Information display system and information display program

Abstract

To efficiently guide customers to multiple POS registers. [Solution] A guidance display system At that displays the usage status of POS registers 20, comprising a floor map G12 that shows at least a plurality of POS registers, an exit position G122 from which customers exit the area where the POS registers are located, and a display means 601 that displays information on the available POS registers among the plurality of POS registers.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] , ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a guidance display system and a guidance display program.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in various stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores, a POS (Point of Sales) register, so-called self-checkout, which is operated by customers to register and settle goods, has become widespread. When there are a large number of self-checkouts, it may be necessary for store employees to guide customers to move to an available register, which is cumbersome. For example, when performing product registration and settlement processing at a self-checkout, a technology for guiding customers to an available device has been proposed (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a guidance display system capable of efficiently guiding customers to a plurality of POS registers.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] In order to solve the above problems, a guidance display system according to an aspect of the present invention is a guidance display system that displays the usage status of POS registers, and includes at least a plurality of the POS registers, an exit position where customers exit from the arrangement area of the POS registers, a floor map showing the exit position, and display means for displaying information on the available POS registers among the plurality of POS registers.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0006] [Figure 1] This figure shows the network configuration of a sales data processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of the hardware configuration of a transaction status management device. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of a registration and settlement device. [Figure 4] This is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a registration and settlement device. [Figure 5] This block diagram shows an example of the hardware configuration of a navigation display device. [Figure 6] This is a block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a sales data processing system. [Figure 7] This figure shows an example of a usage status display screen shown by an information display device. [Figure 8] This figure shows an example of the floor map creation screen displayed by the information display device. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of the floor map creation screen displayed by the information display device. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of the floor map creation screen displayed by the information display device. [Figure 11] This figure shows an example of the floor map creation screen displayed by the information display device. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0007] ● Network configuration of sales data processing system St Figure 1 shows the network configuration of a sales data processing system St according to an embodiment of the present invention. The sales data processing system St is installed in various types of stores. These stores include, for example, retail stores and restaurants. Retail stores include, for example, supermarkets, drugstores, discount stores, department stores, and general merchandise stores. Restaurants include restaurants, bars, cafes, and eateries.

[0008] The sales data processing system St shown in Figure 1 mainly comprises a store controller 10, a transaction status management device 11, a guidance display device 12, and a registration and settlement device 20. Each device is a computer device equipped with a CPU (Central Processing Unit), ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), a communication unit, etc. The store controller 10, the transaction status management device 11, and the registration and settlement device 20 are connected to each other via LAN 55 for communication. The guidance display device 12 may be connected to the transaction status management device 11 by wire or wireless connection, or via LAN 55. The guidance display device 12 may also be integrated with the transaction status management device 11.

[0009] The transaction status management device 11, the information display device 12, and the registration and settlement device 20 constitute the information display system At. The information display system At is a system that displays the usage status of the registration and settlement device 20. According to the information display system At, the usage status of the registration and settlement device 20 is displayed in a way that is easily visible to customers using various stores, and customers can use this display to identify which of the multiple registration and settlement devices 20 installed in various stores are available for use.

[0010] The store controller 10 is a device that stores various information necessary for transactions. This information includes the product master. The product master is a file that stores product information such as product identification information (e.g., JAN (Japanese Article Number) code), product name, and sales price for each product. The product master also includes product identification information, product name, and unit price of products that require weighing (weighing target products). In addition to the product master, the store controller 10 also stores various other information such as inventory status, sales history, deposit and withdrawal records, information on special offers, and member information.

[0011] The transaction status management device 11 recognizes the connected registration and settlement devices 20, displays the processing status of the registration and settlement devices 20, and controls the registration and settlement devices 20. The transaction status management device 11 stores a unique management number associated with each registration and settlement device 20. For example, a monitoring staff member is stationed at the transaction status management device 11, and the monitoring staff member monitors the registration and settlement devices 20. The transaction status management device 11 displays the status of each of the multiple registration and settlement devices 20 along with their management numbers. Specifically, the transaction status management device 11 displays areas representing each registration and settlement device 20 and displays the status of each registration and settlement device 20. The monitoring staff member supports customers operating the registration and settlement devices 20 and verifies the age of customers when age-verification items are registered at the registration and settlement device 20.

[0012] Furthermore, the transaction status management device 11 can also control the status of the registration settlement device 20. The transaction status management device 11 may simultaneously send status change signals to multiple registration settlement devices 20. For example, it may be possible to change the status of multiple registration settlement devices 20 to "suspended" in response to a single instruction from an administrator. The control signals from the transaction status management device 11 to the registration settlement devices 20 may include processes such as status change processing, startup, error clearing, and mode change. Details about status and mode will be discussed later.

[0013] The transaction status management device 11 may receive and store in advance the team settings of the registration settlement device 20. For example, among a plurality of registration settlement devices 20, it is possible to register the registration settlement device 20 relatively close to the monitored store clerk as Team A and the relatively distant registration settlement device 20 as Team B. In this case, on the display unit 115 of the transaction status management device 11, a screen for receiving the selection of the type of control signal to be transmitted and the selection of the team to which the control signal is to be transmitted is displayed. The transaction status management device 11 receives from the administrator the input indicating that a control signal is to be transmitted, the selection of the type of the control signal, and the selection of the team to which the control signal is to be transmitted, and simultaneously transmits the selected type of control signal to a plurality of registration settlement devices 20 belonging to the designated target team. According to such a configuration, there is no need to operate each registration settlement device 20 one by one for changing the status or the like, and the states of a plurality of registration settlement devices 20 can be efficiently controlled.

[0014] The registration settlement device 20 (20-1 to 20-n (n≧1)) is an example of a POS (Point of sales) register, and for example, it may be a so-called self-checkout that can perform product registration and settlement by a customer's operation. In the present embodiment, for example, three (n = 3) registration settlement devices 20 are arranged in the store. The registration settlement device 20 includes a registration unit and a settlement unit. The registration unit executes a registration process for registering products. In the registration process, registration information of products purchased by the customer is generated. The settlement unit executes a settlement process based on the registration information generated in the registration process.

[0015] The registration settlement device 20 can operate in any one of a plurality of operation modes. The operation modes mentioned here are, for example, the full self-checkout mode and the accounting dedicated mode.

[0016] The full self-service mode is a mode in which a customer registers a product (self-registration) using the device itself and settles the payment (self-checkout) using the device itself. The dedicated accounting mode is a mode in which when a customer registers a product using a terminal held by the customer or a terminal mounted on a shopping cart used in various stores, the customer performs self-checkout using the device itself. In the following, the registration and settlement device 20 shall operate in the full self-service mode.

