Sales management device and store management system

Abstract

To enable easy selection of an applied sales price from two sales prices determined for a purchase product.SOLUTION: A product registration device of an embodiment includes first update means and second update means. The first update means updates list data representing a list of customer purchase products so that a product held by the customer is included as a purchase product to which is applied a first sales price defined for the aforementioned product. In response to the entrance of the customer into a specific area, the second update means updates the list data so as to change a sales price of a predefined product included in those included as the purchase products in the list to a second sales price defined for the aforementioned product.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention comprises: Sales Management Device and store management system Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] Depending on the customer's behavior in the store, the selling price applied to the purchased item may change. For example, under the reduced tax rate system for food and beverages, when a product belonging to the target category is taken home, the selling price is applied by adding the consumption tax calculated at the reduced tax rate to the unit price of the product excluding tax. When a product belonging to the target category is eaten in the store, the selling price is applied by adding the consumption tax calculated at the standard tax rate, which is a higher tax rate than the reduced tax rate, to the unit price of the product excluding tax. In view of these circumstances, it has been desirable to be able to easily select an applicable selling price from the selling prices set for the purchased goods. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-32606 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a method for easily selecting a selling price to be applied from the selling prices set for a purchased item. Sales Management Device and store management system The purpose of this project is to provide [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The sales management device according to the embodiment includes: A sales management device capable of communicating with an information terminal, storage means and a second update means. Notification means and The storage means comprises: No. 1 Including eligible products subject to the selling price of Target customers are eligible to purchase Store a list of purchased items. The second update means updates the list of purchased items so as to apply a second selling price, different from the first selling price, to the target item in response to the target customer entering the specific area.The notification means notifies an information terminal associated with the target customer of the list of target products included in the list of purchased products when the target customer leaves the specific area. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a store management system configured using a sales management device according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the sales management device in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of a product table in FIG. 2; [Figure 4] 3 is a flowchart of a sales management process performed by a processor in FIG. 2; [Diagram 5] 3 is a flowchart of a sales management process performed by a processor in FIG. 2; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0007] An example of an embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. Note that in this embodiment, a sales management device having a function as a product registration device will be described as an example. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a store management system 100 that uses a sales management device 1 according to this embodiment.

[0008] The store management system 100 performs information processing for product sales in a store that sells products displayed on a sales floor (e.g., product shelves, display cases, display stands, etc.). The store management system 100 is configured so that a sales management device 1, a check-in device 2, a gate device 3, a sensor group 4, a behavior monitoring device 5, and an information terminal 6 can communicate with each other via a communication network 200. The store management system 100 typically includes multiple check-in devices 2, gate devices 3, and information terminals 6. However, the store management system 100 may include only one check-in device 2, gate device 3, or information terminal 6. The sales management device 1 can also communicate with a payment server 300 via the communication network 200. The communication network 200 may be the Internet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a public communication network, a mobile communication network, or the like, used alone or in appropriate combination. The payment server 300 performs credit card payment in response to a payment request via the communication network 200.

[0009] The sales management device 1 registers the products purchased by the customer based on the monitoring results by the behavior monitoring device 5. The sales management device 1 performs the registration within a registration period. The registration period is, for example, from when the customer completes check-in using the check-in device 2 until the customer leaves the store. The sales management device 1 performs processing to have the payment server 300 settle the price of the purchased products.

[0010] The check-in device 2 accepts check-in procedures for customers entering a store. In this embodiment, one gate device 3 is provided for each check-in device 2. The gate device 3 selectively establishes an open state that allows customers to enter the store and a closed state that prevents customers from entering the store under instructions from the paired check-in device 2. As the gate device 3, for example, a well-known device that opens and closes a door that blocks a passageway can be used. The gate device 3 also has a function of detecting the passage of a customer.

[0011] The sensor group 4 includes a number of sensors arranged in the store. Each of these sensors detects the behavior of customers and the display status of products. These sensors are, for example, a camera, a light sensor, an infrared sensor, a temperature sensor, a weight sensor, etc. The behavior monitoring device 5 monitors customer behavior and the display status of merchandise based on the detection results of the sensor group 4. The information terminal 6 is carried by the customer. For example, a smartphone is used as the information terminal 6. The information terminal 6 may be owned by the customer, or may be loaned to the customer by the store.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the sales management device 1. As shown in FIG. The sales management device 1 includes a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage unit 13, a communication interface 14, and a transmission path 15. The processor 11, the main memory 12, the auxiliary storage unit 13, and the communication interface 14 are connected by the transmission path 15. The processor 11, the main memory 12, and the auxiliary storage unit 13 are connected by the transmission path 15 to configure a computer that performs information processing for controlling the sales management device 1.

