Cart-type commodity registration device, information processing device, and non-

Abstract

To provide a cart-type commodity registration device, an information processing device, and a program capable of saving power of a battery by reducing influence on operability of equipment mounted on the cart-type commodity registration device.SOLUTION: A cart type commodity registration device equipped with a battery, a device driven by receiving power from the battery, and an information processing device is provided with a movement detection device for outputting a movement detection signal indicating that the cart type commodity registration device is moving or a stop detection signal indicating that the cart type commodity registration device is stopped, and the information processing device is provided with a movement judgment means for judging the movement and the stop of the cart type commodity registration device on the basis of the movement detection signal and the stop detection signal, and a power control means for controlling the device so as to be driven by a predetermined power consumption when the movement judgment means judges the stop of the cart type commodity registration device, and controlling the device so as to be driven by a power consumption reduced from the predetermined power consumption when the movement judgment means judges the movement of the cart type commodity registration device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 12

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a cart-type product registration device, an information processing device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] In stores such as supermarkets, convenience stores, and mass retailers, customers may receive a cart-type product registration device (for example, a cart POS) near the entrance of the store and move the cart-type product registration device around while shopping.

[0003] Furthermore, some recent cart-type product registration devices are equipped with devices such as tablet terminals (information processing devices), weighing boards, scanners, cameras, etc. The cart-type product registration devices are equipped with batteries to electrically power these devices.

[0004] Cart-type product registration devices equipped with such devices require a power-saving function to prevent the battery from running out midway through the process, but if you want to use these devices to purchase a product but are unable to use them immediately because the power-saving function is active, this affects the operability of these devices. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] The problem that the present invention aims to solve is to provide a cart-type product registration device, an information processing device, and a program that reduce the impact on the operability of the equipment installed in the cart-type product registration device and enable battery power saving. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The cart-type product registration device of the embodiment is equipped with a battery, and an equipment and information processing device that are powered by receiving power from the battery, the movement detection device outputting a movement detection signal indicating that the cart-type product registration device is moving or a stop detection signal indicating that the cart-type product registration device is stopped, and the information processing device is equipped with a movement determination means that determines whether the cart-type product registration device is moving or stopped based on the movement detection signal and the stop detection signal, and a power control means that, when the movement determination means determines that the cart-type product registration device has stopped, controls the equipment to operate at a predetermined power consumption, and, when the movement determination means determines that the cart-type product registration device has moved, controls the equipment to operate at a power consumption reduced from the predetermined power consumption. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the layout of a store. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the cart POS according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state in which cart POSs are lined up in a vertical row and waiting to be charged. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the cart POS. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the measurement board. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a memory map showing the configuration of the flag information section. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the tablet terminal. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the fixed scanner. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of data transmission and reception between the weighing board, tablet terminal, and fixed scanner in chronological order. [Figure 10]FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the weighing board and the tablet terminal. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the control process of the measurement board. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of control processing of the tablet terminal. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the continuation of the flow of the control process of the tablet terminal. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the control process of the fixed scanner. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a cart POS according to the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a tablet terminal according to the second embodiment. [Figure 17] FIG. 17 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of data transmission and reception between the tablet terminal and the fixed scanner according to the second embodiment in chronological order. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the tablet terminal. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the flow of control processing of the tablet terminal. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a flowchart showing the continuation of the flow of the control process of the tablet terminal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] (First embodiment) FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the layout of a store T according to the first embodiment. The store T according to the first embodiment is a store that sells products, such as a supermarket, convenience store, home improvement store, or mass retailer. The store T has an entrance TI to the store T, a shopping area KE, a checkout area SE, and an exit TO. The entrance TI is where customers enter the store T. In a cart storage area KO near the entrance TI, cart POS (Point of Sales) 1 (an example of a cart-type product registration device; see FIG. 2 ) are placed vertically. The POS 1 has a shopping cart into which products to be purchased are placed, and is equipped with a tablet terminal and various other devices. The shopping area KE is an area where products sold by the store T to customers are displayed on shelves or the like. The checkout area SE is an area where a POS terminal is installed and where payment processing and other transactions are carried out for the products purchased by customers. The exit TO is an exit through which customers exit the store T after completing their transactions. A customer entering the store through the entrance TI picks up a cart POS1 lined up in the cart storage area KO, moves around the shopping area KE, picks up the items they want to purchase from the shelves, and stores them in the cart POS1. Once they have picked up all the items they want to purchase, they move to the checkout area SE and pay for the items stored in the cart POS1, and when the payment is complete, they leave the store through the exit TO with the purchased items. Note that if the cart POS1 has a payment function, it is possible to complete the payment process at the cart POS1 and leave the store without stopping at the checkout area SE.

[0009] 2 is a perspective view showing the exterior of a cart POS 1 according to an embodiment. The cart POS 1 is used to store and transport purchased goods, and stores the purchased goods while moving within a store T. The cart POS 1 is pushed by a customer to move around the store. The cart POS 1 includes a handle 2, a basket placement section 3, four casters 4, a touch scanner 5, a fixed scanner 6, a charging board 7, a battery 8, a tablet terminal 10, etc.

[0010] The handle 2 is a part that customers grasp and push to move the cart POS 1. The basket placement section 3 is a platform on which baskets K for storing products are placed, and in this embodiment, is provided on upper and lower levels. A scale 97 (see FIG. 4) that weighs the products stored in the basket K and a flat-shaped weighing board 9 that converts the measured weight into data and transmits it to a tablet terminal 10 (an example of an information processing device) are placed on the bottom of the basket placement section 3. The basket K is placed on the scale 97 and the weighing board 9. When a product is placed in a basket K placed on the basket placement section 3, the scale 97 located below the basket K weighs the product. The weighing board 9 transmits weight data indicating the weight of the product to the tablet terminal 10. The casters 4 are provided on the feet of the cart POS 1. Each caster 4 rotates independently, allowing the cart POS 1 to be pushed freely around the store by a customer.

[0011] The touch scanner 5 (an example of a device) and the fixed scanner 6 (an example of a device) are devices that read symbols (information for identifying products), such as barcodes, attached to products purchased by customers. The touch scanner 5 and the fixed scanner 6 are equipped with lighting (lighting 68 shown in FIG. 8 ) that emits light. The light is irradiated onto the symbol, and an image sensor (not shown) receives the reflected light to read the symbol. The touch scanner 5 and the fixed scanner 6 read the symbol optically or by imaging. The touch scanner 5 and the fixed scanner 6 decode the symbol and transmit the product identification information (e.g., product code) to the tablet terminal 10. The fixed scanner 6 is fixedly attached to the tablet terminal 10 and is installed facing the basket K to read the symbols of the products stored in the basket K. The touch scanner 5 is a handheld scanner that is detachably attached to the tablet terminal 10. It can be removed from the tablet terminal 10 to read the symbols of products stored in, for example, the basket K on the lower basket placement unit 3.

[0012] The tablet terminal 10 is an example of an information processing device in this embodiment. The tablet terminal 10 executes a product registration process for a product based on product identification information acquired based on symbols read by the touch scanner 5 and the fixed scanner 6. The product registration process refers to a process of reading product information for the product from the product master 142 (see FIG. 7) based on the acquired product identification information, displaying product information such as the product name and price of the product on the display unit 17 (see FIG. 7), and storing the product information in the product information unit 131 (see FIG. 7).

[0013] The tablet terminal 10 has the appearance and functions of a so-called tablet computer, and is equipped with a display unit 17, an operation unit 18, and a backlight 171 (see FIG. 7) on a main body 21. A camera (an example of a device) (not shown) may be attached to the tablet terminal 10 or the handle 2. The camera is attached to monitor for any fraudulent behavior by customers when placing items in the basket K.

[0014] Display unit 17 is a plate-shaped display device such as a liquid crystal display. Display unit 17 displays information to a customer operating tablet terminal 10. Operation unit 18 is, for example, a touch input device (touch panel) placed on the display surface of display unit 17.

