Commodity data processing apparatus and program

Abstract

To reduce a customer's reluctance to a commodity data processing apparatus that is operated by the customer themselves.SOLUTION: A commodity data processing apparatus of an embodiment comprises control means, display means, and voice output means. The control means executes at least either one of commodity registration processing or accounting processing on the basis of a customer's operation. When the commodity registration processing or the accounting processing is not started, the display means displays a screen including a selection unit that allows the customer to select any one of a plurality of voices. The voice output means outputs the voice selected by the customer during the execution of the commodity registration processing or the accounting processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a product data processing device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, product data processing devices that are operated by customers themselves, such as self-service POS (Point Of Sales) terminals, have become increasingly popular, and these product data processing devices have had the effect of reducing the workload of store clerks.

[0003] However, it has been confirmed that there are customers who are reluctant to use product data processing devices that require customers to perform product registration operations, accounting operations, or both registration and accounting operations for a single transaction, citing fears of using them, etc. Therefore, in order to increase the usage rate of product data processing devices that customers can operate themselves, it is necessary to reduce this reluctance. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a product data processing device and a program that can reduce the resistance felt by customers toward a product data processing device that is operated by the customers themselves. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The product data processing device of the embodiment includes a control means, a display means, and a voice output means. The control means executes at least one of a product registration process or a checkout process based on a customer's operation. The display means displays a screen including a selection section that allows the customer to select one of multiple voices when the product registration process or checkout process has not started. The voice output means outputs the voice selected by the customer while the product registration process or checkout process is being executed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view showing an example of the appearance of a self-service POS terminal according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the self-checkout POS terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the member information database according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of the audio master according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the self-checkout POS terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of an output of a call voice when the self-service POS terminal according to the embodiment is not in use. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of the audio selection screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a receipt according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of the product registration process and the transaction process according to the embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a membership code registration screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a birthday celebration screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for new members according to the embodiment. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a screen for frequent customers according to the embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a product registration screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a transaction processing screen according to the embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of the transaction completion screen according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a product data processing device and a program will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment described below.

[0008] 1 is a front view showing an example of the appearance of a self-service POS terminal 1 according to this embodiment. The self-service POS terminal 1 is an example of a product data processing device according to this embodiment. The self-service POS (Point Of Sales) terminal 1 is a POS terminal that executes product registration processing and transaction processing based on customer operations.

[0009] As shown in Fig. 1, the self-service POS terminal 1 has, for example, a vertically elongated, approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape and includes a first housing 2 and a second housing 3. The first housing 2 is located at the lower part of the approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape and houses a deposit / withdrawal unit 4 inside. Under the control of a control unit (described later), the deposit / withdrawal unit 4 deposits money received from customers and dispenses change to be paid to customers.

[0010] The second housing 3 is located on the upper side of the approximately rectangular parallelepiped shape and houses a control unit (described later) inside. The second housing 3 also includes a code reading unit 5, a card reading unit 6, and a printing unit 7 as interfaces operated by the user.

[0011] The code reading unit 5 is a reading device that reads information stored in a code symbol such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code. The code reading unit 5 reads the code symbol through a reading window 51 formed in the second housing 3. For example, the code reading unit 5 reads a code symbol attached to a product or a code symbol displayed on a user's mobile terminal. The code reading unit 5 is an example of an acquisition means in this embodiment. The information stored in the code symbol is, for example, a product code that can identify each product. The product code is an example of product information in this embodiment. Reading the product code by the code reading unit 5 is an example of acquiring product information. Note that the method of acquiring product information is not limited to reading the code symbol, and may include taking a photo of the product's exterior with a camera or inputting a product code by the user. An image of the product's exterior may also be an example of product information.

[0012] The code reading unit 5 is not limited to a type that reads code symbols through a reading window 51 formed in the second housing 3, but may also be a hand scanner that the user can hold and operate in their hand.

[0013] The card reading unit 6 is a reading device that reads information stored on a card-type medium. The card reading unit 6 reads information from a card medium inserted into the card insertion slot 61. For example, the card reading unit 6 reads information related to electronic payment from a credit card or an electronic money card.

[0014] The printing unit 7 is a printing device such as a thermal printer. The printing unit 7 prints receipts for the products purchased by the user and outputs (issues) the printed receipts from a receipt issuing port 71 formed in the second housing 3. The printing unit 7 is an example of an output means in this embodiment. A receipt is a piece of paper on which the details of the purchased products and the total price for one transaction are printed. In this embodiment, an image corresponding to the voice selected by the customer is printed on the receipt. Note that the printing unit 7 may output not only receipts but also paper on which various coupons and sale information are printed.