[0013] The processor 11 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 11 performs information processing for implementing various functions of the sales management device 1 according to an information processing program. The main memory 12 corresponds to the main storage portion of the computer. The main memory 12 includes a nonvolatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores information processing programs in the nonvolatile memory area. The main memory 12 may also store data required for the processor 11 to execute information processing in the nonvolatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 12 uses the volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor 11.

[0014] The auxiliary storage unit 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage part of the computer. As the auxiliary storage unit 13, for example, a well-known storage device such as an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), a HDD (hard disk drive), or an SSD (solid state drive) is used alone or in combination. The auxiliary storage unit 13 stores data used by the processor 11 in performing various processes and data generated by the processes in the processor 11. The auxiliary storage unit 13 may also store an information processing program. One of the information processing programs stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13 is an application program (hereinafter referred to as a sales management application) AP1 for realizing the function as the sales management device 1. The auxiliary storage unit 13 stores a product table TD1. The product table TD1 is table data representing a list of purchased products that are the subject of a transaction, in association with a transaction code for identifying a transaction with a customer present in the store. In a situation where multiple customers are present in the store, multiple product tables TD1 are stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13. At least one of the sales management application AP1 and the product table TD1 may be stored in the main memory 12.

[0015] The communication interface 14 is an interface for data communication via the communication network 200. As the communication interface 14, for example, a well-known communication device for performing data communication via a LAN can be used. The transmission path 15 includes an address bus, a data bus, and control signal lines, and transmits data and control signals between the connected components.

[0016] The sales management device 1 uses, for example, a general-purpose computer device as basic hardware. In this case, typically, the computer device in which the sales management application AP1 is not stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13 and the sales management application AP1 are transferred separately to a company or the like that uses the sales management device 1. The transfer of the sales management application AP1 can be realized by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or by downloading it via a network. In this case, the sales management application AP1 is written to the auxiliary storage unit 13 in response to an operation by an administrator or a serviceman of the sales management device 1. However, the sales management device 1 in which the sales management application AP1 is stored in the auxiliary storage unit 13 of the computer device may be transferred to the above-mentioned company or the like.

[0017] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a schematic structure of the product table TD1. One product table TD1 is associated with a transaction with one customer within a registration period. In its initial state, the product table TD1 includes fields F1 and F2. A transaction code for identifying the associated transaction is set in field F1. A membership code for identifying the customer who is the subject of the associated transaction is set in field F2. The product table TD1 includes one or more fields corresponding to the products owned by the customer, starting from field F3. Record data RD1 associated with the products owned by the customer is set in each field from field F3 onwards.

[0018] The record data RD1 includes fields F11, F12, F13, F14, and F15. In the field F11, a product code for identifying the product associated with the record data RD1 is set. The product code is, for example, a JAN (Japanese article number) code. In the field F12, a character string representing the name of the product associated with the record data RD1 is set. In the field F13, a unit price excluding tax of the product associated with the record data RD1 is set. In the field F14, the number of products associated with the record data RD1 owned by the customer is set. In the field F15, a reduction flag is set that indicates whether or not a reduced tax rate is applied to the product associated with the record data RD1.

[0019] Next, the operation of the store management system 100 configured as above will be described. The products sold in the store managed by the store management system 100 include food and beverages. The store allows customers to eat some of the food and beverages sold in an eating area provided in the store before paying. The products that customers are allowed to eat in the eating area provided in the store before paying are hereinafter referred to as target products. Which products are the target products may be determined arbitrarily by the store staff. The target products can be identified by, for example, a flag in the product master database. The product master database describes information used for sales management, such as the product code, product name, and unit price excluding tax, for each product sold in the store. The product master database is managed, for example, by a server device (not shown) connected to the communication network 200. However, the product master database may be managed by the sales management device 1, the behavior monitoring device 5, or any other device. The product master database may be stored in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage unit 13.

[0020] A customer who shops at a store completes membership registration in advance and is issued a membership code. When registering, the customer also declares credit information for credit card payments. The customer's membership code and credit information are managed in a mutually associated state by, for example, a server device (not shown) connected to the communication network 200. However, the membership code and credit information may be managed by the sales management device 1, the behavior monitoring device 5, or any other device. The membership code and credit information may also be stored in the main memory 12 or the auxiliary storage unit 13.

