Sales processing system

Abstract

To reduce a risk that a commodity is left unsettled due to omission of registration.SOLUTION: A transaction processing system includes a sales processing device and a monitoring device different from the sales processing device, and includes registration means and detection means provided in the sales processing device, and notification means provided in the monitoring device. The registration means registers a transaction commodity. The detection means detects a commodity placed below the uppermost stage of a multi-stage carrier located in a detection area defined in the vicinity of the sales processor. The notification means performs a notification operation for notifying a monitoring person different from an operator of the sales processor of the fact that the commodity is detected by the detection means within a period when the transaction commodity is registered by the registration means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a sales processing system. [Background technology]

[0002] In a store where customers register items they pick up from the sales floor to purchase as trading items and then settle the price for these registered trading items, some of the picked items may not be registered as trading items. For example, items placed on the bottom shelf of a two-tiered shopping cart often go unregistered. In view of these circumstances, it has been desired to reduce the risk of products remaining unpaid due to omission of registration. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-46166 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 transaction processing system that can reduce the risk of products remaining unpaid due to omission of registration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A transaction processing system according to an embodiment includes a sales processing device and a monitoring device separate from the sales processing device, and is equipped with a registration means, a detection means, and a notification means provided in the monitoring device. The registration means registers a transaction commodity. The detection means detects a commodity placed below the top shelf of a multi-tiered carrier located in a detection area defined near the sales processing device. In response to detection of a commodity by the detection means, the notification means performs a notification operation to notify a monitor separate from an operator of the sales processing device of the detection of the commodity during the period in which the registration means is registering the transaction commodity. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a product sales system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of installation of a POS terminal, a camera, and an attendant terminal in a store. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a POS terminal. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a management server. [Figure 5] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the attendant terminal. [Figure 6] This is a sequence diagram for selling a product to a customer who has brought a shopping cart with a large item on the bottom shelf up to a POS terminal. [Figure 7] 10 is a flowchart of a support process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of a schematic configuration of a monitoring screen. [Figure 9] A diagram showing how the monitoring screen changes. [Figure 10] This is a sequence diagram for selling products to a customer who has come up to a POS terminal pushing a shopping cart with a shopping basket on the bottom. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart of a support process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart of a support process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 13] A diagram showing how the monitoring screen changes. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] A merchandise sales system that performs processing related to merchandise sales to customers in a store will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a product sales system 1 according to this embodiment. The product sales system 1 includes a POS (point-of-sale) terminal 100, a camera 200, a management server 300, and an attendant terminal 400. The product sales system 1 is configured so that the POS terminal 100, the camera 200, the management server 300, and the attendant terminal 400 can communicate with each other via a communication network 2. While FIG. 1 shows one each of the POS terminal 100, the camera 200, the management server 300, and the attendant terminal 400, the numbers of each of these are arbitrary. Typically, a plurality of POS terminals 100 are included in the product sales system 1. The POS terminal 100 is an example of a sales processing device. The management server 300 is an example of a management device. The attendant terminal 400 is an example of a monitoring device. The product sales system 1 is an example of a sales processing system. The communication network 2 may be the Internet, a VPN (virtual private network), a LAN (local area network), a public communication network, a mobile communication network, or the like, either singly or in appropriate combination. A LAN is typically used as the communication network 2.

[0008] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the installation of the POS terminal 100, the camera 200, and the attendant terminal 400 in a store. FIG. 2 shows an example in which four POS terminals 100, one camera 200 each, and an attendant terminal 400 are installed at a checkout counter in a store. In the example of FIG. 2, the four POS terminals 100 are arranged in a row with their operation surfaces facing right in the drawing.

[0009] A customer CU purchasing merchandise sold in a store picks up merchandise from the store's sales floor and brings it to the cashier. The customer CU can use a shopping cart CA to transport the merchandise. The shopping cart CA has two levels, and merchandise can be placed on either the upper or lower level. In other words, the shopping cart CA is an example of a multi-level carrier. In most cases, merchandise is primarily placed on the upper level. However, so-called large items such as rice or boxed items are often placed on the lower level. The customer CU then selects an unused POS terminal 100 and stands in front of it. In response to the customer CU's operation, the POS terminal 100 registers the merchandise the customer brought to the cashier as merchandise to be traded and performs transaction processing to settle the price for all registered merchandise. In other words, the POS terminal 100 is primarily operated by the customer CU. However, the POS terminal 100 may also be operated by an operator other than the customer CU, such as a store clerk.

[0010] The camera 200 is installed in the checkout area so as to capture a range including the operation surfaces of all four POS terminals 100. The range of the camera 200 is the area between the two dashed lines in FIG. 2 . The camera 200 captures the above-mentioned range and obtains image data. The camera 200 detects a person present within a predetermined detection area ARA for each POS terminal 100 by performing AI (artificial intelligence) processing on the captured image data. The camera 200 then notifies the management server 300 of the person detection, along with an area code serving as an identifier for identifying the detection area ARA in which the person was detected. The camera 200 also performs AI processing on the captured image data to detect large items placed in the bottom tier of a shopping cart CA present within the detection area ARA. Items that can be placed in the bottom tier of a shopping cart CA are predetermined as large items by the person who determines the specifications of the product sales system 1 or the store manager. Typically, multiple items are designated as large items. In other words, large items are an example of a specific product group. The camera 200 then notifies the management server 300 of the detection of the large item, along with the area code of the detection area ARA in which the large item was detected. In other words, the camera 200 functions as a detection means.