[0015] The self-service POS terminal 1 also includes a display operation unit 8. The display operation unit 8 is provided on the top surface of the second housing 3 or the like. The display operation unit 8 has a display unit 81 configured with a display device such as an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), and an operation unit 82 configured with a touch panel or the like. The display unit 81 displays various information and images under the control of a control unit, which will be described later. The operation unit 82 is provided on the surface of the display unit 81, and outputs information based on the position touched by the user to the control unit. The operation unit 82 accepts touch input by the user on an icon that indicates product information displayed on the display unit 81. When the operation unit 82 accepts touch input, it outputs a product code to the control unit.

[0016] The self-service POS terminal 1 also includes an audio output unit 15. The audio output unit 15 is an audio output device such as a speaker. The audio output unit 15 outputs various voice messages and sounds to a customer operating the self-service POS terminal 1 in accordance with the control of a control unit described below. The audio output unit 15 is an example of an audio output means in this embodiment.

[0017] A basket stand 10 is provided on one side or beside of the self-service POS terminal 1. The basket stand 10 is a stand for placing a basket, and is used, for example, when placing a basket containing products thereon.

[0018] The configuration of the self-service POS terminal 1 is not limited to that shown in Fig. 1. For example, the self-service POS terminal 1 may include a bagging table or the like for bagging the products after the code symbols have been read by the code reading unit 5. In this case, it is preferable that the bagging table be provided, for example, on the other side of the self-service POS terminal 1 (the opposite side to the basket placement table 10).

[0019] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the self-service POS terminal 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the self-service POS terminal 1 includes the above-mentioned cash deposit / withdrawal unit 4, code reading unit 5, card reading unit 6, printing unit 7, display unit 81, operation unit 82, audio output unit 15, etc.

[0020] The self-service POS terminal 1 also includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 11, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 12, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 13, a storage unit 14, and a communication unit 16. The CPU 11 is connected to each of the hardware components shown in FIG. 2 via a bus or the like.

[0021] The CPU 11 is an example of a processor and controls all the components of the self-service POS terminal 1. The ROM 12 stores various programs. The RAM 13 is a workspace for storing programs and various data. The CPU 11, the ROM 12, and the RAM 13 constitute a control unit 100, which is an example of a computer. The control unit 100 is an example of a control means in this embodiment.

[0022] The storage unit 14 has a storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or flash memory, and maintains its stored contents even when the power is turned off. The storage unit 14 stores various programs and setting information that can be executed by the CPU 11. The storage unit 14 also stores a product master 141, a member information database (DB) 142, and a voice master 143.

[0023] The product master 141 is a database in which information about products is registered in association with product codes. For example, product names, prices, discount information, product PR (Public Relations) information, etc. are registered in association with product codes in the product master 141. The PR information is, for example, information about coupons issued when a product is purchased.

[0024] Member information database 142 is a database in which member information of customers of the store is registered. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of member information database 142 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, member information database 142 registers, as an example, a member code, the member's birthday, the date of joining, and a member rank, all associated with each other. The member code is information that can identify a customer who has been registered as a member. The member rank is a classification that divides customers into levels based on their past purchasing history.

[0025] The voice master 143 is a database in which voices output from the voice output unit 15 of the self-service POS terminal 1, identification information that can identify the owner of the voices, and images corresponding to the voices are associated with each other. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the voice master 143 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, a specific example of the configuration of the voice master 143 is a database in which the name of a voice actor, a character image, and voice data of multiple voice messages (voice messages 1 and 2) are associated with each other. The content of the multiple voice messages may be, for example, guidance output to customers during product registration processing or checkout processing at the self-service POS terminal 1, and solicitations to attract customers when the self-service POS terminal 1 is not in use. The name of the voice actor is an example of identification information that can identify the owner of the voices. Note that the image corresponding to the voice is not limited to a character image, and may be a photograph, portrait, avatar, etc. of the voice actor who is the owner of the voice.

[0026] In this embodiment, the voice registered in the voice master 143 is, as an example, the voice of a famous voice actor, but it may also be the voice of a celebrity or other famous person. The voice master 143 may be, for example, stored in advance in the storage unit 14, or may be acquired from an external device such as a server via the communication unit 16. Furthermore, in the voice master 143, multiple images may be registered for the voice of one voice actor. Furthermore, the images are not limited to still images, but may also be images with movement, such as animated gifs or videos.

[0027] 2, the communication unit 16 is a communication interface connectable to a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) (not shown). The communication unit 16 communicates with an external device such as a store server installed in a store or an electronic payment server that provides electronic payment services, for example, via the network.