[0017] The sales data processing system St may include a store clerk terminal held by a store clerk. The store clerk terminal may be capable of displaying a screen similar to the screen displayed on the transaction status management device 11, for example. Also, the store clerk terminal may notify the registration and settlement device 20 when a store clerk call from a customer or customer fraud is detected.

[0018] ● Hardware configuration of the transaction status management device 11 FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the transaction status management device 11. As shown in FIG. 2, the transaction status management device 11 includes a CPU 101, a ROM 112, a RAM 113, a hard disk 114, a display unit 115, a scanner unit 116, an audio output unit 117, and a communication unit 118. These can communicate with each other via a bus.

[0019] The CPU 101 is a central processing unit that controls the operation of the transaction status management device 11 by reading and executing various programs stored in the ROM 112. The ROM 112 is a read-only memory that stores various information used by the CPU 101, including programs.

[0020] The RAM 113 is a memory that can be read from and written to, and stores various information. For example, the RAM 113 and the hard disk 114 store information acquired from the outside and information generated in various processes.

[0021] The hard disk 114 stores various information, such as registration information and settlement information obtained from the registration and settlement device 20. The hard disk 114 may store various programs executed by the CPU 101 instead of the ROM 112.

[0022] The display unit 115 is, for example, a touch display for the store clerk. The display unit 115 displays various information and accepts various inputs from the store clerk. For example, if an age-verification product is registered in a certain registration and payment device 20, the display unit 115 will indicate that fact. Furthermore, the display unit 115 accepts input related to age verification after the store clerk has performed a visual check of the customer. The display unit 115 can also accept requests to change the operating mode of each registration and payment device 20.

[0023] The scanner unit 116 is a scanner unit for monitoring store employees and optically reads various types of information. For example, the scanner unit 116 optically reads the employee code attached to the employee's name tag. The voice output unit 117 outputs sound. For example, the voice output unit 117 outputs an alert sound indicating that an employee is being called. The communication unit 118 is an interface for sending and receiving information with other devices (store controller 10, information display device 12, or registration and payment device 20).

[0024] The transaction status management device 11 may also be equipped with a card payment unit, a change dispenser, or a printing unit. In other words, the transaction status management device 11 may be equipped to register and settle goods in the same way as the registration and settlement device 20.

[0025] ● Hardware configuration of the registration and settlement device 20 Next, an example of the configuration of the registration and settlement device 20 will be described using Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing an example of the appearance of the registration and settlement device 20. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the registration and settlement device 20. In Figures 3 and 4, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0026] As shown in Figure 3, a work support system 240, including an upstream counter 231 and a downstream counter 232, is positioned on both sides of the registration and settlement device 20. The upstream counter 231 is used to place items that have not yet been registered, as well as shopping baskets containing those items. The downstream counter 232 is used to place items that have already been registered, as well as shopping bags containing those items.

[0027] The work support system 240 includes a downstream counter 232, a weighing scale 210, a work support rack 241, and a voucher storage unit 242. The weighing scale 210 is placed on the downstream counter 232. The work support rack 241 is placed on top of the weighing scale 210 and is a rack that assists with bagging and other tasks for registered products. The voucher storage unit 242 is located below the downstream counter 232 and collects used vouchers.

[0028] Furthermore, a spare parts storage section 243 is located at the bottom of the device housing 20a of the registration and settlement device 20. The spare parts storage section 243 stores spare parts such as receipt paper.

[0029] The registration and payment device 20 displays a display number assigned by the guidance display device 12. For example, the registration and payment device 20 may have a suitable sticker with the display number affixed to it. The display number is displayed facing, for example, towards the entrance to the payment area. The display number is also displayed in the same direction as the usage status display screen G10 (see Figure 7) displayed by the guidance display device 12. With this configuration, a customer who has identified the display number of an available registration and payment device 20 using the usage status display screen G10 (see Figure 7) can easily find the corresponding registration and payment device 20.

[0030] The following describes an example configuration of the registration and settlement device 20 shown in Figure 4, with reference to Figure 3. The registration and settlement device 20 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a hard disk 204, a customer-side display unit 205, a customer-side scanner unit 206, a card payment unit 208, a change dispenser 209, a weighing device 210, an audio output unit 211, a communication unit 212, a printing unit 213, a camera 214, a monitoring monitor 215, and a signpost 216. These components can communicate with each other via a bus.

[0031] The CPU 201 is a central processing unit that controls the operation of the registration and settlement device 20 by reading and executing various programs stored in the ROM 202. ROM202 is read-only memory that stores various types of information used by the CPU201, including programs.

[0032] RAM203 is a read-and-write memory that stores various types of information. For example, RAM203 stores information obtained from external sources (such as product master data obtained from the store controller 10) and information generated during various processes. Specifically, the information generated during various processes includes registration information generated during the registration process for registering products, and settlement information generated during the settlement process for settling registered products.

[0033] The hard disk 204 stores various types of information. For example, the hard disk 204 stores the imaging results (e.g., video) captured by the camera 214. The hard disk 204 may store various programs executed by the CPU 201 instead of the ROM 202. Alternatively, the hard disk 204 may store information acquired from external sources or information generated during processing instead of the RAM 203.

[0034] The customer-side display unit 205 is a touch display for customers. The customer-side display unit 205 displays various information related to registration and payment to the customer and accepts various inputs related to registration and payment from the customer. For example, the customer-side display unit 205 displays a preset key corresponding to a product and accepts the press of a preset key. As a result, the registration and payment device 20 registers the product. The customer-side display unit 205 also displays multiple payment type selection buttons corresponding to multiple payment types and accepts the selection of one button (one payment type) from among the multiple payment type selection buttons. As a result, the registration and payment device 20 performs the payment using that one payment type. The customer-side display unit 205 also accepts changes to the operating mode on a maintenance screen for store staff. Furthermore, the customer-side display unit 205 is positioned to fit within the width of the device housing 20a. In addition to the customer-facing display unit 205, a staff-only display unit may be positioned opposite the customer-facing display unit 205 to display a maintenance screen or to accept other appropriate auxiliary operations.

[0035] The customer-side scanner unit 206 is a scanner unit for the customer. Specifically, the customer-side scanner unit 206 is equipped with an imaging unit. The imaging unit is an image sensor having an image element such as a CCD (Charge Coupled Device) or CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor). The imaging unit reads (images) the product. When a customer holds a product over the customer-side scanner unit 206, the imaging unit images the product. The imaging unit optically images the code symbol (such as a barcode or 2D code attached to the product) held over the imaging window, or the whole or a part of the product (object).