[0015] A battery 8 is attached to approximately the center of the cart POS 1 (for example, immediately below the basket placement unit 3 (upper level)). The battery 8 supplies power to the touch scanner 5 (device), the fixed scanner 6 (device), the scale 97, the weighing board 9, and the tablet terminal 10 (or the camera if a camera (device) is attached). The battery 8 supplies power to the touch scanner 5 and the fixed scanner 6 (or the camera if a camera is attached) to turn on the devices and to turn on the lights. The battery 8 also supplies power to the tablet terminal 10 to drive the tablet terminal 10 and to turn on the backlight 171 (see FIG. 7). The battery 8 also supplies power to the weighing board 9 for the scale 97 to measure and power to drive the weighing board 9. Power from the battery 8 to the touch scanner 5 and the fixed scanner 6 (or the camera if a camera is attached) may be supplied directly from the battery 8 or via the tablet terminal 10 (in this embodiment, power is supplied via the tablet terminal 10).

[0016] Further, a charging board 7, which is a power receiving section for charging a battery 8 from a charging device JD (see FIG. 3), is attached to the bottom of the lower basket placement section 3 of the cart POS1.

[0017] Here, we will explain charging of the battery 8 from the charging device JD. Figure 3 is a diagram showing a state in which carts POS1 are waiting in a vertical line and charging. The charging device JD is installed on the bottom of the cart parking area KO. When the carts POS1 are lined up in the cart parking area KO, the charging board 7 faces the charging device JD at a predetermined distance. In this state, the charging board 7 is supplied with (receives) power from the charging device JD in a non-contact state, thereby charging the battery 8. In the example of Figure 3, four carts POS1 are waiting in a vertical line, and the batteries 8 provided in these carts POS1 are charged by the charging device JD.

[0018] Next, we will explain the hardware configuration of the cart POS 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the cart POS 1. As shown in Fig. 4, the cart POS 1 includes a charging board 7, a battery 8, a tablet terminal 10, a weighing board 9, a scale 97, a fixed scanner 6, and a touch scanner 5.

[0019] The charging board 7 is supplied with power from a charging device JD in a contactless manner. The charging board 7 is connected to the battery 8 via a power supply line LD, and charges the battery 8 with the power supplied from the charging board 7 via the power supply line LD. The battery 8 is connected to the tablet terminal 10 and the weighing board 9 via the power supply line LD, and is supplied with power from the battery 8 via the power supply line LD. The tablet terminal 10 and the weighing board 9 can be driven as respective devices by the power supplied from the battery 8. The weighing board 9 is connected to a scale 97 via a power supply line LD and a signal line LI. The weighing board 9 supplies power to the scale 97 via the power supply line LD. The scale 97 can be driven by the power supplied from the weighing board 9. The tablet terminal 10 and the weighing board 9 are also connected via a signal line LI.

[0020] The tablet terminal 10 has a backlight 171, can be driven by power supplied from the battery 8, and can turn on the backlight 171. Hereinafter, turning on the backlight 171 may be referred to as "on," and turning off the backlight 171 may be referred to as "off."

[0021] The tablet terminal 10 is also connected to the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5 via a power supply line LD and a signal line LI. The tablet terminal 10 supplies power to the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5 via the power supply line LD. The fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5 can be driven by power supplied from the battery 8 via the tablet terminal 10. The fixed scanner 6 has a light 68, which can be driven by power supplied from the tablet terminal 10 and can turn on the light 68. The tablet terminal 10 transmits a light on command to the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5 via the signal line LI. The tablet terminal 10 also transmits a light off command to the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5 via the signal line LI.

[0022] Hereinafter, turning on the light 68 may be referred to as "on," and turning off the light 68 may be referred to as "off." The touch scanner 5 has the same configuration as the fixed scanner 6, including the light, and has the same functions as the fixed scanner 6 (including turning the light on and off) using power supplied from the tablet terminal 10.

[0023] The scale 97 measures the weight of the product using the power supplied from the weighing board 9. The scale 97 transmits the measured weight data to the weighing board 9 via a signal line LI.

[0024] The weighing board 9 receives the weighing data from the scale 97. The weighing board 9 transmits the received weighing data to the tablet terminal 10 via a signal line LI.

[0025] The weighing board 9 is also equipped with an acceleration sensor 98 (an example of a movement detection device). The acceleration sensor 98 is a device that measures speed per unit time and is a device (IC (Integrated Circuit)) that detects whether the weighing board 9 (i.e., the cart POS1) on which the acceleration sensor 98 is mounted is moving or stationary. The acceleration sensor 98 outputs signals of different levels (for example, different voltages) when the cart POS1 is moving and when it is stationary. Specifically, when the cart POS1 is stationary, the acceleration sensor 98 outputs a signal (stop detection signal) of a level indicating that the cart POS1 is stationary. When the cart POS1 is moving, the acceleration sensor 98 outputs a signal (movement detection signal) of a level corresponding to the speed at which the cart POS1 is moving. Thus, the weighing board 9 determines whether the cart POS1 is stationary or moving based on the output level from the acceleration sensor 98. The acceleration sensor 98 also outputs a signal of a level corresponding to the speed at which the cart POS1 is moving. Therefore, if the weighing board 9 stores in advance the output value of the acceleration sensor 98, which indicates the predetermined moving speed of the cart POS1, as a threshold value, then when the acceleration sensor 98 outputs a signal at a level below the threshold, the weighing board 9 can determine that the cart POS1 is moving at a low speed below the predetermined speed, and when the acceleration sensor 98 outputs a signal at a level above the threshold, the weighing board 9 can determine that the cart POS1 is moving at a high speed above the predetermined speed.

[0026] For example, when a customer finishes shopping and moves the cart POS1 from the shopping area KE to the checkout area SE, the customer tends to move the cart POS1 at a high speed, and while shopping in the shopping area KE, the customer tends to stop the cart POS1 or move it at a speed slower than a predetermined speed while putting items into the basket K. For this reason, thresholds are set for the output of the acceleration sensor 98 when the cart POS1 is moved at a high speed and the output of the acceleration sensor 98 when the cart POS1 is moved at a low speed, and the weighing board 9 stores these thresholds, so that the weighing board 9 can determine whether the moving speed of the cart POS1 is high or low, based on the output from the acceleration sensor 98.

[0027] Furthermore, when the acceleration sensor 98 outputs a signal at a level indicating that the cart POS1 is stopped, the weighing board 9 generates "flag 2 (first flag)" as flag information indicating that the cart POS1 is stopped. When the acceleration sensor 98 outputs a signal at a level indicating that the cart POS1 is moving at a low speed (a signal with a level lower than a threshold), the weighing board 9 generates "flag 1 (second flag)" as flag information indicating that the cart POS1 is moving at a low speed. When the acceleration sensor 98 outputs a signal at a level indicating that the cart POS1 is moving at a high speed (a signal with a level higher than a threshold), the weighing board 9 generates "flag 0 (third flag)" as flag information indicating that the cart POS1 is moving at a high speed. The weighing board 9 repeatedly transmits the generated flag information to the tablet terminal 10 at regular intervals (for example, every second).

[0028] Furthermore, when the weighing board 9 receives a power-off command from the tablet terminal 10, it turns off its own power.

[0029] The tablet terminal 10 receives flag information from the weighing board 9. The tablet terminal 10 controls the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5 based on the received flag information. Specifically, when the cart POS1 is moving at a high speed (when flag 0 is received), the tablet terminal 10 transmits a light-off command via the signal line LI to turn off the lights 68 of the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5. When the cart POS1 is moving at a high speed, the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5 will not be used to read symbols attached to products, so there is no problem in turning off the lights 68. On the other hand, when the cart POS1 is stopped (when flag 2 is received) or when the cart POS1 is moving at a low speed (when flag 1 is received), the lights 68 of the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5 are not turned off (the lights remain on without sending a light-off command). When the cart POS1 is stopped or moving at a low speed, there is a possibility that the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5 will be used to read symbols attached to products, so the lights 68 are kept enabled (the lights remain on without sending a light-off command).

