bit data for identifying whether or not the settlement of the transaction managed in the transaction file 16 has been completed. In this embodiment, the settlement completion flag Fa indicating that the settlement has not been completed is set to "0," and the settlement completion flag Fa indicating that the settlement has been completed is set to "1."

[0021] Returning to the explanation of Figure 1. After completing their shopping, the customer operates the mobile terminal 11 to instruct the checkout. When this operation is performed, a machine-readable code for the checkout is displayed on the display device of the mobile terminal 11. The machine-readable code is, for example, a barcode or two-dimensional code. In this embodiment, the machine-readable code is referred to as a barcode. Hereinafter, the machine-readable code for the checkout (barcode) will be referred to as the checkout barcode. The checkout barcode contains information for identifying the transaction file 16. This information is, for example, a transaction number. The customer can make a payment at the checkout machine 21 by having the scanner of the checkout machine 21 read the checkout barcode. Payment at the checkout machine 21 may be cashless payment such as electronic money payment, credit card payment, or code payment, or may be payment by cash or a voucher such as a gift certificate.

[0022] If application software for cashless payment, a so-called payment app, is installed on the mobile terminal 11, payment can be made using the mobile terminal 11. Payment can be made using cashless methods such as electronic money, credit card, or code payment. When a customer operates the mobile terminal 11 for cashless payment, payment data is wirelessly transmitted from the mobile terminal 11. The payment data includes a payment type indicating the payment method and a payment amount. For example, if a consumer makes a cashless payment using electronic money, payment data including information on the payment type indicating the electronic money and the payment amount using electronic money is wirelessly transmitted. The wirelessly transmitted payment data is received by the mobile server 12 via the access point 14.

[0023] The checkout site system 20 includes multiple payment machines 21, a store server 22, and an attendant terminal 23. The checkout site system 20 connects the multiple payment machines 21, the store server 22, and the attendant terminal 23 via a communications network 24. The communications network 24 is, for example, a LAN. Note that while only one attendant terminal 23 is shown in FIG. 1, two or more attendant terminals 23 may be connected to the communications network 24 to configure the checkout site system 20.

[0024] The checkout system 20 connects a communication server 31 to the communication network 24. The sales floor system 10 connects a communication server 32 to the communication network 13. The store system 100 connects the communication servers 31 and 32 via an inter-server network 30. This connection enables data to be sent and received between the checkout machines 21 and store server 22 in the checkout system 20 and the mobile terminals 11 and mobile server 12 in the sales floor system 10.

[0025] The payment machines 21 include a first payment machine 21-1 equipped with a gate mechanism 40 and a second payment machine 21-2 not equipped with a gate mechanism 40. The first payment machine 21-1 equipped with the gate mechanism 40 is an example of a gate device. The gate device, i.e., the first payment machine 21-1 equipped with the gate mechanism 40, will be described in detail later.

[0026] The second payment machine 21-2 is a device for settling transactions with customers who have registered their purchases by themselves using the mobile terminal 11. The second payment machine 21-2 can be a well-known payment machine also known as a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal, payment terminal, etc. The second payment machine 21-2 is typically a self-service type in which the customer performs the operations to settle the transaction themselves. The second payment machine 21-2 may also be a face-to-face type in which the operations to settle the transaction are performed by a store clerk.

[0027] The second payment device 21-2 is equipped with a scanner for reading the payment barcode. By reading the payment barcode with the scanner, the second payment device 21-2 obtains the transaction file 16 identified by the information in the payment barcode from the mobile server 12. The second payment device 21-2 then settles the transaction based on the data in the transaction file 16. As mentioned above, the payment may be cashless, such as electronic money, credit card, or code payment, or it may be cash or a gift certificate.

[0028] Each time a transaction is settled, the second payment device 21-2 issues a receipt that records transaction details such as the transaction number, transaction date and time, product sales data, total data, payment data, etc. The second payment device 21-2 then prints the payment barcode read by the scanner on the receipt.

[0029] The receipt may be displayed in the form of an electronic receipt on the mobile terminal 11 held by the customer. Similar to paper receipts, electronic receipts contain information recording transaction details such as the transaction number, transaction date and time, product sales data, total data, and payment data. This electronic receipt also displays a transaction barcode. However, the information recording the transaction details may not be displayed, and only the transaction barcode may be displayed on the mobile terminal 11.

[0030] The store server 22 is a computer that provides services such as managing information such as store sales and inventory at the time of product sales by collecting and aggregating transaction data settled at each accounting machine 21 via the communication network 24.

[0031] The attendant terminal 23 is installed at an attendant counter located in a part of the checkout area where a store clerk known as an attendant is always present. The attendant terminal 23 is equipped with a display device and is used by the clerk to monitor the input contents at each payment machine 21. Specifically, the attendant terminal 23 displays information being processed at each payment machine 21 in real time on the display device. The information displayed on the display device includes product sales data for transactions settled at the payment machine 21, such as product name, price, and quantity. The display device also displays the total amount of the transaction (payment amount), the amount paid by payment method, and the like. The attendant terminal 23 may be a handheld terminal carried by the clerk. By using a handheld terminal as the attendant terminal 23, a clerk does not need to be always present at the attendant counter.

[0032] [Gate device configuration explanation] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the first payment machine 21-1 and gate mechanism 40 that make up the gate device. The first payment machine 21-1 includes a processor 51, main memory 52, auxiliary storage device 53, clock 54, communication interface 55, touch panel 56, fixed scanner 57, printer 58, scanner interface 59, card reader interface 60, change dispenser interface 61, gate mechanism interface 62, and system transmission path 63. The system transmission path 63 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines. The system transmission path 63 connects the processor 51 to the other components and transmits data signals exchanged between them.

[0033] The first accounting machine 21-1 is configured as a computer by connecting a processor 51, a main memory 52, an auxiliary storage device 53, a clock 54, and a communication interface 55 via a system transmission path 63. Input / output devices such as a touch panel 56, a fixed scanner 57, and a printer 58, as well as device interfaces such as a scanner interface 59, a card reader interface 60, a change dispenser interface 61, and a gate mechanism interface 62, are connected to the system transmission path 63 and controlled by a computer, thereby realizing the functions of the first accounting machine 21-1. Note that the input / output devices and device interfaces connected to the system transmission path 63 are not limited to those described above. For example, other input / output devices such as a keyboard may be connected, or a cashless payment terminal interface may be connected.

