Store business support system

Abstract

To provide a store business support system which allows enhancement of safety of an employee of a store.SOLUTION: A store business support system 1 which supports a business of a store in which a register counter at which an employee of the store performs customer service is provided with a crime prevention panel 42, comprises: a human sensor 32 which detects an object existing outside an automatic door 31 which can be automatically opened / closed, provided at an entrance / exit used by customers; and a control unit 21 which controls operations of the automatic door 31 on the basis of operation modes including a normal operation mode for opening the automatic door 31 when the object is detected outside the automatic door 31, and a special operation mode for not opening the automatic door 31 even when the object is detected outside the automatic door 31, wherein the control unit 21 opens the automatic door 31 when a door opening instruction of the automatic door 31 is received from an employee terminal 5 used by the employee in the special operation mode.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a store sales support system. [Background technology]

[0002] Due to rising labor costs and labor shortages, convenience stores and other stores are now operating with one employee performing all operations during late-night hours when there are fewer customers, a practice known as one-person operation. Stores that operate with one employee like this have the problem of being more susceptible to robbery.

[0003] To address this problem, for example, Patent Document 1 below discloses an evacuation box and partition board to prevent physical harm and financial loss to employees by robbers. This evacuation box is installed inside the cash register of a store such as a convenience store, and a locking mechanism that can only be unlocked from the inside is provided on the inside of the evacuation box door. Inside the evacuation box, there is a means for remotely locking the cash register and a means for making an emergency call to the outside. The partition board is installed to separate the space between the customer side and the employee side, with the cash register as the boundary.

[0004] Furthermore, the following Patent Document 2 discloses a security management system that can minimize human damage to store employees. This security management system has a foot switch installed in a location that is not visible from the outside inside the cash register of a store such as a convenience store, and when a store employee determines that there is an abnormality and operates the foot switch, a signal notifying the occurrence of an emergency is sent to the outside. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-309854 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2015-79298 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Incidentally, when a store is operating alone at night, the store employee needs to work outside the cash register, for example, to replenish merchandise. The technologies in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are designed to protect the safety of employees who are inside the cash register, but are insufficient in terms of ensuring the safety of employees even when they are outside the cash register.

[0007] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a store business support system that can improve the safety of store employees. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] A store sales support system according to one aspect of the present invention is a store sales support system that supports the operations of a store in which a security panel is installed at a counter where store employees perform customer service duties, and is equipped with an object detection unit that detects objects present outside a store entrance / exit door that can be opened and closed automatically and is installed at an entrance / exit used by customers, and a control unit that controls the operation of the store entrance / exit door based on operation modes including a normal operation mode in which the store entrance / exit door opens when an object is detected outside the store entrance / exit door, and a special operation mode in which the store entrance / exit door does not open even if an object is detected outside the store entrance / exit door, and in the special operation mode, the control unit opens the store entrance / exit door when it receives an instruction to open the store entrance / exit door from an employee terminal used by an employee.

[0009] According to this aspect, by setting the operation mode of the store entrance door to a special operation mode, customers cannot enter the store unless an employee gives the command to open the store entrance door, allowing the employee to check their own situation and the state of the customer and allow the customer to enter the store while ensuring safety.

[0010] A store sales support method according to another aspect of the present invention is a method executed by a processor, and includes the steps of: setting a schedule for switching the operation mode of a store entrance / exit door that can be opened and closed automatically and is installed at an entrance / exit used by customers; switching the operation mode of the store entrance / exit door to a normal operation mode that opens the store entrance / exit door when an object is detected outside the store entrance / exit door based on the schedule; switching to a special operation mode that does not open the store entrance / exit door even if an object is detected outside the store entrance / exit door based on the schedule; and opening the store entrance / exit door in the special operation mode when an instruction to open the store entrance / exit door is received from an employee terminal used by a store employee.

