Self-checkout device and program

Abstract

To provide a self-checkout device and a program that can reduce the burden of monitoring customers by store clerks.SOLUTION: A self-checkout device according to the embodiment includes: an estimation unit that estimates the degree of proficiency based on the operation status of a user operating the self- checkout device; and a notification unit that notifies the clerk that the user is unfamiliar with the operation based on the degree of proficiency estimated by the estimation unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to a self-checkout device and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, retail stores such as supermarkets are equipped with POS (Point Of Sales) terminals that allow store clerks to perform product registration and payment processes when they are operated by store clerks. In recent years, an increasing number of retail stores are installing self-service POS terminals that allow customers to perform product registration and payment processes when they are operated by store clerks.

[0003] However, when a customer has difficulty operating a self-service POS terminal, there are cases where the customer seeks help from a store clerk who is monitoring the terminal. Although the self-service POS terminal is equipped with a button or the like for calling a store clerk, customers who are not familiar with the operation may have difficulty in calling a store clerk or may not even know that the button exists, so that the store clerk must visually check the customer's behavior. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present invention is to provide a self-checkout device and a program that can reduce the burden on store clerks of monitoring customers. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A self-checkout device according to an embodiment includes an estimation unit that estimates a proficiency level of a user based on an operation status of the user operating the device, and a notification unit that notifies a store clerk that the user is unfamiliar with operations based on the proficiency level estimated by the estimation unit. a display control unit that displays, on a display device, an operator for instructing to call a store clerk based on the proficiency level estimated by the estimation unit; Equipped with. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1]FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a self-checkout system according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the self-checkout POS terminal according to the embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a characteristic functional configuration of the self-checkout POS terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of a store clerk call screen according to the embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of the store clerk terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a characteristic functional configuration of the store clerk terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a registration process of the self-checkout POS terminal according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of a transaction process of the self-checkout POS terminal according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a self-checkout system and a program will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that the embodiment described below is one embodiment of a self-checkout system and a program, and is not intended to limit the configuration, specifications, etc. of the self-checkout system and the program.

[0008] (Self-checkout system configuration) 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a self-checkout system 1 according to a first embodiment. The self-checkout system 1 includes a self-POS terminal 10 and a store clerk terminal 20.

[0009] These devices are connected to each other via a network N such as a LAN (Local Area Network) or a VPN (Virtual Private Network). Although the self-checkout system 1 shown in FIG. 1 includes multiple self-POS terminals 10 and one store clerk terminal 20, the number of each device is arbitrary.

[0010] The self-checkout terminal 10 is, for example, a self-checkout device in which a product registration process for registering a product to be purchased and a transaction process for the product registered by the product registration process are executed by a customer. The self-checkout terminal 10 is an example of a self-checkout device. A detailed description of the self-checkout terminal 10 will be given later.

[0011] The store clerk terminal 20 is, for example, a terminal device used by a store clerk when performing monitoring operations of the self-service POS terminal 10 or the like.

[0012] An example of the clerk terminal 20 is an attendant terminal. The attendant terminal is a device for monitoring the status of each self-service POS terminal 10. The clerk terminal 20 may be a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet. The clerk terminal 20 is an example of a terminal device. A detailed description of the clerk terminal 20 will be given later.

[0013] (Hardware configuration of self-service POS terminal) Next, a description will be given of the hardware configuration of each device included in the self-checkout system 1. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the self-checkout POS terminal 10.

[0014] The self-service POS terminal 10 comprises a control unit 101, a storage unit 102, a communication interface 103, a display unit 104, an operation unit 105, a printing unit 106, a cash deposit / withdrawal unit 107, a scanner 108, a camera 109, a card reader / writer 110, and a patrol lamp 111. These units are interconnected via a system bus 112 such as a data bus or an address bus.

[0015] The control unit 101 is a computer that controls the overall operation of the self-service POS terminal 10 and realizes various functions of the self-service POS terminal 10. The control unit 101 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), and a RAM (Random Access Memory).

[0016] The CPU comprehensively controls the operation of the self-service POS terminal 10. The ROM is a storage medium that stores various programs and data. The RAM is a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and data. The CPU executes programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit 102, etc., using the RAM as a work area.