[0034] The processor 51 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 51 controls each part to realize various functions of the gate device in accordance with an operating system or an application program. The processor 51 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 51 is preferably a multi-core processor that includes multiple processor cores and can execute multiple processes in parallel.

[0035] The main memory 52 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 52 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 52 stores an operating system or application programs in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 52 may store data required for the processor 51 to execute processes for controlling each part in either the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 52 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten by the processor 51 as appropriate. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0036] The auxiliary storage device 53 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM (registered trademark) (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or an SSD (Solid State Drive) can be the auxiliary storage device 53. The auxiliary storage device 53 stores data used by the processor 51 when performing various processes, data created by the processes in the processor 51, etc. The auxiliary storage device 53 may also store the above-mentioned application programs.

[0037] The clock 54 keeps track of the date and time. The processor 51 processes the date and time kept by the clock 54 as the current date and time.

[0038] The communication interface 55 is an interface for performing data communication with the store server 22, the attendant terminal 23, the communication server 31, etc., which are connected to the communication network 24.

[0039] The touch panel 56 includes a display that functions as a display device for the first payment device 21-1 and a touch sensor that functions as an input device. The touch panel 56 displays various information on the display for the customer or store clerk who is the user of the first payment device 21-1. The touch panel 56 detects touch operations on the display screen with the touch sensor and accepts input according to the touch position.

[0040] The fixed scanner 57 is an input device that scans and reads machine-readable codes such as barcodes or two-dimensional codes. The fixed scanner 57 can read accounting barcodes printed on receipts issued by the second accounting machine 12-2 or displayed on the display of the mobile terminal 11. The fixed scanner 57 can also read machine-readable codes printed on ID cards carried by store clerks. The ID cards carried by store clerks have a machine-readable code printed on them that indicates the clerk's unique identification code, or so-called clerk code.

[0041] Printer 58 is a printing device for printing and issuing receipts. A receipt is a paper medium on which transaction details such as the transaction number, transaction date and time, product sales data, total data, and payment data are recorded.

[0042] The scanner interface 59 is an interface capable of performing data communication with a handheld scanner 71 (see FIG. 4). The handheld scanner 71 is a portable scanner, and is an input device that scans and reads machine-readable codes, similar to the fixed scanner 57.

[0043] The card reader interface 60 is an interface capable of performing data communication with a card reader. A card reader is an input device that reads data recorded on a card medium such as a credit card, electronic money card, or point card. The card reader may be an IC card reader that reads data from an IC card, or a magnetic card reader that reads data from a magnetic card. The IC card reader may be a contact type IC card reader or a contactless type IC card reader.

[0044] The change machine interface 61 is an interface capable of performing data communication with an automatic change machine that can receive deposits and dispense change.

[0045] The gate mechanism interface 62 is an interface capable of performing data communication with each of the devices included in the gate mechanism 40, such as the human sensor 41, the patrol lamp 42, the LED 43, the speaker 44, the display 45, and the like.

[0046] [Gate mechanism configuration explanation] FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing an example of a gate mechanism 40 that is associated one-to-one with the first payment machine 21-1. The gate mechanism 40 has a housing 400 that is roughly rectangular parallelepiped. The housing 400 is arranged along an aisle PA along which customers proceed in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure. The side of the aisle PA where customers proceed in the direction of the arrow shown in the figure is the entrance, and the side where customers proceed out is the exit. Customers who enter through the entrance can exit, for example, from inside the store to outside the store by passing through the aisle PA and exiting through the exit. Alternatively, customers can move from one location within the store to another.

[0047] Of the four faces of the housing 400 extending upward from the four sides of the face that contacts the floor of the aisle PA, the face that is arranged along the aisle PA is called side face 401, the face that faces the inside of the store is called front face 402, and the face that faces the face that contacts the floor of the aisle PA is called top face 403. The joint between front face 402 and top face 403 is called folder 404 of first payment machine 21-1.

[0048] The folder 404 holds the printer 58, fixed scanner 57, and touch panel 56 of the first payment device 21-1. Specifically, the folder 404 holds the printer 58 so that the receipt issuing slot 581 faces the front 402. The folder 404 holds the fixed scanner 57 above the printer 58 so that the reading window 571 faces the front 402. The folder 404 holds the touch panel 56 above the fixed scanner 57 so that the screen 561 faces the front 402. This arrangement allows a customer standing in front of the gate mechanism 40 to easily receive a receipt issued from, for example, the issuing slot 581. The customer can also easily hold a payment barcode or the like over the reading window 571 of the fixed scanner 57. The customer can also view and touch the image displayed on the touch panel 56.

[0049] A handheld scanner, a so-called handheld scanner 71, connected to a scanner interface 59 is attached to the side of folder 404 opposite side 401. Although not shown, a card reader connected to a card reader interface 60, an automatic change machine connected to a change machine interface 61, and the like are also arranged near housing 400. For example, the card reader may be arranged on top surface 403 of housing 400.

[0050] A patrol lamp 42 and a display 45 are attached to the top surface 403 of the housing 400. The patrol lamp 42 is an example of an illuminant. The patrol lamp 42 is provided at the top of a pole 421 attached vertically to the floor on the surface opposite the front surface 402 of the housing 400, i.e., on the top surface 403 closer to the back surface. A display 45 is disposed in front of the pole 421 with a screen 451 facing the front surface 402. The display 45 may be a display device with a screen smaller than that of the touch panel 56.

[0051] The motion sensor 41, the LED 43, and the speaker 44 are built into the housing 400. The housing 400 has a side surface 401 along the aisle PA formed with a slit 405 for the motion sensor 41 and a slit 406 for the LED 43. The motion sensor 41 is an infrared sensor that detects the movement or heat of a person passing through the slit 405. The motion sensor 41 may also detect a person passing through the slit 405 using a method other than infrared. The motion sensor 41 is an example of a detector that detects a person passing through the aisle PA. The LED 43 lights up or flashes in a predetermined color and pattern so that light leaks from the slit 406 to guide customers along the aisle PA in the direction of the arrow. The detector does not necessarily have to be built into the housing 400 and may be provided separately from the gate mechanism 40. For example, the detector may be attached to a device separate from the gate mechanism 40 to detect a person passing through the aisle PA. For example, if the detector is a camera, it detects people passing through passage PA by image recognition and transmits the detection results from the camera to gate mechanism 40 or first payment machine 21-1. Gate mechanism 40 receives the detection results from the camera and detects people passing through passage PA.

