SALES ASSISTANCE DEVICE, ITS CONTROL PROGRAM, AND SALES ASSISTANCE METHOD

Abstract

To provide a sales supporting device which can support sales of products which are sold by weight.SOLUTION: In a shop system 100, a main processing unit 10 which is a type of sales supporting device located on a display shelving unit, when a notification regarding a weight decrease on any of weight scales 6 is provided by a product monitoring unit 9, after being notified of a member ID, determines who a person taking a product is and if the person is a member who has been authenticated, requests registration of the product. Also, when a notification regarding a weight increase on any of the weight scales 6 is provided by the product monitoring unit 9, the main processing unit 10 confirms whether or not it is a reasonable increase and then, determines who a person returning a product is and requests cancellation of the increase. Then, when an exit flag is set as ON, the main processing unit 10 instructs a sales management device 120 to commence a payment process based on authenticated member information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a sales support device, a control program thereof, and a sales support method. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, various store systems have been proposed that automatically register products purchased by consumers based on their behavior in the store, eliminating the need to register products at checkout. One such system is a store system that identifies a consumer who takes a product near a shelf when the product is taken from the shelf as the purchaser of that product. For example, by introducing this type of store system in convenience stores and small kiosks, it is possible to realize unmanned stores. This type of store system can identify who has purchased which product. However, it cannot identify how much of each product has been purchased. For this reason, it cannot handle the sale of products sold by weight, which have a set unit price per unit weight. There is a need for technology to support the sale of products sold by weight, for example, in unmanned stores. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-150123 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a sales support device capable of supporting the sale of merchandise sold by weight, a control program for the device, and a sales support method. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The sales support device includes a measuring means, a weight reduction amount acquisition means, an identification means, and an output means. The measuring means measures the weight of a product displayed in the display section. The weight reduction amount acquisition means acquires the weight reduction amount when the weight of the product measured by the measuring means changes in a decreasing direction. The identification means identifies a customer who removed the product whose weight has changed in a decreasing direction from the display section. The output means outputs identification information of the customer identified by the identification means and information related to the sale of the product based on the weight reduction amount acquired by the weight reduction amount acquisition means to a sales management device that manages the sales information in association with the customer identification information. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a schematic appearance of a display fixture according to one embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of a display fixture and the general configuration of a store system. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of a user interface unit. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the merchandise monitoring unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data record included in a product management database. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of a main processing unit. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data record contained in a tracking database. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data record included in a member management database. [Figure 9] FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a state in which areas are set within a tracking area. [Figure 10] 13 is a flowchart of a tracking process. [Figure 11] 13 is a flowchart of a tracking process. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart of a monitoring process. [Figure 13] 13 is a flowchart of a customer service process. [Figure 14]13 is a flowchart of a customer service process. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In this embodiment, a store system using shelf-type display fixtures will be described as an example. Furthermore, an example of the store system will be described in which a customer purchases a commodity sold by weight that is displayed in the store.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view that diagrammatically illustrates the appearance of a display fixture 110 according to this embodiment. The display fixture 110 is an example of a sales support device that supports the sale of products sold by weight. The display fixture 110 mainly comprises a shelf 1. The shelf 1 is a shelf specialized for products sold by weight. The shelf 1 is a hollow rectangular parallelepiped with one side open. The shelf 1 includes a plurality of shelf boards 11, a plurality of casters 12, a plurality of handles 13, and a support member 14.

[0009] Shelves 11 are attached to the internal space. The number and positions of shelves 11 are arbitrary, but Fig. 1 shows an example in which there are three shelves. Containers containing products sold by weight are displayed on shelves 11 as shown in the figure. Thus, shelves 1 serve as a display section for displaying products sold by weight. The casters 12 are attached to the bottom of the shelf 1. The casters 12 allow the display fixture 110 to be easily moved across the floor. The handles 13 are attached to the outer surfaces of two side walls perpendicular to the opening surface of the shelf 1. The handles 13 are held by an operator when moving the display fixture 110. The number and positions of the handles 13 are arbitrary. Moreover, the handles 13 do not have to be provided. The support member 14 is attached to the outer surface of the top plate of the shelf 1 in a state where it protrudes upward. The support member 14 supports two tracking cameras 2, a surveillance camera 3, and a projector 4.

[0010] The two tracking cameras 2 capture people in a shooting area including a purchase area, a detection area, a reserve area, and a confirmation area, which will be described later. The two tracking cameras 2 may each capture the shooting area, or only one tracking camera 2 may capture a part of the shooting area. Only one of the tracking cameras 2 may be used, or one or more additional tracking cameras 2 may be installed. The position of the tracking camera 2 is also arbitrary. Images captured by the tracking camera 2 are used to track people. This tracking will be described later. As the tracking camera 2, a well-known camera device such as an optical camera, an infrared camera, a TOF (time of flight) camera, or a stereo camera can be used. As the tracking camera 2, a camera device suitable for measuring the distance to a subject, such as a TOF camera or a stereo camera, is suitable.

[0011] The surveillance camera 3 captures images of the opening of the shelf 1 and the space outside the opening of the shelf 1. The images captured by the surveillance camera 3 are used to monitor the action of a person reaching their hand into the shelf 1. This monitoring will be described later. As the surveillance camera 3, a well-known camera device such as an optical camera, an infrared camera, a TOF camera, or a stereo camera can be used. As the surveillance camera 3, a camera device suitable for measuring the distance to a subject, such as a TOF camera or a stereo camera, is preferable. The projector 4 projects an arbitrary image onto the floor. The line PL and the letters PC shown in Fig. 1 are included in the image projected by the projector 4. It is possible to omit the projector 4 on the condition that a measure such as laying a mat of a size equivalent to the area represented by the line PL is taken.

[0012] User interface units (hereinafter referred to as UI units) 5 are attached to both side ends of the opening surface of shelf 1. The UI unit 5 has a touch panel 51 and a reader 52, and performs user interface operations. The touch panel 51 and the reader 52 will be described later. In the following, when it is necessary to distinguish between the two UI units 5, the UI unit 5 shown on the left side in FIG. 1 will be referred to as the "first UI unit 5," and the other UI unit 5 will be referred to as the "second UI unit 5."

[0013] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the display fixture 110 and the general configuration of the store system 100. In Fig. 2, the same elements as those shown in Fig. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The store system 100 is configured by allowing display fixtures 110, a sales management device 120, and a payment device 130 to communicate with each other via a communication network 140.

[0014] Sales management device 120 is a device that manages the sales of products sold by weight displayed on display fixture 110. Sales management device 120 has a function as an instruction unit. The instruction unit has a function of instructing payment device 130 to settle the price of products sold by weight. Payment device 130 is a payment device that makes payments related to the sale of products sold by weight displayed on display fixture 110. Payment device 130 has a function as a payment unit. The payment unit has a function of settling the price of products sold by weight. As the communication network 140, for example, the Internet, a VPN (virtual private network), a LAN (local area network), a public communication network, a mobile communication network, etc. can be used alone or in appropriate combination. As an example, the display fixtures 110, the sales management device 120, and the payment device 130 are installed in one store. In this case, the communication network 140 is typically an in-store LAN.

[0015] The display fixture 110 includes, in addition to the tracking camera 2, surveillance camera 3, projector 4 and UI unit 5 also shown in FIG. 1, a number of weighing scales 6, a communication unit 7, an in-furniture communication path 8, an item monitoring unit 9 and a main processing unit 10. The tracking camera 2, the monitoring camera 3, and the projector 4 are connected to a main processing unit 10. The UI unit 5 is also connected to an internal communication path 8.

[0016] A plurality of weighing scales 6 are provided on shelf board 11 and measure the weight of merchandise sold by weight that is housed in containers and displayed on shelf board 11. The weighing scales 6 output measurement data indicating the measured weight to the merchandise monitoring unit 9. A weighing scale 6 is provided for each merchandise sold by weight. The weighing scales 6 are an example of a measuring means.

[0017] The communication unit 7 performs wireless communication for sending and receiving data via the communication network 140. When the communication network 140 is a LAN, for example, a well-known communication device conforming to the IEEE802.11 standard can be used as the communication unit 7. However, the communication unit 7 may also be a communication device that performs wired communication. The internal furniture communication path 8 enables data to be exchanged between the UI unit 5, the communication unit 7, the merchandise monitoring unit 9, and the main processing unit 10. As the internal furniture communication path 8, for example, a LAN is used.

[0018] The product monitoring unit 9 is an information processing unit that performs information processing for monitoring the display status of the products sold by weight on the shelf 1 based on the measurement data provided by the weighing scale 6. The main processing unit 10 is an information processing unit that identifies the person who removed a bulk item from the shelf 1 based on images captured by the tracking camera 2 and the surveillance camera 3, and performs information processing to have that person pay for the bulk item.

[0019] Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the UI unit 5. In Fig. 3, the same elements as those shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The UI unit 5 includes a processor 53, a main memory 54, an auxiliary storage unit 55, a sound unit 56, a communication unit 57, and a transmission path 58, in addition to the touch panel 51 and the reader 52 shown in FIG. The processor 53 is capable of communicating with the touch panel 51 , the reader 52 , the main memory 54 , the auxiliary storage unit 55 , the sound unit 56 and the communication unit 57 via a transmission path 58 .

[0020] The touch panel 51 is a display device that displays various screens such as an operation screen, etc. The touch panel 51 is an operation device that receives operations according to the operation screens. The reader 52 reads a member ID (identifier) ​​from a medium held by a customer. The reader 52 may be a well-known data reading device that reads a visible code such as a barcode or two-dimensional code displayed on the surface of a card or on a display device. The reader 52 may be another type of well-known data reading device such as a well-known magnetic card reader, an IC (integrated circuit) card reader, or a contactless card reader. The reader 52 may include multiple types of reading devices.