[0036] Code symbols include barcodes attached to products and employee codes attached to employee name tags. Barcodes attached to products are codes that identify the product, such as JAN codes, PLU (Price Look Up) codes, and in-store codes. The customer-side scanner unit 206 reads the barcode attached to the product, and the registration and payment device 20 registers the product. The reading method by the customer-side scanner unit 206 is not limited to CCD or CMOS; laser or pen-based methods are also possible.

[0037] The card payment unit 208 processes payments based on information stored on various media such as various cards and mobile terminals. These various cards include credit cards, prepaid cards such as electronic money cards, and point cards. Electronic money is charged to charging media such as transportation IC cards and mobile terminals. The card payment unit 208 reads these various cards using both contact and contactless methods.

[0038] The change dispenser 209 is a cash payment mechanism and has an input slot for banknotes and coins, and an output slot for banknotes and coins. The change dispenser 209 calculates the amount to be inserted into the input slot, calculates the change amount which is the difference between the inserted amount and the purchase amount, and dispenses the change from the output slot. The change dispenser 209 is facing the customer and accepts various operations and cash insertions from the customer. The change dispenser 209 also has a sensor that detects banknotes and coins inserted into the input slot. This sensor detects that banknotes and coins have been inserted into the input slot, and also detects the number of items of each denomination.

[0039] The weighing device 210 is positioned on the downstream counter 232 and detects the weight of registered products. A weighing pan 210a is placed on top of the weighing device 210. The weighing pan 210a is equipped with a stopper 210b. The stopper 210b prevents products or shopping baskets placed on the weighing pan 210a from falling off. In addition, a weighing guard 232a is provided on the customer side of the downstream counter 232 to prevent the operator (customer) from touching it and inadvertently measuring the load.

[0040] The weighing device 210 weighs the weight excluding the weight of the weighing pan 210a and the weight of the work support rack 241. Furthermore, if shopping bags are hung on the work support rack 241 or a shopping basket is placed on the weighing pan 210a, the weighing device 210 weighs the weight excluding these items. In the illustration, the size of the downstream counter 232 and the weighing pan 210a is such that they can accommodate a shopping bag or the like that corresponds to one shopping basket. However, their size may be such that they can accommodate shopping bags or the like that that correspond to two or more shopping baskets. Also, multiple downstream counters 232 may be arranged side-by-side to form multiple weighing devices 210.

[0041] When the registration and settlement device 20 registers a product, it queries the store controller 10 for the weight of that product. The registration and settlement device 20 performs a weighing determination to determine whether the queried weight matches the increased weight measured by the weighing scale 210. If the weighing determination results in a match, it determines that the registration was successful and the product has been placed on the downstream counter 232. On the other hand, if the weighing determination results in a mismatch, the registration and settlement device 20 determines that a weighing error has occurred. In addition to the above, weighing errors also include situations where the weight on the weighing scale 210 increases even though the product has not been registered, and situations where the weight on the weighing scale 210 does not increase even though the product has been registered.

[0042] The audio output unit 211 outputs audio. For example, the audio output unit 211 outputs voice guidance and warning sounds. The voice guidance and warning sounds are related to product registration and settlement, for example. The communication unit 212 is an interface for sending and receiving information with other devices (store controller 10, transaction status management device 11, and other registration and settlement devices 20). The printing unit 213 prints and outputs various media (receipts, payment slips, etc.). The printing unit 213 has a changeable direction for the media output slot.

[0043] Camera 214 is mounted on the top of the customer-side display unit 205. Camera 214 captures video or still images. Camera 214 is an image sensor having an image sensor such as a CCD or CMOS. In addition, camera 214 is equipped with a fisheye lens or wide-angle lens to capture images of customers over a wide area.

[0044] Camera 214 captures images of the customer's actions during product registration. For example, camera 214 captures images of the inside of the shopping baskets (products) on the counters located on both sides of the registration and payment device 20, as well as the customer's actions during registration. Camera 214 also captures images of the customer's actions during payment. Specifically, camera 214 captures images of the banknotes and coins held by the customer, as well as the change machine 209 and hand movements.

[0045] The camera 214 should be positioned in a location that can capture customer operations clearly. For example, the camera 214 may be positioned so as to protrude from the customer-side display unit 205 toward the customer (towards the front). Also, from the viewpoint of capturing the actions during payment more clearly, the camera 214 may be positioned facing the change machine 209 and capturing images centered on the change machine 209 (the cash slot).

[0046] Camera 214 continuously takes images while the system is running. The images captured by camera 214 are stored as recordings on the hard disk 204. The recording period is, for example, the period from the detection of the start of product registration until the customer completes payment and leaves the registration and payment device 20. Whether or not a customer is in front of the registration and payment device 20 may be determined, for example, by analyzing the captured images. Alternatively, it may be determined by a human presence sensor (not shown) that detects the presence or absence of a customer around the registration and payment device 20, which is provided separately from camera 214. Note that camera 214 may record for the period during which a customer is in front of the registration and payment device 20.

[0047] Furthermore, the captured images may be recorded continuously. That is, the captured images may be recorded continuously regardless of whether a transaction has taken place or whether a customer is in front of the registration and settlement device 20. If continuous recording is performed, the registration and settlement device 20 may be equipped with a function to save the necessary parts and delete the unnecessary parts. The parts to be saved are, for example, the period from 5 seconds before the start of product registration is accepted until 5 seconds have elapsed after the receipt is taken out. On the other hand, the unnecessary parts are the parts that indicate the period other than the parts to be saved.

[0048] The images captured by camera 214 can be used as surveillance images to monitor customers making payments. These images can be used, for example, to verify the amount actually deposited or as evidence. For example, suppose a customer tells a monitoring employee, "I put in a 10,000 yen bill, but I didn't get enough change." In this case, the employee can verify the denominations of money the customer actually put in by examining the captured images. Specifically, if the captured images confirm that a 10,000 yen bill was inserted, the monitoring employee can determine that the change machine 209 is malfunctioning. On the other hand, if the captured images do not confirm that a 10,000 yen bill was inserted (for example, if a 1,000 yen bill was inserted), the monitoring employee can determine that the customer is making a false claim. Furthermore, these captured images can be presented to the customer as evidence and can be displayed, for example, on the monitoring monitor 215 or the transaction status management device 11.

[0049] The monitoring monitor 215 is mounted above the customer-side display unit 205. The monitoring monitor 215 is positioned higher than the camera 214. Specifically, the monitoring monitor 215 is positioned at approximately the same height as the sign pole 216. This allows the monitoring staff to check both the monitoring monitor 215 and the sign pole 216 simultaneously. In addition, the monitoring monitor 215 and the camera 214 are positioned to fit within the width of the device housing 20a.