[0017] The storage unit 102 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 102 stores a control program 113, a product master 114, a registered product table 115, and a proficiency level determination table 116. The product master 114, the registered product table 115, and the proficiency level determination table 116 may be stored in a store server (not shown) that manages various devices including the self-service POS terminal 10 installed in the store.

[0018] The control program 113 is a program for implementing the operating system and functions of the self-service POS terminal 10. The control program 113 includes a program for implementing characteristic functions according to this embodiment.

[0019] The product master 114 stores product information of various products sold in the store. For example, the product information includes a product code that can identify the product, a product name, a price, and the like.

[0020] The registered product table 115 is an information table that stores product information of products registered by the product registration process.

[0021] The skill level determination table 116 is an information table that stores information for estimating a skill level indicating a degree of skill in operating the self-checkout POS terminal 10 of a customer (hereinafter, an example of a user) who uses the self-checkout POS terminal 10.

[0022] For example, proficiency determination table 116 stores the time interval for reading a product code by scanner 108 (hereinafter also referred to as reading time interval) in association with a quantified proficiency. Also, for example, proficiency determination table 116 stores the time interval between each operation involved in a transaction (hereinafter also referred to as transaction operation time interval) in association with a proficiency.

[0023] The communication interface 103 is an interface for communicating with the store clerk terminal 20 via the network N.

[0024] The display unit 104 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, etc. The operation unit 105 is, for example, a touch panel laminated on the display unit 104. The display unit 104 is an example of a display device.

[0025] The printing unit 106 is, for example, a printer that prints a receipt showing the details of a transaction.

[0026] The deposit / withdrawal unit 107 is, for example, an automatic change machine that executes deposit and withdrawal of coins, bills, etc. The deposit / withdrawal unit 107 accepts deposits of currency such as coins and bills as payment for products. In addition, when there is change, the deposit / withdrawal unit 107 dispenses the amount of change.

[0027] The scanner 108 is a device that reads information required for product registration processing from a product, and includes a solid-state imaging element such as a charge coupled device (CCD) or a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS).

[0028] For example, the scanner 108 captures an image of a code symbol attached to a product and reads the product code from the code symbol. The scanner 108 is an example of a reading unit.

[0029] The camera 109 is a device that captures images of customer behavior. The camera 109 includes a solid-state imaging element such as a CCD or a CMOS. The camera 109 is provided, for example, at a high position on the self-service POS terminal 10 so as to capture images of the behavior of a customer operating the self-service POS terminal 10. A plurality of cameras 109 may be provided. The camera 109 may be a separate entity from the self-service POS terminal 10.

[0030] The video (image) captured by the camera 109 is transmitted by the communication control unit 1001 to the store clerk terminal 30 as a self POS video associated with a self POS terminal code capable of identifying the self POS terminal 10. In this embodiment, the self POS video is transmitted to the store clerk terminal 30 in real time. The self POS video is used, for example, by the store clerk to check the behavior of the customer.

[0031] The card reader / writer 110 is a device that reads and writes information stored in a storage medium attached to a card. The card reader / writer 110 reads and writes various information from and to the storage medium of a credit card.

[0032] The patrol lamp 111 is a warning light that notifies a store clerk that an abnormality or the like has occurred in the self-service POS terminal 10.

[0033] (Functional configuration of self-service POS terminal) Next, a description will be given of characteristic functions of the self-service POS terminal 10. Here, Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of a characteristic functional configuration of the self-service POS terminal 10.

[0034] The control unit 101 of the self-service POS terminal 10 loads the control program 113 in the storage unit 102 onto the RAM, and operates according to the control program 113 to generate each of the functional units shown in FIG.

[0035] Specifically, the control unit 101 of the self-service POS terminal 10 has, as functional units, a communication control unit 1001, an operation control unit 1002, a customer code input unit 1003, a product registration unit 1004, an accounting processing unit 1005, a measurement unit 1006, an estimation unit 1007, a detection unit 1008, a display control unit 1009, and a notification unit 1010.

[0036] The communication control unit 1001 controls the communication interface 103 to control communication via the network N. For example, the communication control unit 1001 transmits a self-checkout POS image to the store clerk terminal 20.

[0037] An operation control unit 1002 controls the operation unit 105 to accept various operations.

[0038] A customer code input unit 1003 controls the card reader / writer 110 to accept input of a customer code stored in a customer card.