[0021] The processor 53, the main memory 54, and the auxiliary storage unit 55 are connected via a transmission line 58 to configure a computer for controlling the UI unit 5. The processor 53 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 53 executes information processing for realizing various functions as the UI unit 5 in accordance with an operating system and information processing programs such as application programs. The processor 53 is, for example, a CPU (central processing unit).

[0022] The main memory 54 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 54 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 54 stores the information processing program in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 54 may store data required for the processor 53 to execute information processing in the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 54 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 53. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, a ROM (read only memory). The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM (random access memory).

[0023] The auxiliary storage unit 55 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. As the auxiliary storage unit 55, for example, a storage unit using a well-known storage device such as an EEPROM (registered trademark) (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), a HDD (hard disk drive), or an SSD (solid state drive) can be used. The auxiliary storage unit 55 stores data used by the processor 53 when performing various processes, or data created by the processing in the processor 53. The auxiliary storage unit 55 may also store the above-mentioned information processing program.

[0024] The sound unit 56 outputs various sounds such as voices and melodies. The communication unit 57 is an interface for data communication via the in-furniture communication path 8. As the communication unit 57, for example, a well-known communication device for performing data communication via a LAN can be used. The transmission path 58 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines, and transmits data and control signals between the connected components.

[0025] The auxiliary storage unit 55 stores a UI program 551, which is one of the information processing programs. The UI program 551 is an application program, and describes information processing for making the UI unit 5 function as a user interface for the display fixture 110.

[0026] Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the merchandise monitoring unit 9. In Fig. 4, the same elements as those shown in Figs. 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals. The merchandise monitoring unit 9 includes a processor 91 , a main memory 92 , an auxiliary storage unit 93 , a communication unit 94 , an interface unit 95 and a transmission path 96 .

[0027] The processor 91, the main memory 92, the auxiliary storage unit 93, the communication unit 94, and the interface unit 95 are capable of communicating with each other via a transmission path 96. The processor 91, the main memory 92, and the auxiliary storage unit 93 are connected by the transmission path 96 to form a computer for controlling the merchandise monitoring unit 9. The processor 91 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 91 executes information processing for realizing various functions of the merchandise monitoring unit 9 in accordance with an operating system and information processing programs such as application programs. The processor 91 is, for example, a CPU.

[0028] The main memory 92 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 92 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 92 stores the information processing program in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 92 may store data required for the processor 91 to execute information processing in a nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 92 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 91. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, a ROM. The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM.

[0029] The auxiliary storage unit 93 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. As the auxiliary storage unit 93, for example, a storage unit using a well-known storage device such as an EEPROM, HDD, or SSD can be used. The auxiliary storage unit 93 stores data used by the processor 91 when performing various processes, or data created by the processes in the processor 91. The auxiliary storage unit 93 may also store the information processing program.

[0030] The communication unit 94 is an interface for data communication via the in-furniture communication path 8. As the communication unit 94, for example, a well-known communication device for performing data communication via a LAN can be used. A plurality of weighing scales 6 are respectively connected to the interface unit 95. The interface unit 95 provides an interface for transmitting and receiving data between the processor 91 and the weighing scales 6. As the interface unit 95, well-known devices such as various interface boards, for example, a universal serial bus (USB) board, can be used. A plurality of interface units 95 may be provided. The transmission path 96 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines, and transmits data and control signals between the connected components.

[0031] The auxiliary memory unit 93 stores a merchandise monitoring program 931, which is one of the information processing programs. The merchandise monitoring program 931 is an application program, and describes information processing, described below, for realizing the functions of the merchandise monitoring unit 9. A part of the memory area of ​​the auxiliary memory unit 93 is used as a memory area for a merchandise management database 932. The merchandise management database 932 is a database for managing merchandise sold by weight that is displayed on the display fixture 110.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data record DRA contained in the product management database 932. As shown in FIG. Product management database 932 is a collection of multiple data records DRA associated with multiple weighing scales 6. Data record DRA includes fields FA, FB, FC, and FD. Field FA is set with a weighing scale ID for identifying the associated weighing scale 6 from other weighing scales. Field FB is set with a product code for identifying a product sold by weight placed on the associated weighing scale 6 from other products sold by weight. The product code is an identification code determined for identifying products sold by weight for each SKU (stock keeping unit), and for example, a JAN (Japanese article number) code is used. Field FC is set with the unit price per unit weight of the product sold by weight identified by the product code set in field FB. Field FD is set with the previous measurement value of the associated weighing scale 6. Note that data record DRA may include a field in which any data other than the above is set.

[0033] Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the main processing unit 10. In Fig. 6, the same elements as those shown in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals. The main processing unit 10 includes a processor 101, a main memory 102, an auxiliary storage unit 103, a communication unit 104, an interface unit 105, and a transmission path 106.

[0034] The processor 101, the main memory 102, the auxiliary storage unit 103, the communication unit 104, and the interface unit 105 are capable of communicating with each other via a transmission path 106. The processor 101, the main memory 102, and the auxiliary storage unit 103 are connected by the transmission path 106 to configure a computer for controlling the main processing unit 10.

[0035] The processor 101 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 101 executes information processing for realizing various functions as the main processing unit 10 in accordance with an operating system and information processing programs such as application programs. The processor 101 is, for example, a CPU.

[0036] The main memory 102 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 102 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 102 stores the information processing program in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 102 may store data required for the processor 101 to execute information processing in a nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 102 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 101. The nonvolatile memory area is, for example, a ROM. The volatile memory area is, for example, a RAM.

[0037] The auxiliary storage unit 103 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. As the auxiliary storage unit 103, for example, a storage unit using a well-known storage device such as an EEPROM, HDD, or SSD can be used. The auxiliary storage unit 103 stores data used by the processor 101 when performing various processes, or data created by the processes in the processor 101. The auxiliary storage unit 103 may also store the information processing program.

[0038] The communication unit 104 is an interface for data communication via the in-furniture communication path 8. As the communication unit 104, for example, a well-known communication device for performing data communication via a LAN can be used. The interface unit 105 is connected to two tracking cameras 2, a monitoring camera 3, and a projector 4. The interface unit 105 interfaces data transmission between the processor 101 and the tracking camera 2, the monitoring camera 3, and the projector 4. As the interface unit 105, a well-known device such as various interface boards, for example, a USB board, can be used. A plurality of interface units 105 may be provided. The transmission path 106 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines, and transmits data and control signals between the connected components.

[0039] The auxiliary memory unit 103 stores a tracking program 1031 and a customer interaction program 1032, each of which is an information processing program. The tracking program 1031 is an application program, and describes information processing for tracking a person, which will be described later. The customer interaction program 1032 is an application program, and describes information processing for customer interaction, which will be described later. A part of the memory area of ​​the auxiliary memory unit 103 is used as a memory area for a tracking database 1033 and a member management database 1034. The tracking database 1033 is a database for managing data for tracking a person who is the target of tracking. The member management database 1034 is a database for managing the members who are being tracked.

[0040] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data record DRB contained in the tracking database 1033. As shown in FIG. The tracking database 1033 is a collection of data records DRB associated with each person who is a tracking target. The data records DRB include fields FE, FF, FG, FH, FI, FJ, and FK. The data records DRB may include fields FL and subsequent fields. A tracking ID assigned to distinguish the associated person from other people is set in the field FE. The tracking ID is temporarily assigned to the person who is a tracking target, and is not data for identifying an individual. A monitoring flag indicating whether or not the associated person is a target of behavior monitoring is set in the field FF. In this embodiment, the monitoring flag indicates that the associated person is a target of behavior monitoring when it is in an on state. A first authentication flag indicating whether or not the associated person is located in an authentication area corresponding to the first UI unit 5 is set in the field FG. A second authentication flag indicating whether or not the associated person is located in an authentication area corresponding to the second UI unit 5 is set in the field FH. In this embodiment, the first authentication flag and the second authentication flag indicate that the associated person is located in the authentication area when they are in an on state. In the field FI, a reserve flag is set to indicate whether the associated person is located in a reserve area described later. In this embodiment, the reserve flag indicates that the associated person is located in the reserve area when it is in an on state. In the field FJ, an exit flag is set to indicate whether the associated person has exited from a tracking area described later. In this embodiment, the exit flag indicates that the associated person has exited when it is in an on state. In the field FK, detection data indicating the result of one position detection of the associated person is set. As the associated person moves, fields in which detection data indicating the result of position detection after the movement is set are sequentially added after the field FL. Note that the data record DRB may include a field in which any data other than the above is set.

[0041] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a data record DRC contained in the member management database 1034. As shown in FIG. The member management database 1034 is a collection of data records DRC associated with each person who is the target of tracking and has completed member authentication. Therefore, the number of data records DRC included in the member management database 1034 varies depending on the number of relevant people. There may also be a situation where the member management database 1034 does not include any data records DRC. The data record DRC includes fields FM and FN. A member ID previously assigned to the associated person is set in field FM. A tracking ID for tracking the associated person is set in field FN. The data record DRC may include a field in which any data other than the above is set.