[0011] The management server 300 is installed in the back yard of a store or the like. For this reason, the management server 300 is not illustrated in FIG. 2. However, the management server 300 may be installed inside the store, such as in the cashier's area. The management server 300 is an information processing device that processes information for issuing an alarm about large items (described below) based on notifications from the camera 200. The attendant terminal 400 is an information processing device that performs support processing to assist the attendant AT in monitoring the operating status of the four POS terminals 100 and in attending to customer CUs. The attendant terminal 400 is operated by the attendant AT. In other words, the attendant AT is also the monitor. The attendant AT is generally a store employee. The attendant terminal 400 may be installed in a location separate from the checkout counter. The attendant terminal 400 may be portable. In this case, the attendant terminal 400 is not installed in a specific location, but may be carried by the attendant AT as he or she moves around the checkout counters.

[0012] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the POS terminal 100. As shown in FIG. The POS terminal 100 includes a processor 101, a main memory unit 102, a sub-memory unit 103, an input unit 104, a display unit 105, a sound unit 106, a fixed scanner 107, a handheld scanner 108, a currency receiving unit 109, a payment unit 110, a printer 111, a communication unit 112, and a transmission path 113.

[0013] The processor 101, the main storage unit 102, and the sub-storage unit 103 are connected via a transmission line 113 to form a computer that performs information processing for controlling the POS terminal 100. The processor 101 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 101 executes information processing for controlling each part to realize various functions of the POS terminal 100 in accordance with information processing programs such as an operating system and application programs.

[0014] The main memory unit 102 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The main memory unit 102 includes a read-only memory area and a rewritable memory area. The main memory unit 102 stores part of the information processing program in the read-only memory area. The main memory unit 102 may also store data required for the processor 101 to execute processes for controlling each component in the read-only memory area or the rewritable memory area. The main memory unit 102 uses the rewritable memory area as a work area for the processor 101.

[0015] The sub-storage unit 103 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The sub-storage unit 103 may be, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), a HDD (hard disk drive), an SSD (solid state drive), or any other well-known storage device. The sub-storage unit 103 stores data used by the processor 101 when performing various processes and data generated by the processes performed by the processor 101. The sub-storage unit 103 may also store the information processing program. In this embodiment, the sub-storage unit 103 stores a transaction processing program PRA, which is one of the information processing programs. The transaction processing program PRA is an application program that describes the processing procedures to be performed by the processor 101, which will be described later.

[0016] The input unit 104 is used by an operator to input various instructions. Known input devices such as a touch sensor, a key switch, and a keyboard can be used alone or in combination as the input unit 104. An example of an input device included in the input unit 104 is a touch sensor provided on a touch panel.

[0017] The display unit 105 performs various display operations to notify the operator of various types of information. As the display unit 105, well-known display devices such as a screen display device such as a liquid crystal display and a light-emitting device such as an LED lamp can be used alone or in combination. One of the display devices included in the display unit 105 is, for example, the display device provided in the above-mentioned touch panel. The sound unit 106 outputs sounds for various guidance and warnings. As the sound unit 106, various well-known sound devices such as a voice synthesis device and a buzzer can be used alone or in combination.

[0018] Fixed scanner 107 has a reading window facing the operator. Fixed scanner 107 captures an image of a product held in front of the reading window and recognizes the barcode information represented by the barcode through image processing. Fixed scanner 107 then outputs the barcode information to processor 101. Note that fixed scanner 107 may also be any other type of well-known device that optically reads barcodes using reflected laser light. Fixed scanner 107 may also be any well-known device that has a function of identifying a product using object recognition technology from an image of the product itself obtained by capturing an image of the product. The handy scanner 108 is held by the operator and optically reads a barcode placed in front of the reading port. The handy scanner 108 outputs barcode information represented by the read barcode to the processor 101.

[0019] The currency collection unit 109 counts the value of coins inserted through the coin slot and stores them in an internal storage. The currency collection unit 109 discharges the coins stored in the storage to a coin tray through the coin discharge port. The currency collection unit 109 counts the value of banknotes inserted through the banknote slot and stores them in an internal storage. The currency collection unit 109 discharges the banknotes stored in the storage from the banknote discharge port. The banknote discharge port holds the discharged banknotes with a portion of them exposed to the outside.

[0020] The payment unit 110 reads data recorded on payment cards such as credit cards, prepaid cards, and electronic money cards. The payment unit 110 also writes data to payment cards. The payment unit 110 is equipped with reading devices that can read the IC (integrated circuit) of a credit card, read magnetic stripes, and perform near-field communication reading. The IC reading device reads data stored in the IC provided on the credit card by communicating via electrical contacts. The magnetic stripe reading device uses a magnetic head to read data magnetically recorded on a magnetic stripe formed on the surface of the credit card. The near-field communication reading device reads data stored in the IC provided on the credit card by wireless communication such as NFC (near field communication). The printer 111 prints an image of a receipt, invoice, sales slip, or other transaction-related voucher onto receipt paper, and then ejects the receipt paper with the image printed on it from the receipt ejection port to the outside.