[0052] In the following, the entrance side of the passage PA where customers enter, i.e., the side where the touch panel 56, fixed scanner 57, etc. are provided, will be referred to as the upstream side, and the opposite exit side, i.e., the side where the display 45, patrol lamp 42, etc. are provided, will be referred to as the downstream side. Note that the position where the patrol lamp 42 is provided is not limited to the downstream side of the passage PA. The patrol lamp 42 may be provided in the center or upstream side of the passage PA.

[0053] The first payment machine 21-1, which is mounted in the housing 400 in a one-to-one correspondence with the gate mechanism 40 having such a configuration, is an example of a payment device capable of settling transactions with customers upstream of the passage PA along which customers proceed in the direction of the arrow in the figure. Note that the positional relationship of the touch panel 56, fixed scanner 57, printer 58, etc. that make up the first payment machine 21-1 relative to the housing 400 is not limited to that shown in Figure 4. The key point is that the touch panel 56, fixed scanner 57, printer 58, etc. should be positioned in a location that is easy for customers located upstream of the passage PA to operate.

[0054] [Gate device function explanation] As shown in Figure 3, the processor 51 of the first payment machine 21-1 also controls the gate mechanism 40 connected via the gate mechanism interface 62. In other words, the processor 51 of the first payment machine 21-1 can be said to be the processor 51 of the gate device.

[0055] 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main functional configuration of the processor 51 of the gate device. The processor 51 has the functions of a settlement unit 511, a switching unit 512, and a control unit 513.

[0056] The settlement unit 511 has a function of controlling the first accounting device 21-1, located upstream of the passage PA through which the customer, who is the transaction target, passes, and settling the transaction with the customer. For example, when a machine-readable code for code settlement is read by the fixed scanner 57, the settlement unit 511 executes code settlement processing, in which the transaction price is paid using the balance for code settlement. For example, when an electronic money card is read by a card reader, the settlement unit 511 executes electronic money settlement processing, in which the transaction price is paid using electronic money. For example, when a credit card is read by a card reader, the settlement unit 511 executes credit card settlement processing, in which the transaction price is paid using the balance of the account. For example, when cash is inserted into an automatic change dispenser, the settlement unit 511 executes cash settlement processing, in which the transaction price is paid using the inserted amount. These settlement processes are all well-known processes, so detailed explanations will be omitted here.

[0057] The switching unit 512 has a function of switching between a first mode and a second mode as the operation mode of the gate mechanism 40. The first mode is an operation mode in which a report is issued when a person passing through the passage PA is detected by the human presence sensor 41, which is a detector. The second mode is an operation mode in which a report is not issued even if a person passing through the passage PA is detected by the human presence sensor 41. When the operation mode of the gate mechanism 40 is in the first mode, passage through the passage PA is prohibited. When the operation mode of the gate mechanism 40 is in the second mode, passage through the passage PA is permitted.

[0058] The control unit 513 has a function of changing the light emitting state of the patrol lamp 42, which is a light emitter, between the first mode and the second mode. For example, the control unit 513 turns off the patrol lamp 42 in the first mode, and causes the patrol lamp 42 to flash in blue in the second mode.

[0059] Control unit 513 also includes a function of further changing the light emission state of patrol lamp 42 when payment is being made at payment unit 511. For example, control unit 513 lights up patrol lamp 42 in blue when payment is being made at payment unit 511.

[0060] The control unit 513 also has a function to further change the light-emitting state of the patrol lamp 42 when an event occurs to call a store clerk while a payment is being made by the payment unit 511. An event to call a store clerk occurs, for example, when the items purchased by the customer include items requiring age verification, such as alcohol or tobacco. Another example is when the receipt paper loaded in the printer 58 is near end, or when the automatic change dispenser is short of coins or bills for change. For example, when an event to call a store clerk occurs, the control unit 513 changes the patrol lamp 42 from a blue illumination state to a yellow illumination state. Furthermore, if the patrol lamp 42 can display multiple colors, for example, the control unit 513 controls the patrol lamp 42 to illuminate yellow in addition to blue when an event to call a store clerk occurs. That is, the control unit 513 controls the patrol lamp 42 to illuminate in two colors: blue and yellow.

[0061] Furthermore, the control unit 513 has a function of further changing the light emission state of the patrol lamp 42 when a person passing through the passage PA is detected by the human presence sensor 41 in the first mode. For example, the control unit 513 causes the patrol lamp 42 to flash in red when a person passing through the passage PA is detected in the first mode.

[0062] [Gate device operation explanation] 6 to 8 are flowcharts showing the main information processing procedures executed by the processor 51 of the gate device in accordance with the gate device program. Also, FIGS. 9 to 15 show examples of images displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45 during the information processing, and the light emission state of the patrol lamp 42. The main operations of the gate device will be explained below using each diagram. The information processing procedures shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 to 8 are merely examples. The procedures can be modified as appropriate, provided that the same operational effects as those of this embodiment can be achieved. Furthermore, the images and light emission states shown in FIGS. 9 to 15 are merely examples. The contents of the images and light emission states can be modified as appropriate, provided that the same operational effects as those of this embodiment can be achieved.

[0063] When the gate device program is started, the processor 51 of the gate device starts information processing of the procedures shown in the flowcharts of Figures 6 to 8. First, the processor 51 turns off the light-emitting state of the patrol lamp 42 in ACT1 of Figure 6. Then, the processor 51 turns on the human presence sensor 41 by passing electricity through it in ACT2. The turned-on human presence sensor 41 starts an operation to detect a person passing through the passage PA, such as emitting infrared light.

[0064] After turning on the human presence sensor 41, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT3. In ACT3, the processor 51 controls the touch panel 56 and the display 45 to display a no-entry image. As a result of this control, the no-entry image shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45. That is, on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56, text is displayed instructing a customer who has come to the entrance side of the passage PA to scan the billing barcode with the fixed scanner 57. Along with the text, for example, an illustration of a person holding a barcode over the fixed scanner 57 may be displayed. On the screen 451 of the display 45, text indicating that passage through the passage PA is not permitted and an image of a flashing "x" mark are displayed. At this time, the patrol lamp 42 is turned off.