[0028] Next, the functional configuration of the self-service POS terminal 1 will be described with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the self-service POS terminal 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the self-service POS terminal 1 implements an operation reception unit 111, a voice control unit 112, a display control unit 113, and a sales data processing unit 114 by the control unit 100 operating in accordance with a program stored in the storage unit 14. More specifically, the program executed by the self-service POS terminal 1 of this embodiment has a modular configuration including the above-mentioned units (the operation reception unit 111, the voice control unit 112, the display control unit 113, and the sales data processing unit 114). The CPU (processor) 11 reads the program from a storage medium such as the storage unit 14 and loads the above-mentioned units into a main storage device such as the RAM 13. As a result, the operation reception unit 111, the voice control unit 112, the display control unit 113, and the sales data processing unit 114 are generated in the main storage device. Note that these functional units are merely examples, and the self-service POS terminal 1 may also have other functions.

[0029] The program of this embodiment may be stored in advance in the storage unit 14, or may be stored on another computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded to the self-service POS terminal 1 via the network. The program executed by the self-service POS terminal 1 of this embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet. The program executed by the self-service POS terminal 1 of this embodiment may be provided as an installable or executable file recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. Some or all of the functional configuration of the self-service POS terminal 1 may be a hardware configuration realized by a dedicated circuit or the like mounted on the self-service POS terminal 1.

[0030] The operation reception unit 111 receives operations by the user via the operation unit 82. Specifically, the operation reception unit 111 receives operations on various screens displayed on the display unit 81, and notifies the CPU 11 of the received operation content.

[0031] The voice control unit 112 controls the voice output unit 15 to output various voices. The voice to be output from the voice output unit 15 is selected by the customer on a voice selection screen, which will be described later. The voice control unit 112 cooperates with the sales data processing unit 114 to cause the voice output unit 15 to output the voice selected by the customer during the product registration process or the checkout process.

[0032] Furthermore, when the self-service POS terminal 1 is not in use, the voice control unit 112 causes the voice output unit 15 to output a voice that calls on the customer to use the self-service POS terminal 1. At this point, no voice has been selected by the customer, so the voice control unit 112 repeatedly outputs multiple voices that can be selected on the voice selection screen.

[0033] Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the output of a call voice when the self-service POS terminal 1 according to this embodiment is not in use. As shown in Fig. 6, when product registration processing and transaction processing are not being performed at the self-service POS terminal 1, the voice control unit 112 causes the voice output unit 15 to repeatedly output voice messages 911, 912, 921, and 922 in order, which are selectable by the customer 20, calling on the customer 20 to use the self-service POS terminal 1.

[0034] 6, the voice candidates that customer 20 can select are two voices, the voice of voice actor A and the voice of voice actor B. In this case, for example, the voice control unit 112 loops and outputs to the voice output unit 15 four voice messages 911, 912, 921, and 922: a voice message 911 in the voice of voice actor A saying "I will show you around," a voice message 922 in the voice of voice actor B saying "I will speak to you in a way that suits you," a voice message 912 in the voice of voice actor A saying "Come on in!", and a voice message 921 in the voice of voice actor B saying "Why not try using the self-checkout?"

[0035] 5, the display control unit 113 controls the display unit 81 to display various screens. For example, the display control unit 113 cooperates with the sales data processing unit 114 to cause the display unit 81 to display a screen for supporting product purchases and a screen for supporting checkout processing.

[0036] Furthermore, when the self-service POS terminal 1 is not in use, the display control unit 113 displays a voice selection screen on the display unit 81. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the voice selection screen 811 according to this embodiment. The voice selection screen 811 according to this embodiment is displayed on the display unit 81 as an initial screen.

[0037] The voice selection screen 811 is a screen including a selection section that allows the customer 20 to select one of a plurality of voices. In the example shown in Fig. 7, selection buttons 501 and 502 provided on the voice selection screen 811 are an example of the selection section. While the voice selection screen 811 is displayed by the display control section 113, voice messages 911, 912, 921, and 922 calling for the use of the self-service POS terminal 1 are repeatedly output in order from the voice output section 15, as described in Fig. 6.

[0038] In the self-service POS terminal 1 of this embodiment, the product registration process and the transaction process are initiated by an operation by the customer 20, so when the self-service POS terminal 1 is not in use, that is, when the product registration process has not yet started. The selection unit that allows selection of a voice also serves as a start button for the product registration process, and accepts the selection of a voice by the customer 20 as well as an operation to start the product registration process. In the example shown in FIG. 7, when the customer 20 presses either the selection button 501 or the selection button 502, the product registration process is started by the sales data processing unit 114, which will be described later.