[0039] The product registration unit 1004 executes a product registration process for registering products purchased by a customer through an operation by the customer. The product registration unit 1004 accepts input of a product code by, for example, reading a code symbol attached to a product with the scanner 108. The product registration unit 1004 extracts product information of the input product code from the product master 114. Then, the product registration unit 1004 registers the extracted product information in the registered product table 115.

[0040] The accounting processing unit 1005 controls the deposit / withdrawal unit 107 to execute accounting. For example, the accounting processing unit 1005 calculates the total price of the products registered in the registered product table 115 by the product registration unit 1004. The accounting processing unit 1005 compares the currency deposited in the deposit / withdrawal unit 107 with the calculated total price to determine whether or not there is change. If there is change, the accounting processing unit 1005 causes the deposit / withdrawal unit 107 to dispense the change.

[0041] The measurement unit 1006 measures the time related to various processes of the self-service POS terminal 10. For example, the measurement unit 1006 measures the reading time interval. Specifically, the measurement unit 1006 measures the time from when the product registration unit 1004 completes the product registration process of a certain product to when the product registration unit 1004 completes the product registration process of the next product as the reading time interval.

[0042] Furthermore, for example, the measurement unit 1006 measures the transaction operation time interval. Specifically, the measurement unit 1006 works in cooperation with the operation control unit 1002 to measure the transaction operation time interval as the time from when a button input for performing a certain operation included in the transaction process is received to when a button input for performing the next operation is received.

[0043] The estimation unit 1007 estimates the proficiency level based on the operation status of the customer who operates the self-service POS terminal 10. For example, the estimation unit 1007 estimates the proficiency level according to the reading time interval. Specifically, the estimation unit 1007 refers to the proficiency level determination table 116, and estimates the proficiency level associated with the reading time interval measured by the measurement unit 1006 as the proficiency level of the customer. At this time, the estimation unit 1007 estimates the customer's proficiency level to be higher as the reading time interval is shorter.

[0044] Furthermore, for example, the estimation unit 1007 estimates the proficiency level according to the transaction operation time interval. Specifically, the estimation unit 1007 references the proficiency determination table 116, and estimates as the customer's proficiency the proficiency level associated with the transaction operation time interval measured by the measurement unit 1006. At this time, the estimation unit 1007 estimates the customer's proficiency level to be higher the shorter the transaction operation time interval.

[0045] The detection unit 1008 detects a customer who is inexperienced in operating the self-service POS terminal 10 based on the proficiency level estimated by the estimation unit 1007. Specifically, when the proficiency level estimated by the estimation unit 1007 is lower than a threshold value, the detection unit 1008 detects the customer as being inexperienced in operating the self-service POS terminal 10.

[0046] In this example, the estimation unit 1007 estimates the customer's proficiency every time the measurement unit 1006 measures the reading time interval or the transaction operation time interval, and the detection unit 1008 attempts detection every time the estimation unit 1007 estimates the proficiency. However, when the estimation unit 1007 estimates the proficiency a predetermined number of times, if the average proficiency falls below a threshold, the detection unit 1008 may detect the customer as being inexperienced in operating the self-service POS terminal 10.

[0047] The display control unit 1009 controls the display of various screens on the display unit 104. For example, the display control unit 1009 displays a product registration screen that is displayed when a customer registers a product to be purchased. The display control unit 1009 also displays a checkout processing screen that is displayed during checkout processing.

[0048] Furthermore, the display control unit 1009 displays an operator for instructing to call a store clerk on the display unit 104 based on the proficiency level estimated by the estimation unit 1007. For example, when the detection unit 1008 detects a customer who is inexperienced in operating the self-service POS terminal 10, the display control unit 1009 displays a call screen for instructing to call a store clerk on the display unit 104.

[0049] The notification unit 1010 notifies the store clerk that the customer is unfamiliar with the operation based on the proficiency level estimated by the estimation unit 1007. For example, when the customer instructs the store clerk to call, the notification unit 1010 notifies the store clerk terminal 20 that the customer is unfamiliar with the operation.

[0050] Hereinafter, calling a store clerk will be described in detail with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of a store clerk calling screen.

