Information processing device

Abstract

To provide an information processing device that can reduce a burden on an operator.SOLUTION: A POS terminal which is an information processing device includes a touch panel part and a control part that controls the touch panel part. The touch panel part simultaneously displays a frequently-appearing commodity selection button 11 that varies from customer to customer based on past order history information concerning a cleaning order in the past and a fixed usual commodity selection button 12 that does not vary from customer to customer irrespective of the past order history information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an information processing device. [Background technology]

[0002] BACKGROUND ART Conventionally, an information processing device (touch panel type cash register device) described in Patent Document 1 below, for example, is known.

[0003] This conventional information processing device is installed and used in, for example, a dry cleaner's, and includes a touch panel unit that is a display unit that displays information, and a control unit that controls the touch panel unit.

[0004] One product input screen displayed by the touch panel displays horizontally elongated rectangular frequently ordered product selection buttons (for example, product name keys of the top five most frequently ordered products) that change for each customer based on past order history information. Also, another product input screen different from the one product input screen displays roughly square regular product selection buttons that do not change for each customer regardless of past order history information. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2005-222470 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] However, in conventional information processing devices, the screen displaying the frequently-used product selection button and the screen displaying the regular product selection button are separate screens, so the dry cleaner's staff (operators) may have to go to the trouble of switching screens, which is time-consuming.

[0007] Therefore, one of the objects of the embodiment of the present invention is to provide an information processing device that can reduce the burden on the operator. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] An information processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a display unit that displays information and a control unit that controls the display unit, and the display unit simultaneously displays a frequently-used product selection button that changes for each customer based on past order history information relating to past cleaning orders, and a regular product selection button that does not change for each customer regardless of the past order history information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the burden on the operator. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a POS terminal (information processing device) according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen (product table editing screen) displayed on the touch panel unit of the POS terminal. [Figure 3] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a screen (display product code input screen) displayed on the touch panel unit of the POS terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a screen (item input screen) displayed on a touch panel unit of the POS terminal. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a screen (item input screen) displayed on a touch panel unit of the POS terminal. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a screen (item input screen) displayed on a touch panel unit of the POS terminal. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of button display processing by the control unit of the POS terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0012] In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a POS terminal which is an information processing device. This POS terminal 1 is installed in, for example, a member-only dry cleaning store, and is operated (used) by a clerk (operator) of the dry cleaning store.

[0013] The POS terminal 1 includes, for example, a control unit (information processing unit) 2, a memory unit (information memory unit) 3 that stores various types of information, a touch panel unit (input unit and display unit) 4 that is a display unit that also serves as an input unit that a store clerk touches with their fingertips to input information, a printing unit 5 that prints out various printed materials (such as slips), and a reading unit 6 that reads information such as barcodes.

[0014] The control unit 2 controls at least the touch panel unit 4 and the printing unit 5 as appropriate based on various information stored (registered) in the storage unit 3.

[0015] Therefore, the touch panel unit 4, which is a display unit that displays various information (including, for example, customer information, product information, etc.) regarding the items to be cleaned (received items) that are accepted as products upon receiving cleaning orders from customers, displays, under the control of the control unit 2, a set number (for example, multiple) of frequently used product selection buttons 11 that change for each customer based on, for example, past order history information (information on past purchased products) regarding past cleaning orders by the customer (member customer), and a fixed number of regular product selection buttons (regular selection buttons for product selection that are preset by each dry cleaning store) 12 that do not change for each customer regardless of the past order history information, all in the same display format and the same size on the same screen (see Figure 5, etc.).

[0016] That is, this POS terminal 1 has a function for registering button layout (key layout), and is configured so that the frequently appearing product selection button 11 can be placed in a part of the display position of the regular product selection button 11.

[0017] The product selection buttons (operation buttons) 11, 12, which are the operation targets that can be touched by the clerk with the fingertips, are product name buttons (product name keys) for selecting the product to be cleaned (input) when accepting a cleaning order from a customer. Each button 11, 12 has at least characters (e.g., "men's jacket," "skirt," etc.) indicating the product name (name of the cleaning product) on its surface, but it may also have the product name and price on its surface.

[0018] The past order history information includes, for example, the names of products that a member customer has ordered for cleaning (including product purchases) in the past, and the frequency (weight value) based on the number of times that order was made. The control unit 2 has a function of information updating means (see Japanese Patent No. 3856794) that periodically multiplies the frequency of all products by a number greater than 0 and less than 1 (for example, 0.3) so that the frequency of cleaning products that have only been frequently appearing in the past decreases and the frequency of recently frequently appearing products increases. Note that while it is preferable for the control unit 2 to have this function, it may, for example, not have this function.

