Payment terminal monitoring device and its program

Abstract

To provide a payment terminal monitoring device that can accurately monitor the availability status of payment terminals. [Solution] The payment terminal monitoring device comprises an acquisition means, a detection means, and a recognition means. The acquisition means acquires status data indicating whether the payment terminal is in an idle state before accepting operation input from a payer, or in an operational state after accepting operation input. The detection means detects a person who is within the area for operating the payment terminal. The recognition means recognizes that the payment terminal is available when the acquisition means acquires status data indicating that it is in an idle state and the detection means has not detected a person.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to a settlement terminal monitoring device and its program.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, in mass retailers such as supermarkets, self-service settlement terminals where customers themselves perform the accounting operation for purchased goods have become widespread. Usually, a plurality of settlement terminals are collectively installed in an accounting space secured in a part of the store, and customers enter the accounting space to perform the accounting operation. However, depending on the layout of the accounting space, it is difficult to know which settlement terminal is available, and there are cases where a queue of customers waiting for accounting forms even though there are available settlement terminals during congestion. Also, when a customer temporarily leaves in front of the settlement terminal during the accounting operation, there are cases where a customer waiting for accounting mistakes it for an available one and enters the accounting space.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The problem to be solved by the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a settlement terminal monitoring device that can accurately monitor the availability status of settlement terminals.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In one embodiment, the payment terminal monitoring device comprises an acquisition means, a detection means, and a recognition means. The acquisition means acquires status data indicating whether the payment terminal is in an idle state before accepting operation input from a payer, or in an operational state after accepting operation input. The detection means detects a person who is within the area for operating the payment terminal. The recognition means recognizes that the payment terminal is available when the acquisition means acquires status data indicating that it is in an idle state and the detection means has not detected a person. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0006] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a store system according to one embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 shows the positional relationship between the self-service POS terminal and the first camera. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing the correspondence between the screen transitions displayed on the touch panel of the self-service POS terminal, the actions taken by the payer, and the terminal status of the self-service POS terminal. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the monitoring device. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main functional configuration of the monitoring device's processor. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the data structure of the judgment table. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the information processing performed by the monitoring device's processor according to the terminal monitoring program. [Figure 8] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the information processing performed by the monitoring device's processor according to the terminal monitoring program. [Figure 9] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing the main steps of the information processing performed by the monitoring device's processor according to the terminal monitoring program. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows an example of an image displayed on a monitor. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows an example of an image displayed on a monitor. [Figure 12] Figure 12 shows an example of an image displayed on the monitor. [Figure 13] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing the main functional configuration of the processor of the monitoring device in the second embodiment. [Figure 14] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the main steps of information processing performed by the monitoring device's processor in accordance with the terminal monitoring program in the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] The following describes an embodiment of a payment terminal monitoring device that can accurately monitor the availability of payment terminals, using drawings as a reference. This embodiment discloses a monitoring device for a fully self-service payment terminal, also known as a self-service POS (Point of Sales) terminal, in which customers perform accounting operations from registering the products they wish to purchase to making the payment themselves.

[0008] <First Embodiment> [Store System Description] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of a store system built in a supermarket or other store where self-service POS terminals have been installed. This store system includes a self-service POS system 100 and a terminal monitoring system 200.

[0009] The self-service POS system 100 comprises multiple self-service POS terminals 11, a POS server 12, a display control device 13, an attendant terminal 14, and a communication network 15. The self-service POS system 100 connects the multiple self-service POS terminals 11, the POS server 12, and the display control device 13 to the communication network 15. The self-service POS system 100 also connects the attendant terminal 14 to the display control device 13. The communication network 15 is typically a LAN (Local Area Network). The LAN may be a wired LAN or a wireless LAN.

[0010] The self-service POS terminal 11 is a fully self-service payment terminal that allows customers to perform operations from registering purchased items to payment themselves. The customer can be rephrased as the payer. Multiple self-service POS terminals 11 are installed in a checkout space P, which is separated from the sales floor where the products are displayed. A payer who has gathered their purchased items in the sales floor can enter checkout space P and complete the process from registering purchased items to payment by operating an available self-service POS terminal 11 themselves.

[0011] The POS server 12 is a server computer that collects and aggregates data on each product registered for sale via self-service POS terminals 11, etc., in order to manage store sales, inventory, etc. To achieve this management, the POS server 12 has a product master and a sales master. The product master is a database that associates each product with a product code that identifies it individually, and stores preset item data such as the unit price and product name of the product identified by that product code. The sales master is a database that associates each product with a product code and aggregates item data such as the quantity received, quantity sold, and sales amount of the product identified by that product code, for example, on a per-business-day basis.

[0012] The display control device 13 is a controller that generates an image for the attendant for each self-service POS terminal 11 based on the data signals output from each self-service POS terminal 11, and displays it on the display of the attendant terminal 14. The attendant terminal 14 is a terminal used by store employees, referred to as attendants, to check the status of each self-service POS terminal 11. The attendant terminal 14 is equipped with a display such as an LCD display or an OLED display. The attendant terminal 14 divides the display screen into multiple sections and displays a different image of the self-service POS terminal 11 in each section.

[0013] The terminal monitoring system 200 includes a plurality of first cameras 21, one second camera 22, and a monitoring device 23. The plurality of first cameras 21 are provided in the payment space P so as to correspond one-to-one with the same number of self-POS terminals 11 respectively. The first camera 21 captures an image of the payer operating the corresponding self-POS terminal 11.