[0042] For example, a general-purpose information processing device can be used as the hardware of the merchandise monitoring unit 9 or the main processing unit 10. The merchandise monitoring unit 9 or the main processing unit 10 is generally transferred in a state in which the merchandise monitoring program 931 or the tracking program 1031 and the customer interaction program 1032 are stored in the auxiliary storage unit 93 or the auxiliary storage unit 103, respectively, and the merchandise management database 932 or the tracking database 1033 and the member management database 1034 are not stored. However, the hardware in a state in which the merchandise monitoring program 931 or the tracking program 1031 and the customer interaction program 1032 are not stored in the auxiliary storage unit 93 or the auxiliary storage unit 103, or in a state in which a different version of the same type of application program is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 93 or the auxiliary storage unit 103, and the merchandise monitoring program 931 or the tracking program 1031 and the customer interaction program 1032 may be transferred separately. Then, the merchandise monitoring program 931 or the tracking program 1031 and the customer response program 1032 may be written in the auxiliary storage unit 93 or the auxiliary storage unit 103 in response to an operation by an arbitrary worker, thereby forming the merchandise monitoring unit 9 or the main processing unit 10. The merchandise monitoring program 931 or the tracking program 1031 and the customer response program 1032 may be transferred to the auxiliary storage unit 93 or the auxiliary storage unit 103 by recording them in a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, a semiconductor memory, or by communication via a network. The merchandise management database 932 or the tracking database 1033 and the member management database 1034 are formed in the auxiliary storage unit 93 or the auxiliary storage unit 103 by the processor 91 or 101 executing information processing based on the merchandise monitoring program 931 or the tracking program 1031 and the customer response program 1032. At least one of the merchandise monitoring program 931 and the merchandise management database 932 may be stored in the main memory 92. At least a portion of the tracking program 1031 , the customer interaction program 1032 , the tracking database 1033 , and the member management database 1034 may be stored in the main memory 102 .

[0043] Next, a description will be given of the operation of the store system 100 configured as described above. Note that the contents of the processes described below are merely examples, and it is possible to change the order of some of the processes, omit some of the processes, or add other processes as appropriate.

[0044] The display fixture 110 is assumed to be used in a typical retail store, where items sold by weight are temporarily installed at the storefront or the like for unmanned sales. For this purpose, the display fixture 110 is provided with casters 12 and handles 13, and is configured so that it can be easily moved by a store clerk or the like. However, the display fixture 110 may be installed at any location, such as inside a company building, or may be permanently installed, and its use is not limited to the above example. If it is permanently installed, the casters 12 and handles 13 may be omitted. The electrical elements of the display fixture 110 may be operated by power supplied from a commercial power source or the like using a power cable, or may be operated by power supplied from a battery mounted on the display fixture 110.

[0045] In this embodiment, one product sold by weight is displayed in a measurement area by one weighing scale 6 on shelf board 11. A manager such as a store clerk specifies which product sold by weight is displayed in which measurement area by a predetermined operation on UI unit 5. For example, processor 53 displays a GUI (graphical user interface) screen for selecting a measurement area on touch panel 51, and receives a measurement area specification by touching the GUI screen. Processor 53 also causes reader 52 to read a product barcode held up by the manager. Processor 53 then specifies that a product sold by weight identified by a product code represented in the product barcode read by reader 52 is displayed in the specified measurement area. In response to this specification, processor 53 in UI unit 5 finds from product management database 932 a data record DRA in which the weighing scale ID of weighing scale 6 corresponding to the specified measurement area is set in field FA, and sets the product code of the specified product sold by weight in field FB of the corresponding data record DRA. Processor 53 sets the unit price per unit weight designated in advance by the administrator in field FC of the data record DRA in which the above-mentioned product code is set. At this time, processor 53 acquires, for example, the measurement value of weighing scale 6 corresponding to the relevant measurement area. Processor 53 may set the above-mentioned acquired measurement value in field FD of the same data record DRA, or may temporarily set a predetermined value such as 0.

[0046] The product management database 932 may be updated in any manner as long as it matches the display status of the products sold by weight on the shelves 11. For example, the processor 53 may update the product management database 932 in response to an instruction from an external sales support device. The processor 53 may also access the sales management device 120 or any other server device via the communication unit 57, the in-furniture communication path 8, and the communication network 140 to obtain the unit price per unit weight associated with the product code.

[0047] When the display fixture 110 is in an operational state for handling customers, the processor 101 in the main processing unit 10 executes information processing in accordance with the tracking program 1031 (hereinafter referred to as tracking processing). Incidentally, the tracking process is primarily a process of identifying the current position of a person being tracked (hereinafter referred to as a tracked person) within a tracking area, and confirming which of several areas defined within the tracking area relative to the display fixture 110 the position is in. Therefore, prior to explaining the tracking process, the areas defined within the tracking area will be explained.

[0048] FIG. 9 is a plan view showing the area setting status within the tracking area. As shown in FIG. 9, the purchase area ARA, the detection area ARB, the reserve area ARC, the determined area ARD, and the two authentication areas ARE are logically defined based on the position of the display fixture 110. A rectangular area including the entire determined area ARD is a tracking area. The specific area to be each area may be arbitrarily determined by, for example, the creator of the tracking program 1031. In other words, the individual size of each area or the size ratio between multiple areas may be changed from the state shown in FIG. 9. In addition, the size of each area may be changed according to the instruction of an arbitrary operator such as a maintenance worker or a store manager. In this way, it is possible to adjust each area taking into account the structure of the installation location of the display fixture 110.

[0049] The purchasing area ARA is an area where a customer who is going to take out bulk products from the display fixtures 110 should be positioned. The projector 4 projects an image so that the outer edge of the purchasing area ARA roughly coincides with the line PL shown in FIG. 1. If the size of the purchasing area ARA is changeable as described above, the projector 4 is made capable of changing the projection magnification of the image. The projector 4 changes the projection magnification by an operation by the maintenance worker or store manager, or in response to an instruction from the processor 101 of the main processing unit 10, for example. For example, a rule for using the services provided by the store system 100 is that the customer must remain within the purchasing area ARA while taking out all the bulk products to be purchased from the shelves 1.

[0050] The detection area ARB is an area in which a person to be tracked is newly detected. The detection area ARB is determined, for example, as an area through which a person entering the purchase area ARA passes. In other words, the detection area ARB is, for example, a strip-shaped area surrounding the purchase area ARA. The detection area ARB may partially overlap with the purchase area ARA.

[0051] The reserve area ARC and the determined area ARD are areas for determining whether a tracked person has left the tracked area. Both the reserve area ARC and the determined area ARD are defined as areas through which a person leaving the purchasing area ARA passes. The reserve area ARC is closer to the purchasing area ARA than the determined area ARD. In the example of FIG. 9, a part of the reserve area ARC and a part of the determined area ARD overlap each other. The overlapping area ARF is an area where the reserve area ARC and the determined area ARD overlap. The reserve area ARC and the determined area ARD may be adjacent to each other without overlapping. The reserve area ARC is separated from the determined area ARD. However, a part of the determined area ARD and a part of the reserve area ARC may overlap each other. The determined area ARD and the reserve area ARC may be adjacent to each other without overlapping.

[0052] As described above, the two authentication areas ARE respectively correspond to the two UI units 5. In the following, when it is necessary to distinguish between the two authentication areas ARE, the authentication area ARE corresponding to the first UI unit 5 will be referred to as the first authentication area ARE, and the authentication area ARE corresponding to the second UI unit 5 will be referred to as the second authentication area ARE. In the example of Fig. 9, a circular area centered on the corresponding UI unit 5 is defined as the authentication area ARE.

[0053] The shooting direction and the field of view size of the two tracking cameras 2 are set so that each or each of them shoots a shooting area including at least the tracking area. The processor 101 executes information processing (hereinafter referred to as detection processing) for determining the current position of a person based on an image shot by the tracking camera 2, separately from the tracking processing described later. For example, the processor 101 attempts to detect a person reflected in an image shot by the tracking camera 2. If the processor 101 detects a person, it determines the position of the person. As a process for determining the position of a person reflected in an image from an image, various well-known processes can be appropriately used. If a camera device equipped with a distance measurement function such as a TOF camera or a stereo camera is used as the tracking camera 2, the processor 101 may determine the current position of the person by taking into account the measurement result of the function. The processor 101 executes the detection processing periodically at a predetermined interval.

[0054] 10 and 11 are flowcharts of the tracking process. In ACT11 of FIG. 10, the processor 101 waits for a new person to be tracked to be detected. For example, if the person detected as being located within the detection area by the above detection process is not a tracking target, the processor 101 judges YES and proceeds to ACT12. Note that when the processor 101 proceeds to ACT12 in this way, the processor 101 continues the tracking process and starts a tracking process in another thread. That is, in a situation where there are multiple people to be tracked, the processor 101 executes tracking processes for each of those people in parallel. Then, if the person detected as being located within the detection area by the detection process is not a tracking target in another tracking process, the processor 101 judges that the person is not a tracking target.

[0055] In ACT12, the processor 101 determines a tracking ID for the newly detected person so that the tracking ID does not overlap with the tracking IDs of other people to be tracked. In ACT13, the processor 101 updates the tracking database 1033 to manage the newly detected person as a tracked person. For example, the processor 101 adds a new data record DRB to the tracking database 1033. The processor 101 sets the tracking ID determined in ACT12 to field FE of the new data record DRB. The processor 101 turns off all of the flags in fields FF to FJ of the new data record DRB. The processor 101 sets detection data representing the current position and current date and time determined by the detection process for the newly detected person to field FK of the new data record DRB. The processor 101 does not include fields subsequent to field FL in the new data record DRB. As a result, the newly detected person is set as the tracking person. As described above, multiple tracking processes may be executed in parallel, and multiple tracking people may exist for the display fixture 110 at the same time, but in the following description, when the term "tracking person" is used, it refers to the tracking person that is the target of the tracking process being described.