[0039] Furthermore, the display control unit 113 displays a plurality of images corresponding to a plurality of voices on the voice selection screen 811. In the example shown in FIG. 7, voice actor A voices a rabbit character, and voice actor B voices a dinosaur character. In this case, the display control unit 113 displays a rabbit character image 601 on the voice selection screen 811 as an image corresponding to the voice of voice actor A. Furthermore, the display control unit 113 displays a dinosaur character image 602 on the voice selection screen 811 as an image corresponding to the voice of voice actor B. Furthermore, the display control unit 113 may display photographs of the voice actors A and B themselves on the voice selection screen 811 as images corresponding to the voices of the voice actors A and B. In the example shown in FIG. 6, the display control unit 113 displays a photograph of voice actor A on the selection button 501 for selecting voice actor A, and a photograph of voice actor B on the selection button 502 for selecting voice actor B. Furthermore, the display control unit 113 may display identification information that allows the voice actors A and B to be identified, such as the names of the voice actors A and B, on the selection buttons 501 and 502.

[0040] Furthermore, the display control unit 113 may highlight the selection buttons 501 and 502 corresponding to the currently output voice messages 911, 912, 921, and 922 in synchronization with the output timing of the voice messages 911, 912, 921, and 922 in the voices of the voice actors A and B. For example, the display control unit 113 may highlight the selection button 501 by flashing it or changing its color when the voice message 911 saying "I will guide you" is output in the voice of the voice actor A. Furthermore, the display control unit 113 may highlight the selection button 502 by flashing it or changing its color when the voice message 921 saying "Why not try using the self-checkout" is output in the voice of the voice actor B.

[0041] After the customer 20 selects a voice, the display control unit 113 displays an image corresponding to the selected voice from among the multiple images. The display control unit 113 obtains the image corresponding to the selected voice from the voice master 143 stored in the storage unit 14. For example, if the voice of voice actor B is selected by the customer 20 on the voice selection screen 811, the display control unit 113 displays the dinosaur character image 602 or a photo of voice actor B on each screen displayed on the display unit 81 during the product registration process and the checkout process. Note that the image corresponding to the selected voice is not limited to an image of a character, and may be a photo, portrait, avatar, etc. of the voice actor himself / herself.

[0042] 5, the sales data processing unit 114 executes various processes to support the purchase of products by cooperating with the hardware and other functional units of the self-service POS terminal 1. Specifically, the sales data processing unit 114 starts sales data processing for one transaction when the operation reception unit 111 receives an operation to start a transaction via the operation unit 82. The sales data processing includes product registration processing and accounting processing.

[0043] When a transaction is initiated, the sales data processing unit 114 enables the reading operation of the code reading unit 5 and waits for the product code to be read. For example, when the customer 20 selects one of the voices using the selection unit, the sales data processing unit 114 starts the product registration process. More specifically, when the customer 20 presses either the selection button 501 or the selection button 502 on the voice selection screen 811, the product registration process starts.

[0044] Each time a product code is read by the code reading unit 5, the sales data processing unit 114 identifies the product corresponding to the product code from the product master 141 and executes product registration processing to store the product code or other product information of the identified product in the RAM 13, etc. When the sales data processing unit 114 receives an operation to start a transaction via the operation unit 82, it calculates the total price of the products registered up to that operation and executes transaction processing to settle the account with the amount paid via the deposit / withdrawal unit 4, etc. In this transaction processing, the sales data processing unit 114 dispenses change, if any, from the deposit / withdrawal unit 4 and causes the printing unit 7 to issue a receipt on which product information, the total price, the amount paid, etc. are printed.

[0045] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a receipt 700 according to this embodiment. The sales data processing unit 114 causes the printing unit 7 to output a receipt 700 on which an image corresponding to the voice selected by the customer 20 is printed. If the customer 20 selects voice actor B, the sales data processing unit 114 causes the printing unit 7 to output a receipt 700 on which a dinosaur character image 602 corresponding to voice actor B is printed, as shown in FIG. 8. The sales data processing unit 114 may control the printing unit 7 to print and output an image corresponding to the voice selected by the customer 20 on paper printed with various coupons or sales information, in addition to receipts. The image corresponding to the voice selected by the customer 20 and printed on receipts, etc., is not limited to a character image, and may also be a photograph, portrait, avatar, etc. of the voice actor himself / herself.

[0046] Furthermore, the sales data processing unit 114 cooperates with the display control unit 113 to provide a user interface for supporting product purchases via the display unit 81 during the above-mentioned sales data processing. Furthermore, the sales data processing unit 114 cooperates with the voice control unit 112 to output various voice messages in voice types suited to the acquisition status of product information during the above-mentioned sales data processing. Note that the sales data processing unit 114 may be an example of a control means and an output means.

[0047] The flow of processing executed by the self-service POS terminal 1 in this embodiment configured as described above will now be described with reference to Figs. 9 to 16. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of product registration processing and transaction processing according to this embodiment. Figs. 10 to 16 are diagrams showing example screens displayed on the display unit 81 during the product registration processing and transaction processing.

[0048] First, the display control unit 113 causes the display unit 81 to display the audio selection screen 811 as an initial screen (S1).