[0021] A customer who is about to enter a store holds a barcode showing a membership code over the reader provided in the check-in device 2. For example, the customer displays a barcode showing a membership code on the information terminal 6 that the customer carries, and then holds the barcode over the reader. The reader reads the held-over barcode and obtains the membership code shown therein. It is preferable that the barcode has been subjected to a well-known process to prevent fraudulent acts due to forgery. For this reason, it is assumed that a two-dimensional code is used as the barcode. However, a one-dimensional code or any other type of barcode can be used as the barcode. The membership code may also be formed on a membership card. The reader may obtain the membership code by non-contact communication, contact communication, magnetic reading, or manual input by the customer. The reader may also read the customer's face or fingerprint. In this case, the customer may be authenticated using biometric authentication technology such as face authentication or fingerprint authentication, and the customer's membership code may be obtained. As the reader, a device compatible with the technology to be applied is used.

[0022] When the member code is acquired by the reader, the check-in device 2 sends an entry notification to the sales management device 1 and the behavior monitoring device 5 to notify them that the customer has entered the store. For example, the check-in device 2 sends notification data for this notification to the communication network 200, addressed to the sales management device 1 and the behavior monitoring device 5. The check-in device 2 includes in the notification data the member code acquired by the reader and a command that is predetermined as a notification that the customer has entered the store. The notification data is transmitted to the sales management device 1 and the behavior monitoring device 5 by the communication network 200.

[0023] When the behavior monitoring device 5 receives the above-mentioned notification data for the arrival notification from the check-in device 2, it executes information processing (hereinafter referred to as monitoring processing) for monitoring the behavior of the customer identified by the membership code included in the notification data. For example, the behavior monitoring device 5 identifies the customer who has just passed through the gate device 3 paired with the check-in device 2 that issued the arrival notification based on images captured by the cameras included in the sensor group 4. Then, it monitors the movement of the customer, the action of the customer taking out the product from the sales floor, the action of the customer returning the product to the sales floor, the movement of the customer from outside the eating area to inside the eating area, the movement of the customer from inside the eating area to outside the eating area, etc. Also, the behavior monitoring device 5 monitors the display status of the products in the sales floor based on the detection results of the cameras included in the sensor group 4 and other sensors.

[0024] When a product is removed from the sales floor or returned to the sales floor, the behavior monitoring device 5 determines the product that has been removed or returned and the number of products. The behavior monitoring device 5 determines a customer who has performed a predetermined action, such as moving from the exit to the outside of the store. When a customer removes a product from the sales floor, the behavior monitoring device 5 notifies the sales management device 1 of the removal. That is, for example, the behavior monitoring device 5 sends notification data for notifying the removal to the communication network 200 to the sales management device 1. The notification data includes the customer's membership code, the product code and the number of the removed product, and a command that is predetermined to notify the removal. When a customer returns a product to the sales floor, the behavior monitoring device 5 notifies the sales management device 1 of the return. That is, for example, the behavior monitoring device 5 sends notification data for notifying the return to the communication network 200 to the sales management device 1. The behavior monitoring device 5 includes in the notification data the customer's membership code, the product code and the number of the returned product, and a command that is predetermined to indicate a notification of the return. When the customer moves from outside the eating area to inside the eating area, the behavior monitoring device 5 notifies the sales management device 1 that eating has started. That is, for example, the behavior monitoring device 5 sends notification data for notifying the customer that eating has started to the communication network 200 to the sales management device 1. The behavior monitoring device 5 includes in the notification data the customer's membership code and a command that is predetermined to indicate a notification of the customer that eating has started to the sales management device 1. When the customer moves from inside the eating area to outside the eating area, the behavior monitoring device 5 notifies the sales management device 1 that eating has finished. That is, for example, the behavior monitoring device 5 sends notification data for notifying the customer that eating has finished to the communication network 200 to the sales management device 1. The behavior monitoring device 5 includes in the notification data the customer's membership code and a predetermined command representing a notification of the end of eating and drinking. Furthermore, when the behavior monitoring device 5 determines that the customer has left the store, it notifies the sales management device 1 that the customer has left the store. For example, the behavior monitoring device 5 sends notification data for notifying the sales management device 1 of the customer's departure from the store to the communication network 200.The behavior monitoring device 5 includes in the notification data the customer's membership code and a command that is predetermined as a notification that the customer has left the store.