[0030] The tablet terminal 10 also receives product identification information acquired based on the read symbol from the fixed scanner 6 or the touch scanner 5. If the flag information received from the weighing board 9 is flag 2, the tablet terminal 10 executes product registration processing for the product identified by the product identification information based on the received product identification information. In other words, if the flag information received from the weighing board 9 is other than flag 2 (flag 1 or flag 0), the tablet terminal 10 does not execute product registration processing for the product based on the received product identification information.

[0031] Furthermore, if the cart POS 1 has been stopped for a predetermined period of time (if flag 2 has been received repeatedly from the weighing board 9 for a predetermined period of time), the tablet terminal 10 transmits a power-off command to turn off the power via the signal line LI to the fixed scanner 6, the touch scanner 5, and the weighing board 9. Furthermore, if the cart POS 1 has been stopped for a predetermined period of time, the tablet terminal 10 turns off its own backlight.

[0032] The fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5 read symbols attached to products. When the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5 receive a light-off command from the tablet terminal 10, they turn off the light 68. The fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5 also read symbols attached to products and transmit product identification information (e.g., product code) acquired based on the symbols to the tablet terminal 10. When the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5 receive a power-off command from the tablet terminal 10, they turn off their own power.

[0033] Next, the hardware configuration of the weighing board 9 will be described. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the weighing board 9. As shown in FIG. 5, the weighing board 9 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 91, which is an example of a microprocessor, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 92, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 93, and a memory unit 94. The CPU 91 is the main controller of the weighing board 9. The ROM 92 stores various programs. The RAM 93 loads programs and various data. The memory unit 94 stores various programs. The CPU 91, ROM 92, RAM 93, and memory unit 94 are connected to one another via a bus 95. The CPU 91, ROM 92, and RAM 93 constitute a control unit 900. That is, the control unit 900 executes the control processing of the weighing board 9, which will be described later, by the CPU 91 operating in accordance with the control programs stored in the ROM 92 and memory unit 94 and loaded in the RAM 93.

[0034] The RAM 93 has a measurement data section 931, a sensor data section 932, and a flag section 933. The measurement data section 931 stores measurement data (weight data) measured by the scale 97. The sensor data section 932 stores information on the output value output by the acceleration sensor 98 (an output value indicating whether the cart POS1 is stopped, moving at a low speed, or moving at a high speed). The flag section 933 searches a flag information section 942 (described below) based on the output value stored in the sensor data section 932, and generates and stores corresponding flag information (flag 0, flag 1, or flag 2).

[0035] The memory unit 94 is composed of a non-volatile memory such as an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or flash memory. The memory unit 94 has a control program unit 941, a flag information unit 942, and a setting information unit 943. The control program unit 941 stores a control program related to the weighing board 9. The flag information unit 942 indicates the value of a signal output from the acceleration sensor 98 (for example, a voltage value output by the acceleration sensor 98 corresponding to the speed of the cart POS1). The setting information unit 943 stores the output from the acceleration sensor 98 as a threshold indicating the boundary between whether the cart POS1 is moving at a low speed or a high speed. When the acceleration sensor 98 outputs a signal (for example, a voltage) with a value smaller than the threshold, the cart POS1 is moving at a low speed. When the acceleration sensor 98 outputs a signal (for example, a voltage) with a value equal to or greater than the threshold, the cart POS1 is moving at a high speed. When the output from the acceleration sensor 98 is a value smaller than the threshold, the cart POS1 is moving at a high speed. The weighing board 9 determines that the cart POS1 is moving at a low speed. The weighing board 9 determines that the cart POS 1 is moving at a high speed when the output from the acceleration sensor 98 is equal to or greater than a threshold value. The threshold value stored in the setting information unit 943 can be set (changed). The speed at which the threshold value indicating the boundary between low speed and high speed is set may affect the convenience of customers using the cart POS 1, so the setting of the threshold value stored in the setting information unit 943 is changed in accordance with the policy of the store T.

[0036] Furthermore, the control unit 900 is connected to a scale 97 and an acceleration sensor 98 via a bus 95 and a controller 96. The controller 96 receives instructions from the control unit 900 and controls the scale 97 and the acceleration sensor 98. For convenience of explanation, the control performed by the controller 96 will be described as being performed by the control unit 900.

[0037] The scale 97 weighs the weight of the products stored in the basket K and outputs the weighing data. The acceleration sensor 98 outputs a signal indicating whether the cart POS1 is stopped, moving at a low speed, or moving at a high speed.

[0038] The control unit 900 is also connected to the communication unit 99 via the bus 95. The communication unit 99 is communicatively connected to the tablet terminal 10 via a signal line LI. When the control unit 900 receives a power-off command from the tablet terminal 10 via the signal line LI, it stops the power supplied from the battery 8 via the power supply line LD to at least the ROM 92, the RAM 93, the memory unit 94, the controller 96, and the scale 97. When the control unit 900 receives a power-on command from the tablet terminal 10 via the signal line LI, it supplies power from the battery 8 to the ROM 92, the RAM 93, the memory unit 94, the controller 96, and the scale 97.

[0039] Next, the flag information section 942 will be described. FIG. 6 is a memory map showing the configuration of the flag information section 942. As shown in FIG. 6, the flag information section 942 has an output level section 9421 and a flag value section 9422. The output level section 9421 has a stop area 94211, a low speed area 94212, and a high speed area 94213. The stop area 94211 stores the output value (stop detection signal) of the acceleration sensor 98 when the cart POS1 is stopped. The flag value area 94221 corresponding to the stop area 94211 stores flag 2, which is flag information indicating that the cart POS1 is stopped. The low speed area 94212 stores the output value (movement detection signal) of the acceleration sensor 98 in the range from the output of the acceleration sensor 98 when the cart POS1 starts moving from a stopped state to the output of a threshold value stored in the setting information section 943 (to be precise, the threshold value is not included). When the acceleration sensor 98 outputs a value within this range, the cart POS1 is moving (running) at a low speed. A flag value area 94222 corresponding to the low speed area 94212 stores flag 1, which is flag information indicating that the cart POS1 is moving at a low speed. A high speed area 94213 stores information (movement detection signal) indicating that the output value of the acceleration sensor 98 from the cart POS1 is equal to or greater than a threshold. When the acceleration sensor 98 outputs a value equal to or greater than the threshold, the cart POS1 is moving (running) at a high speed. A flag value area 94223 corresponding to the high speed area 94213 stores flag 0, which is flag information indicating that the cart POS1 is moving at a high speed.

[0040] Next, the hardware of the tablet terminal 10 will be described. FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the tablet terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 7, the tablet terminal 10 includes a CPU 11, which is an example of a microprocessor, a ROM 12, a RAM 13, a memory unit 14, and the like. The CPU 11 is the main controller of the tablet terminal 10. The ROM 12 stores various programs. The RAM 13 expands programs and various data. The memory unit 14 stores various programs. The CPU 11, ROM 12, RAM 13, and memory unit 14 are connected to one another via a bus 15. The CPU 11, ROM 12, and RAM 13 constitute a control unit 100. That is, the control unit 100 executes the control processing of the tablet terminal 10, which will be described later, by the CPU 11 operating in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 12 or the memory unit 14 and expanded in the RAM 13.

[0041] The RAM 13 has a product information section 131, a flag storage section 132, and a stack flag section 133. The product information section 131 stores product information (product identification information, product name, product price, etc.) of products for which product registration processing has been performed. The flag storage section 132 stores flag information (flag 0, flag 1, or flag 2) received from the weighing board 9. The flag storage section 132 stores the latest flag information every time it receives flag information from the weighing board 9. The stack flag section 133 stores a stack flag 1 when the cart POS 1 has been stopped continuously for a predetermined time or more. The stack flag 1 is flag information indicating that the cart POS 1 has been stopped continuously for a predetermined time or more. When the cart POS 1 has not been stopped continuously for a predetermined time or more, the stack flag section 133 stores a stack flag 0. The stack flag 0 is flag information indicating that the cart POS 1 has not been stopped continuously for a predetermined time or more.