[0049] Then, the voice control unit 112 causes the voice output unit 15 to output a call message in a plurality of voices selectable by the customer 20 on the voice selection screen 811 (S2). For example, the voice control unit 112 causes the voice output unit 15 to repeatedly output voice messages 911, 912, 921, and 922 in order, each of which calls for the use of the self-service POS terminal 1, as described in FIG.

[0050] While the operation reception unit 111 does not receive a voice selection operation by the customer 20 pressing either of the selection buttons 501, 502 (S3 “No”), the voice control unit 112 repeatedly outputs voice messages 911, 912, 921, and 922 inviting the customer 20 to use the self-service POS terminal 1 in S2.

[0051] Then, when the operation reception unit 111 receives a voice selection operation by the customer 20 pressing either of the selection buttons 501, 502 (S3 "Yes"), the display control unit 113 starts the product registration process. In the self-service POS terminal 1 of this embodiment, the membership code registration process is executed at the beginning of the product registration process, so the display control unit 113 displays a membership code registration screen on the display unit 81 (S4).

[0052] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a membership code registration screen 812 according to this embodiment. The membership code registration process is a process in which the code reading unit 5 reads a code symbol, such as a barcode or two-dimensional code, representing the membership code of the customer 20. The code symbol representing the membership code is displayed, for example, on a store's point card or on the screen of an application on the customer's 20's smartphone. The membership code registration process requires the customer 20 to hold the store's point card or the screen of the application on the customer's 20's smartphone over the code reading unit 5. For this reason, the display control unit 113 may display an image on the membership code registration screen 812 that shows the customer 20 how to operate the store's point card or the screen of the application on the customer's 20's smartphone, such as image 610 showing the method for reading the membership code.

[0053] When the voice of voice actor B is selected by the customer 20 in the process of S3, the display control unit 113 displays a dinosaur character image 602 corresponding to the voice of voice actor B and a photo 510 of voice actor B on the membership code registration screen 812, as shown in Fig. 10. It is not necessary for both the dinosaur character image 602 and the photo 510 of voice actor B to be displayed; it is sufficient if either one is displayed. The dinosaur character image 602 may be a still image, or may be moving, such as an animated gif or video.

[0054] In addition, the display control unit 113 may display on the membership code registration screen 812 a cancel button 511 that can accept an operation by the customer 20 to cancel the process, and a proceed button 512 that can accept an operation by the customer 20 to proceed to the next process.

[0055] In addition, when the screen transitions from the voice selection screen 811 to the membership code registration screen 812, the voice control unit 112 causes the voice output unit 15 to output a voice message 930 that guides the customer 20 on the operation, such as "Please read the membership code," in the voice selected by the customer 20 in the processing of S3 (S5).

[0056] The code reading unit 5 waits in a state in which it can read the membership code until it receives a membership code registration operation from the customer 20 (S6 "No").

[0057] Then, when the code reading unit 5 receives a membership code registration operation from the customer 20 (S6 "Yes"), the sales data processing unit 114 acquires the membership information corresponding to the membership code from the membership information database 142.

[0058] Then, the display control unit 113 causes the display unit 81 to display a screen corresponding to the member information corresponding to the read member code (S7). Furthermore, the voice control unit 112 causes the voice output unit 15 to output a voice message corresponding to the member information corresponding to the read member code in the voice selected by the customer 20 in the process of S3 (S8).

[0059] 11 to 13 are examples of screens corresponding to the member information. As a specific example, FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a birthday celebration screen 813 according to this embodiment. For example, if the transaction date matches the birthday of the customer 20 registered in the member information database 142, the display control unit 113 causes the display unit 81 to display the birthday celebration screen 813. In this case, the voice control unit 112 causes the voice output unit 15 to output a voice message 931 celebrating the birthday, such as "Happy birthday," in the voice selected by the customer 20 in the processing of S3.

[0060] 12 is a diagram showing an example of a screen 814 for new members according to this embodiment. For example, if the processing date matches the membership date of the customer 20 registered in the member information database 142, the display control unit 113 causes the display unit 81 to display the birthday celebration screen 813. In this case, the voice control unit 112 causes the voice output unit 15 to output a voice message 932 for new members, such as "Thank you for becoming our new member," in the voice selected by the customer 20 in the processing of S3.

[0061] Note that new member registration may be performed by a device different from the self-service POS terminal 1, or the self-service POS terminal 1 may have a new member registration function. If the self-service POS terminal 1 has a new member registration function, and if the customer 20 does not have a membership code, the display control unit 113 may cause the display unit 81 to display a screen that can accept a new member registration application from the customer 20.