[0025] The specific information processing to be used to realize such monitoring processing is arbitrary, and existing technology using AI (artificial intelligence) technology can be used, for example. The behavior monitoring device 5 performs monitoring processing on a customer until it is determined that the customer being monitored has left the store. When multiple customers are present in the store, the behavior monitoring device 5 performs monitoring processing on each of the multiple customers in parallel. The monitoring processing on these multiple customers may be distributed among multiple behavior monitoring devices 5.

[0026] When the notification data sent from the check-in device 2 for receipt notification is transmitted to the sales management device 1 via the communication network 200, the communication interface 14 receives the notification data and provides it to the processor 11. The processor 11 then executes the information processing for sales management (hereinafter referred to as sales management processing) described below in accordance with the sales management application AP1.

[0027] 4 and 5 are flowcharts of the sales management process by the processor 11. When multiple customers are present in the store, the processor 11 performs the sales management process in parallel for each of the multiple customers. Thus, one sales management process is a process for managing the shopping of one customer. In the following explanation of the sales management process, one customer who is the subject of such management is referred to as a target customer. The multiple sales management processes may be provided with multiple processors in the sales management device 1 and processed in a distributed manner by these multiple processors. Alternatively, multiple sales management devices 1 may be provided and the multiple sales management processes may be processed in a distributed manner by these multiple sales management devices 1. The contents of the sales management process described below are one example, and it is possible to change the order of some processes, omit some processes, or add other processes as appropriate.

[0028] As ACT1, the processor 11 generates a new product table TD1. For example, the processor 11 determines a transaction code for identifying a transaction (hereinafter referred to as a target transaction) that is to be managed in this sales management process so that it does not overlap with transaction codes already assigned to other transactions. Then, the processor 11 generates a new product table TD1 as a product table TD1 associated with the transaction code thus determined. That is, the processor 11 generates the product table TD1 by setting the transaction code determined as above in the field F1. The processor 11 also sets the membership code notified by the incoming notification in the field F2 of the product table TD1. This new product table TD1 is the target of processing in this sales management process, and is therefore hereinafter referred to as the target product table TD1.

[0029] In ACT2, the processor 11 checks whether the target customer has taken the product to be purchased from the sales floor. If the processor 11 cannot confirm that the target customer has taken the corresponding action, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT3. In ACT3, the processor 11 checks whether the target customer has returned the product to the sales floor. If the processor 11 cannot confirm that the target customer has performed the corresponding action, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT4. In ACT4, the processor 11 checks whether the target customer has entered the eating area. If the processor 11 cannot check that the target customer has performed the corresponding action, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT5. In ACT 5, the processor 11 checks whether the target customer has left the store. If the processor 11 cannot confirm that the target customer has performed the corresponding action, the processor 11 determines NO and returns to ACT 2. Thus, in ACT2 to ACT5, the processor 11 waits for the target customer to take out the product or return the product, for the target customer to enter the eating area, or for the target customer to leave the store.

[0030] For example, when notification data sent from the behavior monitoring device 5 to notify removal is received by the communication interface 14, the processor 11 judges YES in ACT2 and proceeds to ACT6. In ACT6, the processor 11 checks whether or not it is necessary to add new record data RD1. If it is necessary to add new record data RD1, the processor 11 determines YES and proceeds to ACT7. For example, the processor 11 searches the target product table TD1 for record data RD1 in which the product code included in the notification data is set in the field F11. If no such record data RD1 is found, the processor 11 determines that addition is necessary.

[0031] In ACT7, the processor 11 updates the product table TD1 to add new record data RD1. Specifically, the processor 11 sets the product code included in the notification data in field F11 of the record data RD1 to be added. The processor 11 acquires the product name and unit price associated with the product code set in field F11 from the product master database. The processor 11 sets these product names and unit prices in fields F12 and F13 of the new record data RD1, respectively. The processor 11 sets the quantity included in the notification data in field F14 of the new record data RD1. If the product identified by the product code included in the notification data is not a target product, the processor 11 sets a reduction flag in field F15 of the new record data RD1 in a state indicating that the reduced tax rate is not applied (hereinafter referred to as a reset state). If the product identified by the product code included in the notification data is the target product, the processor 11 sets a reduction flag in the field F15 of the new record data RD1 to a state indicating that the reduced tax rate is applied (hereinafter referred to as a set state). Then, the processor 11 returns to the standby state of ACT2 to ACT5.