[0050] The monitoring monitor 215 displays the images captured by the camera 214. These images are real-time images (video). By constantly displaying real-time video on the monitoring monitor 215, customers using the registration and settlement device 20 can be made aware that they are being recorded, thereby increasing the deterrent effect against fraud. The monitoring monitor 215 can also display images (recorded videos) stored on the hard disk 204. Furthermore, the monitoring monitor 215 may display the display number of the registered payment device 20 assigned by the guidance display device 12.

[0051] Furthermore, the monitoring monitor 215 is positioned above the camera 214. The orientation of the display screen of the monitoring monitor 215 can be changed to any direction in the up, down, left, or right directions. Therefore, when the monitoring monitor 215 is facing the transaction status management device 11 (monitoring employee), the monitoring monitor 215 is positioned above and facing the transaction status management device 11, so even an employee far from the registration and settlement device 20 (a monitoring employee in front of the transaction status management device 11) can monitor the customer's series of operations. In addition, if an error occurs, the monitoring monitor 215 can display a recording of the series of operations performed by the customer, or a recording of the moment the error occurred. The monitoring monitor 215 may have a larger screen than the customer-side display unit 205. This improves visibility for monitoring employees at a distance and further enhances the deterrent effect of surveillance.

[0052] The sign pole 216 is mounted on the device housing 20a. The sign pole 216 is positioned above the customer-side display unit 205 so as not to interfere with the monitoring monitor 215. The sign pole 216 is equipped with a light-emitting part. The light-emitting part of the sign pole 216 is, for example, an LED (light-emitting diode). The light-emitting part can be lit in a predetermined color or in a predetermined lighting pattern. The predetermined lighting patterns include a lighting pattern indicating standby (e.g., solid green), a lighting pattern indicating use (e.g., blinking green), a lighting pattern to call a staff member, such as when change or receipt paper is near the end (e.g., blinking yellow), and a lighting pattern indicating insufficient change or an abnormality (e.g., blinking red). The lighting pattern indicating use may be a more detailed lighting pattern; for example, the lighting pattern indicating payment in progress and the lighting pattern indicating product registration in progress may be different. Furthermore, since the sign pole 216 is positioned above the customer-side display unit 205, staff members who are not near the registration and payment device 20 can also recognize the lighting patterns.

[0053] A numbered plate 216a is provided at the bottom of the sign pole 216. The numbered plate 216a indicates the number of the registration payment device 20 that is assigned to each registration payment device 20. The display medium on which this number is displayed may be an electronic medium or a non-electronic medium such as a plate.

[0054] The sign pole 216 and the numbered tags 216a are integrated and their orientation can be changed as needed. Even if the orientation of the sign pole 216 and the monitoring monitor 215 are changed, they are configured not to interfere with each other. The registration and payment device 20 can also be configured to include a display unit for the staff in addition to the customer-side display unit 205. Even in such a configuration, the sign pole 216 and the monitoring monitor 215 are configured not to interfere with each other, nor with the display unit for the staff.

[0055] ● Hardware configuration of the information display device 12 Figure 5 shows an example of the hardware configuration of the guidance display device 12. As shown in Figure 5, the guidance display device 12 comprises a CPU 301, a ROM 312, a RAM 313, a hard disk 314, a display unit 315, and a communication unit 318. These can communicate with each other via a bus.

[0056] The CPU 301 is a central processing unit that controls the operation of the guidance display device 12 by reading and executing various programs stored in the ROM 312. The ROM 312 is a read-only memory that stores various information used by the CPU 301, including programs.

[0057] RAM313 is a read-and-write memory that stores various types of information. For example, RAM313 and hard disk 314 store information acquired from external sources and information generated during various processes.

[0058] The hard disk 314 stores various information, such as registration information and settlement information obtained from the transaction status management device 11 or the registration and settlement device 20. The hard disk 314 may store various programs executed by the CPU 301 instead of the ROM 312.

[0059] The display unit 315 is, for example, a display that can be seen by store managers and customers of various stores. The display unit 315 is, for example, a suitable display that can be seen by customers. The display unit 315 is posted, for example, near the entrance to the settlement area where multiple registration settlement devices 20 are installed in various stores. The display unit 315 may also be an electronic signboard, a so-called digital signage device. In addition to the above configuration, the display unit 315 may also include a management display that can be seen by store managers.

[0060] The communication unit 318 is an interface for sending and receiving information with other devices such as the store controller 10, the transaction status management device 11, or the registration and settlement device 20.

[0061] Furthermore, the guidance display device 12 may also have a configuration similar to that of the transaction status management device 11 or the registration and settlement device 20.

[0062] ● Functional blocks of the sales data processing system St Using Figure 6, the functional blocks comprised of the software resources provided by the sales data processing system St according to this embodiment will be explained.

[0063] ●Functional blocks of the transaction status management device 11 The transaction status management device 11, as shown in Figure 2, comprises a display control unit 501, a reception unit 502, and an execution unit 503, each consisting of a arithmetic unit such as a CPU 101 or a storage unit such as RAM 113.

[0064] The display control unit 501 is a functional unit that displays the status (registration status and settlement status) of each of the multiple registration and settlement devices 20 connected to the transaction status management device 11. When an error occurs in a registration and settlement device 20, it sends an error notification indicating the nature of the error to the transaction status management device 11. The registration and settlement device 20 also displays an error screen corresponding to the nature of the error, and operations are temporarily disabled until the error is resolved.

[0065] The reception unit 502 receives operations on the area where error information is displayed, which is shown by the display control unit 501.

[0066] The execution unit 503 executes processing corresponding to the operation received by the reception unit 502. This processing includes clearing the display of error information and sending instructions to change the screen displayed on the registration and settlement device 20.

[0067] ● Functional blocks of the registration and settlement device 20 As shown in Figure 6, the registration and settlement device 20 comprises the arithmetic unit such as the CPU 201 or the memory unit such as RAM 203 shown in Figure 4, which constitute the functional block of the error display unit 511. When an error occurs, the error display unit 511 causes the customer-side display unit 205 to display a screen indicating the error. For example, if an age verification error occurs, the error display unit 511 displays a screen corresponding to the error that occurred, i.e., an age verification error screen. When an age verification error occurs, the registration and settlement device 20 sends an error notification indicating the age verification error to the transaction status management device 11.

[0068] ●Functional blocks of the information display device 12 As shown in Figure 6, the guidance display device 12 mainly consists of the display control unit 601 and the creation control unit 602, which are function blocks formed by the arithmetic unit such as the CPU 301 or the storage unit such as RAM 313 of the guidance display device 12 shown in Figure 5.