[0062] 13 is a diagram showing an example of a screen 815 for frequent customers according to this embodiment. The display control unit 113 causes the display unit 81 to display the screen 815 for frequent customers, for example, for customers 20 whose membership rank registered in the member information database 142 is equal to or higher than a standard. In this case, the voice control unit 112 causes the voice output unit 15 to output a voice message 933 for frequent customers, such as "Thank you for always shopping with us," in the voice selected by the customer 20 in the processing of S3.

[0063] The display control unit 113 displays, on each screen shown in Figures 11 to 13, a photo 510 of voice actor B corresponding to the voice of voice actor B selected by the customer 20 in the processing of S3. Also, in Figures 11 to 13, the display control unit 113 displays, on each screen, an image 611 celebrating a birthday or an image 612 of a smiling face, but instead of these images, it may display a dinosaur character image 602 corresponding to the voice of voice actor B selected by the customer 20.

[0064] After the membership code registration process, the display control unit 113 causes the display unit 81 to display a product registration screen (S9).

[0065] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a product registration screen 816 according to this embodiment. As shown in Fig. 14, the product registration screen 816 includes a product details field 851 that displays details such as the product name of the product whose product code has been acquired by the code reading unit 5, the price of the product, a summary of the transaction, promotional information, etc., and a total field 852 that displays the number of products whose product codes have been acquired and the total price of the products whose product codes have been acquired. When the product registration screen 816 is displayed, the product details field 851 is blank, and the total field 852 displays the number of products "0" and the total amount "0".

[0066] The display control unit 113 displays an image corresponding to the voice selected by the customer 20 in the processing of S3 on the product registration screen 816. In the example shown in Fig. 14, the display control unit 113 displays a dinosaur character image 602 corresponding to the voice of voice actor B and a photo 510 of voice actor B on the product registration screen 816. The display control unit 113 also displays a cancel button 511 that can accept an operation by the customer 20 to cancel the processing, and a start checkout button 513 that can accept an operation by the customer 20 to proceed to the checkout processing for the purchased product on the product registration screen 816.

[0067] Furthermore, when the screen transitions from a screen corresponding to the member information (birthday celebration screen 813, new member screen 814, or frequent customer screen 815) to the product registration screen 816, the voice control unit 112 causes the voice output unit 15 to output a voice message 934 that guides the customer 20 through the product registration operation in the voice selected by the customer 20 in the processing of S3 (S10). The content of the voice message 934 that guides the customer 20 through the product registration operation is, for example, "Please scan the barcode of the product."

[0068] When the code reading unit 5 acquires a product code by, for example, reading a code symbol attached to a product (S11 "Yes"), the sales data processing unit 114 registers the product with the acquired product code as a purchase target (S12). For example, the sales data processing unit 114 acquires product information corresponding to the product code from the product master 141 and stores it in the RAM 13 or the like as information on the product to be purchased. The display control unit 113 displays the product name, price, transaction summary, promotional information, etc. of the product registered by the sales data processing unit 114 as a purchase target in a product details column 851 of the product registration screen 816. The display control unit 113 also displays the number of products registered as a purchase target and the total price of all products registered as a purchase target in a total column 852. At this time, the voice control unit 112 may also cause the voice output unit 15 to output a voice message informing the customer 20 of the product name and price of the product registered immediately before or the total price of all registered products in the voice selected by the customer 20 in the processing of S3.

[0069] If the operation reception unit 111 does not receive the customer 20 pressing the transaction start button 513 (S13 "No"), the process from S11 to S13 is repeated.

[0070] Furthermore, if the operation reception unit 111 receives the customer 20 pressing the transaction start button 513 (S13 "Yes"), the display control unit 113 causes the transaction screen to be displayed on the display unit 81 (S14).

[0071] FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a checkout processing screen 817 according to this embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 15, code payment is used as the payment method. In code payment, the customer 20 pays by having the code reader 5 read a payment code displayed on the application screen of the customer's smartphone. The code may be a barcode or a two-dimensional code, as long as it has a coding system that can be read by the code reader 5. The following explanation will use a barcode as an example. The display control unit 113 may display an image on the checkout processing screen 817 that shows the customer 20 how to operate the device, such as image 610 showing how to read a payment barcode. The display control unit 113 may also display a screen on the display unit 81 that allows the customer 20 to select a payment method before the checkout processing screen 817 shown in FIG. 15.

[0072] The display control unit 113 also displays an image corresponding to the audio selected by the customer 20 in step S3 on the transaction screen 817. In the example shown in FIG. 15, the display control unit 113 displays a dinosaur character image 602 corresponding to the audio of voice actor B and a photo 510 of voice actor B on the transaction screen 817. The display control unit 113 also displays a cancel button 511 on the transaction screen 817, which can be used to cancel the transaction by the customer 20.