[0065] Following these indications, most customers will have their accounting barcode scanned by the fixed scanner 57 before entering the aisle PA. The accounting barcode is displayed on the display device of the mobile terminal 11. Alternatively, for customers who have completed payment at the second accounting machine 21-2, the accounting barcode may be printed on the receipt.

[0066] After controlling the display of the no-entry image, processor 51 proceeds to ACT4. In ACT4, processor 51 sets the gate device's operating mode to first mode Ma. That is, processor 51 sets the mode to a mode in which a report is sent when the motion sensor 41 detects a person passing through aisle PA. Then, in ACT5, processor 51 checks whether the motion sensor 41 has detected a person passing through aisle PA. If the signal from the motion sensor 41 is an off signal and no person has been detected, processor 51 proceeds to ACT6. In ACT6, processor 51 checks whether a command to start a transaction has been issued. If the fixed scanner 57 scans the accounting barcode, processor 51 determines that a command to start a transaction has been issued. If the accounting barcode has not been scanned, i.e., if a command to start a transaction has not been issued, processor 51 returns to ACT5. Having set the operating mode to first mode Ma in this way, processor 51 waits in ACT5 and ACT6 for a person passing through aisle PA to be detected or for a command to start a transaction to be issued.

[0067] In the standby state of ACT5 and ACT6, if the signal from the human sensor 41 becomes an ON signal before an instruction to start the transaction is given, the processor 51 determines that a person illegally passing through the passage PA has been detected. The processor 51 proceeds to ACT7. The processor 51 causes the patrol lamp 42 to flash red in ACT7. The processor 51 also executes a notification process in ACT8. The notification process is a process of sending a notification signal to the attendant terminal 23. The notification process also includes a process of displaying a warning image on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. As a result of this process, the warning image shown in FIG. 10 is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45, respectively. That is, text or an illustration indicating that the transaction is not completed is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56. On the screen 451 of the display 45, the flashing "X" image becomes a lit image. At this time, the patrol lamp 42 flashes red. An alarm sound may be emitted from the speaker 44.

[0068] Upon receiving the notification signal, the attendant terminal 23 notifies the gate device that a warning about unauthorized passage has been issued. Upon receiving this notification, the attendant, or store clerk, proceeds to the location of the gate mechanism 40 where the patrol lamp 42 is flashing red and takes action against the unauthorized passage. For example, the store clerk identifies the person who has engaged in unauthorized passage and takes action. The store clerk then uses the handheld scanner 71 to read the clerk code printed in the form of a machine-readable code on the ID card. Once the clerk code is read, the gate device's operating mode temporarily switches to clerk mode. Switching to clerk mode allows the gate device to cancel the notification process, so the clerk can cancel the notification process by operating the touch panel 56, for example. Once the notification process is canceled, the gate device's operating mode returns to the first mode Ma.

[0069] After processing the notification in ACT8, processor 51 proceeds to ACT9. In ACT9, processor 51 waits for the notification to be canceled. The notification can be canceled, for example, by inputting a command to cancel the notification via display 45 of gate mechanism 40 or touch panel 56 of first payment device 21-1. For example, a store clerk causes first payment device 21-1 to switch to clerk mode by having fixed scanner 57 of first payment device 21-1 read a barcode held by the clerk. In this clerk mode, the notification can be canceled by touching the notification cancellation icon displayed on display 45 or touch panel 56. However, the method for canceling the notification is not limited to this. Once the notification has been canceled, processor 51 proceeds to ACT10. In ACT10, processor 51 turns off the illumination of patrol lamp 42. Furthermore, processor 51 returns screen 561 of touch panel 56 and screen 451 of display 45 to the display state of the no-entry image shown in FIG. 9. Thereafter, the processor 51 returns to the standby state for ACT5 and ACT6.

[0070] When the fixed scanner 57 scans the accounting barcode during the standby state of ACT5 and ACT6, the processor 51 determines that an instruction to start the transaction has been issued. The processor 51 proceeds to ACT11. In ACT11, the processor 51 changes the illumination state of the patrol lamp 42 to blue. The processor 51 also controls the display of a confirmation image on the touch panel 56. This control causes the confirmation image shown in FIG. 11 to be displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56. The confirmation image is an image that displays text, an illustration, or the like, indicating that the transaction result is being confirmed. Note that the screen 451 of the display 45 continues to flash an image of an "X" mark. The patrol lamp 42 is lit in blue.

[0071] In ACT12, processor 51 obtains the transaction number from the transaction barcode. As mentioned above, the transaction barcode may be displayed on the display device of mobile terminal 11 or may be printed on a receipt. After obtaining the transaction number, processor 51 proceeds to ACT13. In ACT13, processor 51 obtains transaction file 16. That is, processor 51 outputs a request command to mobile server 12 requesting transaction file 16. The request command includes the transaction number obtained in ACT12. Upon receiving the request command, mobile server 12 detects transaction file 16 containing the transaction number included in the command and transmits it to the gate device that sent the request command. In this way, processor 51 can obtain transaction file 16.

[0072] After acquiring the transaction file 16, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 14. In ACT 14, the processor 51 analyzes the transaction file 16 and examines the product sales data. In ACT 15, the processor 51 checks whether product sales data for a product requiring a store clerk to be called is described. Products requiring a store clerk to be called include, for example, alcoholic beverages, tobacco, and other products requiring age verification. Products requiring a store clerk to be called may also be products other than those requiring age verification.

[0073] If the transaction file 16 does not contain product sales data for a product that requires a salesperson to be called, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 20. The processing of ACT 20 will be described later.

[0074] On the other hand, if the transaction file 16 contains product sales data for a product requiring a store clerk call, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 16. In ACT 16, the processor 51 changes the illumination state of the patrol lamp 42 to a yellow light. In ACT 17, the processor 51 executes a store clerk call process. The store clerk call process is a process of transmitting a store clerk call signal to the attendant terminal 23. The store clerk call process also includes a process of displaying a store clerk call image on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. As a result of this process, the store clerk call image shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45, respectively. That is, text or an illustration indicating that a store clerk is being called is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56. On the screen 451 of the display 45, the flashing "x" mark image becomes a lit image. At this time, the patrol lamp 42 is lit in yellow. An attention-grabbing sound may be emitted from the speaker 44. The warning sound may be the same as or different from the alarm sound. For example, the alarm sound is a continuous "beep" sound, but the warning sound may be an intermittent "beep, beep" sound.