[0056] In ACT14, the processor 101 checks whether the person being tracked has moved. If the processor 101 cannot check the movement of the person being tracked, it judges the result as NO and proceeds to ACT15. In ACT 15, the processor 101 checks whether the person being tracked has been lost. If tracking of the person being tracked is continuing, the processor 101 determines "NO" and returns to ACT 14. Thus, in ACT14 and ACT15, the processor 101 waits for the person being tracked to move or be lost.

[0057] For example, each time a new result of the detection process is obtained, the processor 101 identifies a tracking person from among the newly detected people based on the current position of the newly detected person and the position represented in the detection data set in the data record DRB associated with the tracking person. Then, the processor 101 judges whether the tracking person has moved or not based on the relationship between the current position of the tracking person and the position represented in the detection data set at the end of the data record DRB associated with the tracking person. For example, the processor 101 judges that the tracking person has moved if the distance between the above two positions is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold. Then, the processor 101 judges YES in ACT14 if the tracking person has moved, and proceeds to ACT16.

[0058] In ACT16, the processor 101 checks whether the current location of the person being tracked is within the purchasing area ARA. If the current location of the person being tracked is outside the purchasing area ARA, the processor 101 judges the result as NO and proceeds to ACT17. In ACT 17, the processor 101 checks whether the current position of the person being tracked is outside the detection area ARB. If the current position of the person being tracked is within the detection area ARB, the processor 101 judges that the result is NO, and returns to ACT 14. Thus, in ACT14 to ACT17, the processor 101 waits for the person to move into the purchasing area ARA or move in the opposite direction to the purchasing area ARA and leave the detection area ARB.

[0059] If the person being tracked leaves the detection area ARB without entering the purchasing area ARA, the processor 101 judges YES in ACT17 and proceeds to ACT18. Incidentally, the processor 101 determines that a data record DRB associated with a person to be tracked in the tracking database 1033 is lost if it is not updated for a predetermined period of time. If a loss occurs during the standby state of ACT14 and ACT15, the processor 101 determines YES in ACT15 and proceeds directly to ACT18.

[0060] In ACT18, the processor 101 updates the tracking database 1033 so as to exclude the tracking person from the tracking persons. For example, the processor 101 deletes the data record DRB in which the tracking ID of the tracking person is set in the field FE from the tracking database 1033. Then, the processor 101 ends the tracking process.

[0061] A person who wishes to purchase a bulk commodity displayed on the display fixture 110 will pass through the detection area ARB and proceed to the purchase area ARA. If the person being tracked moves in this manner, the processor 101 judges YES in ACT16 and proceeds to ACT19. In ACT19, the processor 101 turns on the monitoring flag set in the field FF of the data record DRB in which the tracking ID of the person to be tracked is set in the field FE.

[0062] In ACT20, the processor 101 adds a field in which new detection data is set to the end of the data record DRB in which the tracking ID of the tracking person is set in the field FE. The processor 101 sets the new detection data to data representing the current position and current time of the tracking person determined in the latest detection process. In this way, the detection data is added as the tracking person moves, and the movement trajectory of the tracking person is recorded.

[0063] In ACT21, the processor 101 checks whether the person being tracked has moved. If the processor 101 cannot check the movement of the person being tracked, it judges the result as NO and proceeds to ACT22. In ACT22, the processor 101 checks whether the person being tracked has been lost. If tracking of the person being tracked is continuing, the processor 101 determines "NO" and returns to ACT21. Thus, the processor 101 waits for the person to move or be lost in ACT 21 and ACT 22. If the processor 101 confirms that the person to be tracked has moved in the same manner as in ACT 14, it judges YES in ACT 21 and proceeds to ACT 23.

[0064] In ACT23, the processor 101 checks whether the current location of the person being tracked is within the purchasing area ARA. If the current location of the person being tracked is within the purchasing area ARA, the processor 101 judges that the result is YES, and proceeds to ACT24. In ACT24, the processor 101 checks whether the current location of the person to be tracked is within the first or second authentication area ARE. If the current location of the person to be tracked is within the first or second authentication area ARE, the processor 101 judges that the result is YES and proceeds to ACT25. In other words, if the person to be tracked is located within an area where the purchase area ARA and the first or second authentication area ARE overlap, the processor 101 proceeds to ACT25.

[0065] In ACT25, the processor 101 turns on a first authentication flag if the person to be tracked is located in a first authentication area, and turns on a second authentication flag if the person to be tracked is located in a second authentication area. Then, the processor 101 returns to ACT20, adds detection data related to the position of the person to be tracked after the person moves, and returns to the standby state in ACT21.

[0066] If the current location of the person to be tracked is within the purchasing area ARA but outside the first or second authentication area ARE, the processor 101 judges NO in ACT24 and proceeds to ACT26. In ACT26, the processor 101 turns off both the first authentication flag and the second authentication flag. Then, the processor 101 returns to ACT20, adds detection data related to the position of the tracked person after the person moves, and returns to the standby state in ACT21.

[0067] When the person to be tracked leaves the purchasing area ARA, the processor 101 judges NO in ACT23 and proceeds to ACT27 in FIG. In ACT 27, the processor 101 adds a field in which the detection data is set, similar to ACT 20. That is, the processor 101 adds new detection data to the data record DRB associated with the tracking person in order to record the above-mentioned movement of the tracking person.

[0068] In ACT28, the processor 101 checks whether the person being tracked has moved. If the processor 101 cannot check the movement of the person being tracked, it judges the result as NO and proceeds to ACT29. In ACT29, the processor 101 checks whether the person being tracked has been lost. If tracking of the person being tracked is continuing, the processor 101 determines "NO" and returns to ACT28. Thus, the processor 101 waits for the person to move or be lost in ACT28 and ACT29. If the processor 101 confirms that the person to be tracked has moved in the same manner as in ACT14, it judges YES in ACT28 and proceeds to ACT30.

[0069] In ACT30, the processor 101 checks whether the current location of the person being tracked is within the shopping area ARA. If the current location of the person being tracked is within the shopping area ARA, the processor 101 judges YES and returns to ACT20 in Fig. 10. In other words, if the person being tracked returns to the shopping area ARA, the processor 101 adds new detection data to record the above movement of the person being tracked, and then transitions to a standby state for ACT21 and ACT22.

[0070] If the person being tracked does not return to the purchasing area ARA, the processor 101 judges "NO" in ACT30 in FIG. 11, and proceeds to ACT31. In ACT31, the processor 101 checks whether the current location of the person being tracked is within the reserve area ARC. If the current location of the person being tracked is outside the reserve area ARC, the processor 101 determines that the result is NO, and returns to ACT27. That is, the processor 101 adds new detection data to record the above movement of the person being tracked, and then returns to the standby state of ACT28 and ACT29.

[0071] If the person being tracked leaves the purchasing area ARA and moves into the reserve area ARC without returning to the purchasing area ARA, the processor 101 judges YES in ACT31 and proceeds to ACT32. In ACT32, the processor 101 turns on the spare flag set in the field FI of the data record DRB in which the tracking ID of the person to be tracked is set in the field FE.

[0072] In ACT 33, the processor 101 checks whether the person being tracked has moved. If the processor 101 cannot check the movement of the person being tracked, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT 34. In ACT34, the processor 101 checks whether the person being tracked has been lost. If tracking of the person being tracked is continuing, the processor 101 determines "NO" and returns to ACT33. Thus, the processor 101 waits for the person to move or be lost in ACT 33 and ACT 34. If the processor 101 confirms that the person to be tracked has moved in the same manner as in ACT 14, it judges YES in ACT 33 and proceeds to ACT 35.

[0073] In ACT35, the processor 101 checks whether the current position of the person being tracked is within the defined area ARD. If the current position of the person being tracked is outside the defined area ARD, the processor 101 determines that the result is NO, and proceeds to ACT36. In ACT36, the processor 101 checks whether the current position of the person being tracked is within the reserve area ARC. If the current position of the person being tracked is within the reserve area ARC, the processor 101 judges that the result is YES, and returns to ACT33. Thus, in ACT33 to ACT36, the processor 101 waits for the person being tracked to move into the defined area ARD, to move in the opposite direction from the defined area ARD and leave the reserve area ARC, or to be lost.

[0074] If the person being tracked leaves the reserve area ARC without entering the determined area ARD, the processor 101 determines NO in ACT36 and proceeds to ACT37. In ACT37, the processor 101 turns off the spare flag set in the field FI of the data record DRB in which the tracking ID of the person being tracked is set in the field FE. Then, the processor 101 returns to ACT27, that is, the processor 101 adds new detection data to record the above-mentioned movement of the person being tracked, and then transitions to the standby state of ACT28 and ACT29.

[0075] When the person being tracked passes through the reserve area ARC and proceeds into the set area ARD to leave the display fixture 110, the processor 101 judges YES in ACT35 and proceeds to ACT38. In ACT38, the processor 101 adds a field in which the detection data is set, similar to ACT20. That is, the processor 101 adds new detection data to the data record DRB associated with the tracking person in order to record the above-mentioned movement of the tracking person. The processor 101 then proceeds to ACT39. If the processor 101 confirms that tracking of the person being tracked has been lost in either the standby state of ACT21 and ACT22 in FIG. 10, the standby state of ACT28 and ACT29 in FIG. 11, or the standby state of ACT33 and ACT34 in FIG. 11, it judges YES in ACT22, ACT29 or ACT34 and proceeds to ACT39 in FIG. 11.

[0076] In ACT39, the processor 101 turns off the monitoring flag set in the field FF of the data record DRB in which the tracking ID of the person to be tracked is set in the field FE. In ACT40, the processor 101 turns on the exit flag set in the field FJ of the data record DRB in which the tracking ID of the person being tracked is set in the field FE. The processor 101 then ends the tracking process.