[0073] Furthermore, when the screen transitions from the product registration screen 816 to the checkout processing screen 817, the voice control unit 112 causes the voice output unit 15 to output a voice message 935 that guides the customer 20 through the checkout process in the voice selected by the customer 20 in the process of S3 (S15). The content of the voice message 935 that guides the customer 20 through the checkout process is, for example, "Please scan the barcode on your smartphone."

[0074] The code reading unit 5 waits until it receives a transaction operation from the customer 20 to read the payment barcode (S16 "No").

[0075] Then, when the code reading unit 5 accepts a checkout operation by the customer 20 to read a barcode for payment (S16 "Yes"), the sales data processing unit 114 executes checkout processing to settle the total amount of the registered products with the amount paid by the customer 20 (S17).

[0076] Then, the sales data processing unit 114 causes the printing unit 7 to print a receipt 700 on which product information, the total amount, the payment amount, etc., and an image corresponding to the voice selected by the customer 20 are printed (S18).

[0077] Then, the display control unit 113 displays a transaction completion screen on the display unit 81 (S19). The transaction completion screen is a screen that notifies the customer 20 that the transaction process is complete.

[0078] FIG. 16 is a diagram showing an example of a transaction completion screen 818 according to this embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the display control unit 113 displays a message of thanks to the customer 20, saying "Thank you very much," on the transaction completion screen 818. The display control unit 113 also displays an image corresponding to the voice selected by the customer 20 in the processing of S3 on the transaction completion screen 818. In the example shown in FIG. 16, the display control unit 113 displays a dinosaur character image 602 corresponding to the voice of voice actor B and a photo 510 of voice actor B on the transaction completion screen 818.

[0079] Furthermore, when the screen transitions from the transaction processing screen 817 to the transaction completion screen 818, the voice control unit 112 causes the voice output unit 15 to output a voice message 936 informing the customer 20 that the transaction processing is complete using the voice selected by the customer 20 in the processing of S3 (S20). The content of the voice message 936 informing the customer 20 that the transaction processing is complete may be, for example, a thank you message that indirectly informs the customer 20 that the transaction processing is complete.

[0080] The display control unit 113 then continues to display the transaction completion screen 818 until the specified time has elapsed (S21 "No"). The specified time may be, for example, three seconds, but is not limited to this.

[0081] Then, when a predetermined time has elapsed (S21 "Yes"), the display control unit 113 returns to S1 and causes the display unit 81 to display the audio selection screen 811 as the initial screen.

[0082] As described above, the self-service POS terminal 1 of this embodiment displays a screen including a selection section that allows the customer to select one of multiple voices when the product registration process or the checkout process has not yet started. The self-service POS terminal 1 of this embodiment then outputs the voice selected by the customer while the product registration process or the checkout process is in progress. Therefore, the self-service POS terminal 1 of this embodiment allows the customer 20 to select their preferred voice, which is expected to make the customer feel familiar with the voice output when operating the self-service POS terminal 1 and enjoy listening to the voice. Thus, the self-service POS terminal 1 of this embodiment can reduce the resistance that the customer 20 feels toward the self-service POS terminal 1.

[0083] In particular, by using the voice of a popular voice actor or the like to present the selection candidates as in this embodiment, the customer 20 can easily feel the enjoyment of selection, and the self-service POS terminal 1 can be made more entertaining.

[0084] Furthermore, in the self-service POS terminal 1 of this embodiment, the audio output unit 15 repeatedly outputs multiple audio sounds selectable by the selection unit when product registration processing or checkout processing has not started. As a result, the self-service POS terminal 1 of this embodiment can call out to the customer 20 with multiple audio sounds when the self-service POS terminal 1 is not in use, thereby attracting the customer 20's attention to the self-service POS terminal 1. Furthermore, by repeatedly outputting multiple audio sounds, the self-service POS terminal 1 of this embodiment is more likely to attract the customer 20's attention if there is a audio sound that the customer 20 likes among the multiple audio sounds.

[0085] Furthermore, the self-service POS terminal 1 of this embodiment starts the product registration process or the checkout process when the selection unit receives an operation by the customer 20 to select one of multiple voices. In the self-service POS terminal 1 of this embodiment, the selection unit also serves as a start button for the product registration process, and receives the voice selection by the customer 20 as well as an operation to start the product registration process. Therefore, the self-service POS terminal 1 of this embodiment allows the customer 20 to smoothly start the product registration process from the voice selection.

[0086] Furthermore, the self-service POS terminal 1 of this embodiment displays a plurality of images corresponding to a plurality of sounds on the sound selection screen 811, and after a sound is selected by the customer 20, displays the image corresponding to the selected sound from among the plurality of images. Therefore, the self-service POS terminal 1 of this embodiment can make the customer 20 feel more familiar with the terminal and enjoy using it, by combining sounds and images.