[0011] According to this aspect, when the operation mode of the store entrance door is in the special operation mode, customers cannot enter the store unless an employee instructs the store entrance door to open, so the employee can check their own situation and the state of the customer and allow the customer to enter the store while ensuring safety. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a store business support system that makes it possible to improve the safety of store employees. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating a schematic configuration of a store sales support system according to an embodiment; [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a security panel installed in a store. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a security panel installed in a store. [Figure 4] 10A and 10B are diagrams illustrating an example of an opening and closing door portion of a security panel. [Figure 5] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation performed when supporting store sales in the store sales support system according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0014] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Note that the same elements are given the same reference numerals and redundant description will be omitted.

[0015] [Store sales support system configuration] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a store sales support system 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention. The store sales support system 1 according to this embodiment is constructed for each store, such as a convenience store, for example.

[0016] The store sales support system 1 includes, for example, a control system 2, an automatic door system 3, a cash register counter system 4, an employee terminal 5, a fall detection device 6, a speaker 7, and a camera 8. Note that the components of the store sales support system 1 are not limited to these. For example, the system may include sensors, buttons, switches, etc. related to crime prevention, disasters, and failures, such as a fire sensor, a button for requesting monitoring from a security company, and a switch that allows the automatic door to be manually opened in the event of a failure.

[0017] The server device 9 is an external device that can communicate with the store sales support system 1 via a wired or wireless network N. The server device 9 is not limited to one device, and multiple devices can be provided depending on the purpose and function. For example, a server device included in a security company's monitoring system, or a server device included in a convenience store's product management system or sales management system, etc., can be included as appropriate.

[0018] The control system 2 is a system that comprehensively controls the components included in the store sales support system 1. The control system 2 includes, for example, a control unit 21 and a communication unit 22.

[0019] The control unit 21 is physically a processor, and realizes various functions of the store sales support system 1 by executing programs stored in a memory.

[0020] The control unit 21 controls the operation of the automatic door 31 based on, for example, the operation mode of the automatic door (store entrance / exit door) 31 included in the automatic door system 3. The operation mode of the automatic door 31 can be, for example, a normal operation mode and a special operation mode.

[0021] The normal operation mode is an operation mode in which the automatic door 31 opens when an object such as a customer is detected outside the store of the automatic door 31. The object is detected by the human presence sensor 32 included in the automatic door system 3.

[0022] The special operation mode is an operation mode in which the automatic door 31 does not open even if an object such as a customer is detected outside the store from the automatic door 31. When the operation mode is the special operation mode, the automatic door 31 can be opened by receiving an instruction to open the automatic door 31 from the employee terminal 5 used by the store employee.

[0023] Here, when an object is detected inside the store through the automatic door 31, it is preferable to open the automatic door 31 regardless of whether it is in the normal operation mode or the special operation mode.

[0024] Furthermore, the operation modes of the automatic door 31 are not limited to the normal operation mode and the special operation mode. For example, in preparation for the occurrence of a malfunction in the automatic door 31, a manual operation mode may be further provided in which the power supply to the automatic door 31 is cut off to enable manual opening and closing.

[0025] The operation mode may be switched by setting a schedule for switching the operation mode, or by operating a switch or button.

[0026] The schedule for the special operation mode is preferably set to coincide with the time period when only one person is working, such as late at night when there are fewer customers.

[0027] When the operation mode is the special operation mode, the control unit 21 executes, for example, the following processes (1) to (3).

[0028] (1) When an instruction to open the automatic door 31 is received from the employee terminal 5, the automatic door 31 is opened.

[0029] (2) When an alarm signal is received, the operation mode of the automatic door 31 is switched from the special operation mode to the normal operation mode. The alarm signal is a signal that notifies of an abnormality, and can include, for example, a signal that is sent when the fall detection sensor 61 included in the fall detection device 6 detects a fall by an employee, a signal that is sent when a fire is detected by a fire sensor, a signal that is sent when a button is pressed to request monitoring by a security company, etc.

[0030] (3) When an alarm signal is received, images (including still images and videos) of the inside of the store taken by the camera 8 are transmitted to the security company. Note that what is transmitted to the security company is not limited to images, and may also include audio.