[0069] The display control unit 601 is a functional unit that displays the usage status of multiple registration and settlement devices 20 connected to the guidance display system At. The display control unit 601 displays the usage status of the registration and settlement devices 20 on, for example, the display unit 115 (see Figure 2) provided by the transaction status management device 11. The display control unit 601 also displays information on the available registration and settlement devices 20 from among the multiple registration and settlement devices 20 on the display unit 115 (see Figure 2).

[0070] Furthermore, the display control unit 601 displays the usage status of the registration and settlement device 20 along with a floor map showing the layout of the store's settlement area. The store's settlement area is the area where the registration and settlement device 20 is located, and is an area predetermined by the store manager. Customers enter the area through an entrance designated by the manager, use the registration and settlement device 20, and exit the area through an exit designated by the manager. The floor map is a map that shows at least multiple registration and settlement devices 20 and the exit locations from which customers exit the area where the registration and settlement device 20 is located.

[0071] Here, using Figure 7, an example of the usage status display screen G10, which is displayed by the display control unit 601 and includes the usage status of the registered payment device 20 and a floor map, will be described. The usage status display screen G10 has a display number display area G11 that displays the display numbers of the available registered payment devices 20, and a floor map display area G12 that displays a floor map showing the layout of the store's payment area.

[0072] In the example shown in the figure, the display number area G11 contains an icon G111 indicating the display number "3" for the available registered payment device 20. The display number area G11 may display all types of available registered payment devices 20 in parallel, or it may display them separately for each type of registered payment device 20. Furthermore, the display number display area G11 may display errors occurring in the entire sales data processing system St or the guidance display system At. These errors could be, for example, widespread failures due to network problems. In this case, for example, cash payment may be possible, but payment using a payment terminal may be impossible. Errors related to the payment method may also be displayed, for example, payment brands that cannot be used for credit card payments. These errors could be, for example, situations where a failure has occurred in the system of a particular payment brand. With this configuration, customers can understand payment-related errors while waiting in line at the registration payment device 20, allowing them to consider which payment method to use, which is efficient.

[0073] In the floor map display area G12, multiple icons G121 to G123 are placed in a field that indicates the store's checkout area. The field may be blank or it may display images from a surveillance camera installed on the store's ceiling. By projecting images from the surveillance camera, customers can more easily understand the usage status of the registration checkout device 20. The icons include, for example, an entrance icon G121 indicating the entrance where customers enter the checkout area, an exit icon G122 indicating the exit where customers leave the checkout area, and a registration checkout device icon G123 indicating the location of the registration checkout device 20. Each icon G121 to G123 corresponds to its location in the store's checkout area, allowing customers to intuitively understand the location of the registration checkout device 20 corresponding to the registration checkout device icon G123 shown in the floor map display area G12.

[0074] Each registered payment device icon G123 is associated with a registered payment device 20, and the usage status of the corresponding registered payment device 20 is displayed along with an identifiable display number. In the example shown in the figure, the registered payment device 20 with display number 1 is in use, the registered payment device 20 with display number 2 is idle, and the registered payment device 20 with display number 3 is available, indicating that the registered payment device 20 with display number 3 is available.

[0075] With the configuration described above, the usage status of the registration payment device 20 is displayed on the usage status display screen G10 along with the location of the registration payment device 20, so that customers can easily find the location of the registration payment device 20 they should use.

[0076] Furthermore, the display control unit 601 displays information regarding the availability of cash payment for each of the registered payment devices 20. The display control unit 601 may also display information regarding the availability of cash payment for each of the registered payment devices 20, along with an indication that it is available. As shown in Figure 7, the registered payment device icons G123 are displayed on the floor map in a way that distinguishes between cash-enabled device icons G123a, which have a "Cash OK" mark indicating that cash payment is possible, and cashless-only device icons G123b, which do not have the "Cash OK" mark. With this configuration, customers can efficiently select a registered payment device 20 according to their payment method. Furthermore, the cashless payment device icon G123b may display a "Cashless OK" mark to indicate that cashless payment is possible. In addition, the cashless payment device icon G123b may also have marks that specify the supported payment methods, such as a "Electronic Money OK" mark, a "Credit Card OK" mark, or a "QR Payment OK" mark. Moreover, multiple such marks may be displayed on a single icon.

[0077] The display control unit 601 may display the usage status display screen G10 on the display unit 315 (see Figure 5) of the information display device 12, or on the customer-side display unit 205 (see Figure 3) of the registration and settlement device 20. The display control unit 601 may also display the usage status display screen G10 on an appropriate electronic sign, a so-called digital signage device, connected wirelessly or by other means. Furthermore, the display control unit 601 may also display the usage status display screen G10 on the cash register device of a so-called manned register where a store employee registers the customer's products.

[0078] Furthermore, the display control unit 601 may also display the usage status display screen G10 on the display of a suitable terminal connected wirelessly. The terminal may be, for example, a smartphone or tablet owned by the customer. Alternatively, the terminal may be one installed in a shopping cart used inside various stores. With this configuration, information on the registered payment device 20 can be checked from a location away from the payment area, allowing customers to choose a time when the registered payment device 20 is available before heading to the payment area, thus helping to reduce customer waiting times. In addition, if a floor map is also displayed, available areas can be identified, so even if the payment area within the store is large, customers can efficiently reach an available registered payment device 20.

[0079] The display control unit 601 displays the availability of the registration and settlement device 20 on the floor map display area G12. For example, when the registration and settlement device 20 starts settlement processing, the display control unit 601 updates the status of the registration and settlement device 20 from "available" to "in use" and displays the registration and settlement device 20 as unavailable.

[0080] The start time of the settlement process may be, for example, the time when the registration settlement device 20 receives an operation equivalent to the start of registration, such as a touch operation or a scan operation, or the time when a sensor provided by the registration settlement device 20 detects the presence of a user of the registration settlement device 20. The sensor may be, for example, a motion sensor. Alternatively, the start time of the settlement process may be the time when the presence of a user is detected by image analysis, referring to the image from camera 214 (see Figure 3) or a surveillance camera that takes an overhead view of the registration settlement device 20. The determination of the start of the settlement process may be made when either the operation to start the process is received or detection by camera 214, etc. occurs, or when both the operation to start the process and detection by camera 214, etc. occur.

[0081] The condition for updating the status of the registration payment device 20 from "available" to "in use" may be triggered by an operation on the usage status display screen G10, in addition to or instead of the above-described method of triggering the update by an operation on the registration payment device 20. An operation on the usage status display screen G10 may be, for example, a touch operation by the customer. The customer's touch may be received in the display number display area G11, or in the floor map display area G12. When the customer touches the icon of the registration payment device 20 they wish to use, the icon is removed from the display number display area G11. Also, the icon on the floor map display area G12 is changed to the "in use" or "reserved" state. With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the next customer from heading to the same registration payment device 20 while the first customer is heading to it. Furthermore, if the status is changed by an operation on the usage status display screen G10, and no start operation or person detection occurs after a certain period of time in that status, the status of the registration payment device 20 may be automatically returned to "available".