[0077] By executing the tracking process as described above, the processor 101 can confirm in which area each person being tracked is located and their movement trajectory based on the tracking database 1033. The processor 101 also detects that the person being tracked has left the shelf 1 based on such tracking results.

[0078] On the other hand, when the display fixture 110 is in an operating state for handling customers, the processor 91 in the product monitoring unit 9 executes information processing (hereinafter referred to as monitoring processing) in accordance with the product monitoring program 931. The monitoring processing is information processing for monitoring the removal of bulk products displayed on the display fixture 110. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the monitoring process.

[0079] In ACT41, the processor 91 checks whether or not the weight of the bulk merchandise displayed on the display fixture 110 has decreased. If the processor 91 cannot check this event, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT42. In ACT42, the processor 91 checks whether or not the weight of the bulk merchandise displayed on the display fixture 110 has increased. If the processor 91 cannot check this event, it determines NO and returns to ACT41. Thus, the processor 91 waits for the weight of the bulk product to decrease or increase as ACT41 and ACT42.

[0080] When a customer removes a bulk product displayed on display fixture 110 using a removal tool such as tongs or a ladle, the weight of the bulk product displayed on display fixture 110 will decrease. In this case, the measurement value on weight scale 6 in the measurement area where the bulk product was placed will decrease. Also, when a bulk product that was once removed from display fixture 110 is returned to display fixture 110, the weight of the bulk product displayed on display fixture 110 will increase. In this case, the measurement value on weight scale 6 in the measurement area where the bulk product was placed will increase.

[0081] If the measurement value of any weighing scale 6 has decreased, processor 91 determines YES in ACT 41 and proceeds to ACT 43. Note that processor 91 determines that the measurement value of a weighing scale 6 has decreased, for example, if the measurement value acquired from a weighing scale 6 is smaller than the previous measurement value set in field FD of data record DRA associated with the same weighing scale 6 in product management database 932, and the difference between the two is equal to or greater than a specified value.

[0082] In ACT43, processor 91 determines which products are sold by weight and which have lost weight. For example, processor 91 finds, from product management database 932, a data record DRA in which the weighing scale ID of weighing scale 6 that measured the lost measurement value as described above is set in field FA. Processor 91 then determines which products are sold by weight and which have lost weight as products identified by the product code set in field FB of the corresponding data record DRA.

[0083] As ACT44, the processor 91 notifies the main processing unit 10 of the reduction in the weight-sold products. For example, the processor 91 sends notification data for notifying the reduction in the weight-sold products from the communication unit 94 to the intra-furniture communication path 8, addressed to the main processing unit 10. The processor 91 includes in the notification data identification data identifying that the notification is of a reduction, the product code of the weight-sold product whose weight has been reduced, and the measurement value of the reduction (amount of reduction).

[0084] On the other hand, if the measured value of any weighing scale 6 has increased, processor 91 determines YES in ACT 42 and proceeds to ACT 45. Note that processor 91 determines that the measured value of a weighing scale 6 has increased, for example, if the measured value acquired from a weighing scale 6 is greater than the previous measured value set in field FD of data record DRA associated with the same weighing scale 6 in product management database 932, and the difference between the two is equal to or greater than a specified value.

[0085] In ACT45, processor 91 determines which products are sold by weight and which have increased in weight. For example, processor 91 finds, from product management database 932, a data record DRA in which the weighing scale ID of weighing scale 6 that measured the increased measurement value as described above is set in field FA. Processor 91 then determines which products are sold by weight and which have increased in weight as products identified by the product code set in field FB of the corresponding data record DRA.

[0086] As ACT46, the processor 91 notifies the main processing unit 10 of an increase in the number of products sold by weight. For example, the processor 91 sends notification data for notifying the main processing unit 10 of an increase in the number of products sold by weight from the communication unit 94 to the intra-furniture communication path 8. The processor 91 includes in the notification data the identification data identifying that the notification is of an increase, the product code of the product sold by weight whose weight has increased, and the increased measurement value (amount of increase).

[0087] Once the processor 91 has completed the notification in ACT44 or ACT46, it proceeds to ACT47 in either case. In ACT47, processor 91 updates the previous measurement value set in field FD of data record DRA associated in product management database 932 with weighing scale 6 whose measurement value has changed, to the measurement value after the change. Then, processor 91 then returns to the standby state of ACT41 and ACT42.

[0088] When the display fixture 110 is in an operational state for servicing customers, the processor 101 in the main processing unit 10 executes information processing in accordance with the customer service program 1032 (hereinafter referred to as customer service processing) in addition to the detection processing and tracking processing described above. 13 and 14 are flowcharts of the customer service process.

[0089] The processor 101 checks whether or not the member ID has been notified in ACT51 in Fig. 13. If the processor 101 cannot confirm the notification, it judges the result as NO and proceeds to ACT52. In ACT52, the processor 101 checks whether or not a decrease notification has been made. If the processor 101 cannot confirm the notification, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT53. In ACT 53, the processor 101 checks whether or not an increase notification has been made. If the processor 101 cannot confirm the notification, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT 54. In ACT54, the processor 101 checks whether the exit flag is turned on. If the processor 101 cannot check the event, it judges the result as NO and returns to ACT51. Thus, the processor 101, as ACT51 to ACT54, waits for notification of a member ID, decrease or increase, or for the exit flag to be turned on.

[0090] Now, customers who have completed member registration are given a member ID to distinguish them from other customers. Also, customers who have registered as members can register payment information for payment by a payment method that does not involve the exchange of cash. The various personal information, member ID, and payment information of customers who have registered as members are managed by the sales management device 120 or the payment device 130, or are managed by a separate member server.

[0091] When a customer who has registered as a member wishes to use registered payment information to pay for the purchase of bulk products displayed on display fixtures 110, the customer has the UI unit 5 read the member ID. For example, the customer has a barcode representing the member ID displayed on a display device of a mobile information terminal carried by the customer, and has the barcode read by reader 52 of UI unit 5. Note that the method of reading the member ID in UI unit 5 may be any other method.

[0092] When the member ID is read by the reader 52 in the UI unit 5, the processor 53 notifies the main processing unit 10 of the member ID through information processing based on the UI program 551. For example, the processor 53 sends notification data including the member ID and identification data for identifying that the notification is of a member ID from the communication unit 57 to the in-furniture communication path 8, addressed to the main processing unit 10.

[0093] For example, if a customer is required to have the UI unit 5 read their member ID while facing the UI unit 5, and the size of the authentication area ARE is appropriately determined, the same authentication flag will not be on for multiple tracking persons when the member ID is read by the UI unit 5. However, the processor 53 may identify a tracking person who has performed an action that caused the member ID to be read, for example, based on an image captured by the surveillance camera 3 or an image captured by another TOF camera, and notify the tracking ID of the tracking person.

[0094] When notification data for notifying the member ID is received by the communication unit 104, the processor 101 in the main processing unit 10 judges YES in ACT51 and proceeds to ACT55. As ACT55, the processor 101 acquires the tracking ID of the person to be tracked corresponding to the customer who has had the UI unit 5 read the notified member ID. For example, if the member ID is notified from the first UI unit 5, the processor 101 finds from the tracking database 1033 a data record DRB in which the first authentication flag is set to ON. Also, if the member ID is notified from the second UI unit 5, the processor 101 finds from the tracking database 1033 a data record DRB in which the second authentication flag is set to ON. Then, the processor 101 acquires the tracking ID set in the field FE of the corresponding data record DRB. Note that if the processor 101 finds a plurality of data records DRB in which the authentication flag corresponding to the UI unit 5 that notified the member ID is set to ON, the processor 101 selects one data record DRB according to a predetermined rule. For example, the processor 101 selects a data record DRB in which the position represented by the detection data set in the last field is closer to the center of the authentication area.

[0095] As ACT 56, processor 101 performs authentication processing for the notified member ID. For example, processor 101 queries a device that monitors various personal information, member IDs, and payment information for customers who have registered as members, and verifies that the notified member ID is a legitimate member ID given to the member.

[0096] In ACT 57, the processor 101 checks whether the authentication has been successful. If the authentication has been successful, the processor 101 determines that the result is YES, and proceeds to ACT 58. In ACT58, the processor 101 updates the member management database 1034 to include a data record DRC for managing the member whose member ID was read by the UI unit 5. That is, the processor 101, for example, sets the notified member ID in field FM, and adds a new data record DRC in which the tracking ID acquired in ACT55 is set in field FN to the member management database 1034. Then, the processor 101 returns to the standby state of ACT51 to ACT54.

[0097] Thus, the processor 101 identifies the person to be tracked as the member identified by the notified member ID. The member is individually specified by membership registration. In other words, the processor 101 identifies the individual of the person to be tracked.

[0098] If the authentication in ACT56 fails, the processor 101 determines NO in ACT57 and proceeds to ACT59. In ACT59, processor 101 executes error processing. Error processing is processing for notifying the customer that authentication has failed. For example, processor 101 instructs UI unit 5 that reads the member ID to display a predetermined error screen for notifying the customer that authentication has failed. Alternatively, processor 101 instructs a mobile information terminal that displays a barcode representing the member ID to display the error screen. Then, processor 101 then returns to the standby state of ACT51 to ACT54.