[0042] The memory unit 14 is configured with a non-volatile memory such as an HDD or flash memory. The memory unit 14 has a control program unit 141, a product master 142, and a predetermined time unit 143. The control program unit 141 stores a control program related to the tablet terminal 10. The product master 142 stores product information for all products sold in the store T, classified by product identification information that identifies the product. The predetermined time unit 143 stores the predetermined time determined in S63 of FIG. 13. This predetermined time is a division time during which the cart POS 1 is continuously stopped, and is, for example, a predetermined time for determining that the cart POS 1 is lined up vertically in the cart storage area KO and may not be used for a while. This predetermined time can be changed by setting.

[0043] Furthermore, the control unit 100 is connected to a display unit 17 and an operation unit 18 via a bus 15 and a controller 16. The controller 16 controls the display unit 17 and the operation unit 18 in response to instructions from the control unit 100. For convenience of explanation, the control performed by the controller 16 will be described as being performed by the control unit 100.

[0044] The display unit 17 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display unit 17 displays information to the customer operating the tablet terminal 10 (i.e., the customer pushing the cart POS 1). The display unit 17 also has a backlight 171 that illuminates the display screen from the inside. The operation unit 18 is, for example, a touch panel provided on the display unit 17, and is operated by the customer operating the tablet terminal 10.

[0045] The control unit 100 is also connected to a communication unit 19 via a bus 15. The communication unit 19 is communicably connected to the weighing board 9, the fixed scanner 6, and the touch scanner 5 via a signal line LI.

[0046] Next, the hardware configuration of the fixed scanner 6 will be described. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the fixed scanner 6. As shown in FIG. 8, the fixed scanner 6 includes a CPU 61, which is an example of a microprocessor, a ROM 62, a RAM 63, a memory unit 64, and the like. The CPU 61 is the main controller of the fixed scanner 6. The ROM 62 stores various programs. The RAM 63 loads programs and various data. The memory unit 64 stores various programs. The CPU 61, the ROM 62, the RAM 63, and the memory unit 64 are connected to one another via a bus 65. The CPU 61, the ROM 62, and the RAM 63 constitute a control unit 600. That is, the control unit 600 executes the control processing of the fixed scanner 6, which will be described later, by the CPU 61 operating in accordance with the control program stored in the ROM 62 or the memory unit 64 and loaded in the RAM 63.

[0047] The RAM 63 has an image storage unit 631 and a product identification information unit 632. The image storage unit 631 stores an image of a symbol attached to a product (or stores an image of the product) captured (read) by the imaging unit 67 (described later). The product identification information unit 632 stores product identification information that identifies the product, obtained based on the image of the symbol (or product) stored in the image storage unit 631.

[0048] The memory unit 64 is configured by a nonvolatile memory such as a HDD, a flash memory, etc. The memory unit 64 has a control program unit 641. The control program unit 641 stores a control program related to the fixed scanner 6.

[0049] Furthermore, the control unit 600 is connected to an imaging unit 67 and lighting 68 via a bus 65 and a controller 66. The controller 66 controls the imaging unit 67 and lighting 68 in response to instructions from the control unit 600. For convenience of explanation, the control performed by the controller 66 will be described as being performed by the control unit 600.

[0050] The imaging unit 67 is, for example, a camera, and captures an image of the symbol attached to the commodity (or the commodity itself) stored in the basket K. The lighting 68 irradiates light from the fixed scanner 6 to the outside, brightly illuminating the commodity to be imaged.

[0051] The control unit 600 is also connected to the communication unit 69 via the bus 65. The communication unit 69 is communicatively connected to the tablet terminal 10 via a signal line LI. When the control unit 600 receives a power-off command from the tablet terminal 10 via the signal line LI, it stops the power supplied from the battery 8 via the power supply line LD to at least the ROM 62, the RAM 63, the memory unit 64, and the controller 66. When the control unit 600 receives a power-on command from the tablet terminal 10 via the signal line LI, it supplies power from the battery 8 to the ROM 62, the RAM 63, the memory unit 64, and the controller 66.

[0052] The hardware configuration of the touch scanner 5 is substantially the same as that of the fixed scanner 6. Therefore, a description of the hardware configuration of the touch scanner 5 will be omitted. Furthermore, when describing the parts of the touch scanner 5, the reference numerals of the same parts of the fixed scanner 6 may be used. Furthermore, in the following description, the fixed scanner 6 will be used as a representative of the touch scanner 5 and the fixed scanner 6 to describe the exchange of data and commands with the tablet terminal 10, as well as its functions, and a description of its relationship with the touch scanner 5 will be omitted, but the touch scanner 5 also performs the same functions as the fixed scanner 6 and exchanges data with the tablet terminal 10.

[0053] Next, we will explain the data exchange between the weighing board 9, tablet terminal 10, and fixed scanner 6. FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of data transmission and reception between the weighing board 9, tablet terminal 10, and fixed scanner 6 in chronological order. As shown in FIG. 9, the weighing board 9 receives an output value output by the acceleration sensor 98 (T1). The weighing board 9 then references the flag information section 942 for the received output value and generates flag information (flag 0, flag 1, or flag 2) corresponding to the received output value (T2). The weighing board 9 then transmits the generated flag information to the tablet terminal 10 (T3).

[0054] If the received flag information is flag 0, the tablet terminal 10 determines that the cart POS 1 is moving at high speed and transmits a light-off command to the fixed scanner 6 (T5). Upon receiving the light-off command, the fixed scanner 6 turns off (extinguishes) its own light 68.

[0055] The customer has the fixed scanner 6 read the symbol attached to the product they wish to purchase. The fixed scanner 6 reads the symbol on the product (T11). The fixed scanner 6 then obtains product identification information that identifies the product based on the read symbol and transmits it to the tablet terminal 10 (T12). Meanwhile, when the product is placed in the basket K, the weighing board 9 receives weighing data related to the product from the scale 97 (T13). The weighing board 9 transmits the weighing data to the tablet terminal 10 (T14). The tablet terminal 10 determines whether the flag information received in T3 is flag 2 (i.e., the cart POS 1 is stopped) (T15), and only if flag 2 is received, executes product registration processing for the product based on the product identification information and weighing data received in T12 (T16). If flag 0 or flag 1 is received (if the cart POS 1 is moving), the tablet terminal 10 does not execute product registration processing for the product (it discards the weighing data). When the cart POS1 is moving, accurate weighing data may not be obtained due to the effects of vibrations and other factors associated with the movement, so the product registration process is performed using the received weighing data only when the cart POS1 is stationary. Note that in the product registration process, the weighing data is used to check whether the product stored in the basket K is the product identified by the received product identification information.

[0056] Furthermore, if the cart POS 1 remains stopped for a predetermined time or longer (T21 and T22), the tablet terminal 10 sends a power-off command to the fixed scanner 6 and weighing board 9 (T23 and T25). The fixed scanner 6, which has received the power-off command, turns off its own power (and its illumination) (T24). The weighing board 9, which has received the power-off command, turns off its own power (T26). The tablet terminal 10 also turns off its own backlight 171 (T27).

[0057] Next, the functional configuration of the weighing board 9 and the tablet terminal 10 according to the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 10 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the weighing board 9 and the tablet terminal 10. The control unit 900 of the weighing board 9 functions as a first generating means 901 and a transmitting means 902 by following a control program stored in the ROM 92 or a control program unit 941 of the memory unit 94.

[0058] The first generation means 901 generates a first flag (flag 2) which is flag information indicating that the cart POS1 is stopped based on the stop detection signal output by the acceleration sensor 98, generates a second flag (flag 1) which is flag information indicating that the cart POS1 is moving within a predetermined low speed range based on the movement detection signal output by the acceleration sensor 98, and generates a third flag (flag 0) which is flag information indicating that the cart POS1 is moving at a high speed that exceeds the low speed based on the movement detection signal output by the acceleration sensor 98. Specifically, the first generation means 901 refers to the flag information section 942 based on the stop detection signal output by the acceleration sensor 98 and generates a first flag (flag 2) which is flag information indicating that the cart POS1 is stopped, refers to the flag information section 942 based on the movement detection signal output by the acceleration sensor 98 and generates a second flag (flag 1) which is flag information indicating that the cart POS1 is moving within a predetermined low speed range, and refers to the flag information section 942 based on the movement detection signal output by the acceleration sensor 98 and generates a third flag (flag 0) which is flag information indicating that the cart POS1 is moving at a high speed that exceeds the low speed.