[0019] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a screen (product table editing screen) displayed on the touch panel unit 4 of the POS terminal 1. As shown in FIG.

[0020] On the screen shown in FIG. 2, a dry cleaning store clerk can edit and register the product table (button layout).

[0021] Specifically, when the store clerk touches button 16 on the screen shown in FIG. 2, the screen (dialog) shown in FIG.

[0022] When the button 16 is to be set as the normal product selection button 12, the display product code (for example, 101 or more) is input into the code input section 21 and confirmed with the confirm button 22.

[0023] On the other hand, when the button 16 is set as the frequently appearing product selection button 11, the display product code (for example, 1 to 10 in order of frequency) is input into the code input section 21 and confirmed with the confirm button 22.

[0024] In this way, when the arrangement of the two different types of selection buttons 11, 12 is set (registered), as shown in the screen in Figure 2, the button 16 assigned as the regular product selection button 12 displays the "product name of the regular product" (characters indicating the product name), the button 16 assigned as the frequently appearing product selection button 11 displays the "order of appearance + ranking," and the unassigned button 11 displays the "number indicating the corresponding position."

[0025] In this illustrated example, the number of buttons 16 assigned as the frequently appearing product selection buttons 11 is the top five most frequently appearing products, but this number can be set to any number up to a maximum of 10. Also, this number can be set to any number up to a maximum of 20, for example. In other words, the number of frequently appearing product selection buttons 11 can be set to any number within a predetermined range (for example, "1 to 10" or "1 to 20").

[0026] The screen shown in FIG. 2 also has multiple, for example, two display number setting buttons 17, 18 for setting the number of buttons to be displayed in the button display area 26 on the product input screen, which is a predetermined screen described later.

[0027] One of the display number setting buttons (for example, the "5x5" button) 17 is a button for normal display to set the number of buttons to be displayed to 25. The other display number setting button (for example, the "3x3" button) 18 is a button for enlarged display to set the number of buttons to be displayed to 9. The layout of both product selection buttons 11, 12 can also be changed by operating a layout change button (for example, the "do" button) 19.

[0028] Next, the operation of the POS terminal 1 will be described.

[0029] When a customer comes to a dry cleaning store with items to be cleaned and the store clerk identifies the customer by inputting a membership number, telephone number, etc., a product input screen such as that shown in Figure 4 (for example, a screen for customer "Light Taro" and the number of buttons displayed is "25"), a product input screen such as that shown in Figure 5 (for example, a screen for customer "Light Taro" and the number of buttons displayed is "9"), or a product input screen such as that shown in Figure 6 (for example, a screen for customer "Light Hanako" and the number of buttons displayed is "25") will be displayed.

[0030] Each product input screen has a slightly horizontally elongated rectangular button display area (button display portion) 26 for displaying a frequent product selection button 11 and a regular product selection button 12, and as shown in the figure, multiple product selection buttons 11, 12 (for example, "25" or "9") arranged in a matrix are simultaneously displayed within this button display area 26.

[0031] At this time, for example, in at least the top first column of the button display area 26 (the first column that the store clerk looks at first), multiple frequently ordered product selection buttons (group of frequently ordered product selection buttons) 11 determined based on the past order history information of each customer are displayed.

[0032] Then, when the store clerk touches the buttons 11 and 12 corresponding to the cleaning items (products) ordered by the customer, the cleaning items related to the cleaning order are selected and input (product registration).

[0033] As shown in the figure, it is preferable that the frequently appearing product selection button 11 is located in at least the top row within the button display area 26, but the position of the frequently appearing product selection button 11 displayed in the button display area 26 can be arbitrarily selected (pre-set) from multiple positions in a matrix within the button display area 26, so it is not limited to the example shown in the figure and other arrangements are also possible.

[0034] Furthermore, in the illustrated example, the frequently appearing product selection button 11 and the regular product selection button 12 located within the button display area 26 are displayed in exactly the same display format, including color and shape, but this is not limited to this, and for example, at least one of the color of the characters indicating the product name and the button color (only the color of the characters, only the button color, or both colors) may be displayed differently from each other.

[0035] That is, for example, on the screen shown in FIG. 4, the text of the five frequently appearing product selection buttons 11 in the first column may be one color (e.g., red), while the text of the remaining regular product selection buttons 12 in the second column and thereafter may be another color (e.g., black) different from the one color; or, the button color of the five frequently appearing product selection buttons 11 in the first column may be one color (e.g., red), while the button color of the remaining regular product selection buttons 12 in the second column and thereafter may be another color (e.g., blue) different from the one color; or, further, both the text color and the button color may be different.