[0031] The communication unit 22 is a communication interface that transmits and receives data and signals to and from other components included in the store sales support system 1, the server device 9, etc. For example, in the special operation mode, the communication unit 22 receives a visitor notification sent from the automatic door system 3 when a visitor is detected outside the store through the automatic door 31.

[0032] The visitor notification is a notification that a customer has come to the store, and may include a notification by voice in addition to a notification by a signal, a message, or an image. The communication unit 22 transmits the received visitor notification to the employee terminal 5 used by the store employee.

[0033] The automatic door system 3 includes, for example, an automatic door 31, a human presence sensor 32, a control unit 33, and a communication unit 34.

[0034] The automatic door 31 includes a drive mechanism that drives a door that can be opened and closed automatically, and is provided at the entrance and exit of the store used by customers.

[0035] The human presence sensor 32 is a sensor that detects objects such as customers present on both the outside and inside of the automatic door 31.

[0036] The control unit 33 is physically a processor, and executes programs stored in memory to control the automatic door 31. For example, the control unit 33 controls the opening and closing of the automatic door 31 based on the detection of an object by the human sensor 32, and controls the opening and closing, locking and unlocking of the automatic door 31 based on instructions from the control system 2 or the like.

[0037] The communication unit 34 is a communication interface that transmits and receives data and signals to and from the control system 2 and other devices. For example, in the special operation mode, the communication unit 34 transmits a customer notification to the control system 2 when a customer is detected outside the automatic door 31. This customer notification is transmitted from the control system 2 to the employee terminal 5.

[0038] The checkout counter system 4 includes, for example, a self-checkout register 41, a security panel 42, an electronic lock 43, and a communication unit 44.

[0039] The self-checkout 41 is, for example, a POS (Point of Sale) cash register system that allows a customer to perform operations from reading the barcodes of purchased items to paying for them.

[0040] The security panel 42 separates the shopping area where customers shop from the employee area where store employees wait. The security panel 42 is preferably constructed by combining a panel made of polycarbonate, an easily workable material, with an aluminum support. Using an easily workable material for the panel allows for flexible adaptation to the layout of cash registers and other features that vary from store to store.

[0041] An example of installing the security panel 42 in a store will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0042] The security panel 42 is preferably placed, for example, above the cash register counter (counter) C where store employees serve customers, and is further installed so as to surround the inner area inside the cash register counter C. This makes it possible for the security panel 42 to separate the shopping area where customers shop from the employee area where store employees wait.

[0043] When processing the security panel 42, it is preferable to cut out a portion of the bottom of the panel so that fixtures F, such as the self-checkout register 41 and cafe machines, placed on the checkout counter C can be shared and operated by employees and customers, separated by the security panel 42. In this case, it is preferable to position the security panel 42 so that the cutout portion of the security panel 42 is located above the shared equipment, such as the self-checkout register 41. In this case, it is preferable to limit the gap between the security panel 42 and the shared equipment, such as the self-checkout register 41, or the checkout counter C to a size that prevents a person from passing through. This increases the safety of employees in the area inside the security panel 42.

[0044] The checkout counter C is provided with an opening / closing door Cd for store employees to enter and exit the area inside the checkout counter C. Therefore, when processing the security panel 42, it is preferable to process the portion of the security panel 42 located above the opening / closing door Cd of the checkout counter C as the opening / closing door portion 42d. This allows the opening / closing door Cd of the checkout counter C to be opened and closed with the opening / closing door portion 42d of the security panel 42 located above the opening / closing door Cd.

[0045] FIG. 4 shows an example of the opening / closing door 42d. The opening / closing door 42d is attached on top of the opening / closing door Cd of the cashier counter C. A gap 42h is provided at the bottom of the opening / closing door 42d. This allows a gap to be formed between the opening / closing door 42d and the opening / closing door Cd when the opening / closing door 42d is attached on top of the opening / closing door Cd. A store employee can reach into the gap created by the gap 42h to open or close the opening / closing door Cd of the cashier counter C to which the opening / closing door 42d is attached.