[0059] The transmission means 902 transmits the generated flag information to the tablet terminal 10.

[0060] Furthermore, the control unit 100 of the tablet terminal 10 functions as a movement determination unit 101, a power control unit 102, and an information selection unit 103 by following the control programs stored in the ROM 12 or the control program unit 141 of the memory unit 14.

[0061] The movement determination means 101 determines whether the cart POS 1 is moving or stopped based on the movement detection signal and the stop detection signal. In the first embodiment, the movement determination means 101 determines whether the cart POS 1 is moving or stopped based on flag information generated by the weighing board 9 based on the movement detection signal and the stop detection signal. Specifically, the movement determination means 101 determines whether the cart POS 1 is stopped based on the first flag (flag 2) and the second flag (flag 1) received from the weighing board 9, and determines whether the cart POS 1 is moving based on the third flag (flag 0) received from the weighing board 9.

[0062] The power control means 102 controls the fixed scanner 6 to operate at a predetermined power consumption when the movement determination means 101 determines that the cart POS1 has stopped, and controls the fixed scanner 6 to operate at a power consumption reduced from the predetermined power consumption when the movement determination means 101 determines that the cart POS1 has moved. Specifically, the power control means 102 controls the lighting 68 of the fixed scanner 6 to be turned off when the movement determination means 101 determines that the cart POS1 has moved. Even more specifically, the power control means 102 sends a lighting off command to the fixed scanner 6 to turn off the lighting 68 of the fixed scanner 6 when the movement determination means 101 determines that the cart POS1 has moved.

[0063] Furthermore, when the movement determination means 101 determines that the cart POS 1 has stopped for a predetermined time or more, the power control means 102 further reduces the power consumption of the fixed scanner 6 and controls the tablet terminal 10 to operate at a reduced power consumption. Specifically, when the movement determination means 101 determines that the cart POS 1 has stopped for a predetermined time or more, the power control means 102 controls the fixed scanner 6 to be powered off (and the lighting turned off) and the backlight of the tablet terminal 10 to be turned off (exited). More specifically, when the movement determination means 101 determines that the cart POS 1 has stopped for a predetermined time or more, the power control means 102 sends a power-off command to the fixed scanner 6 and controls the backlight of the tablet terminal 10 to be turned off (exited). Note that when the movement determination means 101 determines that the cart POS 1 has stopped for a predetermined time or more, the power control means 102 also sends a power-off command to the weighing board 9. The predetermined time is stored in the predetermined time unit 143, and can be set and changed arbitrarily.

[0064] When the information selection means 103 receives the first flag (flag 2) from the weighing board 9, it adopts the weight data received from the received weighing board 9, and when it receives the second flag (flag 1) or the third flag (flag 0) from the weighing board 9, it ignores the received weight data.

[0065] Next, the control of the weighing board 9 will be described. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of the control process of the weighing board 9. As shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 900 of the weighing board 9 determines whether an output value signal has been input from the acceleration sensor 98 (S11). If it is determined that an output value signal has been input (Yes in S11), the control unit 900 then stores the input output value in the sensor data unit 332 and determines whether the stored output value is the stop detection signal stored in the area 9421 (S12). If it is determined that the output value is the stop detection signal (Yes in S12), the first generation means 901 generates flag information (first flag (flag 2)) indicating that the cart POS 1 is stopped and stores it in the flag unit 333 (S13). Then, the transmission means 902 transmits the flag information (flag 2) stored in the flag unit 333 to the tablet terminal 10 (S14). The control unit 900 then returns to S11. Note that since the signal input from the acceleration sensor 98 is input at predetermined intervals (for example, every second), the processes of S11 to S17 are executed each time the signal is input. Therefore, the transmission of flag information to the tablet terminal 10 in S14 is frequently performed at predetermined intervals.

[0066] If it is determined that the output value is not a stop detection signal (No in S12), the output value is a movement detection signal, and therefore it is determined whether the output value of the movement detection signal is within the range of output values ​​stored in the low-speed area 94212 (S15). If it is determined that the output value is within the range (Yes in S15), the first generation means 901 generates flag information (second flag (flag 1)) indicating that the cart POS 1 is moving at a low speed and stores it in the flag section 333 (S16). Then, the transmission means 902 transmits the flag information (flag 1) stored in the flag section 333 to the tablet terminal 10 (S14). Then, the control unit 900 returns to S11. If it is determined that the output value is not within the range (No in S15), the first generation means 901 generates flag information (third flag (flag 0)) indicating that the cart POS 1 is moving at a high speed and stores it in the flag section 333 (S17). Then, the transmission means 902 transmits the flag information (flag 0) stored in the flag section 333 to the tablet terminal 10 (S14). Then, the control section 900 returns to S11.

[0067] Furthermore, if it is determined that the output value signal is not an input (No in S11), the control unit 900 determines whether weight data has been received from the scale 97 (S21). If it is determined that weight data has been received (Yes in S21), the control unit 900 transmits the received weight data to the tablet terminal 10 (S22). Then, the control unit 900 returns to S11.

[0068] If it is determined that the received data is not weighing data (No in S21), the control unit 900 determines whether a power-off command has been received from the tablet terminal 10 (S23). If it is determined that a power-off command has been received (Yes in S23), the control unit 900 turns off the power to the weighing board 9 (S24). Then, the control unit 900 returns to S11.

[0069] Furthermore, if it is determined that the power-off command has not been received (No in S23), the control unit 900 determines whether a power-on command has been received from the tablet terminal 10 (S25). If it is determined that a power-on command has been received (Yes in S25), the control unit 900 turns on the power of the weighing board 9 (S26). Then, the control unit 900 returns to S11. Note that if it is determined that the power-on command has not been received from the tablet terminal 10 (No in S25), the control unit 900 returns to S11.

[0070] Next, the control of the tablet terminal 10 will be described. Figures 12 and 13 are flowcharts showing the flow of control processing of the tablet terminal 10. As shown in Figure 12, the control unit 100 of the tablet terminal 10 stores flag information received from the weighing board 9 in the flag storage unit 132 and monitors it (S41). In the processing of S41, the control unit 100 stores the received flag information in the flag storage unit 132 every time it receives flag information from the weighing board 9.

[0071] Next, the control unit 100 determines whether it has received product identification information from the fixed scanner 6 (S42). If it has determined that it has received product identification information (Yes in S42), the control unit 100 determines whether it has received weighing data from the weighing board 9 (S43). If it has determined that it has received weighing data (Yes in S43), the control unit 100 determines whether flag 2 is stored in the flag storage unit 432 (S44). If it has determined that flag 2 is stored (Yes in S44), the control unit 100 determines that the weighing data was obtained while the cart POS 1 was stopped (highly reliable weighing data), and executes product registration processing for the product using the received product identification information and weighing data (S45). The control unit 100 then returns to S41.

[0072] Furthermore, if it is determined that flag 2 is not stored in the flag storage unit 432 (i.e., flag 1 or flag 0 is stored) (No in S44), the control unit 100 determines that the weighing data was obtained while the cart POS 1 was moving (weighing data with low reliability that may have been contaminated with noise due to vibration, etc.), and executes error processing without executing product registration processing using the received weighing data (S46). The received weighing data is discarded. The control unit 100 then returns to S41.

[0073] If it is determined that no weighing data has been received from the weighing board 9 (No in S43), it is highly likely that the product whose symbol has been read by the fixed scanner 6 has not been weighed, so the control unit 100 does not execute the product registration process for the product whose product identification information has been received, but executes error processing (S46).Then, the control unit 100 returns to S41.