[0036] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of button display processing by the control unit 2 of the POS terminal 1.

[0037] 7, the control unit 2 refers to the display setting of the target button (step 1), determines whether the frequently appearing product display setting (setting of the frequently appearing product selection button) is set (step 2), and if the answer is "NO", refers to the set product (step 3) and displays the referred product (step 4). On the other hand, if the answer is "YES" in step 2, refers to the product in the designated order for the current customer (the customer currently being accepted) (step 5), and displays the referred product (step 4).

[0038] Furthermore, according to the above-mentioned POS terminal 1, the touch panel unit 4 simultaneously displays, on a single product input screen, a frequently-used product selection button 11 that changes for each customer based on past order history information relating to the customer's past cleaning orders, and a regular product selection button 12 that remains the same for each customer regardless of the past order history information, thereby eliminating the need for screen switching operations that were necessary in conventional devices, thereby reducing the burden on the cleaning store staff (operators).

[0039] Furthermore, the touch panel unit 4 of the POS terminal 1 simultaneously displays a plurality of frequent product selection buttons 11 and regular product selection buttons 12 in a button display area 26 on one product input screen so that the plurality of frequent product selection buttons 11 and regular product selection buttons 12 are arranged in a matrix. When the number of displayed buttons is set to a single number (for example, 25) based on the operation of the display number setting button 17, the single number (for example, 25) of frequent product selection buttons 11 and regular product selection buttons 12, all of which have the same shape (for example, substantially square), are simultaneously displayed in the button display area 26 as regular buttons of the same size, and when the number of displayed buttons is set to a single number (for example, 25) based on the operation of the display number setting button 17, the frequent product selection buttons 11 and regular product selection buttons 12 are simultaneously displayed in the button display area 26 as regular buttons of the same size. When another number (for example, 9) less than one number (for example, 25) is set based on the operation of button 28, the other number (for example, 9) of frequent product selection buttons 11 and regular product selection buttons 12, all of which have the same shape (for example, roughly square), are simultaneously displayed in button display area 26 as enlarged buttons of the same size, but at a size larger than the one size.Since both buttons 11, 12 are displayed at the same size on the same screen, store clerks can operate the buttons smoothly and without feeling uncomfortable, and even store clerks who have difficulty seeing small buttons can easily see them by changing them to enlarged buttons, thereby further reducing the burden on store clerks (operators) at dry cleaners.

[0040] Furthermore, the touch panel unit 4 of the POS terminal 1 displays the frequently-available product selection button 11 in at least the top row of the button display area 26, making it easier for store clerks to find the frequently-available product selection button 11 and improving operability.

[0041] It is preferable that the information processing device such as a POS terminal is a touch panel type device equipped with a touch panel unit that serves as both a display unit and an input unit, but this is not limited to this, and it may also be, for example, a device in which the display unit (output unit) and the input unit (input operation unit) are separate units.

[0042] The information processing device may also be configured to automatically change and set the number of displayed buttons depending on the operator (reception staff) who operates the product selection buttons.

[0043] Furthermore, the information processing device may further include a management server that can communicate with the POS terminal via a network, for example. [Explanation of symbols]

[0044] 1. POS terminals, which are information processing devices 2. Control section 4. Touch panel display 11 Frequently used product selection button 12 Regular product selection button 26 Button display area

Claims

1. a display unit that displays information; a control unit that controls the display unit, The display unit A frequently used product selection button that changes for each customer based on their past order history information about their cleaning orders, and simultaneously displaying a regular product selection button that remains the same for each customer regardless of the past order history information.

1. An information processing device comprising:

2. The number of frequently-available product selection buttons can be set to any number within a predetermined range.

2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:

3. The frequently-available product selection button and the regular product selection button are displayed so that at least one of the text color and the button color is different from each other.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

4. The display is The frequent product selection button and the regular product selection button are simultaneously displayed in a button display area on a predetermined screen so that the frequent product selection button and the regular product selection button are arranged in a matrix, The frequently-available product selection buttons are displayed in at least the top first column in the button display area.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

5. The display is The frequent product selection button and the regular product selection button are simultaneously displayed in a button display area on a predetermined screen so that the frequent product selection button and the regular product selection button are arranged in a matrix, When the number of displayed buttons is set to one, the frequent product selection buttons and the regular product selection buttons consisting of the one number are simultaneously displayed in the button display area in the same size; When the number of displayed buttons is set to another number smaller than the one number, the frequent product selection buttons and the regular product selection buttons consisting of the other number are simultaneously displayed in the button display area in another size larger than the one size.

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the information processing apparatus is a computer.

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