[0014] The second camera 22 is provided in a waiting space Q where customers waiting for payment who cannot enter the payment space P wait. The second camera 22 captures an image of the customers waiting in the waiting space Q.

[0015] The monitoring device 23 is a device that monitors the availability status of the self-POS terminal 11 based on the terminal status STa output via the display control device 13 and the image data CIa captured by each first camera 21. The monitoring device 23 generates image data MI indicating the availability status of the self-POS terminal 11 based on the image data CIb captured by the second camera 22 and outputs it to the monitor 30 installed in the waiting space Q.

[0016] The terminal status STa is status data indicating whether the self-POS terminal 11 is in an idle state before accepting an operation input by the payer or in an operating state after accepting the operation input. Each self-POS terminal 11 stores the terminal status STa in its internal memory. The display control device 13 fetches each terminal status STa from each self-POS terminal 11 and provides it to the monitoring device 23. The monitoring device 23 is an example of a payment terminal monitoring device.

[0017] [Description of Self-POS Terminal and First Camera] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the positional relationship between the self-POS terminal 11 and the first camera 21. First, the external configuration of the self-POS terminal 11 will be described.

[0018] The self-service POS terminal 11 comprises a main unit 40 installed on the floor and a bagging table 50 installed next to the main unit 40. The main unit 40 has a touch panel 41 attached to its top. The touch panel 41 consists of a display and a touch sensor. The display is a device for showing various screens to the operator operating the self-service POS terminal 11. The touch sensor is a device for detecting touch input on the screen by the operator. In the self-service POS terminal 11, the operator is usually the customer who makes the payment.

[0019] The main unit 40 has a basket stand 60 in the center of its side opposite to the side where the bagging table 50 is installed. The basket stand 60 is for the customer who has come from the sales floor to place a basket containing the purchased items. The customer stands in the operating area R on the front side of the main unit 40 in Figure 2 so that they can see the screen of the touch panel 41. Therefore, from the perspective of the customer standing in the operating area R, the basket stand 60 is on the right side of the main unit 40, and the bagging table 50 is on the left side. In the following explanation, the side with the operating area R will be referred to as the front of the main unit 40, the side where the bagging table 50 is installed will be referred to as the left side of the main unit 40, and the side where the basket stand 60 is installed will be referred to as the right side of the main unit 40.

[0020] The main unit 40 has a scanner reading window 42, a card slot 43, a receipt printing slot 44, a coin slot 45, a coin dispensing slot 46, a banknote slot 47, and a banknote dispensing slot 48 on its front. A communication cable 61 extends from the right side of the main unit 40 to the outside, and a reader / writer 62 for electronic money media is connected to the end of this communication cable 61. The reader / writer 62 is placed on a stand 63 located on the upper right side of the main unit 40.

[0021] The main unit 40 has a display pole 64 attached to its top surface. The display pole 64 is equipped with a warning light 65 at its tip that selectively emits light in, for example, green and red. The display pole 64 displays the status of the self-service POS terminal 11, such as standby, operating, calling, error, etc., depending on the color of the warning light 65.

[0022] The bagging platform 50 has a structure in which a bag holder 52 is attached to the top of the housing 51. The bag holder 52 is equipped with a pair of holding arms 53, which hold the shopping bags provided by the store or the shopping bags brought by the customer, so-called reusable bags, etc.

[0023] For a self-service POS terminal 11 with such an external configuration, the first camera 21 is mounted in a position that allows it to photograph the person making the payment from above as they stand in the operating area R of the self-service POS terminal 11 and face the main unit 40, bagging table 50, basket table 60, and other components.

[0024] Incidentally, the payer standing in the operating area R first places the basket containing the purchased items on the basket stand 60 on the right, and has the holding arm 53 on the left hold a shopping bag or reusable bag. Next, the payer follows the guidance displayed on the touch panel 41 and operates the touch panel 41 to declare that they are starting to use the self-service POS terminal 11.

[0025] Afterward, the payer picks up the purchased items one by one from the baskets placed on the basket stand 60. If the purchased items have barcodes, the payer registers the items by holding the barcodes up to the reading window 42 and having them scanned. If the purchased items do not have barcodes, the payer registers the items by operating the touch panel 41 and selecting the purchased items from the list of items without barcodes. The payer then places the registered purchased items into a shopping bag or reusable bag.

[0026] After registering all purchased items, the payer operates the touch panel 41 to close the transaction and then selects a payment method. For example, if cash payment is selected, the payer inserts banknotes or coins into the banknote slot 47 or coin slot 45 and takes the change dispensed from the banknote dispenser 48 or coin dispenser 46. For example, if electronic money payment is selected, the payer holds the electronic money medium over the reader / writer 62. For example, if credit card payment is selected, the payer inserts the credit card into the card slot 43. After completing the payment operation, the payer receives the receipt issued from the receipt dispenser 44 and leaves the store with the shopping bag or reusable bag removed from the holding arm 53. The first camera 21 is mounted in a position to capture the payer's actions at such a self-service POS terminal 11.