[0082] If the status is "In Use," a person icon indicating the presence of a customer may be displayed next to the icon of the registration payment device 20. This makes it even easier to see that the registration payment device 20 is in use.

[0083] Furthermore, the display control unit 601 updates the status of the registration settlement device 20 from "In Use" to "Available" when the registration settlement device 20 completes the settlement process, and displays the registration settlement device 20 as available.

[0084] The end of the settlement process may be, for example, the point when a series of processes in the registration settlement device 20 are completed and the registration settlement device 20 enters a standby state. Alternatively, the end of the settlement process may be the point when the registration settlement device 20 detects, using appropriate sensors, that the receipt printed after the settlement process has been received, that the change has been received, or that the payment medium such as a credit card has been removed. Furthermore, the end of the settlement process may be the point when the absence of a user is detected by image analysis using the video from camera 214 (see Figure 3) or a surveillance camera that provides an overhead view of the registration settlement device 20, i.e., when the user is no longer detected.

[0085] The completion of the settlement process may be determined when either an operation related to the completion is received or detection occurs by the camera 214, etc. Alternatively, the settlement process may be determined to be completed when both an operation related to the completion is received and detection occurs by the camera 214, etc. The reception of the operation related to the completion may also be conditional on the removal of all media such as change and receipts. With this configuration, the next customer can be guided only after the customer has reliably left the registration settlement device 20, thus preventing the previous customer and the next customer from encountering each other.

[0086] The registration and settlement device 20 may be displayed as available when the registration process is completed or when the user transitions to the payment type selection screen. With this configuration, the display indicating availability is made slightly earlier than when the settlement process is completed, allowing the next customer to be guided relatively quickly.

[0087] In addition to the above, the display control unit 601 may also display the status of the registration and settlement device 20, such as "suspended," "error," or "under maintenance." The "suspended" status indicates that the power to the registration and settlement device 20 is turned off, or that the power is on but it is unusable, and therefore cannot be used by customers. The status can be changed to "suspended" by, for example, a store employee directly operating the registration and settlement device 20 which is in the "available" status, or by remote operation from the transaction status management device. Note that the conditions for changing to the "suspended" status may differ between direct operation and remote operation. For example, direct operation may allow the change from "in use" to "suspended," while remote operation may prohibit the change from "in use" to "suspended." By restricting the conditions for change in this way, it is possible to reduce accidents such as interrupting registration or settlement processing for customers who are using the device.

[0088] The configuration, which allows transitioning to a "suspended" status, enables the control of the number of operating registration and settlement devices 20 depending on the time of day and the number of customers in the store. For example, if there are few customers, the number of operating registration and settlement devices 20 can be reduced compared to peak times. In this case, for example, by operating only the registration and settlement devices 20 closest to the transaction status management device 11, store staff can efficiently support customers.

[0089] The "Error" status indicates that various errors have occurred in the registration and settlement device 20. These errors can include various types of information, such as insufficient or out-of-change change, insufficient or out-of-receipt receipts, or other communication failures. The "Error" status can identify and display the various errors described above. The display of the "Error" status may also show a detailed type of error. In principle, this status means the device is unavailable; however, separate from the status display, it is possible to configure whether or not to make the registration and settlement device 20 in this state an available device.

[0090] The "Maintenance" status indicates that the payment machine 20 is undergoing maintenance by a store employee. The "Maintenance" status means that the machine is accepting requests for services such as replenishing change or replenishing (replacing) receipt rolls.

[0091] The display control unit 601 may also make the status of the registration payment device 20 different from the status displayed. In this case, for example, it may maintain a table that associates the status of the registration payment device 20 with the status displayed, and determine the status displayed by referring to the table. For example, since errors and maintenance statuses are often not useful information for customers, these can be collectively displayed as "Out of Service". However, displaying the "Error" or "Maintenance" status as is can also provide customers with information to help them decide which registration payment device 20 to select. The correspondence between the status of the registration payment device 20 and the status displayed is set by the administrator. This configuration allows for flexible settings according to the company's or store's philosophy.

[0092] The entity that determines the start and end times of settlement processing for the registered settlement device 20 may be the guidance display device 12, or the transaction status management device 11 may make the determination and transmit the determination result to the guidance display device 12. Alternatively, each registered settlement device 20 may determine its own start and end times for settlement processing and transmit the determination result to the transaction status management device 11 or the guidance display device 12.

[0093] The creation control unit 602 is a functional unit that creates the floor map displayed on the usage status display screen G10 (see Figure 7) shown by the display control unit 601. The floor map is mainly created by the store manager. Store managers may be unfamiliar with computer operation, but with this configuration, they can easily create a floor map tailored to their store and allow customers to objectively understand the usage status of multiple registered payment devices 20, along with the location of each device. In turn, this improves the efficiency of payment processing in the store and ensures customer satisfaction.

[0094] Figure 8 shows an example of the floor map creation screen G20. The floor map creation screen G20 displays, for example, a display area G21 that shows the types of icons to be displayed in the floor map display area G12 (see Figure 7), and an icon placement area G22 for arranging the icons to be displayed in the floor map display area G12. Display area G21 contains, for example, a cashless payment device icon G123b indicating a cashless-only registration and settlement device 20, a cash-accepting device icon G123a, an entrance icon G121, and an exit icon G122. In addition, the entrance icon G121 and exit icon G122 are arranged in two ways: an entrance icon G121 and exit icon G122 that can be entered and exited in the left-right direction in the figure, and an entrance icon G121 and exit icon G122 that can be entered and exited in the up-down direction in the figure.

[0095] The icon placement area G22 displays multiple placement areas G221 in a grid pattern, indicating where icons can be placed. That is, the administrator selects one of the placement areas G221 to place an icon. For example, the administrator first selects an icon from the display area G21, and then selects one of the placement areas G221, placing the icon in the selected placement area G221. The selection order of the placement areas G221 and the display area G21 can also be reversed. Alternatively, selecting one of the placement areas G221 may display a pop-up screen where the administrator can select the icon to place. Furthermore, if a mouse is connected to the device displaying the floor map creation screen G20, icons can be placed by dragging and dropping them from the placement area G221 towards the display area G21. Additionally, if the display unit showing the floor map creation screen G20 is a touch panel display, icons can be placed by dragging them from the placement area G221 towards the display area G21. Such a configuration allows for the easy creation of a floor map of the store's checkout area.