[0074] Furthermore, if it is determined that the received information is not product specification information (No in S42), the control unit 100 determines whether the cart POS 1 is stationary or moving. That is, the movement determination means 101 determines whether flag 0 is stored in the flag storage unit 132 (S51). If it is determined that flag 0 is stored (Yes in S51), the cart POS 1 is moving at high speed, so a lighting-off command is sent to the fixed scanner 6 (that is, a command is sent to operate the fixed scanner 6 with power consumption reduced from the predetermined power consumption) (S52). Then, the control unit 100 returns to S41.

[0075] Furthermore, if it is determined that flag 0 is not stored in the flag storage unit 132 (No in S51), the movement determination means 101 determines whether flag 1 is stored in the flag storage unit 132 (S53). If it is determined that flag 1 is stored (Yes in S53), the cart POS 1 is moving at a low speed, so it transmits an illumination-on command to the fixed scanner 6 (i.e., transmits a command to operate the fixed scanner 6 at a predetermined power consumption) (S54). Then, the control unit 100 returns to S41.

[0076] Furthermore, if it is determined that flag 1 is not stored in flag memory unit 132 (No in S53), flag 2 is stored in flag memory unit 132 and cart POS 1 is stopped, so a lighting-on command is sent to fixed scanner 6 (i.e., a command is sent to operate fixed scanner 6 at a specified power consumption) (S55).

[0077] 13 will be explained. Next, the control unit 100 activates the timer 20 (S61). Then, the control unit 100 monitors the flag information stored in the flag storage unit 132 (S62). Next, the control unit 100 determines whether the timer 20 has timed the predetermined time stored in the predetermined time unit 143 (i.e., whether the predetermined time or more has elapsed since the timer 20 was activated) (S63). If the control unit 100 determines that the predetermined time has not elapsed (the predetermined time has not elapsed since the timer 20 was activated) (No in S63), the control unit 100 determines whether flag 2 is stored in the flag storage unit 132 (S64). If the control unit 100 determines that flag 2 is stored (Yes in S64), the cart POS 1 is still stopped, so the process returns to S62 and continues to monitor the flag information stored in the flag storage unit 132 to determine whether the predetermined time has elapsed.

[0078] Furthermore, if it is determined that flag 2 is not stored in the flag storage unit 132 (No in S64), the control unit 100 determines whether flag 1 is stored in the flag storage unit 132 (S65). If it is determined that flag 1 is stored (Yes in S65), cart POS 1 is moving at a low speed, so the process from S54 onwards is carried out. If it is determined that flag 1 is not stored (i.e., flag 0 is stored) (No in S65), cart POS 1 is moving at a high speed, so the process from S52 onwards is carried out.

[0079] Furthermore, if it is determined in S63 that a predetermined time has elapsed (i.e., the cart POS 1 has been stopped for more than the predetermined time) (Yes in S63), the control unit 100 sets the stack flag information stored in the stack flag unit 133 to stack flag 1, which indicates that the cart POS 1 has not been used for a predetermined period of time (S71). Then, the power control means 102 sends a power-off command to the fixed scanner 6 and the weighing board 9 (i.e., sends a command to further reduce power consumption beyond the power consumption reduced by the fixed scanner 6) (S72). Then, the power control means 102 turns off the backlight 171 of its own tablet terminal 10 (i.e., the tablet terminal 10 operates at power consumption reduced from the predetermined power consumption) (S73).

[0080] Next, the control unit 100 monitors the flag information in the flag storage unit 132 (S74) and determines whether flag 2 is still stored (cart POS 1 is still stopped) (S75). If it is determined that flag 2 is stored (Yes in S75), the control unit 100 returns to S74 and continues monitoring the flag information. If it is determined that a flag other than flag 2 is stored (No in S75), the control unit 100 turns on (lights up) the backlight 171 of the tablet terminal 10 (S76).

[0081] Next, the control unit 100 determines whether flag 1 is stored in the flag storage unit 132 (whether the cart POS 1 is moving at a low speed) (S77). If it is determined that flag 1 is stored (Yes in S77), the control unit 100 stores stack flag 0 in the stack flag unit 133 (S78). Then, the control unit 100 transmits a power-on command to the fixed scanner 6 and the weighing board 9 (S79). Then, the control unit 100 executes the process of S54.

[0082] Furthermore, if it is determined that flag 1 is not stored in the flag storage unit 132 (i.e., flag 0 is stored) (No in S77), the cart POS 1 is moving at high speed, so the control unit 100 stores stack flag 0 in the stack flag unit 133 (S80). Then, the control unit 100 transmits a power-on command to the fixed scanner 6 and the weighing board 9 (S81). Then, the control unit 100 executes the process of S52.

[0083] Next, the control of the fixed scanner 6 will be described. Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the control process of the fixed scanner 6. As shown in Fig. 14, the control unit 600 of the fixed scanner 6 determines whether or not an illumination off command has been received from the tablet terminal 10 (S91). If it is determined that an illumination off command has been received (Yes in S91), the control unit 600 turns off (extinguishes) the illumination 68 (S92). Then, the control unit 600 returns to S91.

[0084] Furthermore, if it is determined that a light-off command has not been received from the tablet terminal 10 (No in S91), the control unit 600 determines whether a light-on command has been received from the tablet terminal 10 (S93). If it is determined that a light-on command has been received (Yes in S93), the control unit 600 turns on (lights up) the light 68 (S94). Then, the control unit 600 returns to S91.

[0085] Furthermore, if it is determined that the received command is not a power-on command from the tablet terminal 10 (No in S93), it is determined whether the imaging unit 67 has captured an image of the symbol (or product) attached to the product (S95). If it is determined that an image has been captured (Yes in S95), the control unit 600 acquires product identification information that identifies the product based on the captured image (S96). Then, the control unit 600 transmits the acquired product identification information to the tablet terminal 10 (S97).

[0086] Furthermore, if it is determined that the image is not being captured (No in S95), the control unit 600 determines whether a power-off command has been received from the tablet terminal 10 (S98). If it is determined that a power-off command has been received (Yes in S98), the control unit 600 turns off its own power (and also turns off the lighting) (S99). Then, the control unit 600 returns to S91.

[0087] Furthermore, if it is determined that a power-off command has not been received from the tablet terminal 10 (No in S98), the control unit 600 determines whether a power-on command has been received from the tablet terminal 10 (S100). If it is determined that a power-on command has been received (Yes in S100), the control unit 600 turns on its own power (and also turns on the lights) (S101). Then, the control unit 600 returns to S91. If it is determined that a power-on command has not been received (No in S100), the control unit 600 returns to S91.

[0088] The touch scanner 5 is controlled in the same manner as the fixed scanner 6, and is therefore controlled as shown in Fig. 14. Therefore, the explanation of the touch scanner 5 is omitted.

[0089] As described above, in the cart POS 1 of the first embodiment, the acceleration sensor 98 mounted on the weighing board 9 detects whether the cart POS 1 is moving or stationary. When the cart POS 1 is stationary or moving slowly, the tablet terminal 10 determines that a customer is purchasing a product and turns on the illumination 68 of the fixed scanner 6. When the cart POS 1 is moving quickly, the tablet terminal 10 determines that a customer is not purchasing a product and turns off the illumination 68 of the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5. With this cart POS 1, the illumination 68 of the fixed scanner 6 is turned on when the cart POS 1 is moving slowly, so that product symbols can be read by the fixed scanner 6 while the cart POS 1 is moving slowly. This reduces the impact of the fixed scanner 6 on the operability of the fixed scanner 6 mounted on the cart POS 1, enabling power saving of the battery 8.

[0090] (Second embodiment) From here, the second embodiment will be described. The main difference between the second embodiment and the first embodiment is that the cart POS 1 of the second embodiment does not have a scale 97 or a weighing board 9. In addition, an acceleration sensor 98 is mounted on the tablet terminal 10. Therefore, flags 0, 1, and 2 are generated by the tablet terminal 10. Furthermore, weighing data is not used when performing the product registration process. Therefore, it is not determined whether the cart POS 1 is stopped when performing the product registration process. The other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment. Note that in the following description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals will be used to designate the same configurations as those of the first embodiment, and the description will be simplified or omitted.