[0027] [Explanation of Status Data] Figure 3 is a sequence diagram showing the correspondence between the screen transitions displayed on the touch panel 41 of the self-service POS terminal 11, the actions of the payer, and the status data of the self-service POS terminal 11, also known as the terminal status STa. When the terminal status STa is "0," that is, when the self-service POS terminal 11 is in an idle state before accepting input from the payer, the standby screen SCa is displayed on the touch panel 41. The standby screen SCa is a screen that is waiting to accept input from the payer.

[0028] In this state, when the payer performs the start operation OPa on the self-service POS terminal 11, the screen of the touch panel 41 switches to the registration screen SCb. The registration screen SCb is a screen for displaying data such as the product name and price of the purchased items that have been registered for sale. At this time, the state of the self-service POS terminal 11 transitions from an idle state before accepting operation input from the payer to an operational state after accepting said operation input. That is, the terminal status STa transitions from "0" to "1".

[0029] Subsequently, the payer performs the purchase item registration operation OPb on the self-service POS terminal 11. After completing the registration of all purchased items, the payer performs the closing operation OPc. Upon receiving this closing operation OPc, the touch panel 41 screen transitions to the payment screen SCc. The payment screen is where payment is accepted. The payer then performs the payment operation OPd on the self-service POS terminal 11.

[0030] Once payment is complete, the touch panel 41 screen transitions to the completion screen SCd. The completion screen SCd informs the payer that the payment has been completed. At this time, the state of the self-POS terminal 11 returns from the operational state to the idle state. That is, the terminal status STa transitions from "1" to "0". After a predetermined time has elapsed, the touch panel 41 screen returns to the standby screen SCa. The self-POS terminal 11 then waits for the start operation OPa from the next payer.

[0031] As described above, the terminal status STa is "0" until the start operation OPa is performed by the payer and the touch panel 41 screen transitions to the registration screen SCb. When the screen transitions to the registration screen SCb, the terminal status STa becomes "1", and the terminal status STa remains "1" until the payment operation OPd is performed by the payer and the touch panel 41 screen transitions to the completion screen SCd. When the screen transitions to the completion screen SCd, the terminal status STa becomes "0". In other words, the self-POS terminal 11 is in an idle state before accepting operation input from the payer until the touch panel 41 screen transitions from the standby screen SCa to the registration screen SCb. The self-POS terminal 11 is in an operational state after accepting operation input from the payer until the touch panel 41 screen transitions from the registration screen SCb to the completion screen SCd.

[0032] [Explanation of the monitoring device configuration] Figure 4 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the monitoring device 23. The monitoring device 23 comprises circuit components such as a processor 231, main memory 232, auxiliary storage device 233, clock 234, communication interface 235, first camera interface 236, second camera interface 237, and monitor interface 238, as well as a system transmission line 239. The system transmission line 239 includes an address bus, data bus, control signal lines, etc. The monitoring device 23 constitutes a computer by connecting each circuit component to the system transmission line 239.

[0033] The processor 231 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 231 controls various parts to realize various functions as a monitoring device 23 according to the operating system or application program (application software). The processor 231 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit). The processor 231 may also be, for example, an MPU (Micro Processing Unit), SoC (System on a Chip), DSP (Digital Signal Processor), GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), PLD (Programmable Logic Device), or FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array). Alternatively, the processor 231 may be a combination of several of these.

[0034] Main memory 232 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer described above. Main memory 232 includes non-volatile memory areas and volatile memory areas. In the non-volatile memory area, main memory 232 stores the operating system or application programs. Main memory 232 may also store data necessary for the processor 231 to perform processing to control each part in non-volatile or volatile memory areas. Main memory 232 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is rewritten as needed by the processor 231. The non-volatile memory area is, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0035] The auxiliary storage device 233 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer described above. For example, EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), or SSD (Solid State Drive) can be auxiliary storage devices 233. The auxiliary storage device 233 stores data used by the processor 231 in performing various processes, or data created by the processing performed by the processor 231. The auxiliary storage device 233 may also store the application programs described above.

[0036] Clock 234 measures the date and time. Monitoring device 23 acquires the date and time measured by clock 234 as the current date and time.

[0037] The communication interface 235 connects to the display control device 13. The communication interface 235 acquires the terminal status STa of each self-service POS terminal 11 from the display control device 13. The first camera interface 236 connects to multiple first cameras 21. The first camera interface 236 acquires image data CIa captured by each first camera 21. The second camera interface 237 connects to the second camera 22. The second camera interface 237 acquires image data CIb captured by the second camera 22. The monitor interface 238 connects to the monitor 30. The monitor interface 238 outputs image data MI generated by the monitoring device 23 to the monitor 30.

[0038] [Explanation of monitoring device functions] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main functional configuration of the processor 231 of the monitoring device 23. The processor 231 has the functions of an acquisition means 71, a detection means 72, a recognition means 73, a confirmation means 74, and a guidance means 75.

[0039] The monitoring device 23 also includes a determination table 80. As shown in Figure 6, the determination table 80 is a data table having a first column Ca, a second column Cb, a third column Cc, a fourth column Cd, and a fifth column Ce. The determination table 80 is stored, for example, in an auxiliary storage device 233.

[0040] The first column Ca contains the terminal number No. The terminal number No. is a sequential number starting from "1" that is assigned to each self-POS terminal 11 in order to individually identify each self-POS terminal 11. Incidentally, Figure 6 illustrates a judgment table 80 for a self-POS system 100 equipped with eight self-POS terminals 11, each assigned a terminal number No. from "1" to "8".