[0075] Upon receiving the staff call signal, the attendant terminal 23 notifies the attendant that a call is being made. For example, upon receiving the staff call signal, the attendant terminal 23 notifies the attendant by displaying a message on the display of the attendant terminal 23 indicating that a staff call is being made at the gate device. Upon receiving this notification, the attendant proceeds to the gate mechanism 40 where the patrol lamp 42 is lit yellow and performs age verification, etc. The attendant then uses the handheld scanner 71 to read the staff code printed in the form of a machine-readable code on the ID card. Once the staff code is read, the operation mode of the gate device temporarily switches to staff mode. Switching to staff mode allows the gate device to cancel the staff call process, so the staff cancels the staff call process by operating the touch panel 56, for example. Once the staff call process is canceled, the operation mode of the gate device returns to the first mode Ma.

[0076] After performing the store clerk call process in ACT17, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT18. In ACT18, the processor 51 waits for the store clerk call process to be canceled. When the store clerk call process is canceled, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT19. In ACT19, the processor 51 changes the illumination state of the patrol lamp 42 to a green light. In addition, the processor 51 returns the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45 to the display state of the confirmation image shown in FIG. 11. Thereafter, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT20.

[0077] In this way, as a result of analyzing the transaction file 16, it is determined that the file does not contain product sales data for a product that requires a store clerk to be called, or that the file does contain product sales data for a product that requires a store clerk to be called, so a store clerk call process is executed, and when the store clerk call process is canceled, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT20.

[0078] Processor 51 checks whether the payment has been completed as ACT20. That is, processor 51 checks the payment completion flag Fa written in transaction file 16. The payment completion flag Fa is "1" if the payment of the transaction managed in the transaction file 16 has been completed using another payment method, such as the mobile terminal 11 or the second accounting device 21-2, and is "0" if the payment has not been completed. If the payment completion flag Fa is "0", processor 51 determines that the payment has not been completed. If the payment completion flag Fa is "1", processor 51 determines that the payment has been completed.

[0079] <Operations for customers who have completed payment using other payment methods> If it is determined in ACT20 that the payment has been completed, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT21 in Fig. 7. In ACT21, the processor 51 sets the operation mode of the gate device to the second mode Mb. That is, the processor 51 sets the mode to one in which no report is issued even if the human sensor 41 detects a person passing through the passage PA. The processor 51 also sets the light emission state of the patrol lamp 42 to flashing blue in ACT21.

[0080] Then, processor 51 proceeds to ACT23. In ACT23, processor 51 sets time counter T to a first initial value, time Tm. Time counter T is a decrement counter that subtracts "1" from its count value every time one second passes. Time Tm is the estimated time required for a customer who has completed payment at a location other than the gate device to pass through passage PA. In other words, it is the estimated predetermined time required for a customer who has completed payment using a payment app installed on mobile terminal 11 or a customer who has completed payment using second payment device 21-2 to pass through passage PA. Time Tm is arbitrary. In this embodiment, time Tm is set to 10 seconds.

[0081] After setting the time counter T to the time Tm, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 24. In ACT 24, the processor 51 controls the touch panel 56 and the display 45 to display a passage permission image. This control causes the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45 to display the passage permission image shown in FIG. 13 . That is, the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 displays text or an illustration indicating that the customer may pass through the passage. The screen 451 of the display 45 displays a number indicating the count value of the time counter T, along with text urging the customer to pass through the passage before the number reaches "0." Furthermore, the LED 43 emits light so that light leaks from the slit 406 to guide the customer along the passage PA in the direction of the arrow. At this time, the patrol lamp 42 flashes blue. Following these displays, a customer who has completed a transaction will likely pass through the passage PA before the count value of the time counter T reaches "0."

[0082] After controlling the display of the passage permission image, processor 51 proceeds to ACT 25. In ACT 25, processor 51 waits for the time measured by clock 54 to reach one second. Once one second has passed, processor 51 proceeds to ACT 26. In ACT 26, processor 51 decrements time counter T by one. Then, in ACT 27, processor 51 checks whether time counter T has reached zero. If time counter T is greater than zero, processor 51 returns to ACT 25.

[0083] In this way, the processor 51, whose operation mode is set to the second mode Mb, waits for the time counter T to become "0" in ACT25 to ACT27. During this time, the processor 51 subtracts the number displayed on the screen 451 of the display 45 in accordance with the time counter T. Furthermore, the processor 51 does not perform a notification process even if the human presence sensor 41 detects a person passing through the passage PA.

[0084] In the standby state of ACT25 to ACT27, when the time counter T reaches "0", the processor 51 proceeds to ACT28. The processor 51 determines whether or not a person has passed through the passage PA during the standby state in ACT28. If a person is detected by the human presence sensor 41 during the standby state and is then no longer detected, the processor 51 determines that the person has passed through the passage PA. In contrast, if a person is not detected during the standby state, the processor 51 determines that the person has not passed through the passage PA. Furthermore, if a person remains midway through the passage PA and continues to be detected by the human presence sensor 41, the processor 51 also determines that the person has not passed through the passage PA.

[0085] If the processor 51 determines that a person has passed through the passage PA during the standby state, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT29. In ACT29, the processor 51 turns off the illumination state of the patrol lamp 42. In ACT30, the processor 51 also controls the display of a no-entry image on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. By this control, the no-entry image shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45, respectively. In addition, the patrol lamp 42 is turned off. Thereafter, the processor 51 returns to ACT4 of FIG. 6. The processor 51 sets the operation mode of the gate device to the first mode Ma, and enters a standby state for ACT5 and ACT6.