[0021] The communication unit 112 executes communication processing for performing data communication via the communication network 2. The communication unit 112 can use, for example, an existing communication device for a LAN. The transmission path 113 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines, and transmits data and control signals exchanged between the connected components.

[0022] The hardware of POS terminal 100 may be, for example, the hardware of an existing POS terminal of the same type. POS terminal 100 is generally transferred with transaction processing program PRA stored in sub-storage unit 103. However, the transaction processing program PRA may be transferred separately from the hardware without transaction processing program PRA stored in sub-storage unit 103, or with a different version of the same application program stored in sub-storage unit 103. POS terminal 100 may be configured by writing transaction processing program PRA to sub-storage unit 103 in response to an operator's operation. Transaction processing program PRA may be transferred by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, or semiconductor memory, or by communication via a network.

[0023] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the management server 300. The management server 300 includes a processor 301, a main storage unit 302, a sub-storage unit 303, a communication unit 304, a transmission path 305, and the like. The processor 301, main memory unit 302, sub-memory unit 303, communication unit 304 and transmission path 305 have roughly the same functions as the processor 101, main memory unit 102, sub-memory unit 103, communication unit 112 and transmission path 113.

[0024] However, sub-storage unit 303 stores management program PRB instead of transaction processing program PRA. Management program PRB is an application program that describes the procedures for information processing by processor 301 for managing the detection results of camera 200.

[0025] The hardware of management server 300 can be, for example, the hardware of an existing general-purpose server device. Management server 300 is generally transferred with the management program PRB stored in sub-storage unit 303. However, the management program PRB may be transferred separately from the hardware without the management program PRB stored in sub-storage unit 303, or with a different version of the same application program stored in sub-storage unit 303. Management server 300 may be configured by writing the management program PRB to sub-storage unit 303 in response to an operator's operation. The management program PRB may be transferred by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, or semiconductor memory, or by communication via a network.

[0026] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of attendant terminal 400. As shown in FIG. The attendant terminal 400 includes a processor 401, a main storage unit 402, a sub-storage unit 403, an input unit 404, a display unit 405, a sound unit 406, a communication unit 407, a transmission path 408, and the like.

[0027] The functions of the processor 401, main memory unit 402, sub-memory unit 403, input unit 404, display unit 405, sound unit 406, communication unit 407 and transmission path 408 are generally equivalent to those of the processor 101, main memory unit 102, sub-memory unit 103, input unit 104, display unit 105, sound unit 106, communication unit 112 and transmission path 113. However, sub-storage unit 403 stores attendant program PRC instead of transaction processing program PRA. Attendant program PRC is an application program that describes the procedures for the support processing to be performed by processor 401, which will be described later.

[0028] The hardware of the attendant terminal 400 may be, for example, a general-purpose computer device. Furthermore, if the attendant terminal 400 is portable as described above, the hardware of the attendant terminal 400 may be, for example, a tablet computer, a smartphone, or a wearable device. The attendant terminal 400 may also be configured using, for example, a tablet computer, a smartphone, or a wearable device as a user interface device for the attendant AT. The attendant program PRC is typically stored in the sub-storage unit 403 when the attendant terminal 400 is transferred. However, the attendant program PRC may be written to the sub-storage unit 403 by the processor 401 in response to an operation by an arbitrary worker after the transfer of the attendant terminal 400. In this case, however, the sub-storage unit 403 of the attendant terminal 400 to be transferred may store a program of the same type but a different version than the attendant program PRC, or may not store such a program. In the former case, a program written later to the sub-storage unit 403 is used in place of a different version of the same program. The attendant program PRC can be transferred by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or by communication via a network.

[0029] The operation of the product sales system 1 configured as described above will be described below. Note that the contents of the various processes described below are merely examples, and it is possible to change the order of some of the processes, omit some of the processes, or add other processes as appropriate. For example, in the following explanation, in order to clearly explain the characteristic operations of this embodiment, explanation of some of the processes will be omitted. For example, if an error occurs, a process may be performed to deal with the error, but a description of such a process will be omitted.

[0030] [First embodiment] 6 is a sequence diagram of a product sale to a customer CU who has pushed a shopping cart CA with a large product on the bottom shelf and moved in front of the POS terminal 100. In the following description, when the term "POS terminal 100" is simply used, this refers to the POS terminal 100 used by the customer CU.

[0031] In ACT 201, the camera 200 detects the customer CU. In ACT202, camera 200 notifies management server 300 of the human detection. For example, camera 200 generates predetermined notification data for this notification, including the area code of the detection area ARA where the human detection occurred. Camera 200 then transmits the notification data to communication network 2, addressed to management server 300.

[0032] On the other hand, when the customer CU starts operating the POS terminal 100 to use the POS terminal 100, the processor 101 proceeds to ACT101. As ACT101, the processor 101 notifies the management server 300 of the start of use. For example, the processor 101 generates predetermined notification data for this notification, including the terminal code of its own POS terminal 100. Then, the processor 101 causes the communication unit 112 to send the notification data to the communication network 2, addressed to the management server 300.