[0041] The second column Cb contains the terminal status STa. Terminal status STa is status data obtained from the self-POS terminal 11 identified by the corresponding terminal number No. Terminal status STa indicates whether the self-POS terminal 11 is idle or operational. In this embodiment, terminal status STa is set to "0" when the self-POS terminal 11 is idle, and terminal status STa is set to "1" when the self-POS terminal 11 is operational.

[0042] The third column Cc contains the person status STb. The person status STb is data that identifies whether or not a person is present in the operation area R of the self-service POS terminal 11, which is identified by the corresponding terminal number No. In this embodiment, the person status STb is set to "0" when there is no person in the operation area R. The person status STb is set to "1" when there is a person in the operation area R.

[0043] The fourth column Cd contains the availability status STc. The availability status STc is data indicating the availability of the self-service POS terminal 11, which is identified by the corresponding terminal number No. In this embodiment, the availability status STc is set to "0" when the self-service POS terminal 11 is available. The availability status STc is set to "1" when the self-service POS terminal 11 is not available.

[0044] The fifth column, Ce, contains the guidance flag F. The guidance flag F is a 1-bit data that identifies whether or not the payer was guided to the self-POS terminal 11 identified by the corresponding terminal number No. In this embodiment, the guidance flag F is set to "0" to indicate that the customer was not guided, and to "1" to indicate that the customer was guided.

[0045] Let's return to the explanation of Figure 5. The acquisition means 71 is a function that acquires status data indicating whether the self-POS terminal 11 is in an idle state before accepting operation input from a payer, or in an operational state after accepting said operation input. As mentioned above, the status data of each self-POS terminal 11, i.e., the terminal status STa, is provided from the display control device 13 to the monitoring device 23. The acquisition means 71 acquires the terminal status STa of each self-POS terminal 11 from the display control device 13 via the communication interface 235. The acquisition means 71 then updates the terminal status STa in the determination table 80. Specifically, for a self-POS terminal 11 in an idle state, the terminal status STa corresponding to the terminal number No. of the self-POS terminal 11 is set to "0". For a self-POS terminal 11 in an operational state, the terminal status STa corresponding to the terminal number No. of the self-POS terminal 11 is set to "1".

[0046] The detection means 72 has the function of detecting a person who is in the area for the payer to operate the self-POS terminal 11. The detection means 72 analyzes the image data CIa captured by the first camera 21 to determine whether a person is captured. If a person is captured, the detection means 72 recognizes that a person is in the operating area R of the self-POS terminal 11 corresponding to the first camera 21. Based on the detection result, the detection means 72 updates the person status STb in the judgment table 80. That is, for a self-POS terminal 11 in which it is detected that there is no person in the operating area R, the person status STb corresponding to the terminal number No. of the self-POS terminal 11 is set to "0". For a self-POS terminal 11 in which it is detected that there is a person in the operating area R, the person status STb corresponding to the terminal number No. of the self-POS terminal 11 is set to "1".

[0047] The recognition means 73 has the function of recognizing that the self-POS terminal 11 is available when the acquisition means 71 acquires status data indicating that it is in an idle state and the detection means 72 has not detected a person. In other words, the recognition means 73 recognizes a self-POS terminal 11 identified in the determination table 80 by a terminal number No. where the terminal status STa is "0" and the person status STb is "0" as an available terminal. The recognition means 73 recognizes a self-POS terminal 11 identified in the determination table 80 by a terminal number No. where the terminal status STa is "1" or the person status STb is "1" as an unavailable terminal. The recognition means 73 sets the availability status STc corresponding to the terminal number No. of the self-POS terminal 11 recognized as available to "0". The recognition means 73 sets the availability status STc corresponding to the terminal number No. of the self-POS terminal 11 recognized as unavailable to "1".

[0048] The verification means 74 is a function that checks whether there are any customers waiting to use the self-service POS terminal 11. The verification means 74 analyzes the image data CIb of the waiting space Q captured by the second camera 22 to determine if any people are visible. If one or more people are visible, the verification means 74 determines that there are customers waiting to use the self-service POS terminal 11. If no people are visible, the verification means 74 determines that there are no customers waiting to use the self-service POS terminal 11.

[0049] The guidance means 75 is a function that guides the payer to an available self-service POS terminal 11 based on the recognition result by the recognition means 73. Specifically, the guidance means 75 provides guidance by displaying information on the monitor 30 to guide the payer to an available self-service POS terminal 11. The guidance means 75 displays different guidance information on the monitor 30 depending on whether the confirmation means 74 confirms that there is a payer waiting to use the self-service POS terminal 11 or not.

[0050] The functions of the acquisition means 71, detection means 72, recognition means 73, confirmation means 74, and guidance means 75 described above are all realized by information processing performed by the processor 231 in accordance with the terminal monitoring program.

[0051] The terminal monitoring program is a type of application program stored in the main memory 232 or the auxiliary storage device 233. The method of installing the terminal monitoring program in the main memory 232 or auxiliary storage device 233 is not particularly limited. The terminal monitoring program can be installed in the main memory 232 or auxiliary storage device 233 by recording it on a removable recording medium or by distributing it via network communication. The recording medium can take any form as long as it can store a program and is readable by the device, such as a CD-ROM or memory card.