[0086] On the other hand, if the time counter T reaches "0" without the person passing through the passage PA, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 31. When the time counter T reaches "0" without the person passing through the passage PA, it is considered that a customer who was permitted to pass through the passage PA has encountered some kind of trouble and is unable to pass through the passage PA. Therefore, the processor 51 changes the illumination state of the patrol lamp 42 to red in ACT 31. The processor 51 also executes a passage error process in ACT 32. This passage error process causes a passage error signal to be transmitted to the attendant terminal 23. The passage error process also includes a process of displaying a passage error image on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. This process displays the passage error image shown in FIG. 14 on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45, respectively. That is, the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 displays text, an illustration, or the like indicating that a passage error has occurred because the passage time has elapsed. The screen 451 of the display 45 displays an image of an "x" mark in a lit state. At this time, the patrol lamp 42 is lit in red. A sound for a passage error may be emitted from the speaker 44. The sound for a passage error may be the same as the sound for the warning, or may be different.

[0087] Upon receiving the passage error signal, the attendant terminal 23 notifies the customer that a passage error has occurred at the gate device. Upon receiving this notification, the attendant, or store clerk, proceeds to the location of the gate mechanism 40 where the patrol lamp 42 is lit red and takes action to resolve the passage error. For example, the store clerk may confirm with the customer the reason for the passage error and attempt to resolve the problem. The store clerk then uses the handheld scanner 71 to read the clerk code printed in the form of a machine-readable code on the ID card. Once the clerk code is read, the gate device's operating mode temporarily switches to clerk mode. Switching to clerk mode allows the gate device to cancel the passage error process, so the clerk can cancel the notification process by operating the touch panel 56, for example. Once the passage error process is canceled, the gate device's operating mode returns to the first mode Ma.

[0088] After performing the passage error processing, processor 51 proceeds to ACT33. In ACT33, processor 51 waits for the passage error processing to be released. Once the passage error processing is released, processor 51 proceeds to ACT34. In ACT34, processor 51 turns off the illumination state of patrol lamp 42. In ACT35, processor 51 also controls the display of a no-passage image on touch panel 56 and display 45. As a result of this control, the no-passage image shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on screen 561 of touch panel 56 and screen 451 of display 45, respectively. In addition, patrol lamp 42 is turned off. Thereafter, processor 51 returns to ACT4 of FIG. 6. Processor 51 sets the operation mode of the gate device to first mode Ma and enters a standby state for ACT5 and ACT6.

[0089] <Actions for customers who have not completed payment by other payment methods> If it is determined in ACT20 of FIG. 6 that the payment has not been completed, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT41 of FIG. 8. In ACT41, the processor 51 controls the touch panel 56 and the display 45 to display an in-transit image. As a result of this control, the in-transit image shown in FIG. 15 is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45, respectively. That is, the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 displays text instructing the customer who has come to the entrance side of the aisle PA to pay. Along with the text, for example, an illustration of a person inserting cash into an automatic change dispenser may be displayed. The screen 451 of the display 45 displays text indicating that passage through the aisle PA is prohibited and an image of a flashing "X" mark. At this time, the patrol lamp 42 is lit blue.

[0090] After controlling the display of the checkout image, processor 51 proceeds to ACT42. In ACT42, processor 51 performs payment processing. Payment processing includes cashless payment such as the aforementioned code payment processing, electronic money payment processing, or credit card payment processing. Cashless payment is preferred in this embodiment because it requires less time to complete the payment processing than cash payment. Note that the payment processing may also be cash payment processing in which the price of the transaction is paid with the amount deposited.

[0091] In ACT43, processor 51 waits for the payment process to be completed. At this time, processor 51 monitors whether an error has occurred during the payment process in ACT44. For example, if an error occurs such as the receipt paper nearing the end in printer 58 or an error such as a coin jam in the automatic change dispenser, processor 51 proceeds to ACT45. In ACT45, processor 51 changes the illumination state of patrol lamp 42 to yellow. In ACT46, processor 51 executes a store clerk call process. This store clerk call process sends a store clerk call signal to attendant terminal 23. In addition, a store clerk call image shown in FIG. 12 is displayed on screen 561 of touch panel 56 and screen 451 of display 45, respectively. At this time, patrol lamp 42 lights up yellow.

[0092] Upon receiving the clerk call signal, the attendant terminal 23 notifies the attendant that a call has been made. Upon receiving this notification, the attendant goes to the location of the gate mechanism 40 where the patrol lamp 42 is lit yellow and deals with the error that occurred during the transaction. For example, the clerk may replace the receipt paper or replenish the coins for change. The clerk then switches the operation mode of the gate device to clerk mode and performs an operation to cancel the call.

[0093] After performing the store clerk call process, processor 51 proceeds to ACT47. In ACT47, processor 51 waits for the store clerk call process to be released. Once the store clerk call process is released, processor 51 proceeds to ACT48. In ACT48, processor 51 changes the illumination state of patrol lamp 42 to blue. Then, processor 51 returns to ACT41. That is, processor 51 controls the display of a transaction in progress image on touch panel 56 and display 45. Then, processor 51 continues the payment process.

[0094] When the payment process is completed, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 49. In ACT 49, the processor 51 sets the operation mode of the gate device to the second mode Mb. That is, the processor 51 sets the mode to one in which no report is issued even if the human sensor 41 detects a person passing through the passage PA. In addition, the processor 51 sets the light emission state of the patrol lamp 42 to flash blue in ACT 50.

[0095] Thereafter, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT51. In ACT51, the processor 51 sets the time counter T to a second initial value, time Tn. Time Tn is the time assumed to be required for a customer who has completed payment at the gate device to pass through the passage PA. In other words, it is a predetermined time assumed to be required for a customer who has completed payment at the gate device to pass through the passage PA. It is assumed that a customer who has completed payment will put their smartphone, credit card, wallet, etc., in a bag before entering the passage PA. For this reason, time Tn is arbitrary like time Tm, but is preferably longer than time Tm. In this embodiment, time Tn is set to 15 seconds.

[0096] After setting the time counter T to the time Tn, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 52. In ACT 52, the processor 51 controls the display of a passage permission image on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. By this control, the passage permission image shown in FIG. 13 is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45, respectively. Furthermore, the LED 43 emits light so that light leaks from the slit 406 to guide the customer to proceed along the passage PA in the direction of the arrow. At this time, the patrol lamp 42 lights up in blue.

[0097] Following these indications, a customer who has completed the transaction and puts his / her smartphone, credit card, wallet, etc. back into his / her bag will likely pass through aisle PA before the count value of time counter T reaches "0."