[0046] An electronic lock 43 is provided on the inner area side of the opening / closing door section 42d. The electronic lock 43 may be locked and unlocked based on a signal transmitted from the control system 2, or may be locked and unlocked by an employee operating the employee terminal 5. Furthermore, the electronic lock 43 may be manually locked and unlocked directly by an employee.

[0047] 1 locks and unlocks the lock provided on the opening / closing door section 42d of the security panel 42, for example, based on a signal transmitted from the control system 2. For example, the electronic lock 43 locks the lock based on a signal transmitted from the control system 2 when the operation mode of the automatic door 31 is switched from the normal operation mode to the special operation mode. On the other hand, the electronic lock 43 unlocks the lock based on a signal transmitted from the control system 2 when the operation mode of the automatic door 31 is switched from the special operation mode to the normal operation mode.

[0048] The communication unit 44 is a communication interface, and transmits and receives data and signals to and from the control system 2 and other devices.

[0049] The employee terminal 5 is a portable terminal used by an employee, and includes, for example, a control unit 51, a door open button 52, a display unit 53, and a communication unit 54.

[0050] The control unit 51 is physically a processor, and realizes the functions implemented in the employee terminal 5 by executing programs stored in memory.

[0051] For example, when the open door button 52 is pressed upon receiving a visitor notification from the control system 2 in the special operation mode, the open door button 52 transmits an open door instruction to the control system 2 to instruct it to open the automatic door 31.

[0052] The display unit 53 is physically a display, and displays messages and images such as visitor notifications in the special operation mode.

[0053] The communication unit 54 is a communication interface, and transmits and receives data and signals to and from the control system 2 and other devices.

[0054] The fall detection device 6 is a device that can be worn by a store employee on the body, and includes a fall detection sensor 61 and a communication unit 62.

[0055] The fall detection sensor 61 is a sensor that detects a fall of an employee equipped with the fall detection device 6.

[0056] The communication unit 62 is a communication interface that transmits and receives data and signals to and from the control system 2 and other devices. For example, when the communication unit 62 detects that a store employee has fallen, it transmits an alarm signal to the control system 2 to notify the control system 2 of the abnormality.

[0057] The speaker 7 outputs voice and sound. The number of speakers 7 is not limited to one, and multiple speakers can be provided depending on the purpose and function of the output content.

[0058] The camera 8 captures images inside the store. The images may be still images or videos, and may also include audio. If audio is to be included, the store sales support system 1 or the camera 8 may be equipped with a microphone. The number of cameras 8 is not limited to one, and multiple cameras may be provided.

[0059] [Operation of the store sales support system] With reference to FIG. 5, an example of the operation when the control unit 21 of the control system 2 switches the operation mode of the automatic door 31 to support the store's operations in the store-sales support system 1 according to the embodiment will be described.

[0060] The processing steps described below can be arbitrarily changed in order or executed in parallel as long as no contradiction occurs in the processing content. Other steps can also be added between processing steps. Furthermore, a step described as a single step for convenience can be divided into multiple steps and executed, and a step described as multiple steps for convenience can be executed as a single step.

[0061] First, the control unit 21 of the control system 2 registers a switching schedule for the operation mode of the automatic door 31 based on a schedule registration operation by an employee (step S101).

[0062] Next, for example, when the store opens for business during the normal operation mode time period, the control unit 21 sets the operation mode of the automatic door 31 to the normal operation mode (step S102).

[0063] Next, the control unit 21 determines whether it is time to start the special operation mode (step S103). If this determination is NO (step S103; NO), the control unit 21 repeats the determination of step S103 or waits until it becomes YES.

[0064] When it is determined in step S103 that it is time to start the special operation mode (step S103; YES), the control unit 21 switches the operation mode of the automatic door 31 from the normal operation mode to the special operation mode (step S104).

[0065] Next, the control unit 21 determines whether or not a visitor notification has been received from the automatic door system 3 (step S105). If this determination is NO (step S105; NO), the control unit 21 proceeds to step S108, which will be described later.

[0066] If it is determined in step S105 that a visitor notification has been received (step S105; YES), the control unit 21 transmits the visitor notification to the employee terminal 5 (step S106).