[0052] [Operation description of the monitoring device] Figures 7 to 9 are flowcharts showing the main steps of the information processing performed by the processor 231 of the monitoring device 23 according to the terminal monitoring program. The main operations of the monitoring device 23 will be explained below using each figure. Note that the operations described below are examples. The procedures and processing content can be modified as appropriate if similar effects can be achieved.

[0053] The processor 231 of the monitoring device 23 starts processing information according to the procedure shown in the flowcharts in Figures 7 to 9, for example, when the store opens. First, the processor 231 clears the determination table 80 as ACT1 in Figure 7. As a result of this process, the data described in the second column Cb, third column Cc, fourth column Cd, and fifth column Ce of the determination table 80, namely terminal status STa, person status STb, availability status STc, and guidance flag F, all become "0".

[0054] Having cleared the judgment table 80, the processor 231 proceeds to ACT2. As ACT2, the processor 231 resets the add counter n to "0". Next, as ACT3, the processor 231 increments the add counter n by "1". Then, as ACT4, the processor 231 checks whether the add counter n has exceeded the threshold N. The threshold N is the number of self-POS terminals 11 provided by the self-POS system 100. That is, if the monitoring device 23 of the self-POS system 100 is equipped with eight self-POS terminals 11, each assigned a terminal number from "1" to "8", then the threshold N is "8".

[0055] If the summation counter n does not exceed the threshold N, the processor 231 proceeds to ACT5. As ACT5, the processor 231 obtains the terminal status STa of the self-POS terminal 11 with terminal number n from the display control device 13. The "n" in terminal number n is the count value of the summation counter n. As ACT6, the processor 231 writes the terminal status STa of the self-POS terminal 11 obtained from the display control device 13 to the second column Cb of the judgment table 80 corresponding to terminal number n.

[0056] After completing ACT5 and ACT6, processor 231 proceeds to ACT7. As ACT7, processor 231 selects the first camera 21 installed for the self-service POS terminal 11 with terminal number n. Then, as ACT8, processor 231 acquires and analyzes the image data CIa captured by the selected first camera 21. As ACT9, processor 231 checks whether or not a person is detected in the image data CIa.

[0057] If no person is detected, processor 231 proceeds to ACT10. Processor 231 sets the person status STb to "0" for ACT10. Conversely, if a person is detected, processor 231 proceeds to ACT11. Processor 231 sets the person status STb to "1" for ACT11.

[0058] After completing the processing of ACT10 or ACT11, the processor 231 proceeds to ACT12. As ACT12, the processor 231 writes the person status STb obtained in the processing of ACT10 or ACT11 to the third column Cc of the judgment table 80, which corresponds to the terminal number n.

[0059] Processor 231, having entered the person status STb into the judgment table 80, proceeds to ACT21 in Figure 8. Processor 231 checks the terminal status STa of terminal number n as ACT21. If terminal status STa is "0", processor 231 proceeds to ACT22. Processor 231 checks the person status STb of terminal number n as ACT22. If person status STb is also "0", processor 231 proceeds to ACT23. Processor 231 sets the availability status STc to "0" as ACT23.

[0060] In contrast, if the terminal status STa is "1" in ACT21, or if the person status STb is "1" in ACT22, the processor 231 proceeds to ACT24. The processor 231 sets the availability status STc to "1" in ACT24.

[0061] After completing the processing of ACT23 or ACT24, the processor 231 proceeds to ACT25. As ACT25, the processor 231 writes the availability status STc obtained during the processing of ACT23 or ACT24 to the column Cc corresponding to the terminal number n in the determination table 80.

[0062] Thus, for self-POS terminals 11 identified by terminal number No. where both terminal status STa and person status STb are "0", the processor 231 sets the availability status STc to "0". In other words, the processor 231 recognizes that the self-POS terminal 11 is available. Conversely, for self-POS terminals 11 identified by terminal number No. where at least one of terminal status STa or person status STb is "1", the processor 231 sets the availability status STc to "1". In other words, the processor 231 recognizes that the self-POS terminal 11 is not available.

[0063] After completing the processing of ACT25, the processor 231 returns to ACT3 in Figure 7. The processor 231 then executes the processing from ACT3 onward in the same manner as described above. Specifically, each time the increment counter n is incremented by "1", the processor 231 obtains the terminal status STa identified by the self-POS terminal 11 with terminal number n and writes it to the judgment table 80. The processor 231 also analyzes the image data CIa from the first camera 21 corresponding to the self-POS terminal 11 with terminal number n to determine whether a person is captured in the image, obtains the person status STb, and writes it to the judgment table 80. The processor 231 then determines the availability status STc based on the relationship between the terminal status STa and the person status STb and writes it to the judgment table 80. The processor 231 repeatedly executes the above processing until the increment counter n exceeds the threshold N.

[0064] In ACT4, once it is confirmed that the addition counter n has exceeded the threshold N, the processor 231 proceeds to ACT31 in Figure 9. In ACT31, the processor 231 searches the judgment table 80 to obtain the number of available status STc that is "0", and sets this number as the initial value of the subtraction counter k. That is, the value of the subtraction counter k is the number of self-POS terminals 11 that are recognized as available based on the relationship between terminal status STa and person status STb.

[0065] Processor 231 determines, as ACT32, whether the subtraction counter k is greater than "0". If the subtraction counter k is "0", that is, if the number of self-service POS terminals 11 recognized as available is 0, processor 231 skips the processing of ACT33 to ACT40 and proceeds to ACT41. As ACT41, processor 231 generates image data MIa indicating that there are no available self-service POS terminals 11 and outputs it to monitor 30.