[0051] When the detection unit 1008 detects a customer who is unfamiliar with operating the self-service POS terminal 10, the display control unit 1009 displays a pop-up of a store clerk call screen 1041. The store clerk call screen 1041 is composed of a message 1042 saying "A store clerk will be called," an "OK" button 1043, and a "CANCEL" button 1044.

[0052] For example, when the operation control unit 1002 receives an input of an "OK" button from a customer, the notification unit 1010 generates a call notification. The call notification includes an identification code for identifying the self-service POS terminal 10 that sent the notification, and information that the customer is calling a store clerk. The notification unit 1010 controls the communication control unit 1001 to transmit the generated notification to the store clerk terminal 20.

[0053] Here, it is considered that the reason why a customer calls a store clerk is because the customer is unfamiliar with the operation, so the notification that the customer is calling a store clerk can be said to be an example of a notification that the customer is unfamiliar with the operation.

[0054] In addition, when the detection unit 1008 detects a customer who is unfamiliar with operating the self-service POS terminal 10, the notification unit 1010 may immediately send a notification to the store clerk terminal 20 without displaying an instruction to call a store clerk.

[0055] Furthermore, when the detection unit 1008 detects a customer who is unfamiliar with operating the self-service POS terminal 10, the display control unit 1009 may highlight the call button that is previously displayed on the display unit 104. In this case, the display control unit 1009 highlights the call button that is previously displayed, for example, by blinking or enlarging it.

[0056] (Hardware configuration of store clerk terminal) 5 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the clerk terminal 20. The clerk terminal 20 comprises a control unit 201, a storage unit 202, a communication interface 203, a display unit 204, and an operation unit 205. These units are connected to each other via a system bus 206 such as a data bus or an address bus.

[0057] The control unit 201 is a computer that controls the overall operation of the clerk terminal 20 and realizes the various functions that the clerk terminal 20 has.

[0058] The control unit 201 includes a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The CPU controls the overall operation of the store clerk terminal 20. The ROM is a storage medium that stores various programs and data. The RAM is a storage medium that temporarily stores various programs and data. The CPU executes programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit 202, etc., using the RAM as a work area.

[0059] The storage unit 202 is a storage device such as a HDD, an SSD, etc. The storage unit 202 stores a control program 307.

[0060] The control program 207 is a program for implementing the operating system and functions of the store clerk terminal 20. The control program 207 includes a program for implementing characteristic functions according to this embodiment.

[0061] The communication interface 203 is an interface for communicating with the self-service POS terminal 10 via the network N.

[0062] The display unit 204 is, for example, a liquid crystal display, etc. The operation unit 205 is, for example, an input device such as a touch panel, etc.

[0063] (Functional configuration of store clerk terminal) Next, a description will be given of characteristic functions of the store clerk terminal 20. Here, Fig. 6 is a block diagram showing an example of a characteristic functional configuration of the self-checkout POS terminal 10.

[0064] The control unit 201 of the store clerk terminal 20 loads the control program 207 in the storage unit 202 onto the RAM, and operates according to the control program 207 to generate each of the functional units shown in FIG.

[0065] Specifically, the control unit 201 of the store clerk terminal 20 includes a communication control unit 2001, an operation control unit 2002, and a display control unit 2003 as functional units.

[0066] The communication control unit 2001 controls the communication interface 203 to control communication via the network N. For example, the communication control unit 2001 receives a notification transmitted by the communication control unit 1001 of the self POS terminal 10. Also, for example, the communication control unit 2001 receives a self POS video.

[0067] An operation control unit 2002 controls the operation unit 205 to accept various operations.

[0068] The display control unit 2003 performs control to display various screens on the display unit 204. For example, the display control unit 2003 performs control to display a self POS image received by the communication control unit 2001 on the display unit 204. The display control unit 2003 also performs control to display the contents of a notification received by the communication control unit 2001 on the display unit 204.

[0069] (Self-service POS terminal processing) Next, a process of the self-service POS terminal 10 according to the embodiment will be described below. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of a registration process of the self-service POS terminal.

[0070] The product registration unit 1004 starts the product registration process (step S1).

[0071] The measurement unit 1006 measures the read time interval (step S2).

[0072] The estimation unit 1007 estimates the customer's skill in operating the self-checkout POS terminal 10 based on the read time interval measured by the measurement unit 1006 (step S3).