[0067] Next, the control unit 21 transmits the instruction to open the automatic door 31 received from the employee terminal 5 to the automatic door system 3 (step S107). As a result, the automatic door 31 is opened by the automatic door system 3.

[0068] Next, the control unit 21 determines whether it is time to start the normal operation mode (step S108). If this determination is NO (step S108; NO), the control unit 21 proceeds to the process of step S105 described above.

[0069] If it is determined in step S108 that it is time to start the normal operation mode (step S108; YES), the control unit 21 switches the operation mode of the automatic door 31 from the special operation mode to the normal operation mode (step S109). Then, the control unit 21 proceeds to the process of step S103 described above.

[0070] [Effects of this embodiment] As explained above, according to the store sales support system 1 of this embodiment, the operation of the automatic door 31 can be controlled based on operation modes including a normal operation mode in which the automatic door 31 opens when a customer is detected on the outside of the automatic door 31 at the store entrance / exit, and a special operation mode in which the automatic door 31 does not open even when a customer is detected on the outside of the automatic door 31, and in the special operation mode, the automatic door 31 can be opened when an instruction to open the automatic door 31 is received from the employee terminal 5 used by an employee.

[0071] As a result, for example, by setting the operation mode of the automatic door 31 to a special operation mode during times when one person is required to operate the store, customers will not be able to enter unless an employee instructs the automatic door 31 to open. This allows employees to check their own situation and the state of customers, and allow customers to enter the store after ensuring safety. This makes it possible to increase the safety of store employees.

[0072] Furthermore, according to the store sales support system 1, when in the special operation mode, if a customer is detected outside the store through the automatic door 31, a visitor notification informing the employee terminal 5 that a customer has arrived can be sent. This allows the employee to recognize that a customer has arrived from the visitor notification sent to the employee terminal 5.

[0073] Furthermore, according to the store sales support system 1, if a fall of an employee is detected in the special operation mode, the fall detection device 6 sends an alarm signal to the control system 2, and the control unit 21 of the control system 2 can send an instruction to switch the operation mode of the automatic door 31 to the normal operation mode to the automatic door system 3. This allows rescuers such as ambulances to enter the store and rescue the fallen employee, even if an employee falls due to sudden illness during special operation mode while the store is staffed by a single person.

[0074] Furthermore, according to the store business support system 1, in the special operation mode, when the control system 2 receives an alarm signal, it can also send images of the inside of the store to a security company, so that even if an abnormality occurs in the store, the security company can check the situation inside the store.

[0075] Furthermore, according to the store operations support system 1, the security panel 42 installed at the checkout counter C can be installed to surround the inner area inside the checkout counter C, separating the shopping area where customers shop from the employee area where employees wait. In addition, the cutout portion of the security panel 42 can be positioned above shared equipment such as self-checkout registers 41 shared by employees and customers. This allows employees and customers to operate shared equipment such as self-checkout registers 41 while being separated by the security panel 42.

[0076] Furthermore, according to the store operations support system 1, the opening / closing door portion 42d of the security panel 42 can be placed above the opening / closing door Cd of the cash register C, forming a gap between the opening / closing door portion 42d and the opening / closing door Cd. This allows an employee to reach into the gap and open or close the opening / closing door Cd with the opening / closing door portion 42d, thereby entering or exiting the area inside the cash register C surrounded by the security panel 42.

[0077] [Variations] It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and can be embodied in various other forms without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the above-described embodiment is merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted as being limiting.

[0078] For example, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 21 of the control system 2 opens the automatic door 31 when it receives an instruction to open the automatic door 31 from the employee terminal 5 during special operation mode, but the conditions for opening the automatic door 31 are not limited to this.

[0079] In this modified example, the control unit 21 of the control system 2 may open the automatic door 31 when it receives an instruction to open the automatic door 31 from the employee terminal 5 during special operation mode and the electronic lock 43 provided on the opening / closing door section 42d of the security panel 42 is in the locked state.