[0066] In response to this, in ACT32, if the subtraction counter k is greater than "0", that is, if it is recognized that one or more self-service POS terminals 11 are available, the processor 231 proceeds to ACT33. In ACT33, the processor 231 acquires and analyzes the image data CIb from the second camera 22. In ACT34, the processor 231 checks whether or not a person is detected from the image data CIb, that is, whether or not there are customers waiting to pay in the waiting space Q.

[0067] If no person is detected from the image data CIb, i.e., if there are no customers waiting to pay in the waiting space Q, the processor 231 proceeds to ACT35. As ACT35, the processor 231 generates image data MIb, which is a list that can identify available and unavailable self-POS terminals 11, and outputs it to the monitor 30.

[0068] On the other hand, if a person is detected from the image data CIb in ACT34, that is, if there is a customer waiting to pay in the waiting space Q, the processor 231 proceeds to ACT36. For ACT36, the processor 231 selects terminal number No.X where the availability status STc is "0" and the guidance flag F is "0". For ACT37, the processor 231 creates image data MIc to guide the customer waiting to pay to the self-service POS terminal 11 identified by terminal number No.X, and outputs it to the monitor 30.

[0069] Subsequently, processor 231 sets the guidance flag F corresponding to terminal number No.X in the determination table 80 to "1" as ACT38. Processor 231 also counts down the subtraction counter k by "1" as ACT39. Then, processor 231 checks as ACT40 whether the subtraction counter k has become "0".

[0070] If the subtraction counter k is greater than "0", the processor 231 returns to ACT33. The processor 231 then executes the processing from ACT33 onward in the same manner as described above. That is, the processor 231 checks from the image data CIb of the second camera 22 whether there are customers waiting to pay in the waiting space Q. If there are customers waiting to pay, it selects terminal number No.X whose availability status STc is "0" and guidance flag F is "0", and outputs image data MIc to the monitor 30 to guide the customer waiting to pay to the self-service POS terminal 11 identified by terminal number No.X.

[0071] Processor 231 repeatedly executes the processes of ACT33 to ACT40 until it is confirmed that there are no customers waiting to pay in waiting space Q or until the subtraction counter k becomes "0". If it is determined in ACT34 that there are no customers waiting to pay in waiting space Q before the subtraction counter k becomes "0", processor 231 proceeds to ACT35. That is, processor 231 generates image data MIb of a list that can identify available self-POS terminals 11 and occupied self-POS terminals 11, and outputs it to monitor 30.

[0072] On the other hand, if there are customers waiting to pay in the waiting space Q and the subtraction counter k becomes "0", the processor 231 proceeds to ACT41. That is, the processor 231 generates image data MIa indicating that there are no available self-service POS terminals 11 and outputs it to the monitor 30.

[0073] When the processor 231 outputs image data MIb or image data MIc to the monitor 30 in ACT35, it temporarily terminates the information processing procedure shown in the flowcharts in Figures 7 to 9. After that, the processor 231 resumes the information processing procedure shown in the flowcharts in Figures 7 to 9 from ACT1.

[0074] Here, the processor 231 realizes the function of an acquisition means 71 by executing the processing of ACT3 to ACT6. The processor 231 realizes the function of a detection means 72 by executing the processing of ACT7 to ACT12. The processor 231 realizes the function of a recognition means 73 by executing the processing of ACT21 to ACT25. The processor 231 realizes the function of a confirmation means 74 by executing the processing of ACT33 and ACT34. The processor 231 realizes the function of a guidance means 75 by executing the processing of ACT35 to ACT41.

[0075] Figure 10 shows an example of an image 31 displayed on the monitor 30 based on image data MIa. In this way, the monitor 30, upon receiving the image data MIa, displays information indicating that there are no available self-service POS terminals 11. Therefore, customers can learn from the information on the monitor 30 that there are no available self-service POS terminals 11.

[0076] Figure 11 shows an example of an image 32 displayed on the monitor 30 based on the image data MIb. In this way, the monitor 30, upon receiving the image data MIb, displays a list that can identify which self-service POS terminals 11 are available and which are not. Therefore, customers near the waiting space Q can easily find out from the information on the monitor 30 how many self-service POS terminals 11 are currently available or unavailable.

[0077] Figure 12 shows an example of an image 33 displayed on the monitor 30 based on the image data MIc. In this way, the monitor 30, upon receiving the image data MIc, displays information guiding customers waiting to pay at one of the available self-service POS terminals 11. Therefore, the first customer in line in the waiting space Q should use the information on the monitor 30 to proceed to the location of the self-service POS terminal 11 with the specified terminal number in the checkout space P and complete the payment.

[0078] [Explanation of the operation of the monitoring device] As detailed above, the monitoring device 23 has the functions of an acquisition means 71, a detection means 72, and a recognition means 73. Through these functions, the monitoring device 23 recognizes a self-POS terminal 11 that is idle and has no person in the operation area R as available, and recognizes a self-POS terminal 11 that is operational or has a person in the operation area R as unavailable. Therefore, for example, even if the payer temporarily leaves the self-POS terminal 11 in the middle of an accounting operation, the terminal status STa of the self-POS terminal 11 will be "1", indicating an operational state, so the monitoring device 23 will not mistakenly recognize the self-POS terminal 11 as available. Thus, it is possible to provide a monitoring device 23 that can accurately monitor the availability status of the self-POS terminal 11.