[0091] Fig. 15 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a cart POS 1 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 15, the cart POS 1 of the second embodiment has a charging board 7, a battery 8, a tablet terminal 10, a fixed scanner 6, and a touch scanner 5, but does not have a scale 97 or a weighing board 9. The tablet terminal 10 is equipped with an acceleration sensor 98.

[0092] FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of a tablet terminal 10 according to the second embodiment. In FIG. 16, the memory unit 14 includes a flag information unit 145 and a setting information unit 146. The flag information unit 145 has the same configuration as the flag information unit 942 in the first embodiment. The setting information unit 146 stores the predetermined time and threshold value in the first embodiment in a configurable (changeable) manner. The predetermined time is the predetermined time used to determine the passage of time in S63 of FIG. 13, as in the first embodiment. The threshold value is the output value from the acceleration sensor 98, which is the boundary used to determine whether the cart POS 1 is moving at a low speed or a high speed, as in the first embodiment. The acceleration sensor 98 is connected to the controller 16. Although not described in detail, the tablet terminal 10 (RAM 13) in the second embodiment includes components corresponding to the sensor data unit 332 and flag unit 333 in FIG. 5.

[0093] 17 is a sequence diagram showing the time series of data transmission and reception between the tablet terminal 10 and the fixed scanner 6 in the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 17, the tablet terminal 10 receives a signal output by the acceleration sensor 98 (T31). The tablet terminal 10 then references the flag information unit 145 and generates flag information (flag 0, flag 1, or flag 2) based on the received output value (T32).

[0094] Furthermore, when product identification information is received from the fixed scanner 6, the product registration process is executed based on the product identification information. (As shown in FIG. 9, the weighing data is not used, and it is not determined whether the condition for executing the product registration process is flag 2 (whether the cart POS 1 is stopped).

[0095] Next, the functional configuration according to the second embodiment will be described. Fig. 18 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the tablet terminal 10. The control unit 100 of the tablet terminal 10 functions as a movement determination unit 101, a power control unit 102, and a second generation unit 104 by following the control programs stored in the ROM 12 or the control program unit 141 of the memory unit 14.

[0096] The second generation means 104 refers to the flag information unit 145 based on the output of the acceleration sensor 98, and generates a first flag (flag 2) indicating that the cart POS1 is stopped in response to the stop detection signal, generates a second flag (flag 1) indicating that the cart POS1 is moving within a predetermined low speed range based on the movement detection signal, and generates a third flag (flag 0) indicating that the cart POS1 is moving at a high speed that exceeds the low speed based on the movement detection signal.

[0097] The movement determination means 101 determines whether the cart POS1 is moving or stopped based on the movement detection signal and the stop detection signal. In the second embodiment, the movement determination means 101 determines whether the cart POS1 is moving or stopped based on flag information generated by the tablet terminal 10 based on the movement detection signal and the stop detection signal. Specifically, the movement determination means 101 determines whether the cart POS1 is stopped based on a first flag (flag 2) and a second flag (flag 1) generated by the tablet terminal 10, and determines whether the cart POS1 is moving based on a third flag (flag 0) generated by the tablet terminal 10. A threshold value that is the boundary between a low speed and a high speed of movement of the cart POS1 is stored in the setting information unit 146, and the threshold value can be set to any value.

[0098] The power control means 102 controls the fixed scanner 6 to operate at a predetermined power consumption when the movement determination means 101 determines that the cart POS1 has stopped, and controls the fixed scanner 6 to operate at a power consumption reduced from the predetermined power consumption when the movement determination means 101 determines that the cart POS1 has moved. Specifically, the power control means 102 controls the illumination 68 of the fixed scanner 6 to be turned off (exited) when the movement determination means 101 determines that the cart POS1 has moved.

[0099] Furthermore, when the movement determination means 101 determines that the cart POS 1 has stopped for a predetermined time or more, the power control means 102 further reduces the power consumption of the fixed scanner 6 and controls the tablet terminal 10 to operate at a reduced power consumption. Specifically, when the movement determination means 101 determines that the cart POS 1 has stopped for a predetermined time or more, the power control means 102 controls the fixed scanner 6 to be powered off (and the lighting turned off) and the backlight of the tablet terminal 10 to be turned off (turned off). The predetermined time is stored in the setting information unit 146 and can be set or changed as desired.

[0100] Next, control of the tablet terminal 10 according to the second embodiment will be described. Fig. 19 and Fig. 20 are flowcharts showing the flow of control processing of the tablet terminal 10 according to the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 19, the control unit 100 executes processing from S111 to S117. The processing from S111 to S117 corresponds to the processing from S11 to S17 in Fig. 11, where the second generation means 104 generates flag 2 in S113, generates flag 1 in S116, and generates flag 0 in S117.

[0101] Furthermore, if commodity identification information has been received from the fixed scanner 6 (Yes in S42), the control unit 100 does not execute the processes and judgments of S43, S44, and S46 shown in FIG. 12, but executes the process of S45. Furthermore, if it is determined that commodity identification information has not been received (No in S42), the movement determination means 101 determines whether flag 1 or flag 2 is stored in the flag storage unit 132 (S102). If it is determined that flag 1 or flag 2 is stored, the control unit 100 transmits an illumination-on command to the fixed scanner 6 (S103). Furthermore, if it is determined that neither flag 1 nor flag 2 is stored (i.e., flag 0 is stored) (No in S102), the control unit 100 executes the process of S54.

[0102] Also, after processing S103, as shown in FIG. 20, it is determined whether flag 2 is stored in the flag storage unit 132 (S104), and if it is stored (Yes in S104), the cart POS1 is stopped, so the control unit 100 executes the processing from S61 onwards (determining whether it has been stopped for a predetermined time or more and processing), and if it is not stored (No in S104), the control unit 100 executes the determination of S65, because the cart POS1 is moving.

[0103] If the determination in S77 is Yes, the cart POS1 is moving at a low speed, and the control unit 100 executes the processes of S78 and S79, and then sends an illumination-on command to the fixed scanner 6 (S105). Then, the control unit 100 returns to S111. If the determination in S77 is No, the cart POS1 is moving at a high speed, and the control unit 100 executes the processes of S80 and S81, and then returns to S54. If the determination in S65 is Yes, the cart POS1 is moving at a low speed, and then executes the process of S105. If the determination in S65 is No, the cart POS1 is moving at a high speed, and then executes the process of S54.

[0104] In this way, in the cart POS 1 of the second embodiment, the acceleration sensor 98 mounted on the tablet terminal 10 detects whether the cart POS 1 is moving or stationary, and when the cart POS 1 is stationary or moving slowly, the tablet terminal 10 determines that a customer is purchasing a product and turns on the lights 68 of the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5, and when the cart POS 1 is moving quickly, it determines that a customer is not purchasing a product and turns off the lights 68 of the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5. With this cart POS 1, when the cart POS 1 is moving slowly, the lights 68 of the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5 are turned on, thereby reducing the impact on the operability of the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5 mounted on the cart POS 1 and enabling power saving of the battery 8.

[0105] As described above, the cart POS1 of the embodiment is equipped with a battery 8, devices (fixed scanner 6 and touch scanner 5) that receive power from the battery 8 and are powered by the battery 8, and a tablet terminal 10, and is equipped with an acceleration sensor 98 that outputs a movement detection signal that indicates that the cart POS1 is moving or a stop detection signal that indicates that the cart POS1 is stopped, and the tablet terminal 10 is equipped with a movement determination means 101 that determines whether the cart POS1 is moving or stopped based on the movement detection signal and the stop detection signal, and a power control means 102 that, when the movement determination means 101 determines that the cart POS1 has stopped, controls the devices to operate at a predetermined power consumption, and when the movement determination means 101 determines that the cart POS1 has moved, controls the devices to operate at power consumption reduced from the predetermined power consumption.