[0099] When the communication unit 104 receives the notification data for the decrease notification, the processor 101 judges YES in ACT 52 and proceeds to ACT 60 in FIG. As ACT60, the processor 101 determines the person who removed the weight-reduced merchandise from the display fixture 110 using the removal tool. For example, the processor 101 extracts from the tracking database 1033 all data records DRB whose monitoring flags set in field FF are on, and determines all tracking persons identified by the tracking IDs set in field FE of the corresponding data records DRB as candidates for the remover. When a customer removes a merchandise sold by weight from the display fixture 110 using a removal tool, the customer extends his / her arm to the removal tool for removing the corresponding merchandise sold by weight, and after using the removal tool to remove the merchandise sold by weight, the customer pulls his / her arm back to place the merchandise sold by weight in a takeaway container. Therefore, the processor 101, for example, identifies a tracking person who has performed the above-mentioned actions among the tracking persons who are candidates for the remover based on an image captured by the surveillance camera 3, and determines the tracking person as the remover.

[0100] More specifically, the processor 101 identifies the person who performed the above-mentioned action by analyzing the changes in a plurality of images captured by the monitoring camera 3 during a monitoring period that is determined in advance, taking into consideration the period during which the above-mentioned action to take the bulk product is performed, and further determines the position of the person. The processor 101 selects the data record DRB in which the position indicated by the detection data set in the last field of the data record DRB is closest to the above-mentioned specified position from among the above-mentioned extracted data records DRB. Then, if the distance between the position indicated by the detection data set in the last field of the corresponding data record DRB and the above-mentioned specified position is shorter than a prescribed distance, the processor 101 determines the tracking person identified by the tracking ID set in the field FE of the corresponding data record DRB as the remover. If the processor 101 does not find the corresponding tracking person, it determines that the remover is unknown. In addition, the processor 101 measures the length of the arm of the person who removed the item based on the relationship between the position indicated in the detection data set in the last field of the selected data record DRB and the display position of the bulk product whose weight has decreased, and based on the image captured by the surveillance camera 3, and if the length is longer than a specified length, it may determine that the person who removed the item is unknown.

[0101] In many cases, when the arm is pulled back, the weighing scale 6 takes out a product sold by weight, causing a change in the measured value. However, since it takes some time for the measured value of the weighing scale 6 to stabilize due to the vibration of the shelf 11, etc., a time lag occurs before the weighing scale 6 outputs a new measured value. In other words, when the processor 101 receives the reduction notice, most of the actions of the remover removing the product sold by weight have been completed. In other words, the above monitoring period begins before the processor 101 receives the reduction notice. Therefore, the processor 101 buffers images taken by the surveillance camera 3 in the auxiliary storage unit 103 or the like for a certain period of time. Then, after receiving the reduction notice, the processor 101 analyzes the images related to the monitoring period among the buffered images. Alternatively, the processing as ACT60 may be executed by the processor 101 as processing of a thread separate from the customer response processing.

[0102] In ACT 61, the processor 101 checks whether the identification of the remover has been successful. If the processor 101 has identified the remover, the result is YES, and the process proceeds to ACT 62. In ACT62, the processor 101 checks whether the tracking person determined to be the extractor has been authenticated as a member. The processor 101 searches the member management database 1034 for a data record DRC in which the same tracking ID set in field FE of the data record DRB selected in ACT60 is set in field FN. If the corresponding data record DRC is found, the processor 101 determines YES and proceeds to ACT63.

[0103] In ACT63, the processor 101 requests the sales management device 120 to register the sale of the weight-reduced product. For example, the processor 101 sends request data for the request from the communication unit 104 to the in-furniture communication path 8, addressed to the sales management device 120. The request data is then relayed by the communication unit 7 and transmitted to the sales management device 120 via the communication network 140. The processor 101 includes in the request data an identification data for identifying that the request is a registration request, the product code of the weight-reduced product, the reduced measurement value, and the member ID. The processor 101 includes in the request data the product code included in the received notification data as the product code of the weight-reduced product. The processor 101 includes in the request data the reduced measurement value included in the received notification data as the reduced measurement value. The processor 101 includes in the request data the member ID set in the field FM of the data record DRC found in ACT62.

[0104] When the sales management device 120 receives the request data, it performs a registration process to register the bulk product identified by the product code included in the request data as a bulk product to be sold to the member identified by the member ID included in the request data by the amount of the decreased measurement value included in the request data. This registration process may be the same as that performed by a transaction processing device such as an existing POS terminal.

[0105] If the processor 101 confirms in ACT62 that the member has not been authenticated, it judges the result as NO and proceeds to ACT64. For example, if the processor 101 cannot find a data record DRC in which the same tracking ID set in field FE of the data record DRB selected in ACT60 is set in field FN, it judges that the member has not been authenticated.

[0106] As ACT64, the processor 101 performs a first alarm action. The first alarm action is an action for urging the user to make a payment for the bulk commodity taken out from the display fixture 110. As the first alarm action, the processor 101 instructs the UI unit 5 to display a predetermined screen, for example. As the first alarm action, the processor 101 instructs the UI unit 5 to output a predetermined voice message, for example. As the first alarm action, the processor 101 may perform any action other than the above, or may perform a plurality of types of actions. The content of the screen or voice message may be appropriately determined according to the circumstances of the store in which the display fixture 110 is installed. In the case of a store having a checkout corner where a clerk is present or a self-checkout corner, for example, the content is set to urge the user to make a payment at the checkout corner. In addition, in the case of a store where purchases of bulk products displayed on the display fixtures 110 are limited to members, the content may be, for example, to urge the person who takes out the bulk product to return it to a store clerk. This first warning operation makes it possible for a customer who does not understand the services provided by the store system 100 to take a bulk product from the shelf 1 to behave appropriately thereafter.

[0107] In addition, in cases where a customer who is not a member is allowed to pay for bulk products displayed on display fixtures 110 at a checkout corner manned by a store clerk or at a self-service checkout corner, the fact that a person to be tracked who has not completed membership authentication has taken bulk products from shelf 1 does not constitute an abnormal state. Therefore, the first alarm operation in this case is not an alarm for an abnormal state. In cases where a store limits purchase of bulk products displayed on display fixtures 110 to members only, the fact that a person to be tracked who has not completed membership authentication has taken bulk products from shelf 1 constitutes an abnormal state. Therefore, the first alarm operation in this case corresponds to an alarm for an abnormal state.

[0108] If the processor 101 is unable to identify the taker in ACT 60, it determines NO in ACT 61 and proceeds to ACT 65. This case applies when the processor 101 determines the taker to be unknown as described above in ACT 60. This case also applies when a person who is not being tracked by the tracking process due to some kind of failure takes out a bulk product.

[0109] In ACT65, the processor 101 performs a second alarm action. The second alarm action may be the same as the first alarm action. However, the second alarm action has different content from the first alarm action. For example, the content of the second alarm action may be content that urges the person who retrieves the item or the people around him / her to consult a store clerk. Alternatively, the second alarm action may be an instruction to display a screen or output a voice message to a terminal device used by the store clerk. In this case, the content of the second alarm action may be content that urges the store clerk to check the situation and take action. Since the customer does not know whether the tracking process is correctly performed, the abnormal state that occurs when the customer retrieves a bulk product from the shelf 1 is not the customer's responsibility, and the customer cannot understand the reason why it is considered abnormal. However, the customer consults a store clerk in accordance with the second alarm, and the abnormal state can be resolved by the store clerk dealing with the abnormal state appropriately. When the processor 101 finishes ACT63, ACT64 or ACT65, it returns to the standby state of ACT51 to ACT54 in FIG.

[0110] When the communication unit 104 receives the notification data for the increase notification described above, the processor 101 judges YES in ACT 53 in FIG. 13 and proceeds to ACT 66 in FIG. In ACT 66, the processor 101 checks whether the increase in the weight of the bulk product is valid. A customer may return a bulk product that was once removed from the display fixture 110 to a container in which another bulk product is stored on the display fixture 110. In this case, the weight of the other bulk product increases, but this increase in weight is not valid. In other words, if an increasing measurement value is obtained from the weighing scale 6 even though the previous measurement value has not decreased, the processor 101 determines that this is invalid. Also, a customer may return another product together with the bulk product that was once removed from the display fixture 110 to the same container. In this case, the weight of the bulk product increases, but this increase in weight is also invalid. In other words, if an increasing measurement value that is greater than the previous decreased measurement value is obtained, the processor 101 determines that this is invalid.

[0111] If the processor 101 confirms in ACT66 that the increase in the weight of the bulk product is not valid, it judges NO and proceeds to ACT67. In ACT67, the processor 101 performs a third alarm action. The third alarm action is an action for notifying a store clerk or the like that an improper return operation has been performed on the bulk product, and for urging the store clerk to take action. As the third alarm action, the processor 101 instructs, for example, a terminal device used by the store clerk to display a screen or output a voice message. As the third alarm action, the processor 101 may perform any other arbitrary action or may perform a plurality of types of actions. The content of the screen or voice message may be determined appropriately according to the circumstances of the store in which the display fixture 110 is installed. If the processor 101 confirms in ACT66 that the increase in the weight of the bulk product is valid, it determines that the answer is YES and proceeds to ACT68.

[0112] In ACT68, the processor 101 determines the person who returned the bulk product to the display fixture 110. For example, the processor 101 extracts from the tracking database 1033 all data records DRB whose monitoring flags set in field FF are on, and determines all tracking persons identified by the tracking IDs set in field FE of the corresponding data records DRB as candidates for the returner. When returning a bulk product to the display fixture 110, the customer extends his / her arm to the removal tool for returning the bulk product, uses the removal tool to return the bulk product, and then places the removal tool and pulls his / her arm. The processor 101, for example, identifies a tracking person who has performed the above-mentioned behavior among the tracking persons who are candidates for the returner based on an image captured by the surveillance camera 3, and determines the tracking person as the returner.