[0073] The detection unit 1008 checks whether the customer using the self-service POS terminal 10 is unfamiliar with the operation (step S4). If the customer is unfamiliar with the operation (step S4: Yes), the detection unit 1008 detects that the customer using the self-service POS terminal 10 is unfamiliar with the operation.

[0074] The display control unit 1009 displays a display for instructing the user to call a store clerk on the display unit 104 (step S5). Specifically, the display control unit 1009 displays a pop-up message saying "A store clerk will be called", an "OK" button, and a "CANCEL" button on the display unit 104.

[0075] The operation control unit 1002 checks whether or not there is an instruction to call a store clerk (step S6). If the operation control unit 1002 receives input of the "OK" button from the user, it determines that there is an instruction to call a store clerk. On the other hand, if the operation control unit 1002 receives input of the "CANCEL" button, it determines that there is no instruction to call a store clerk.

[0076] If an instruction to call a store clerk is given (step S6: Yes), the notification unit 1010 generates a notification that the customer is calling a store clerk, controls the communication control unit 1001 to send the notification to the store clerk terminal 20, and terminates this process (step S8).

[0077] On the other hand, if there is no instruction to call a store clerk (step S6: No), the product registration unit 1004 continues the product registration process (step S7).

[0078] The product registration unit 1004 checks whether or not to end the product registration process each time the product registration process for one product is completed (step S9). Here, when the operation control unit 1002 receives an instruction to end the product registration from the customer, the product registration unit 1004 determines that the product registration process is to be ended.

[0079] If the product registration process is not to be ended (step S9: No), the process proceeds to step S2. On the other hand, if the product registration process is to be ended (step S9: Yes), the process proceeds to checkout process (A).

[0080] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of transaction processing at a self-checkout POS terminal.

[0081] First, the accounting processing unit 1005 starts accounting processing (step S10).

[0082] The measurement unit 1006 measures the transaction operation time interval (step S11).

[0083] The estimation unit 1007 estimates the customer's level of proficiency in operating the self-checkout POS terminal 10 based on the transaction operation time interval measured by the measurement unit 1006 (step S12).

[0084] The detection unit 1008 checks whether the customer using the self-service POS terminal 10 is unfamiliar with the operation (step S13). If the customer is unfamiliar with the operation (step S13: Yes), the detection unit 1008 detects that the customer using the self-service POS terminal 10 is unfamiliar with the operation.

[0085] The display control unit 1009 displays a display for instructing the user to call a store clerk on the display unit 104 (step S14). Specifically, the display control unit 1009 displays a pop-up message saying "A store clerk will be called", an "OK" button, and a "CANCEL" button on the display unit 104.

[0086] The operation control unit 1002 checks whether or not an instruction to call a store clerk has been given (step S15). If the operation control unit 1002 receives input of the "OK" button from the user, it determines that an instruction to call a store clerk has been given. On the other hand, if the operation control unit 1002 receives input of the "CANCEL" button, it determines that an instruction to call a store clerk has not been given.

[0087] If an instruction to call a store clerk is received (step S15: Yes), the notification unit 1010 generates a notification that the customer is calling a store clerk, controls the communication control unit 1001 to send the notification to the store clerk terminal 20, and terminates this process (step S17).

[0088] On the other hand, if there is no instruction to call a store staff member (step S15: No), the transaction processing section 1005 continues the transaction process (step S16).

[0089] Every time an operation related to a transaction is completed, the transaction processing unit 1005 checks whether the transaction is complete (step S18).

[0090] If the transaction process is not complete (step S18: No), the process proceeds to step S11. On the other hand, if the transaction process is complete (step S18: Yes), the process ends.

[0091] (Effects of self-service POS terminals) Next, a description will be given of effects of the self-service POS terminal 10 according to the embodiment. The self-service POS terminal 10 according to the embodiment includes an estimation unit 1007 that estimates a proficiency level based on an operation status of a customer who operates the self-service POS terminal 10, and a notification unit 1010 that notifies a store clerk that the customer is unfamiliar with the operation based on the proficiency level estimated by the estimation unit 1007.

[0092] As a result, if a customer is estimated to have a low level of proficiency in operating the self-service POS terminal 10, the store clerk is notified that the customer is unfamiliar with the operation.