[0096] Furthermore, various items can be placed in the icon placement area G22, not limited to the examples described above. For example, icons corresponding to partitioning members that demarcate the checkout area, such as partition plates or ropes, may be placed in the icon placement area G22. With such a configuration, customers can more clearly understand the route they should take using the usage status display screen G10. Additionally, icons indicating the location of paid shopping bags may be placed in the icon placement area G22. Since customers must take the paid shopping bags themselves, this configuration allows customers to know the location of the shopping bags in advance before heading to the registration and checkout device 20. Additionally, icons indicating the location of store staff, the return location of shopping baskets or carts, the packing area, the bagging area, the location of the children's registration and checkout device 20, the current location (i.e., the installation location of the display screen of the guidance display device 1), an arrow indicating the direction the customer should go, or an arrow indicating the direction the screen of the registration and checkout device 20 is facing may be placed in the icon placement area G22.

[0097] Furthermore, the icons that can be placed may also be those of a manned register. In addition, the icons may also be those of a so-called semi-self-checkout register where a store employee registers the products and the customer handles the payment process. Furthermore, the icons may also be those of a payment device used in a manner in which products are registered using a portable terminal while shopping around the store. Manned registers, semi-self-checkout registers, and payment devices for registration using portable terminals are each represented by icons and are displayed separately in the display number display area G11.

[0098] Furthermore, in the case of a registration payment device 20 whose mode can be switched, the current mode is obtained from the registration payment device 20, and an icon based on the obtained mode is displayed. Each time the mode of the registration payment device 20 is changed, the display in the display number display area G11 is also changed to reflect the new mode. For example, the mode of the registration payment device 20 located on the usage status display screen G10 is referenced, the display number display area G11 is partitioned according to the number of modes, and icons for the registration payment devices 20 that can be guided are displayed for each set mode. That is, in a situation where the left area of ​​the display number display area G11 displays the full self-checkout registers that can be guided and the right area displays the manned registers that can be guided, if the mode of all registration payment devices 20 used as manned registers is switched to full self-checkout mode, the mode change is detected, and since there is only one type of mode for the registered payment devices 20 located there, full self-checkout mode, all the registration payment devices 20 that can be guided are displayed without distinction in the entire area of ​​the display number display area G11.

[0099] Furthermore, the icon placement area G22 may also allow for the placement of information superimposed on each icon; for example, a background color can be set behind the icon. The background color can be selected from a color palette placed in the display area G21, for example. With this configuration, for example, when customers are to line up according to the type of registration and payment device 20, the areas where customers should line up can be divided by background color. Consequently, customer movement paths can be virtually guided even without actually placing partition members in the payment area. The icons for the partition members mentioned above may also be placed regardless of whether they are actually present or not.

[0100] The background color is stored in association with the mode of the registration and settlement device 20 and may be displayed automatically according to the mode of the installed registration and settlement device 20. The creation control unit 602 may detect the background color set by the administrator for the icon of the registration and settlement device 20 and store the background color in association with the mode of the registration and settlement device 20. The background color may be automatically set for the path connecting the entrance to the registration and settlement device 20. When a change in the mode of the registration and settlement device 20 is detected, the background color may be automatically changed to the color associated with the changed mode. That is, for example, in a situation where the icon and surrounding area of ​​the registration and settlement device 20 in full self-service mode have a blue background color, and the icon and surrounding area of ​​the registration and settlement device 20 in manned register mode have a green background color, if all the registration and settlement devices 20 in manned register mode are changed to full self-service mode, the display control unit 601 will detect this and all the green background colors will be changed to blue.

[0101] Figure 9 shows an example of a pop-up screen G23 that appears when appropriate operations are performed on the floor map creation screen G20. The pop-up screen G23 is a screen for changing the settings of the floor map creation screen G20. The pop-up screen G23 displays radio buttons that accept selections for the arrangement of the placeable area G221 displayed in the icon placement area G22. In the example shown in the figure, it accepts selections for the number of items to be placed in the vertical and horizontal directions of the placeable area G221 displayed in the icon placement area G22.

[0102] Furthermore, the pop-up screen G23 displays an area where the user can switch between the types of registered payment devices 20 that can be placed. The types of registered payment devices 20 refer to the payment methods that can be processed, such as types that support only cashless payments, types that support only cash payments, or types that support both cashless payments and cash payments. In the example shown in the figure, if there is only one type of registered payment device 20 that can be placed in the store, and all registered payment devices 20 support both cash payments and cashless payments, the administrator will select "Self-checkout only". In this case, the user will transition to the floor map creation screen G30 shown in Figure 10, and the icon G133c of the registered payment device 20 displayed in the display area G31 will be for one type. If there are two types of registered payment devices 20 that can be placed in the store, one that supports only cash payments and one that supports both cashless payments and cash payments, the administrator will select "Self-checkout / Cashless payment". In this case, as shown in the floor map creation screen G20 in Figure 8, two types of icons, G123a and G123b, are displayed as possible to place as the registered payment device 20.

[0103] Figure 11 shows an example of a pop-up screen G40 that appears when an operation to place the icon G123 of the registered payment device 20 in the icon placement area G22 is received. The pop-up screen G40 accepts an operation to link the placed icon G123 with the identification information of the registered payment device 20 that reflects its usage status. With this configuration, the usage status of the registered payment device 20 can be displayed on the appropriate icon G123 placed on the floor map. In other words, a screen can be created that guides customers to the location of available registered payment devices 20 with simple operation.

[0104] Furthermore, the pop-up screen G40 accepts input of the display number of the registered payment device 20 displayed on the usage status display screen G10, and stores the display number in association with the management number. In the figure, "Register Number" is an example of a display number, and "Actual Register Number" is an example of a management number. With this configuration, the display number to be displayed can be set appropriately, so even if the management number has many digits and is difficult to read, the visibility of the floor map on the usage status display screen G10 can be improved by setting the display number to a single digit. Also, for example, regardless of the management number, it is possible to arrange them appropriately and then set them as sequential numbers according to the arrangement in the payment area, making the floor map creation work easier.

[0105] In this embodiment, the registration and settlement device 20 is identified by a display number, but it is also possible to accept and display information other than numbers, such as colors, marks, or words.

[0106] Furthermore, in the pop-up screen G40, instead of entering a numerical value for the management number, the management number of the registered settlement device 20 connected to the transaction status management device 11 may be referenced and displayed as a selectable management number. With such a configuration, the administrator can be reliably made to select a management number of the configurable registered settlement device 20. Alternatively, after receiving a numerical input for the management number, the system may compare it with the management number of the registered settlement device 20 connected to the transaction status management device 11 and notify the administrator if the management number does not exist.