[0106] According to the cart POS 1 of this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the influence on the operability of the devices mounted on the cart POS 1 and save power in the battery 8.

[0107] In addition, the tablet terminal 10 of the embodiment is a tablet terminal 10 in a battery 8, a cart POS1 equipped with equipment that receives power from the battery 8 and is powered by the tablet terminal 10, and is equipped with a movement determination means 101 that determines whether the cart POS1 is moving or stopped based on a movement detection signal output from the acceleration sensor 98 indicating that the cart POS1 is moving or a stop detection signal indicating that the cart POS1 is stopped, and a power control means 102 that, when the movement determination means 101 determines that the cart POS1 has stopped, controls the equipment to operate at a predetermined power consumption, and when the movement determination means 101 determines that the cart POS1 has moved, controls the equipment to operate at power consumption reduced from the predetermined power consumption.

[0108] According to the tablet terminal 10 of this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the impact on the operability of the devices mounted on the cart POS 1 and save power for the battery 8.

[0109] Although the first and second embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments may be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may 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 inventions and their equivalents as defined in the claims.

[0110] For example, in the embodiment, the acceleration sensor 98 has been used as an example of the movement detection device, but the movement detection device is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a gyro sensor or a motion sensor.

[0111] In the embodiment, the power control means 102 of the tablet terminal 10 sends an illumination-off command to the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5, and the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5 receive the illumination-off command and turn off their illuminations 68 themselves, thereby saving power consumption. However, this is not a limitation, and for example, the tablet terminal 10 may turn off the illuminations 68 of the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5 by cutting off the illumination power supplied to the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5. Also, the power control means 102 sends a power-off command to the fixed scanner 6, the touch scanner 5, and the weighing board 9, and the fixed scanner 6, the touch scanner 5, and the weighing board 9 receive the power-off command and turn off their power themselves, thereby saving power consumption. However, this is not a limitation, and for example, the tablet terminal 10 may turn off the power of the fixed scanner 6, the touch scanner 5, and the weighing board 9 by cutting off the drive power supplied to the fixed scanner 6, the touch scanner 5, and the weighing board 9.

[0112] In the embodiment, the fixed scanner 6 and the touch scanner 5 are described as examples of the device. However, the device is not limited to this. If a camera equipped with lighting for fraud monitoring is attached to the cart POS 1, the device may be the camera or may include the camera.

[0113] In addition, the program executed on the tablet terminal 10 of the embodiment is provided as a file in an installable or executable format recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0114] The program executed by the tablet terminal 10 of the embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. The program executed by the tablet terminal 10 of the embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0115] Furthermore, the program executed by the tablet terminal 10 of the embodiment may be configured to be provided by being pre-installed in a ROM or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0116] 1. Cart POS 5 Touch Scanner 6 Fixed Scanner 8 Battery 9 Metering board 10 Tablet devices 17 Display section 18 Control section 20 Timer 67 Imaging unit 68 Lighting 97 Scales 98 Acceleration Sensor 100 control section 101 Movement judgment means 102 Power control means 103 Information Selection Methods 104 Second generation means 132 Flag storage section 133 Stack Flags 143 Predetermined Time Section 145 Flag Information Section 146 Setting information section 171 Backlight 332 Sensor Data Section 333 Flag Section 432 Flag storage section 600 control section 900 control section 901 First generation means 902 Transmission means 931 Measurement Data Section 932 Sensor Data Section 933 Flag Section 942 Flag Information Section 943 Setting information section LD feeder line LI signal line [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0117] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-126012

Claims

1. A cart-type product registration device including a battery, and an information processing device and a device that receives power from the battery and operates on the battery, a movement detection device that outputs a movement detection signal indicating that the cart-type product registration device is moving or a stop detection signal indicating that the cart-type product registration device is stopping; The information processing device includes: a movement determination means for determining whether the cart-type product registration device is moving or stopped based on the movement detection signal and the stop detection signal; power control means for controlling the device to operate at a predetermined power consumption when the movement determination means determines that the cart-type product registration device has stopped, and for controlling the device to operate at a power consumption reduced from the predetermined power consumption when the movement determination means determines that the cart-type product registration device has moved; A cart-type product registration device comprising:

2. When the movement determination means determines that the cart-type product registration device has stopped for a predetermined period of time or more, the power control means further reduces the power consumption of the device to a level lower than the reduced power consumption, and controls the information processing device to be driven with reduced power consumption. The cart-type product registration device according to claim 1.

3. the power control means controls the lighting of the device to be turned off when the movement determination means determines that the cart-type product registration device has been moved, and controls the power control means to turn off the power of the device and to turn off the backlight of the information processing device when the movement determination means determines that the cart-type product registration device has been stopped for the predetermined time or more; 3. The cart-type product registration device according to claim 2.

4. a weighing board that transmits weight data indicating the weight of the product weighed by the scale to the information processing device; the movement detection device is mounted on the weighing board; The weighing substrate is a first generating means for generating a first flag based on the stop detection signal, which is flag information indicating that the cart-type product registration device is stopped; a second flag based on the movement detection signal, which is flag information indicating that the cart-type product registration device is moving within a predetermined low speed range; and a third flag based on the movement detection signal, which is flag information indicating that the cart-type product registration device is moving at a high speed exceeding the low speed; a transmitting means for transmitting the flag information generated by the first generating means to the information processing device; Equipped with the movement determination means determines whether the cart-type product registration device has stopped based on the first flag and the second flag received from the weighing board, and determines whether the cart-type product registration device has moved based on the third flag received from the weighing board.

4. The cart-type product registration device according to claim 1.

5. The information processing device includes: The device further includes an information selection means for adopting the received weight data when the first flag is received, and not adopting the received weight data when the second flag or the third flag is received.

5. The cart-type product registration device according to claim 4.

6. The movement detection device is installed in the information processing device.

4. The cart-type product registration device according to claim 1.

7. The information processing device includes: a second flag generating means for generating a first flag indicating that the cart-type product registration device is stopped based on the stop detection signal, a second flag indicating that the cart-type product registration device is moving within a predetermined low speed range based on the movement detection signal, and a third flag indicating that the cart-type product registration device is moving at a high speed exceeding the low speed based on the movement detection signal, the movement determination means determines whether the cart-type product registration device has stopped based on the generated first flag and second flag, and determines whether the cart-type product registration device has moved based on the generated third flag; 7. The cart-type product registration device according to claim 6.

8. The predetermined time period is configurable.

4. The cart-type product registration device according to claim 2 or 3.

9. The low speed range is configurable.

5. The cart-type product registration device according to claim 4.

10. The low speed range is configurable. The cart-type product registration device according to claim 7.

11. A cart-type product registration device includes a battery, and an information processing device and a device that receives power from the battery to operate, the information processing device comprising: a movement determining means for determining whether the cart-type product registration device is moving or stationary based on a movement detection signal output from a movement detection device, the movement detection signal indicating that the cart-type product registration device is moving, or a stationary detection signal indicating that the cart-type product registration device is stationary; power control means for controlling the device to operate at a predetermined power consumption when the movement determination means determines that the cart-type product registration device has stopped, and for controlling the device to operate at a power consumption reduced from the predetermined power consumption when the movement determination means determines that the cart-type product registration device has moved; An information processing device comprising:

12. a battery, and a computer as the information processing device in a cart-type product registration device equipped with a device and an information processing device that are driven by power supplied from the battery; a movement determining means for determining whether the cart-type product registration device is moving or stationary based on a movement detection signal output from a movement detection device, the movement detection signal indicating that the cart-type product registration device is moving, or a stationary detection signal indicating that the cart-type product registration device is stationary; power control means for controlling the device to operate at a predetermined power consumption when the movement determination means determines that the cart-type product registration device has stopped, and for controlling the device to operate at a power consumption reduced from the predetermined power consumption when the movement determination means determines that the cart-type product registration device has moved; A program to make it function as such.

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