[0093] Therefore, the store clerk can know the presence of a customer who is having difficulty operating the self-service POS terminal 10 without directly looking at the customer. In other words, the self-service POS terminal 10 according to the embodiment can reduce the burden on the store clerk of monitoring the customer.

[0094] Furthermore, the self-service POS terminal 10 according to the embodiment includes a display control unit 1009 that displays a display for instructing to call a store clerk on the display unit 104 based on the proficiency level estimated by the estimation unit 1007. When a customer instructs to call a store clerk, the notification unit 1010 notifies the store clerk terminal 20 that the customer is inexperienced in the operation.

[0095] This leaves it up to the customer to decide whether to call a store clerk even if the customer is estimated to have a low level of proficiency in operation. Therefore, for example, if a customer with high proficiency in operation stops what he or she is doing because a call comes in on his or her mobile phone, and the customer is estimated to have a low level of proficiency in operation, the customer is unlikely to call a store clerk, and the store clerk will not receive unnecessary calls.

[0096] In addition, the estimation unit 1007 estimates the proficiency level according to the interval of time for reading the product code. This is because a customer who is not familiar with the operation of the self-service POS terminal 10 is likely to have difficulty in reading the product code.

[0097] In addition, the estimation unit 1007 estimates the proficiency level according to the time interval between operations involved in the transaction. This is because a customer who is not familiar with operating the self-service POS terminal 10 is likely to take a long time to perform operations involved in the transaction.

[0098] From here on, modified examples of the above-mentioned embodiments will be described. Note that the same reference numerals are used to designate the same components as those in the above-mentioned embodiments, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0099] (Variation 1) In the above embodiment, the self-service POS terminal 10 is described in which the customer himself performs operations from registering product data to making a payment. However, the self-service POS terminal 10 may be a semi-self-service POS terminal in which the customer himself performs payment for the product calculated based on the product data registered by a store clerk.

[0100] (Variation 2) In the above embodiment, the estimation unit 1007 estimates the customer's proficiency in operating the self-service POS terminal 10 based on the reading time interval and the transaction operation time interval. However, the estimation unit 1007 may estimate the customer's proficiency in operating the self-service POS terminal 10 based on the number of operational errors in addition to the above.

[0101] In this case, the estimation unit 1007 may, for example, regard the number of times the cancel button is operated as the number of incorrect operations, and if the number of incorrect operations exceeds a threshold, perform processing such as lowering the proficiency level estimated based on the reading time interval or the checkout operation time interval. The estimation unit 1007 may also estimate the proficiency level from only the number of incorrect operations.

[0102] According to this modified example, even if a customer is unfamiliar with the operation but whose operation speed is not so slow that it is assumed that the customer has a low level of proficiency, the customer can be detected as being unfamiliar with the operation.

[0103] (Variation 3) The estimation unit 1007 may estimate the operation skill level based on an image of the customer captured by the camera 109 (a self-service POS image showing the customer's behavior).

[0104] In this case, the estimation unit 1007 analyzes the self-service POS video and recognizes the behavior of the customer. For example, when the estimation unit 1007 recognizes behavior such as "the customer acted as if he / she was looking for a store clerk" or "the customer inserted the credit card in the wrong direction when inserting it into the card reader / writer 110," the estimation unit 1007 estimates the customer's operational proficiency to be low.

[0105] In addition, in this modified example, for example, if a customer starts operating a mobile terminal during product registration processing, the estimation unit 1007 can recognize the customer's behavior and perform processing such as not estimating the customer's level of proficiency as low even if the reading time interval becomes long.

[0106] According to this modified example, even if a customer's level of proficiency cannot be determined based on the reading time interval, operation time interval, etc., it is possible to detect the customer as being inexperienced in operation by recognizing the customer's behavior.

[0107] (Variation 4) The estimation unit 1007 may estimate the operation proficiency taking into account the number of visits. In this modification, the customer code is associated with the number of visits, and when the customer code input unit 1003 accepts input of the customer code, the estimation unit 1007 grasps the number of visits of the customer. For example, when the number of visits of the customer to be estimated exceeds a threshold, the estimation unit 1007 performs a process of multiplying the estimated proficiency by a coefficient (a value equal to or greater than 1) to estimate the proficiency.