[0098] After controlling the display of the passage permission image, the processor 51 proceeds to ACT 53. Thereafter, the processor 51 executes processes in ACT 53 to ACT 63 that are similar to the processes in ACT 25 to ACT 35 of FIG. 7. That is, if a person passes through the passage PA while measuring the time Tm, the processor 51 turns off the illumination state of the patrol lamp 42. The processor 51 also controls the display of the no-passage image on the touch panel 56 and the display 45. By this control, the no-passage image shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45, respectively. The patrol lamp 42 is also turned off. Thereafter, the processor 51 returns to ACT 4 of FIG. 6. The processor 51 sets the operation mode of the gate device to the first mode Ma, and enters a standby state for ACT 5 and ACT 6.

[0099] On the other hand, if the time Tm is measured without a person passing through the passage PA, the processor 51 changes the illumination state of the patrol lamp 42 to red and executes a passage error process. After that, when the passage error process is canceled, the processor 51 turns off the illumination state of the patrol lamp 42. The processor 51 also controls the touch panel 56 and the display 45 to display a no-passage image. By this control, the no-passage image shown in FIG. 9 is displayed on the screen 561 of the touch panel 56 and the screen 451 of the display 45, respectively. The patrol lamp 42 is also turned off. After that, the processor 51 returns to ACT4 in FIG. 6. The processor 51 sets the operation mode of the gate device to the first mode Ma and enters a standby state for ACT5 and ACT6.

[0100] [Explanation of the state transition of the patrol lamp] Fig. 16 is a diagram illustrating the state transition of the patrol lamp 42. Note that the same reference numerals are used to denote parts that are common to the operations described using Figs. 6 to 8. The patrol lamp 42 is off in the default standby state (ACT 1). In this standby state, when a person passing through the passage PA is detected (YES in ACT 5), the patrol lamp 42 flashes red (ACT 7). Therefore, a store clerk who confirms that the patrol lamp 42 is flashing red can know that the gate device where the patrol lamp 42 is installed has detected fraudulent passage, where a customer leaves the store without paying. The store clerk takes action against the fraudulent passage. Once the action is completed (ACT 9), the patrol lamp 42 goes out (ACT 10). Therefore, when the patrol lamp that was lit red goes out, another store clerk can recognize that action has been taken against the fraudulent passage.

[0101] In the standby state, when the transaction barcode is scanned by the fixed scanner 57 (YES in ACT6), the patrol lamp 42 lights up blue (ACT11). Therefore, when a store clerk confirms that the patrol lamp 42 has turned blue, he or she can know that a transaction has begun at the gate device where the patrol lamp 42 is installed.

[0102] If an event occurs during the payment process that calls a store clerk (YES in ACT15), the patrol lamp 42 lights up yellow (ACT16). Therefore, when a store clerk confirms that the patrol lamp 42 has changed from a blue to a yellow state, he or she can know that an event that calls a store clerk has occurred at the gate device where the patrol lamp 42 is installed. The store clerk then takes action, such as confirming the customer's age. After completing the action (ACT18), the patrol lamp 42 lights up blue again (ACT19). Therefore, when the patrol lamp that was lit yellow returns to a blue state, another store clerk can recognize that the call status has been resolved.

[0103] If the payment for the transaction identified by the payment barcode scanned by the fixed scanner 57 has been completed at the second payment machine 21-2 (YES in ACT20), the patrol light 42 will flash blue (ACT22). Therefore, when a store clerk confirms that the patrol light 42 has changed from a steady blue state to a flashing blue state, he or she can recognize that the customer is now able to pass through the gate device where the patrol light 42 is installed. If the customer then passes through the passage PA within a predetermined time (YES in ACT28), the patrol light 42 will turn off (ACT29). Therefore, when a store clerk confirms that the patrol light 42, which had been flashing blue, has turned off, he or she can recognize that the customer has completed payment and passed through the gate device.

[0104] On the other hand, if the customer does not pass through the passage PA within the predetermined time (NO in ACT28), the patrol lamp 42 lights up in red (ACT31). Therefore, when a store clerk confirms that the patrol lamp 42 has changed from a flashing blue state to a lit red state, he or she can recognize that a passage error has occurred in the gate device. The store clerk takes action to deal with the passage error. After completing the action (ACT33), the patrol lamp 42 turns off (ACT34). Therefore, when the patrol lamp that was lit in red turns off, another store clerk can recognize that the passage error state has been resolved.

[0105] On the other hand, if the payment for the transaction identified by the payment barcode scanned by the fixed scanner 57 has not been completed at the second payment device 21-2 (NO in ACT20), the payment process is executed at the first payment device 21-1 (ACT42). If an error occurs during this payment process (YES in ACT44), the patrol light 42 lights up yellow (ACT45). Therefore, a store clerk who confirms that the patrol light 42 has changed from blue to yellow can recognize that an error has occurred during the payment at the gate device. The store clerk takes action to resolve the error. Once the action is completed (ACT47), the patrol light 42 lights up blue again (ACT48). Therefore, when the patrol light that was yellow returns to blue, another store clerk can recognize that the error during the payment at the gate device has been resolved. Examples of errors that may occur during payment at the gate device include coin jamming in the change dispenser, receipt paper jamming in the printer, and poor communication that causes the first accounting device 21-1 to go offline with other devices.

[0106] When the payment process is completed at the first payment machine 21-1 (YES in ACT43), the patrol light 42 flashes blue (ACT50). Therefore, when a store clerk confirms that the patrol light 42 has changed from a lit blue state to a flashing blue state, he or she can recognize that the gate device to which the patrol light 42 is attached is able to allow the customer to pass. After that, when the customer passes through the passage PA within a predetermined time (YES in ACT56), the patrol light 42 goes out (ACT57). Therefore, when a store clerk confirms that the patrol light 42, which had been flashing blue, has gone out, he or she can recognize that the customer, who has completed payment, has passed through the gate device.

[0107] On the other hand, if the customer does not pass through the passage PA within a predetermined time (NO in ACT56), the patrol lamp 42 lights up in red (ACT59). Therefore, when a store clerk confirms that the patrol lamp 42 has changed from a flashing blue state to a lit red state, he or she can recognize that a passage error has occurred in the gate device. The store clerk takes action to deal with the passage error. After completing the action (ACT61), the patrol lamp 42 turns off (ACT62). Therefore, when the patrol lamp that was lit red turns off, another store clerk can recognize that the passage error state has been resolved.