[0033] When the notification data sent from the camera 200 and the notification data sent from the POS terminal 100 are transmitted to the management server 300 via the communication network 2 and sequentially received by the communication unit 304, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT301. In ACT301, processor 301 instructs camera 200 to start detection of the bottom shelf of shopping cart CA. For example, processor 301 generates predetermined instruction data for this instruction, including the terminal code included in the received notification data. Processor 301 then causes camera 200 to send the generated instruction data from communication unit 304 to communication network 2. When this instruction data is transmitted to the camera 200 via the communication network 2, the camera 200 begins a detection process for the lower level of the shopping cart CA present in the detection area defined for the POS terminal 100 identified by the terminal code included in the instruction data.

[0034] In ACT 203, the camera 200 detects the large item, which is placed on the bottom shelf of the shopping cart in this case. In ACT 204, camera 200 notifies management server 300 of the detection of the large item. For example, camera 200 transmits predetermined notification data for this notification to communication network 2, addressed to management server 300.

[0035] In ACT 205, the camera 200 notifies the POS terminal 100 of the detection of the large item. For example, the camera 200 transmits predetermined notification data for this notification to the communication network 2, addressed to the POS terminal 100 associated with the detection area in which the large item was detected. When this notification data is transmitted to the POS terminal 100 via the communication network 2 and received by the communication unit 112, the processor 101 proceeds to ACT102.

[0036] In ACT102, the processor 101 initiates a warning operation to remind the customer CU not to forget to register the items placed in the bottom level of the shopping cart CA. For example, as the warning operation, the processor 101 causes the display unit 105 to display a predetermined warning screen. For example, the processor 101 causes the sound unit 106 to output a warning sound to prompt the customer CU to visually check the warning screen. This warning operation allows the customer CU to confirm that the items placed in the bottom level of the shopping cart CA must be registered. The customer CU then performs a predetermined confirmation operation, for example, on the input unit 104, to declare that the customer CU has confirmed this. In response to this confirmation operation, the processor 101 proceeds to ACT103. In ACT103, the processor 101 ends the caution operation.

[0037] On the other hand, when the notification data sent by the camera 200 as ACT204 is transmitted to the management server 300 via the communication network 2 and received by the communication unit 304, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT302. In ACT 302, the processor 301 instructs the attendant terminal 400 to start issuing an alarm regarding the detection of a large item. The processor 301 generates, for example, predetermined instruction data for the above instruction, including the terminal code included in the received notification data. The processor 301 then causes the communication unit 304 to send the generated instruction data to the attendant terminal 400 via the communication network 2.

[0038] When the attendant terminal 400 is in a situation where it is necessary to support the attendant AT in monitoring the operating status of the POS terminal 100, the processor 401 executes support processing based on the attendant program PRC. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the support process in the first embodiment. As ACT411, the processor 401 displays a monitoring screen on the display unit 405. The monitoring screen is a screen that displays the operating status of each of the POS terminals 100 in a list.

[0039] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of a monitoring screen. The monitoring screen shown in FIG. 8 does not show the display contents that specifically show the operating status of each POS terminal 100. The monitoring screen shown in FIG. 8 displays four areas ARB and a button group BGA associated with the POS terminals 100, respectively.

[0040] Area ARB includes multiple areas for displaying the operating status of the associated POS terminal 100. Area ARBA is an area for displaying the status of the associated POS terminal 100. The statuses displayed in area ARBA include, for example, "Waiting," "Registering," "Cash Transaction in Progress," and "Calling a Store Attendant." Area ARBB is an area for displaying information indicating the occurrence of an error in the POS terminal 100. Area ARBC is an area for displaying information regarding the use declaration made by the operator regarding the point card, shopping bag, etc., in connection with the transaction being processed. Area ARBD is an area for displaying details of the registered transaction items. Area ARBE is an area for displaying information regarding a situation requiring special attention from the attendant AT, such as the inclusion of an age-restricted item in the registered transaction items. Area ARBF is an area for displaying information regarding the transaction regarding the registered transaction items. Area ARBG is an area for displaying the number of coins stored by denomination in the currency receiving unit 109 and the operating status of the currency receiving unit 109.

[0041] The button group BGA includes a plurality of button BUA. Although FIG. 8 shows an example including ten button BUA, the button group BGA may include any number of button BUA. The button BUA is a soft key to which a function is assigned as appropriate and for receiving a function specification from the operator. The assignment of functions to the button BUA can be changed as appropriate depending on the operating state of the attendant terminal 400.

[0042] In ACT412, the processor 401 checks whether there has been a change in the operating status of the POS terminal 100. If the processor 401 cannot confirm the event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT413. In ACT 413, the processor 401 checks whether an alarm regarding a large item is necessary. If the processor 401 cannot confirm the event, it determines "NO" and returns to ACT 412. Thus, the processor 401 waits for a change in the operating state or for the need for an alarm in ACT 412 and ACT 413. Then, when the instruction data sent from the management server 300 in ACT 302 in Fig. 6 as described above is transmitted to the attendant terminal 400 via the communication network 2 and received by the communication unit 407, the processor 401 determines that an alarm is needed as YES in ACT 413 and proceeds to ACT 414.

[0043] In ACT414, the processor 401 sets the POS terminal 100 identified by the terminal code included in the instruction data transmitted from the management server 300 as a terminal that is the target of an alarm (hereinafter referred to as an alarm terminal). For example, the processor 401 stores the terminal code included in the instruction data transmitted from the management server 300 in the main storage unit 402 or the sub storage unit 403 as the terminal code of the alarm terminal.