[0108] According to this modified example, the proficiency level of customers who visit the store frequently can be estimated to be higher than that of customers who visit the store infrequently, which is believed to reduce the possibility of store staff receiving unnecessary calls.

[0109] (Variation 5) The estimation unit 1007 may estimate the operation proficiency level based on the detection result of a weight sensor provided in the self-service POS terminal 10. In this modification, for example, when the detection result of the weight sensor that was once stable becomes unstable again, the estimation unit 1007 estimates the operation proficiency level of the customer operating the self-service POS terminal 10 to be low.

[0110] This is because if the detection results of the weight sensor become unstable again after stabilizing once, it is likely that the customer is repeatedly removing and replacing registered products, and it can be assumed that customers who behave in this way have a low level of operational proficiency.

[0111] (Variation 6) In the above embodiment, the notification unit 1010 controls the communication control unit 1001 to transmit a notification to the store clerk terminal 20 to call the store clerk. However, the notification unit 1010 may notify the store clerk that a customer who is unfamiliar with the operation is present by turning on the patrol lamp 111.

[0112] Furthermore, the notification unit 1010 may change the content of the notification in stages. For example, when the skill level estimated by the estimation unit 1007 falls below a threshold, the notification unit 1010 causes the patrol lamp 111 to flash blue for the first time.

[0113] If the same customer is estimated to have a proficiency level lower than the threshold multiple times, the notification unit 1010 causes the patrol lamp 111 to flash yellow the second time, and causes the patrol lamp 111 to flash red the third time. Furthermore, the fourth time, a notification is sent to the store clerk terminal 20 to instruct the store clerk to call the store clerk.

[0114] In this way, by gradually changing the content of the notification, the store clerk can understand how much attention he or she should pay to the customer who is operating the self-service POS terminal 10, thereby reducing the burden on the store clerk of monitoring the customer.

[0115] The programs executed by each device in the above-mentioned embodiment and modified examples are provided by being preinstalled in a storage medium (ROM or storage unit) included in each device, but are not limited to this. For example, they may be provided by being recorded in an installable or executable format on a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk).

[0116] Furthermore, the storage medium is not limited to a medium independent of a computer or an embedded system, but also includes a storage medium that stores or temporarily stores a program downloaded via a LAN, the Internet, or the like.

[0117] In addition, the programs executed by each device in the above embodiments and modified examples may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading them via the network, or may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

[0118] 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. [Explanation of symbols]

[0119] 1. Self-checkout system 10 Self-service POS terminal 20 Store clerk terminal 1001, 2001 Communication control unit 1002, 2002 Operation control section 1003 Customer code input section 1004 Product Registration Department 1005 Accounting department 1006 Measuring part 1007 Estimation section 1008 Detection unit 1009, 2003 Display control unit 1010 Notification Department [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0120] [Patent Document 1] JP 2012-128696 A

Claims

1. an estimation unit that estimates a proficiency level based on an operation status of a user who operates the device; a notification unit that notifies a store clerk that the user is unfamiliar with operations based on the proficiency level estimated by the estimation unit; a display control unit that displays, on a display device, an operator for instructing to call a store clerk based on the proficiency level estimated by the estimation unit; A self-checkout device comprising:

2. When the user instructs the store clerk to call, the notification unit notifies a terminal device operated by the store clerk that the user is unfamiliar with the operation. The self-checkout device according to claim 1.

3. The product further includes a reading unit that reads a product code from a code symbol attached to the product, the estimation unit estimates the proficiency level according to a time interval for the reading unit to read the product code.

3. The self-checkout device according to claim 1 or 2.

4. the estimation unit estimates the proficiency level according to a time interval between operations involved in a transaction. The self-checkout device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The estimation unit estimates the proficiency level according to the number of erroneous operations. The self-checkout device according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The estimation unit recognizes a behavior of the user from an image of the user captured by an imaging device that captures an image of the user, and estimates a proficiency level based on the behavior. The self-checkout device according to claim 1.

7. The computer of the self-checkout device an estimation unit that estimates a user's proficiency in operating the device; a notification unit that notifies a store clerk that the user is unfamiliar with operations based on the proficiency level estimated by the estimation unit; a display control unit that displays, on a display device, an operator for instructing to call a store clerk based on the proficiency level estimated by the estimation unit; A program that functions as a

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