[0079] Furthermore, the monitoring device 23 also functions as a guidance means 75. This function allows the monitoring device 23 to use the monitor 30 located in the waiting space Q to guide customers waiting to pay to an available self-service POS terminal 11. Therefore, customers waiting to pay can enter the checkout space P according to the information displayed on the monitor 30, and pay for their purchases by operating an available self-service POS terminal 11 themselves.

[0080] Furthermore, the monitoring device 23 also functions as a confirmation means 74, and provides different information depending on whether or not there is a customer in the waiting space Q. Specifically, if there is no customer in the waiting space Q, the monitoring device 23 displays an image 32 as shown in Figure 11 on the monitor 30, and if there is a customer in the waiting space Q, it displays an image 33 as shown in Figure 12 on the monitor 30. If there are no available self-service POS terminals 11, the monitoring device 23 displays an image 31 as shown in Figure 10 on the monitor 30, regardless of whether or not there is a customer in the waiting space Q.

[0081] Therefore, customers waiting in line in waiting space Q can recognize that there are no available self-service POS terminals 11 when image 31 is displayed on monitor 30. Subsequently, when one self-service POS terminal 11 becomes available, the image on monitor 30 transitions from image 31 to image 33. Therefore, the customer who was at the front of the line in waiting space Q can know that the self-service POS terminal 11 shown in image 33 has become available. The customer can then enter the operation area R of the self-service POS terminal 11 shown in image 33 and complete the payment for their purchased items.

[0082] At this time, if another self-service POS terminal 11 also becomes available almost simultaneously, the image displayed on the monitor 30 will differ depending on whether or not there are customers in the waiting space Q. Specifically, if there are customers, an image 33 guiding the customer to the available self-service POS terminal 11 will be displayed on the monitor 30. Conversely, if there are no customers in the waiting space Q, an image 32 will be displayed on the monitor 30. Therefore, if there are customers in the waiting space Q, the image 33 guiding them to an available self-service POS terminal 11 can be displayed to them as well. On the other hand, if there are customers in the waiting space Q, a list that distinguishes between available and unavailable self-service POS terminals 11 can be displayed on the monitor 30.

[0083] <Second Embodiment> Next, a second embodiment in which some functions are added to the monitoring device 23 will be described using Figures 13 and 14.

[0084] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing the main functional configuration of the processor 231 of the monitoring device 23 in the second embodiment. In addition to the acquisition means 71, detection means 72, recognition means 73, confirmation means 74, and guidance means 75 similar to those in the first embodiment, the processor 231 also has the function of an output means 76.

[0085] The output means 76 has the function of outputting the recognition result from the recognition means 73. Specifically, the output means 76 outputs a first warning light control signal to the self-POS terminal 11 that the recognition means 73 has recognized as available. The output means 76 outputs a second warning light control signal to the self-POS terminal 11 that the recognition means 73 has recognized as available. The first warning light control signal is, for example, a signal to turn the warning light 65 green or make it flash. The second warning light control signal is, for example, a signal to turn the warning light 65 red or make it flash.

[0086] Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the main steps of information processing performed by the processor 231 in accordance with the terminal monitoring program in the second embodiment. Figure 14 corresponds to the processing procedure described using Figure 8 in the first embodiment. That is, in the second embodiment, the procedure after the processing of ACT25 in Figure 8 is different from that of the first embodiment. The processing of ACT1 to ACT12 in Figure 7, the processing of ACT21 to ACT25 in Figure 8, and the processing of ACT31 to ACT41 in Figure 9 are the same in the second embodiment, so their explanation is omitted here.

[0087] In ACT12 of Figure 7, the processor 231, which has entered the person status STb into the determination table 80, proceeds to ACT21 of Figure 14. Then, as ACT21 to ACT25, the processor 231 executes the same process as ACT21 to ACT25 explained using Figure 8. That is, for each self-POS terminal 11 identified by terminal number No., the processor 231 checks the terminal status STa and person status STb entered into the determination table 80. The processor 231 then recognizes that self-POS terminals 11 identified by terminal number No. where both terminal status STa and person status STb are "0" are available. The processor 231 enters "0" as the availability status STc into the determination table 80. Conversely, the processor 231 recognizes that self-POS terminals 11 identified by terminal number No. where at least one of terminal status STa or person status STb is "1" are not available. The processor 231 writes "1" as the availability status STc in the determination table 80.

[0088] Thus, when the processor 231 sets the availability status STc of the self-service POS terminal 11 identified by terminal number No.X to "0" or "1", it proceeds to ACT51 in Figure 14. The processor 231 checks whether the availability status STc of the self-service POS terminal 11 identified by terminal number No.X is "0" or not as ACT51.

[0089] If the availability status STc is "0", the processor 231 proceeds to ACT52. As ACT52, the processor 231 outputs a first warning light control signal (first control signal) to the self-POS terminal 11 identified by terminal number No.X. Conversely, if the availability status STc is "1", the processor 231 proceeds to ACT53. As ACT53, the processor 231 outputs a second warning light control signal (second control signal) to the self-POS terminal 11 identified by terminal number No.X.