[0044] In ACT 415, the processor 401 updates the monitoring screen to start an alarm operation regarding the detection of a large item. The processor 401 then returns to the standby state in ACT 412 and ACT 413. Note that as a result, the processor 401 starts an alarm operation as ACT 401 in FIG. 6.

[0045] FIG. 9 shows how the monitoring screen changes. 9 is an example of a case where a large item has been detected for a POS terminal 100 called "Register 1." Therefore, by displaying the character string "large item" in the area ARBE, the attendant AT is notified that a large item has been placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA located in the detection area ARA corresponding to the POS terminal 100.

[0046] At this time, the processor 401 may perform another warning operation, such as causing the sound unit 406 to output a warning sound or a voice message, in addition to or instead of the above display. Thus, the alarm operation corresponds to a notification operation. The processor 301 executes information processing based on the management program PRB, and the computer having the processor 301 as its central part functions as a notification means.

[0047] 6, the customer CU first performs a predetermined operation on the POS terminal 100 to designate a product that does not belong to the large product category as a transaction product to be registered. In response to this, the processor 101 in the POS terminal 100 proceeds to ACT104. In ACT 104, processor 101 registers the specified product as a trading product. Thus, by processor 101 executing information processing based on transaction processing program PRA, the computer having processor 101 as its central part functions as a registration means.

[0048] As ACT105, the processor 101 notifies the attendant terminal 400 of the product registration. For example, the processor 101 generates predetermined notification data for this notification, including the product code of the product registered as the transaction product. The processor 101 then causes the communication unit 112 to send the notification data to the communication network 2, addressed to the attendant terminal 400.

[0049] When the notification data sent from the POS terminal 100 as described above is transmitted to the attendant terminal 400 via the communication network 2 and received by the communication unit 407, the processor 401 of the attendant terminal 400 determines that the operating status has changed and judges YES in ACT412 in Figure 7, and proceeds to ACT416.

[0050] In ACT 416, the processor 401 checks whether the POS terminal 100 whose operating status has changed is an alarm terminal. If the POS terminal 100 that sent the corresponding notification data is set as an alarm terminal, the processor 401 determines YES and proceeds to ACT 417.

[0051] In ACT 417, the processor 401 confirms whether the change in operating status is registration of a large commodity as a trading commodity. For example, if a notification of commodity registration has been made as described above, the processor 401 confirms whether the commodity identified by the commodity code included in the notification data is a large commodity. If the processor 401 cannot confirm that the commodity is a large commodity, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT 418. Thus, the processor 401 executes information processing based on the attendant program PRC, and the computer with the processor 401 as its central part functions as a confirmation means.

[0052] If the processor 401 cannot confirm that the POS terminal 100 whose operating status has changed is set as an alarm terminal, it determines NO in ACT416 and proceeds to ACT418 without proceeding to ACT417. In ACT418, the processor 401 updates the monitoring screen to indicate changes in the operating status of the POS terminal 100. In the example of Fig. 6, if the processor 401 executes ACT418 in Fig. 7 in response to the notification in ACT105, this results in updating the monitoring screen in ACT402 in Fig. 6. Then, in ACT402, the processor 401 updates the details of the transaction product displayed in area ARBD on the monitoring screen to include the product identified by the product code included in the notification data for the notification in ACT105. The processor 401 then returns to the standby state in ACT412 and ACT413 in Fig. 7.

[0053] 6, the customer CU then performs a predetermined operation on the POS terminal 100 to designate a commodity belonging to the large commodity category to be registered as a transaction commodity. In response to this, the processor 101 in the POS terminal 100 proceeds to ACT106. In ACT106, the processor 101 registers the designated product as a trading product.

[0054] In ACT107, the processor 101 notifies the attendant terminal 400 of the product registration, similar to ACT105. When the notification data for this notification is transmitted to the attendant terminal 400 via the communication network 2 and received by the communication unit 407, the processor 401 determines YES in all of ACT412, ACT416, and ACT417 in FIG. 7, and proceeds to ACT419. In ACT 419, the processor 401 cancels the setting of the alarm terminal for the POS terminal 100 that is the source of the current notification.

[0055] In ACT420, the processor 401 updates the monitoring screen to indicate changes in the operating status of the POS terminal 100. In the example of Fig. 6, if the processor 401 executes ACT418 in Fig. 7 in response to the notification in ACT107, this results in updating the monitoring screen in ACT403 in Fig. 6. Then, in ACT403, the processor 401 updates the details of the transaction product displayed in area ARBD on the monitoring screen to include the product identified by the product code included in the notification data for the notification in ACT107, and prevents the character string "large product" from being displayed in area ARBE. The processor 401 then returns to the standby state in ACT412 and ACT413 in Fig. 7.

[0056] As described above, in the merchandise sales system 1 of the first embodiment, if a large item is placed in the bottom level of a shopping cart brought into the detection area ARA by a customer CU, an alarm operation to warn of this fact is performed at the attendant terminal 400. This allows the attendant AT to recognize that a large item that should be registered in the corresponding POS terminal 100 has been placed in the bottom level of the shopping cart CA. In this case, the attendant AT can pay attention to the customer CU's actions regarding this large item and take appropriate action, such as speaking to the customer CU, if necessary.