[0080] As a result, for example, even if the electronic lock 43 of the opening / closing door section 42d of the security panel 42 is unlocked during a special operation mode during one-person operation, when the automatic door 31 is opened based on an employee's command to open the door, the electronic lock 43 can be locked before opening the automatic door 31. It is preferable that the control section 21 in this modified example be able to manage the status of the electronic lock 43, for example, by receiving or acquiring the status of the electronic lock 43. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 1...store sales support system, 2...control system, 3...automatic door system, 4...cashier counter system, 5...employee terminal, 6...fall detection device, 7...speaker, 8...camera, 9...server device, 21...control unit, 22...communication unit, 31...automatic door, 32...human presence sensor, 33...control unit, 34...communication unit, 41...self-checkout, 42...security panel, 42d...opening and closing door section, 42h...gap section, 43...electronic lock, 44...communication unit, 51...control unit, 52...open door button, 53...display unit, 54...communication unit, 61...fall detection sensor, 62...communication unit, C...cashier counter, Cd...opening and closing door, F...fixtures, N...network

Claims

1. A store sales support system that supports the operation of a store in which a security panel is installed at a counter where store employees serve customers, an object detection unit that detects an object present outside a store entrance door that can be automatically opened and closed and is provided at an entrance used by customers; a control unit that controls the operation of the store entrance door based on operation modes including a normal operation mode in which the store entrance door opens when an object is detected on the outside of the store entrance door, and a special operation mode in which the store entrance door does not open even when an object is detected on the outside of the store entrance door; Equipped with When the control unit receives an instruction to open the store entrance door from an employee terminal used by the employee in the special operation mode, the control unit opens the store entrance door. Store sales support system.

2. and a transmitting unit configured to transmit a visitor notification to the employee terminal when an object is detected outside the store entrance door in the special operation mode, the visitor notification notifying the employee that a customer has arrived at the store. The store business support system according to claim 1.

3. A receiving unit for receiving an alarm signal notifying an abnormality is further provided, When the alarm signal is received in the special operation mode, the control unit switches the operation mode of the store entrance door from the special operation mode to the normal operation mode. The store business support system according to claim 1.

4. a fall detection unit that detects a fall of the employee; a transmitter that transmits the alarm signal when a fall of the employee is detected; Further provided with 4. The store business support system according to claim 3.

5. When the alarm signal is received in the special operation mode, the control unit transmits an image of the inside of the store to a security company.

4. The store business support system according to claim 3.

6. The security panel is provided to surround an inner area inside the counter and separates a shopping area where customers shop from an employee area where employees wait. The store business support system according to claim 1.

7. The security panel has a portion of the bottom cut out so that the employee and the customer can operate the equipment on the cash register counter shared by them through the security panel, and the security panel is positioned so that the cut-out portion is located above the equipment.

7. The store business support system according to claim 6.

8. The counter includes an opening / closing door that allows access to the inner area, The security panel has an opening / closing door part that can be attached to the opening / closing door, and a gap that allows a hand to be inserted between the opening / closing door part attached to the opening / closing door and the opening / closing door is provided.

7. The store business support system according to claim 6.

9. The security panel has an electronic lock on the opening and closing door, The control unit manages the state of the electronic lock, and in the special operation mode, when an instruction to open the store entrance door is received and the state of the electronic lock is in a locked state, opens the store entrance door.

9. The store business support system according to claim 8.

10. The security panel has an electronic lock on the opening and closing door, The control unit locks the electronic lock when switching the operation mode of the store entrance door from the normal operation mode to the special operation mode.

9. The store business support system according to claim 8.

11. 1. A processor-implemented method comprising: A step of setting a schedule for switching the operation mode of an automatically openable and closable store entrance door provided at an entrance used by customers; Switching the operation mode of the store entrance door to a normal operation mode in which the store entrance door is opened when an object is detected outside the store of the store entrance door based on the schedule; a step of switching to a special operation mode in which the store entrance door is not opened even if an object is detected outside the store entrance door based on the schedule; a step of opening the store entrance door when an instruction to open the store entrance door is received from an employee terminal used by an employee of the store in the special operation mode; Store sales support methods including:

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