[0113] More specifically, the processor 101 identifies the person who performed the above-mentioned behavior by analyzing the changes in multiple images captured by the monitoring camera 3 during a monitoring period that is determined in advance, taking into account the period during which the above-mentioned behavior of returning the bulk product is performed, and further determines the position of the person. The processor 101 selects the data record DRB in which the position indicated by the detection data set in the last field of the data record DRB is closest to the above-mentioned specified position from among the above-mentioned extracted data records DRB. Then, if the distance between the position indicated by the detection data set in the last field of the corresponding data record DRB and the above-mentioned specified position is shorter than a specified distance, the processor 101 determines the tracking person identified by the tracking ID set in the field FE of the corresponding data record DRB as the returner. If the processor 101 cannot find the corresponding tracking person, it determines that the returner is unknown. In addition, the processor 101 measures the length of the returner's arm based on the relationship between the position indicated in the detection data set in the last field of the selected data record DRB and the display position of the increased bulk merchandise, and based on the image captured by the surveillance camera 3, and if the length is longer than a specified length, it may determine that the returner is unknown.

[0114] When bulk products are returned, the monitoring period begins before processor 101 receives an increase notification, as in the case when bulk products are taken out. Thus, processor 101, for example, buffers images captured by surveillance camera 3 in auxiliary storage unit 103 or the like for a certain period of time. After receiving an increase notification, processor 101 analyzes images related to the monitoring period among the buffered images. Alternatively, the processing as ACT68 may be executed by processor 101 as processing of a thread separate from the customer response processing.

[0115] In ACT 69, the processor 101 checks whether the determination of the returner has been successful. If the processor 101 has been able to determine the returner, it determines YES and proceeds to ACT 70. In ACT70, the processor 101 checks whether the tracking person determined to be the returner has been authenticated as a member. The processor 101 searches the member management database 1034 for a data record DRC in which the same tracking ID set in field FE of the data record DRB selected in ACT68 is set in field FN. If the corresponding data record DRC is found, the processor 101 determines YES and proceeds to ACT71.

[0116] In ACT71, the processor 101 requests the sales management device 120 to cancel the sale of the increased measurement value of the bulk product. For example, the processor 101 sends request data for this request from the communication unit 104 to the in-furniture communication path 8, addressed to the sales management device 120. The request data is then relayed by the communication unit 7 and transmitted to the sales management device 120 via the communication network 140. The processor 101 includes in the request data an identification data that identifies the request as a cancellation request, the product code of the bulk product to be canceled, the increased measurement value, and the member ID. The processor 101 includes in the request data the product code included in the received notification data as the product code of the bulk product to be canceled. The processor 101 includes in the request data the increased measurement value included in the received notification data as the increased measurement value. The processor 101 includes in the request data the member ID set in the field FM of the data record DRC found in ACT70.

[0117] When the sales management device 120 receives the above request data, it performs a cancellation process to subtract the weight of the bulk product identified by the product code included in the request data from the weight of the bulk product registered as being purchased by the member identified by the member ID included in the request data by the increased measurement value included in the request data.

[0118] If the processor 101 confirms in ACT70 that the member has not been authenticated, it judges NO and proceeds to ACT72. For example, if the processor 101 cannot find in the member management database 1034 a data record DRC in which the same tracking ID set in field FE of the data record DRB selected in ACT68 is set in field FN, it judges that the member has not been authenticated. This case corresponds to a case where a customer who does not understand the service provided by the store system 100 takes a product sold by weight from shelf 1, is surprised by the first alarm operation that is performed in response to the removal of the product sold by weight from shelf 1, and the customer hastily returns the product sold by weight to shelf 1.

[0119] Also, if the processor 101 is unable to determine the person who returned the item in ACT 68, it determines NO in ACT 69 and proceeds to ACT 72. This case applies when the processor 101 determines in ACT 68 that the person who returned the item is unknown, as described above. This case also applies when a person who has not been tracked by the tracking process due to some kind of failure returns a bulk product.

[0120] As ACT72, processor 101 performs a fourth alarm action. The fourth alarm action is an action for notifying a store clerk or the like that a fraudulent return of a bulk product has been performed and urging them to take action. As the fourth alarm action, processor 101 instructs, for example, a terminal device used by the store clerk to display a screen or output a voice message. As the fourth alarm action, processor 101 may perform any other action or may perform a plurality of types of actions. The content of the screen, voice message, etc. may be determined as appropriate depending on the circumstances of the store in which display fixture 110 is installed.

[0121] When the processor 101 finishes ACT67, ACT71 or ACT72, it returns to the standby state of ACT51 to ACT54 in FIG.

[0122] If the exit flag set in the field FJ in any of the data records DRB included in the tracking database 1033 is changed from OFF to ON, the processor 101 judges YES in ACT54 in FIG. 13 and proceeds to ACT73. In ACT73, the processor 101 checks whether the tracking person associated with the exit flag changed to ON has been authenticated as a member. The processor 101 selects a data record DRB in which the exit flag changed to ON is set in field FJ from the tracking database 1033. The processor 101 then searches the member management database 1034 for a data record DRC in which the same tracking ID set in field FE of the selected data record DRB is set in field FN. If the corresponding data record DRC is found, the processor 101 determines YES and proceeds to ACT74.

[0123] In ACT74, the processor 101 requests the sales management device 120 to start settlement. For example, the processor 101 sends request data for this request from the communication unit 104 to the in-furniture communication path 8, addressed to the sales management device 120. The request data is then relayed by the communication unit 7 and transmitted to the sales management device 120 via the communication network 140. The processor 101 includes in the request data identification data that identifies this as a request to start settlement, and the member ID set in the field FM of the data record DRC found in ACT73. The processor 101 then returns to the standby state of ACT51 to ACT54. If the member has not been authenticated and the corresponding data record DRC cannot be found, the processor 101 judges NO in ACT73, passes ACT74, and returns to the standby state of ACT51 to ACT54.

[0124] When the sales management device 120 receives the request data, it instructs the payment device 130 to settle the price of the registered bulk product for the member identified by the member ID included in the request data. When the payment device 130 receives the instruction, it settles the price using the payment information registered for the member. This settlement process may be a well-known settlement process such as credit settlement or electronic money settlement.

[0125] As is clear from the above explanation, the product monitoring unit 9 of the display fixture 110 constitutes a reduction amount acquisition means by executing the processes of ACT41, ACT43, and ACT44 in Fig. 12. That is, the processor 91 of the product monitoring unit 9 acquires the reduction amount when the weight of the product measured by the measuring means, i.e., the weighing scale 6, changes in the decreasing direction.

[0126] The main processing unit 10 of the display fixture 110 constitutes an identification means by executing the processes of ACT60 to ACT62 in Fig. 14. That is, the processor 101 of the main processing unit 10 identifies the customer who removed the product whose weight has decreased from the display section, i.e., the shelf 1.

[0127] The main processing unit 10 of the display fixture 110 constitutes an output means by executing the process of ACT63 in Fig. 14. That is, the processor 101 of the main processing unit 10 outputs the customer identification information identified by the identification means and the information on the sales of the product based on the reduction amount acquired by the reduction amount acquisition means to the sales management device 120 for managing the information on the sales in association with the customer identification information.

[0128] Thus, according to this embodiment, when the weight of a product sold by weight measured by the weighing scale 6 of the display fixture 110 changes in a decreasing direction, the amount of the decrease is obtained. In addition, the customer who removed the product sold by weight that has changed in the decreasing direction is identified. Then, the member ID of the identified customer, the product code of the product sold by weight, and the amount of the decrease are output to the sales management device 120. Therefore, by installing the display fixture 110, it is possible to support the sale of products sold by weight for which a unit price per unit weight is set.

[0129] Moreover, the product monitoring unit 9 of the display fixture 110 constitutes an increase amount acquisition means by executing the processes of ACT42, ACT45, and ACT46 in Fig. 12. That is, the processor 91 of the product monitoring unit 9 acquires the increase amount when the weight of the product measured by the weighing scale 6 changes in the increasing direction.

[0130] The main processing unit 10 of the display fixture 110 constitutes a warning means by executing the processes of ACT66 and ACT67 in Fig. 14. That is, the processor 101 of the main processing unit 10 issues a warning when the amount of increase is improper.

[0131] Thus, according to this embodiment, if a customer returns a bulk product that has been removed from the display fixture 110 to a container in which another bulk product is stored on the display fixture 110, the weight of the other bulk product will increase. If such an inappropriate increase is detected, an alarm is issued. This can prevent customers from inappropriately returning bulk products. Furthermore, the burden on the store clerk is reduced because the store clerk does not need to constantly monitor customers.

[0132] Furthermore, the main processing unit 10 of the display fixture 110 constitutes a second identification means by executing the processes of ACT66, ACT68 to ACT70 in Fig. 14. That is, the processor 101 of the main processing unit 10 identifies the customer who returned the product whose weight has increased to the shelf 1 when the increase amount acquired by the increase amount acquisition means is valid. Then, by executing the process of ACT71 in Fig. 14, the processor 101 of the main processing unit 10 outputs to the sales management device 120 the identification information of the customer identified by the second identification means and information related to the cancellation of the product based on the increase amount acquired by the increase amount acquisition means.

[0133] Thus, according to this embodiment, when a customer returns a bulk product that was once removed from display fixture 110 to a container in display fixture 110 that contains the same bulk product, and a valid increase is obtained, a request for cancellation processing to subtract the weight from the weight of the bulk product registered as purchased by the member identified by the member ID is output to sales management device 120. Therefore, if the customer is an authenticated member, he or she is allowed to freely return the bulk product that was once removed from shelf 1 to shelf 1.