[0087] Furthermore, after the transaction process is completed, the self-service POS terminal 1 of this embodiment outputs a paper sheet on which an image corresponding to the voice selected by the customer 20 is printed. Therefore, the self-service POS terminal 1 of this embodiment can make the customer 20 feel happy even after the transaction process, thereby encouraging the customer to use the service again.

[0088] (Variation 1) In the above-described embodiments, the self-service POS terminal 1 is used as an example of a product data processing device, but the type of the product data processing device is not limited to this. Also, in the above-described embodiments, an example in which a customer performs operations in the product registration process has been described, but a customer may also perform operations in the checkout process.

[0089] The types of product data processing devices can be broadly classified into registration and accounting devices where customers perform product registration and accounting operations, accounting devices where customers perform accounting operations, and registration devices where customers register products.

[0090] The registration and checkout device where customers register products and complete checkout operations is a registration and checkout device equipped with both product registration and checkout functions. An example of such a registration and checkout device is a fully self-service register.

[0091] The checkout device where the customer processes the transaction only needs to have a transaction function, and does not need to have a function for accepting product registration operations by the customer. An example of such a checkout device is a self-checkout device.

[0092] The registration device through which customers register products only needs to have a product registration function and does not need to have a function for accepting customer transaction operations. Examples of such registration devices include stationary registration devices, smartphone-type POS terminals, and cart-type POS terminals that have a registration function. A smartphone-type POS terminal is a POS terminal through which customers themselves register products using a camera or the like on their mobile device (e.g., a smartphone or tablet device). A cart-type POS terminal is a POS terminal through which customers themselves register products using a smartphone or tablet device connected to a shopping cart.

[0093] (Variation 2) In the above-described embodiment, the voice used in the self-service POS terminal 1 is the voice of a popular voice actor or the like, but other voices that are generally used in the self-service POS terminal 1 and do not identify individuals or machine voices may also be included. For example, the voice selection screen 811 may include a selection button that allows selection of a normal voice. Furthermore, when the normal voice is selected by the customer 20, the display control unit 113 does not display an image of a character or the like on the screen being processed.

[0094] (Variation 3) In the above embodiment, the membership code registration process is executed at the beginning of the product registration process, but the membership code registration process and the display of a screen corresponding to the membership information are not essential.

[0095] As described above, according to the above-described embodiments, it is possible to reduce the resistance felt by customers toward a product data processing device that is operated by the customers themselves.

[0096] 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 and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] 1. Self-service POS terminal 2. First enclosure 3 Second enclosure 4. Deposit and Withdrawal Section 5 Code reader 6 Card reader 7 Printing section 8 Display operation section 10 Basket stand 11 CPU 12 ROM 13 RAM 14 Storage section 15 Audio output section 16 Communications Department 20 customers 51 Reading window 61 Card slot 71 Receipt issuing port 81 Display section 82 Control section 100 control section 111 Operation reception section 112 Audio control unit 113 Display control unit 114 Sales data processing section 141 Product Master 142 Membership Information Database 143 Audio Master 501,502 selection button 510 photos 511 Cancel button 512 Progress button 513 Start accounting button 601,602 character images 610 Image showing reading technique 611 Birthday Celebration Images 612 smiling images 700 receipts 811 Audio selection screen 812 Membership code registration screen 813 Birthday celebration screen 814 New Member Screen 815 Customer Screen 816 Product registration screen 817 Accounting screen 818 Accounting completion screen 851 Product details column 852 Total column 911, 912, 921, 922, 930~936 Voice message [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0098] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-154984

Claims

1. a control means for executing at least one of a product registration process and a checkout process based on a customer's operation; a display means for displaying a screen including a selection section that allows the customer to select one of a plurality of voices when the product registration process or the checkout process has not started; a voice output means for outputting the voice selected by the customer during the product registration process or the transaction process; A product data processing device comprising:

2. the audio output means repeatedly outputs the plurality of audio sounds selectable by the selection unit when the product registration process or the checkout process has not started. The product data processing device according to claim 1 .

3. the control means starts the product registration process or the transaction process when the selection unit receives an operation by the customer to select one of the multiple voices. The product data processing device according to claim 1 .

4. the display means displays a plurality of images corresponding to the plurality of sounds on the screen, and after the sound is selected by the customer, displays an image corresponding to the selected sound from among the plurality of images. The product data processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The system further comprises an output unit for outputting a paper sheet on which the image corresponding to the voice selected by the customer is printed after the transaction process is completed. The product data processing device according to claim 4 .

6. a display step of displaying a screen including a selection section that allows the customer to select one of a plurality of voices when product registration processing or checkout processing has not started; a voice output step of outputting the voice selected by the customer during execution of the product registration process or the transaction process; a control step of executing at least one of the product registration process or the transaction process based on the customer's operation; A program that causes a computer to execute the following.

Images