[0057] Furthermore, the product sales system 1 of the first embodiment stops the alarm operation if a large item is registered as a transaction item in the POS terminal 100 associated with the detection area ARA in which the large item was detected. As a result, if a large item placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA is properly registered as a transaction item by a customer CU, the attendant AT does not need to pay attention to subsequent processing of the customer CU, thereby reducing the attendant AT's burden. Note that in this embodiment, the large item placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA is not confirmed to match the large item registered as a transaction item. However, it is unlikely that multiple large items will be placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA. Even if multiple large items are placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA, if a customer CU designates one of the items to be registered as a transaction item, it is likely that the other large items will also be designated as transaction items. Given these circumstances, it can be said that the alarm operation is substantially effective. Furthermore, since the camera 200 does not require processing power sufficient to identify each individual item placed on the lower level of the shopping cart CA, it is possible to reduce costs by using a relatively low-function device.

[0058] Furthermore, in the product sales system 1 of the first embodiment, if a large item is placed in the bottom level of a shopping cart brought into the detection area ARA by a customer CU, a warning operation to that effect is performed at the POS terminal 100 associated with the detection area ARA where the large item is detected. This allows the customer CU to recognize that the large item placed in the bottom level of the shopping cart CA must be designated to be registered as a transaction item, and prevents the customer CU from forgetting to do so.

[0059] [Second embodiment] In the second embodiment, the camera 200 also detects a shopping cart placed on the lower level of a shopping cart CA present within the detection area ARA by performing AI processing on image data obtained by photographing.

[0060] The operation in the second embodiment when a customer CU places a large item in the lower level of the shopping cart CA is the same as that in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the following operation is performed when a customer CU places a shopping basket in the lower level of the shopping cart CA. In the following description of the operation of the second embodiment, detailed description of the same operations as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0061] FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram showing a process of selling a product to a customer CU who has come to the front of the POS terminal 100 while pushing a shopping cart CA with a shopping basket placed on the bottom shelf. 11 and 12 are flowcharts of the support process in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, regardless of the state of the lower level of the shopping cart CA used by the customer CU, the process is the same as in the first embodiment until the processor 301 of the management server 300 issues an instruction to start detection as ACT301.

[0062] However, in the case shown in FIG. 10, a shopping basket is placed on the bottom shelf of the shopping cart, and therefore, in ACT211, the camera 200 detects this shopping basket. In ACT 212, camera 200 notifies management server 300 of the detection of the shopping cart. For example, camera 200 transmits predetermined notification data for this notification to communication network 2, addressed to management server 300.

[0063] In ACT213, the camera 200 notifies the POS terminal 100 of the detection of the shopping cart. For example, the camera 200 transmits predetermined notification data for this notification to the communication network 2, addressed to the POS terminal 100 associated with the detection area in which the shopping cart was detected.

[0064] When this notification data is transmitted to the POS terminal 100 via the communication network 2 and received by the communication unit 112, the processor 101 proceeds to ACT 102. Then, the processor 101 performs ACT 102 and ACT 103 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and causes the attention action to be performed.

[0065] On the other hand, when the notification data sent by the camera 200 as ACT212 is transmitted to the management server 300 via the communication network 2 and received by the communication unit 304, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT311. In ACT 311, the processor 301 instructs the attendant terminal 400 to start issuing a warning regarding the detection of a shopping cart. The processor 301 generates, for example, predetermined instruction data for the above instruction, including the terminal code included in the received notification data. The processor 301 then causes the communication unit 304 to transmit the generated instruction data to the attendant terminal 400 via the communication network 2.

[0066] The processor 401 in the attendant terminal 400 performs ACT411 to ACT415 in Fig. 11 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. However, in the second embodiment, if the processor 401 determines NO in ACT413, it proceeds to ACT441. In ACT441, the processor 401 checks whether a warning is required regarding the shopping cart placed on the lower level. If the processor 401 cannot confirm this event, it determines "NO" and returns to ACT412. Thus, the processor 401 waits for a change in the operating state, for an alarm to be issued, or for an attention to be issued, in ACT 412, ACT 413, and ACT 441. Then, when the instruction data sent from the management server 300 as ACT 311 in Fig. 10 as described above is transmitted to the attendant terminal 400 via the communication network 2 and received by the communication unit 407, the processor 401 determines YES in ACT 441 that an attention to be issued is required, and proceeds to ACT 442.

[0067] In ACT442, the processor 401 sets the POS terminal 100 identified by the terminal code included in the instruction data transmitted from the management server 300 as a terminal to be alerted (hereinafter referred to as an alert terminal). For example, the processor 401 stores the terminal code included in the instruction data transmitted from the management server 300 in the main storage unit 402 or the sub storage unit 403 as the terminal code of the alert terminal.

[0068] In ACT 443, the processor 401 updates the monitoring screen to start an alert action related to the detection of the shopping cart. Then, the processor 401 returns to the standby state of ACT 412 to ACT 414. Note that as a result, the processor 401 starts an alert action as ACT 431 in ACT 10.

[0069] FIG. 13 shows how the monitoring screen is changed. 13 is an example of a case where a shopping cart is detected for a POS terminal 100 called "Register 1." Therefore, by displaying the character string "Lower Basket" in the area ARBE, the attendant AT is alerted that a shopping cart has been placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA located in the detection area ARA corresponding to the POS terminal 100. At this time, the processor 401 may perform another alert action, such as causing the sound unit 406 to output an alert sound or voice message, in addition to or instead of the above display.