[0134] The main processing unit 10 of the display fixture 110 constitutes a tracking means by executing the processes of ACT11 to ACT25 in Fig. 10 and ACT27 to ACT40 in Fig. 11. That is, the processor 101 of the main processing unit 10 tracks customers who are in an area defined based on the position of the shelf 1. Then, the processor 101 of the main processing unit 10 executes the processes of ACT60 to ACT62 in Fig. 14 to identify customers who are in the area and who are capable of removing from the shelf 1 an item whose weight has decreased.

[0135] In this manner, according to the present embodiment, by tracking customers in the purchasing area ARA, customers who can take out the bulk merchandise that has decreased in the display fixtures 110 are identified. Therefore, by installing the display fixtures 110, an unmanned store can be realized.

[0136] This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows. The appearance of the display fixture 110 shown in Fig. 1 is an example, and the display fixture 110 of the embodiment may be realized in any other form. For example, it may be of another type, such as a platform type or a top-opening type. In addition, the opening surface may be provided with an openable door.

[0137] For the purpose of keeping the container warm or cold, a door may be provided that allows the opening to be closed.

[0138] The conditions for detecting that the person being tracked has left the shelf 1 can be changed as appropriate. For example, it may be detected that the person being tracked has left the shelf 1 simply when the person has entered the determined area ARD, without taking the reserve area ARC into consideration. Also, for example, it may be detected that the person being tracked has left the shelf 1 when the person being tracked, once located in the purchasing area ARA, is now outside the purchasing area ARA.

[0139] The tracking process, monitoring process, or customer response process may be distributed among multiple computers. The tracking process, monitoring process, and customer response process may all be processed by the same computer. The tracking process and customer response process may each be processed by separate computers. The tracking process, monitoring process, and customer response process may each be processed by separate computers, or the tracking process, monitoring process, and customer response process may each be processed by separate computers.

[0140] At least a part of the registration process in the sales management device 120 may be executed by the processor 91 or the processor 101. At least a part of the payment process in the payment device 130 may be executed by the processor 91 or the processor 101. At least a part of the customer handling process may be executed by the sales management device 120.

[0141] Even if the member has already been authenticated, the payment may be made at a checkout corner manned by a store clerk or at a self-service checkout corner.

[0142] Products sold by weight may be registered in association with a tracking ID. Then, if member authentication is performed after registration of products sold by weight is started, the product sold by weight may be associated with a member ID. Alternatively, a payment device installed in the tracking area may be used to make a payment for products sold by weight associated with a tracking person located in an area corresponding to the payment device.

[0143] Instead of using a tracking ID, the person to be tracked may be identified by a member ID.

[0144] Member authentication may be performed by biometric authentication such as face recognition based on an image captured by the tracking camera 2.

[0145] When the product sold by weight is a food product, for example, the nutritional value per unit weight may be included in the data record DRA included in the product management database 932. Then, the nutritional value according to the weight loss of the product sold by weight taken out by the customer may be output to the sales management device 120.

[0146] Each function realized by the processor 53, 91 or 101 through information processing can be realized in part or in whole by hardware that executes information processing not based on a program, such as a logic circuit, etc. Also, each of the above functions can be realized by combining the above hardware, such as the logic circuit, with software control.

[0147] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. The original claims are set forth below. [1] A measuring means for measuring the weight of the products displayed in the display section; a weight loss acquisition means for acquiring a weight loss amount when the weight of the product measured by the measuring means has decreased; an identification means for identifying a customer who removed the product whose weight has decreased from the display unit; an output means for outputting the identification information of the customer identified by the identification means and information related to the sale of the commodity based on the reduction amount acquired by the reduction amount acquisition means to a sales management device for managing the information related to the sale in association with the identification information of the customer; A sales support device comprising: [2] an increase amount acquiring means for acquiring an increase amount of the weight of the product measured by the measuring means when the weight of the product changes in an increasing direction; an alarm means for issuing an alarm when the increase amount is inappropriate; The sales support device according to [1], further comprising: [3] a second identification means for identifying a customer who has returned the commodity whose weight has increased to the display unit when the increase acquired by the increase acquisition means is valid; Further comprising: The output means outputs, to the sales management device, the identification information of the customer identified by the second identification means and information related to the cancellation of the product based on the increase amount acquired by the increase amount acquisition means. [2] The sales support device described in the above. [4] a tracking means for tracking customers within a defined area based on the position of the display unit; Further comprising: The identification means identifies customers within the area who are able to remove the product whose weight has decreased from the display section. [5] When the weight of the product measured by a measuring means for measuring the weight of the product displayed in the display section changes in a decreasing direction, the amount of the decrease is acquired; Identifying a customer who removed the product whose weight has decreased from the display unit; outputting the identified customer's identification information and information related to the sales of the product based on the reduction amount to a sales management device for managing the information related to the sales in association with the customer's identification information; Sales support methods. [6] Computer, a weight reduction acquisition means for acquiring the weight reduction amount of the merchandise displayed in the display section when the weight reduction amount of the merchandise measured by the weight reduction means changes in a decreasing direction; An identification means for identifying a customer who removed the product whose weight has decreased from the display unit; and an output means for outputting the identification information of the customer identified by the identification means and information related to the sales of the commodity based on the reduction amount acquired by the reduction amount acquisition means to a sales management device for managing the information related to the sales in association with the identification information of the customer; A control program that functions as a [Explanation of symbols]

[0148] 1...shelf, 11...shelf board, 12...caster, 13...handle, 14...support member, 2...tracking camera, 3...surveillance camera, 4...projector, 5...user interface unit (UI unit), 51...touch panel, 52...reader, 53...processor, 54...main memory, 55...auxiliary storage unit, 56...sound unit, 57...communication unit, 58...transmission path, 6...weighing scale, 7...communication unit, 8...furniture communication path, 9...product monitoring unit, 9 1...processor, 92...main memory, 93...auxiliary memory unit, 94...communication unit, 95...interface unit, 96...transmission path, 10...main processing unit, 101...processor, 102...main memory, 103...auxiliary memory unit, 104...communication unit, 105...interface unit, 106...transmission path, 100...store system, 110...display fixtures, 120...sales management device, 130...payment device, 140...communication network.

Claims

1. A measuring means for measuring the weight of the products displayed in the display section; a weight loss acquisition means for acquiring a weight loss amount when the weight of the product measured by the measuring means has decreased; A first camera that captures an image of an area defined based on the position of the display unit; a tracking means for tracking customers in the area defined based on the position of the display unit, based on an image captured by the first camera; A second camera that captures an image of an opening surface of the display unit and a space outside the opening surface; an identification means for monitoring the behavior of customers reaching into the display section based on an image captured by the second camera among customers in the area tracked by the tracking means who are candidates for the customer who removed the product, and identifying the customer who removed the product from the display section whose weight has decreased; an output means for outputting identification information of the customer identified by the identification means and tracked by the tracking means, and information related to the sales of the product based on the reduction amount acquired by the reduction amount acquisition means, to a sales management device for managing the information related to the sales in association with the identification information of the customer; A sales support device comprising:

2. an increase amount acquiring means for acquiring an increase amount of the weight of the product measured by the measuring means when the weight of the product changes in an increasing direction; an alarm means for issuing an alarm when the increase amount is inappropriate; Further comprising: The inappropriate increase is when the weight of the product measured by the measuring means increases even though the previous weight of the product measured by the measuring means has not decreased, or when the weight of the product measured by the measuring means increases by a larger amount than the previous weight of the product measured by the measuring means, which has decreased.

2. The sales support device according to claim 1.

3. a second identification means for identifying a customer who has returned the commodity whose weight has increased to the display section when the increase acquired by the increase acquisition means is not inappropriate; Further comprising: the output means outputs, to the sales management device, the identification information of the customer identified by the second identification means and information related to the cancellation of the product based on the increase amount acquired by the increase amount acquisition means.

3. The sales support device according to claim 2.

4. A sales support method executed by a sales support device, comprising: When the weight of the product measured by a measuring means for measuring the weight of the product displayed in the display section changes in a decreasing direction, the amount of the decrease is acquired; Tracking customers in an area defined based on the position of the display unit based on an image captured by a first camera that captures an image of the area defined based on the position of the display unit; among customers in the tracked area who are candidates for the person who removed the product, monitoring the behavior of the customers reaching into the display section based on images taken by a second camera that photographs the opening of the display section and the space outside the opening, and identifying the customer who removed the product from the display section whose weight has decreased; outputting identification information of the tracked customer who is the specified customer and information related to the sales of the product based on the reduction amount to a sales management device for managing the information related to the sales in association with the identification information of the customer; Sales support methods.

5. Computer, a weight reduction acquisition means for acquiring the weight reduction amount of the merchandise displayed in the display section when the weight of the merchandise measured by the weight measurement means changes in a decreasing direction; a tracking means for tracking customers present within an area defined based on the position of the display unit, based on an image captured by a first camera that captures the area defined based on the position of the display unit; an identification means for monitoring the behavior of customers reaching into the display section based on images captured by a second camera that captures the opening of the display section and the space outside the opening, among customers in the area tracked by the tracking means who are candidates for the customer who removed the product, and identifying the customer who removed the product from the display section whose weight has decreased; and an output means for outputting identification information of the customer identified by the identification means and tracked by the tracking means, and information related to the sales of the commodity based on the reduction amount acquired by the reduction amount acquisition means, to a sales management device for managing the information related to the sales in association with the identification information of the customer; A control program that functions as a

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