[0107] The display control unit 601 displays a usage status display screen G10 (see Figure 7) that shows information on available registered payment devices 20, and a floor map creation screen G20 (see Figure 8) that accepts input to the creation control unit 602, allowing for transitions between the two. With this configuration, the guidance display device 12 can intuitively communicate the usage status of the registered payment devices 20 to customers, and store managers can easily create floor maps.

[0108] Furthermore, all or part of the functions (input / output, storage, processing (including judgment)) of each of the devices described above (transaction status management device 11, guidance display device 12, registration and settlement device 20, etc.) may be implemented in a device other than the device described as the entity executing the said function.

[0109] For example, instead of the guidance display device 12, a store controller 10, a transaction status management device 11, or a cloud server (not shown) may implement all or part of each function.

[0110] Furthermore, while the above description described a configuration in which the transaction status management device 11 comprises a display control unit 501, a reception unit 502, and an execution unit 503, a configuration in which the registration and settlement device 20 comprises an error display unit 511, and a configuration in which the guidance display device 12 comprises a display control unit 601 and a creation control unit 602, all or part of these functional units may be provided in other computer devices. For example, all or part of these functional units may be provided in the store controller 10, in the cloud server, or in other computer devices. Also, the computer devices that provide these functional units are not limited to multiple devices, but may be just one. For example, all of these functional units may be provided in a single computer device.

[0111] In relation to the above, the transaction status management device 11, the guidance display device 12, and the registration and settlement device 20 may function as so-called thin clients specializing in input / output interface portions. That is, the transaction status management device 11, the guidance display device 12, and the registration and settlement device 20 may receive various inputs (operator operations, detection by devices such as scanners, captured images), transmit input information (operation information, scan information, etc.) to a cloud server, receive processing results from the cloud server based on said input information (updated screen information, device control information, etc.), and perform various outputs (display on the display unit, device control).

[0112] Furthermore, the program for implementing the sales data processing system St, transaction status management device 11, guidance display device 12, or registration and settlement device 20, etc., as described above, may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program may be loaded into a computer system and executed. Here, "computer system" includes hardware such as the OS and peripheral devices. Furthermore, "computer-readable recording medium" refers to portable media such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) flash memory, SSD (Solid State Drive), flexible disk, magneto-optical disk, ROM, CD-ROM, and storage devices such as hard disks built into the computer system. Moreover, "computer-readable recording medium" also includes volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that acts as a server or client when the program is transmitted via a network such as the Internet or a communication line such as a telephone line, which retains the program for a certain period of time. Furthermore, the above program may be transmitted from the computer system that stores the program in a storage device, etc., to another computer system via a transmission medium or by transmission waves in the transmission medium. Here, the "transmission medium" used to transmit the program refers to a medium that has the function of transmitting information, such as a network (communication network) like the Internet or a communication line (communication line) like a telephone line. Furthermore, the program described above may be intended to implement only a part of the functions mentioned above. Moreover, it may be a so-called differential file (differential program) that can implement the aforementioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system.

[0113] ●Summary of Embodiments This invention relates to a guidance display system and a guidance display program.

[0114] Traditionally, POS (Point of Sales) registers, also known as self-checkout registers, have become widespread in various stores such as supermarkets and convenience stores, where customers operate the registers to register their purchases and complete the payment process themselves. When there are many self-checkout registers, it can be cumbersome as store staff may need to guide customers to available registers. For example, when registering products and completing payment at a self-checkout register, a technology has been proposed to guide customers to an available machine (see, for example, Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-173751).

[0115] The present invention aims to provide a guidance display system that can efficiently guide customers to multiple POS registers.

[0116] To achieve the above objective, a guidance display system according to one aspect of the present invention is a guidance display system for displaying the usage status of POS registers, comprising a floor map showing at least a plurality of POS registers, the exit location from which a customer exits the area where the POS registers are located, and a display means for displaying information on the available POS registers among the plurality of POS registers.

[0117] The display means may indicate that the POS register is available when the POS register has completed the settlement process, and may also indicate that the payment method supported by the POS register is available.

[0118] The system may further include a means for creating the floor map, and the display means may be configured to display, in a way that allows transitions between a usage status display screen that displays information on available POS registers and a floor map creation screen that accepts input to the creation means.

[0119] The creation means may be connected to a management device that manages the operating status of the plurality of POS registers, the management device storing a unique management number for each of the POS registers, and the creation means may accept input of the display number of the POS register displayed on the usage status display screen, and store the display number and the management number in association.

[0120] The creation means may, when it receives a placement operation for the POS register on the floor map creation screen, refer to the management number of the POS register connected to the management device and display the management number in a selectable format on the display means.

[0121] To achieve the above objective, a guidance display program according to another aspect of the present invention is a guidance display program that controls a guidance display system that displays the usage status of POS registers, and executes a display command to a computer that displays a floor map showing at least a plurality of POS registers, the exit position from which a customer exits the area where the POS registers are located, and information on the available POS registers among the plurality of POS registers.

[0122] According to the present invention, the guidance display device can efficiently guide customers to multiple POS registers. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0123] St Sales Data Processing System At Information Display System 10 Store Controllers 11. Transaction status management device 12. Information display device 20. Registration and settlement device G10 Usage Status Display Screen G20 Floor Map Creation Screen

Claims

1. A guidance display system that shows the usage status of a POS register, A floor map showing at least a number of the aforementioned POS registers and the exit locations from which customers leave the area where the POS registers are located, Information on the available POS registers among the plurality of POS registers, It is equipped with a display means for displaying, Information display system.

2. The display means indicates that the POS register is available when the settlement process has been completed by the POS register. The display means displays, in conjunction with an indication that the payment method supported by the POS register is available. The guidance display system according to claim 1.

3. The means for creating the aforementioned floor map is further provided, The display means displays, in a manner that allows transitions between a usage status display screen that displays information on available POS registers and a floor map creation screen that accepts input to the creation means. The guidance display system according to claim 1.

4. It is connected to a management device that manages the operating status of the plurality of POS registers, and the management device stores a unique management number for each of the POS registers. The creation means receives input of the display number of the POS register displayed on the usage status display screen, and stores the display number and the management number in association. The guidance display system according to claim 3.

5. When the creation means receives a placement operation for the POS register on the floor map creation screen, it refers to the management number of the POS register connected to the management device and displays the management number in a selectable format on the display means. The guidance display system according to claim 4.

6. A guidance display program that controls a guidance display system that displays the usage status of a POS register, For computers, A floor map showing at least a number of the aforementioned POS registers and the exit locations from which customers leave the area where the POS registers are located, Information on the available POS registers among the plurality of POS registers, Execute a display command to show the following: A guidance and display program.

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