[0070] 10, the customer CU then performs a predetermined operation to designate one of the commodities to be registered as a transaction commodity on the POS terminal 100. In response to this, the processor 101 in the POS terminal 100 proceeds to ACT111. In ACT111, the processor 101 registers the specified product as a trading product.

[0071] As ACT112, the processor 101 notifies the attendant terminal 400 of the product registration. For example, the processor 101 generates predetermined notification data for this notification, including the product code of the product registered as the transaction product. The processor 101 then causes the communication unit 112 to send the notification data to the attendant terminal 400 via the communication network 2.

[0072] Now, when the notification data sent from the POS terminal 100 as described above is transmitted to the attendant terminal 400 via the communication network 2 and received by the communication unit 407, the processor 401 of the attendant terminal 400 determines that the operating status has changed and judges YES in ACT 412 in Figure 11, and proceeds to ACT 416 in Figure 12.

[0073] The processor 401 performs ACT416 to ACT420 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. However, in the example of Fig. 10, when the notification is made in ACT112, the POS terminal 100 whose operating status has changed is not an alarm terminal. If the processor 401 determines NO in ACT416 for this reason, it proceeds to ACT444.

[0074] In ACT 444, the processor 401 checks whether the POS terminal 100 whose operating status has changed is the alert terminal. If the POS terminal 100 that sent the corresponding notification data is set as the alert terminal, the processor 401 determines YES and proceeds to ACT 445.

[0075] As ACT445, processor 401 checks whether a predetermined cancellation condition is met due to the current change in the operating status. The cancellation condition is a condition for canceling the setting as a warning terminal and is appropriately determined by the person who determines the specifications of product sales system 1, the person who determines the specifications of attendant terminal 400, or the manager of the store where product sales system 1 is used. One example of the cancellation condition is assumed to be that the number of products registered as trading products reaches a predetermined number. One example of the cancellation condition is assumed to be that the payment amount for the products registered as trading products reaches a predetermined amount.

[0076] A shopping cart placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA is likely to occur when a customer CU has picked up a large number of items from the sales floor. Therefore, it is preferable to set the above cancellation conditions so as to distinguish situations in which items placed in a shopping cart placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA may also be registered as transaction items, taking into consideration the purchasing tendencies of customer CUs in a store that uses the product sales system 1.

[0077] If the processor 401 cannot confirm that the cancellation condition is met, it determines NO in ACT445, proceeds to ACT418, and thereafter performs the same processing as in the first embodiment. If the processor 401 cannot confirm that the POS terminal 100 whose operating status has changed is set as the alert terminal, it determines NO in ACT444 and proceeds to ACT418 without proceeding to ACT445.

[0078] In the example of Fig. 10, if the processor 401 executes ACT418 in Fig. 12 in response to the notification as ACT112, this results in updating the monitoring screen as ACT432 in Fig. 10. Then, as ACT432, the processor 401 updates the details of the traded product displayed in area ARBD on the monitoring screen to include the product identified by the product code included in the notification data for the notification as ACT112.

[0079] 10, although not shown, the customer CU repeatedly performs an operation to designate a commodity to be registered as a transaction commodity on the POS terminal 100. In response to this, the processor 101 and the processor 401 perform the same processes as in ACT111, ACT112, and ACT432 each time a commodity is designated.

[0080] Then, if a change occurs in the operating status of the POS terminal 100 set as the alert terminal and the cancellation condition is met due to this status change, the processor 401 determines YES in ACT445 in FIG. 12 and proceeds to ACT446. In ACT446, the processor 401 cancels the setting of the alert terminal for the POS terminal 100 that is the source of the current notification.

[0081] In ACT 447, the processor 401 updates the monitoring screen to indicate the change in the operating status of the POS terminal 100. In the example of Figure 11, the cancellation condition is satisfied in response to the processor 101 registering a product in ACT113. Therefore, if the processor 401 executes ACT418 in Figure 12 in response to the registration notification issued by the processor 101 in ACT114 regarding the product registration, this results in updating the monitoring screen in ACT433 in Figure 10. Then, in ACT433, the processor 401 updates the details of the transaction product displayed in area ARBD on the monitoring screen to include the product identified by the product code included in the notification data for notification in ACT105, and also prevents the character string "lower basket" from being displayed in area ARBE. The processor 401 then returns to the standby state in ACT412, ACT413, and ACT441 in Figure 11.

[0082] As described above, the product sales system 1 of the second embodiment can prevent large products from being omitted from registration, similar to the first embodiment. Furthermore, in the product sales system 1 of the second embodiment, if a shopping basket is placed in the lower level of a shopping cart brought into the detection area ARA by a customer CU, the attendant terminal 400 activates a warning to that effect. This allows the attendant AT to recognize that there is a possibility that an item that should be registered in the POS terminal 100 has been placed in the shopping basket placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA. In this case, the attendant AT can pay attention to the customer CU's actions regarding the items placed in the shopping basket, and can take appropriate action, such as speaking to the customer CU, if necessary.

[0083] Furthermore, the product sales system 1 of the second embodiment stops the alarm operation when the cancellation conditions are met in consideration of the registration status of the transaction item at the POS terminal 100 associated with the detection area ARA in which the shopping cart was detected. As a result, if the item placed in the shopping cart placed at the bottom of the shopping cart CA is properly registered as a transaction item by the customer CU, the attendant AT does not need to pay attention to subsequent processing of the customer CU, thereby reducing the burden on the attendant AT.