[0090] The processor 231, having output the first or second warning light control signal, returns to ACT3 in Figure 7. The processor 231 then executes the processing from ACT3 onward in the same manner as described above.

[0091] Here, the processor 231 realizes its function as an output means 76 by executing the processing of ACT51 to ACT53.

[0092] In this second embodiment, the first warning light control signal is output by the output means 76 to a self-service POS terminal 11 that is recognized as available by the recognition means 73. As a result, the warning light 65 on the self-service POS terminal 11 lights up or flashes green. On the other hand, the second warning light control signal is output by the output means 76 to a self-service POS terminal 11 that is recognized as available by the recognition means 73. As a result, the warning light 65 on the self-service POS terminal 11 lights up or flashes red.

[0093] Therefore, according to the second embodiment, the payer and the store staff can easily identify whether a self-POS terminal 11 is available or not by the color of the warning light emitted by each self-POS terminal 11.

[0094] [Other embodiments] In the second embodiment, the output means 76 is shown as outputting the recognition result from the recognition means 73 as a warning light control signal to the self-service POS terminal 11. In another embodiment, the output means 76 outputs image data of an icon indicating the recognition result to the attendant terminal 14. By doing so, the attendant can easily distinguish between available and unavailable self-service POS terminals 11 from the icons displayed on the attendant terminal 14's display.

[0095] In each of the embodiments described above, a self-service POS terminal 11 was given as an example of a payment terminal monitored by the monitoring device 23. Some store systems have separate terminals for product registration and payment. For example, some systems allow customers to register products themselves using a smartphone they carry or a tablet terminal attached to their shopping cart, and after registering their purchased items, they operate a dedicated payment terminal to pay for the purchased items. Other store systems allow store staff to register purchased items using a dedicated registration machine, while customers make payments themselves using a dedicated payment terminal. The monitoring device of this embodiment can also be applied to payment terminals in such store systems.

[0096] In the above embodiment, an example was given in which the display control device 13 acquires the terminal status STa from each self-service POS terminal 11 and provides it to the monitoring device 23. In this regard, the attendant terminal 14 may acquire the terminal status STa from each self-service POS terminal 11 and provide it to the monitoring device 23. Alternatively, the monitoring device 23 may directly acquire the terminal status STa from each self-service POS terminal 11.

[0097] In each of the above embodiments, the first camera 21 is provided in a one-to-one correspondence with the self-service POS terminal 11. However, it is not necessary to provide the first camera 21 in a one-to-one correspondence with the self-service POS terminal 11. For example, one first camera may be capable of photographing two adjacent self-service POS terminals 11, and it may be possible to determine from the images captured by the first camera 21 whether a person is in the operating area R of one of the self-service POS terminals 11, or whether a person is in the operating area R of both self-service POS terminals 11.

[0098] Furthermore, it is possible to detect a person in the operating area R without using the image captured by the first camera 21. For example, a person in the operating area R can be detected by using a human presence sensor such as an infrared sensor or a weight sensor. The same applies to the second camera 22, which detects a person in the standby space Q. In other words, a person in the standby space Q can be detected by using a human presence sensor or a weight sensor instead of the second camera 22.

[0099] In addition, several embodiments of the present invention have been described, but these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be carried out 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 variations are included within the scope of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention and its equivalents as described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 11...Self-service POS terminal, 12...POS server, 13...Display control device, 14...Attendant terminal, 15...Communication network, 21...First camera, 22...Second camera, 23...Monitoring device, 30...Monitor, 65...Warning light, 71...Acquisition means, 72...Detection means, 73...Recognition means, 74...Confirmation means, 75...Guidance means, 76...Output means, 80...Decision table, 100...Self-service POS system, 200...Terminal monitoring system.

Claims

1. A means for acquiring status data indicating whether the payment terminal is in an idle state before accepting input from the payer, or in an operational state after accepting said input, A detection means for detecting a person who is in the area for operating the payment terminal, A recognition means that recognizes the payment terminal is available when the acquisition means acquires status data indicating that it is in an idle state, and the detection means has not detected the person. A payment terminal monitoring device equipped with the following:

2. Output means for outputting the recognition result by the recognition means, The payment terminal monitoring device according to claim 1, further comprising:

3. The acquisition means acquires the status data of multiple payment terminals, The detection means detects a person within the area for each of the multiple payment terminals, The recognition means acquires status data for each of the multiple payment terminals indicating that the payment terminal is in the idle state, and recognizes the payment terminal as available if no person is detected within the area where the payment terminal is operated. The payment terminal monitoring device according to claim 1.

4. A guidance means that guides the payer to an available payment terminal based on the recognition result by the recognition means. The payment terminal monitoring device according to claim 3, further comprising:

5. A means for confirming whether there are any payers waiting to use the aforementioned payment terminal. Furthermore, it is equipped with, The payment terminal monitoring device according to claim 4, wherein the guidance means provides different information depending on whether or not there is a payer waiting to use the payment terminal.

6. The computer of the payment terminal monitoring device, Acquisition means for acquiring status data indicating whether the payment terminal is in an idle state before accepting operation input from the payer, or in an operational state after accepting said operation input. A detection means for detecting a person within the area for operating the payment terminal, and A recognition means that recognizes the payment terminal is available if the acquisition means acquires status data indicating that it is in an idle state, and the detection means has not detected the person. A program designed to function as such.

Images