[0108] As described above in detail, the store clerk can recognize the status of the gate device from the light color and the lit or flashing state of the patrol light 42. Specifically, when the patrol light 42 flashes red, the store clerk recognizes that unauthorized passage has been detected. When the patrol light 42 lights up blue, the store clerk recognizes that an instruction to start the transaction has been issued. When the patrol light 42 then flashes blue, the store clerk recognizes that the customer who has completed payment can pass through. On the other hand, when the patrol light 42 changes from a lit blue state to a lit yellow state, the store clerk recognizes that an event has occurred that requires a call for a store clerk, such as age verification, or that an error has occurred in the first payment machine 21-1. Furthermore, when the patrol light 42 changes from a flashing blue state to a lit red state, the store clerk recognizes that the customer who has completed payment has not passed through.

[0109] Here, as shown in Fig. 4, the patrol lamp 42 is provided at the tip of a pole that is erected in a direction perpendicular to the road surface of the passage PA. Therefore, if there are no obstacles higher than the pole around the gate device, a store clerk can confirm the light emission state of the patrol lamp 42 from a relatively distant location. Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to provide a gate device that can monitor the device status without having a store clerk stationed near the device.

[0110] In this embodiment, a notification signal is sent to the attendant terminal 23 in a notification process that changes the illumination state of the patrol lamp 42 to a flashing red state, a store clerk call signal is sent to the attendant terminal 23 in a store clerk call process that changes the illumination state of the patrol lamp 42 to a steady yellow state, and a passage error signal is sent to the attendant terminal 23 in a passage error process that changes the illumination state of the patrol lamp 42 to a steady red state. The attendant terminal 23 receiving the notification signal notifies the attendant that a warning about illegal passage has been issued at the gate device. The attendant terminal 23 receiving the store clerk call signal notifies the attendant that a call has been issued. The attendant terminal 23 receiving the passage error signal notifies the attendant that a passage error has occurred at the gate device. Therefore, the store clerk monitoring the attendant terminal 23 does not need to pay close attention to the patrol lamp 42 of the gate device until the notification is issued. This allows the attendant to perform their duties more efficiently. This effect is further enhanced by employing a terminal carried by the store clerk as the attendant terminal 23.

[0111] [Other embodiments] Fig. 17 is a diagram illustrating the state transition of the patrol lamp 42 in another embodiment. In the embodiment described with reference to Fig. 16, if a customer does not pass through the passage PA within a predetermined time (NO in ACT28 or ACT56), the patrol lamp 42 lights up in red (ACT31). In another embodiment, the patrol lamp 42 flashes red, similar to the case of illegal passage (ACT31).

[0112] Instead, in another embodiment, errors that occur during the payment process are classified into serious errors and simple errors. Serious errors are errors that cannot be immediately dealt with by a store clerk, such as a communication error. Simple errors are errors that can be easily dealt with by a store clerk, such as a receipt paper nearing the end or insufficient change.

[0113] If an error occurs during the payment process (YES in ACT 44), it is determined whether the error is a serious error or a minor error (ACT 71). If the error is a minor error (NO in ACT 71), the patrol lamp 42 lights up yellow (ACT 45). On the other hand, if the error is a serious error (YES in ACT 71), the patrol lamp 42 lights up red (ACT 72).

[0114] According to another embodiment of this configuration, when the patrol lamp 42 changes from a blue to a yellow light, it indicates that a simple error that can be easily handled by a store clerk has occurred in the gate device, and when the patrol lamp 42 changes to a red light, it indicates that a serious error that cannot be easily handled by a store clerk has occurred. Therefore, a store clerk can take appropriate action to handle the error based on the light-emitting state of the patrol lamp 42 even if he or she is not near the gate mechanism 40.

[0115] The light emission state of the patrol lamp 42 is not limited to the state described in the above embodiment or other embodiments. There are other patrol lamps 42 that can emit light in green or purple, so the light emission color may be changed as appropriate so that the store clerk can check the status of the gate device even from a distance.

[0116] In the above embodiment, the patrol lamp 42, which is an illuminant, is provided at the tip of a pole that is erected in a direction perpendicular to the road surface of the passage. In another embodiment, an illuminant having two or more light emission states may be held by a holder suspended from the ceiling or the like above the gate mechanism 40, and the light emission state of the illuminant may be changed between the first mode and the second mode.

[0117] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope of the invention and the scope of the inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0118] 10...Sales floor system, 11...Mobile terminal, 12...Mobile server, 14...Access point, 16...Transaction file, 21...Accounting machine, 21-1...First accounting machine, 21-2...Second accounting machine, 22...Store server, 23...Attendant terminal, 40...Gate mechanism, 41...Human presence sensor, 42...Patrol lamp, 43...LED, 44...Speaker, 45...Display, 51...Processor, 56...Touch panel, 57...Fixed scanner, 58...Printer, 511...Payment unit, 512...Switching unit, 513...Control unit.

Claims

1. a gate mechanism disposed along a passageway through which passengers pass; a light emitter provided above the gate mechanism; a switching unit that switches between an operation mode of the gate mechanism, a first mode in which a notification is issued when a person passing through the passage is detected by a detector that detects a person passing through the passage, and a second mode in which a notification is not issued even when a person passing through the passage is detected by the detector; a control unit that changes the light emitting state of the light emitter between the first mode and the second mode; A gate device comprising:

2. a settlement unit located upstream of the passage for settling transactions with the customer; Further comprising: The gate device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit further changes the light emission state of the light emitter when a payment is being made at the payment unit.

3. The gate device according to claim 2 , wherein the control unit further changes the light emission state of the light emitter when an event occurs requiring a store clerk to be called while payment is being made at the payment unit.

4. The event of calling the store clerk includes an error that occurred in the settlement unit, 4. The gate device according to claim 3, wherein the control unit further changes the light emitting state of the light emitter in accordance with the level of the error.

5. 2. The gate apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit further changes the light emission state of the light emitter when the detector detects a person passing through the passage in the first mode.

6. 6. The gate apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the light emitter is a patrol lamp provided at the tip of a pole that is erected in a direction perpendicular to the road surface of the passage.

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