[0084] Furthermore, in the product sales system 1 of the second embodiment, if a shopping basket is placed in the lower level of a shopping cart brought into the detection area ARA by a customer CU, a warning operation to that effect is performed at the POS terminal 100 associated with the detection area ARA where the shopping basket is detected. This allows the customer CU to recognize that the products placed in the shopping basket placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA must be designated to be registered as products to be traded, and prevents the customer CU from forgetting to do so.

[0085] This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows. A shopping cart with three or more tiers may be used. Regardless of the number of tiers in the shopping cart, the camera 200 will detect large items or shopping baskets placed below the top tier.

[0086] The camera 200 may detect any item placed on the lower level of the shopping cart CA, not limited to large items.

[0087] If multiple large items are placed on the bottom shelf of shopping cart CA, the number of these multiple large items may be identified by camera 200. Then, in ACT 417 of Fig. 7 and Fig. 12, processor 301 may confirm whether the number of large items identified by camera 200 has been registered.

[0088] The camera 200 may be configured to identify the product codes of products placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA. Then, as ACT 417 in Fig. 7 and Fig. 12, the processor 401 may confirm whether the products with the product codes identified by the camera 200 have been registered. In this case, if multiple products are placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA, the camera 200 may be configured to identify the product codes of each of these multiple products. Then, as ACT 417 in Fig. 7 and Fig. 12, the processor 301 may be configured to confirm whether all of the products with the product codes identified by the camera 200 have been registered.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the camera 200 has been described as having the function of detecting a person, a function of detecting a large item, or a function of detecting a shopping cart within a detection area ARA predetermined for each POS terminal 100 by performing AI processing on image data obtained by photographing. However, a camera not having at least one of the above functions may be used instead of the camera 200, and the missing function may be executed by the management server 300 or any other information processing device. For example, a camera having only the function of outputting image data obtained by photographing may be used instead of the camera 200. Then, for example, the processor 301 of the management server 300 receives the image data output from the camera. The processor 301 performs AI processing on the received image data to detect a person present within the detection area ARA predetermined for each POS terminal 100. In this case, the processor 301 generates an area code as an identifier for identifying the detection area ARA in which a person is detected based on the image data obtained by photographing. Furthermore, processor 301 detects large items placed on the bottom shelf of a shopping cart CA located within detection area ARA through AI processing of image data obtained by photographing. Processor 301 then generates an area code for the detection area ARA in which the large item was detected based on the image data obtained by photographing, and executes large item detection. In other words, in this case, processor 301 functions as a detection means.

[0090] The processor 401 may terminate the alarm or alert operation in response to a predetermined operation being performed on the attendant terminal 400 to instruct the end of the alarm or alert operation.

[0091] The information processing for detecting at least one of large items and shopping carts may be performed by the POS terminal 100, the management server 300, the attendant terminal 400, or another information processing device not shown in FIG.

[0092] The decision to start and end at least one of the alarm operation and the wake-up operation may be made, for example, by the management server 300 or another information processing device not shown in FIG.

[0093] At least one of the alarm operation and the wake-up operation may be performed by any device other than the attendant terminal 400, such as a POS terminal other than the POS terminal 100 that is used in or around the checkout counter and is operated by a store clerk.

[0094] Some or all of the functions realized by the processors 101, 301, and 401 through information processing can also be realized by hardware that executes information processing not based on a program, such as a logic circuit. Each of the above functions can also be realized by combining software control with hardware such as the logic circuit.

[0095] 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]

[0096] 1...product sales system, 2...communication network, 100...POS terminal, 200...camera, 300...management server, 400...attendant terminal, 101,301,401...processor, 102,302,402...main memory unit, 103,303,403...sub-memory unit, 104,404...input unit, 105,405...display unit, 106,406...sound unit, 107...fixed scanner, 108...handheld scanner, 109...currency collection unit, 110...payment unit, 111...printer, 112,304,407...communication unit, 113,305,408...transmission path.

Claims

1. a sales processing device and a monitoring device separate from the sales processing device; a registration means provided in the sales processing device for registering a transaction product; a detection means for detecting products placed below the top shelf of a multi-stage carrier located in a detection area defined near the sales processing device; a notification means provided in the monitoring device for performing a notification operation to notify a monitor other than the operator of the sales processing device of the fact that a commodity has been detected by the detection means during a period in which the transaction commodity is being registered by the registration means; A sales processing system comprising:

2. The system further comprises a confirmation unit that confirms that a predetermined commodity related to the commodity detected by the detection unit is registered as a trading commodity by the registration unit, The notification means starts a notification operation in response to the detection of the product by the detection means, and stops the notification operation in response to the confirmation of the registration by the confirmation means. The sales processing system according to claim 1 .

3. The detection means detects products belonging to a predetermined specific product group, the confirmation means confirms the registration of the product belonging to the specific product group as a trading product; The sales processing system according to claim 2 .

4. In the sales processing device, the registration means registers the commodity purchased by the customer as a transaction commodity in response to an operation by the customer. The sales processing system according to claim 1 .

5. a management device; The management device includes the detection means. The sales processing system according to claim 1 .

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