[0032] As described later, the selling price of a product associated with record data RD1 in which the reduction flag is set is the amount obtained by adding the tax amount at the reduced tax rate to the unit price excluding tax, which corresponds to the first selling price. Thus, the computer having the processor 11 as its central part functions as the first update means by the processor 11 executing information processing based on the information processing program.

[0033] On the other hand, if the processor 11 determines that it is not necessary to add new record data RD1, it determines NO in ACT6 and proceeds to ACT8. Note that, for example, if the record data RD1 in which the product code included in the above notification data is set in the field F11 is included in the target product table TD1, the processor 11 determines that it is not necessary to add new record data RD1.

[0034] In ACT8, processor 11 updates target product table TD1 to change the number of products taken out. Specifically, processor 11 acquires the number set in field F14 of record data RD1 in which the product code included in the above notification data is set in field F11. Processor 11 calculates a new number by adding the number included in the above notification data to this acquired number. Processor 11 then sets the calculated number in field F14. Processor 11 then returns to the standby state of ACT2 to ACT5.

[0035] In this way, the product taken out by the target customer from the sales floor through the processing of ACT6 and ACT7 or ACT6 and ACT8 is managed in the target product table TD1 as a product possessed by the target customer. Note that "possessed" here includes a state in which the target customer holds the product in his / her hand, as well as a state in which the product is contained in a shopping bag, shopping basket, or shopping cart.

[0036] For example, when notification data sent from the behavior monitoring device 5 to notify a return is received by the communication interface 14, the processor 11 judges YES in ACT3 and proceeds to ACT9. As ACT9, the processor 11 updates the target product table TD1 so as to exclude the returned product from the purchased products. Specifically, the processor 11, for example, acquires the number set in the field F14 of the record data RD1 in which the product code included in the notification data is set in the field F11. If the number included in the notification data is smaller than this acquired number, the processor 11 subtracts the number included in the notification data from the acquired number to calculate a new number. Then, the processor 11 sets the calculated number in the field F14. If the acquired number and the number included in the notification data are equal, the processor 11 deletes the record data RD1 in which the product code included in the notification data is set in the field F11 from the target product table TD1. Note that even if the acquired number and the number included in the notification data are equal, the processor 11 may set the number set in the field F14 of the record data RD1 in which the product code included in the notification data is set in the field F11 to zero, and leave the record data RD1. Then, the processor 11 thereafter returns to the standby state of ACT2 to ACT5.

[0037] For example, when notification data sent from the behavior monitoring device 5 to notify the start of eating and drinking is received by the communication interface 14, the processor 11 judges YES in ACT4 and proceeds to ACT10. In ACT10, the processor 11 checks whether the target product is included in the products purchased by the target customer. For example, the processor 11 checks whether the record data RD1 in which the reduction flag set in the field F15 is set is included in the target product table TD1. If there is no corresponding record data RD1, the processor 11 judges NO as there is no target product, and returns to the standby state of ACT2 to ACT5. However, if there is corresponding record data RD1, the processor 11 judges YES and proceeds to ACT11.

[0038] As ACT11, the processor 11 updates the target product table TD1 so as to apply the standard tax rate to the target product. For example, the processor 11 updates the target product table TD1 so that the reduction flags set in the field F15 for all record data RD1 included in the target product table TD1 are reset. For example, the processor 11 sets the reduction flags in the reset state for the field F15 of all record data RD1, regardless of the state of the reduction flags set in the field F15. Alternatively, the processor 11 checks, for example, whether the reduction flags set in the field F15 for all record data RD1 are set. If the processor 11 determines that the reduction flags are set, it rewrites the reduction flags to the reset state.

[0039] As described later, the selling price of a product associated with record data RD1 in which the reduction flag is reset is the unit price excluding tax plus the amount of tax at the standard tax rate, which corresponds to the second selling price. The eating and drinking area is an example of a specific area. Thus, the computer with processor 11 as its central part functions as a second update means by processor 11 executing information processing based on the information processing program.

[0040] In ACT 12, the processor 11 waits for the target customer to leave the eating area. For example, when notification data sent from the behavior monitoring device 5 to notify the customer that they have finished eating is received by the communication interface 14, the processor 11 judges YES and proceeds to ACT 13. As ACT13, the processor 11 issues a receipt notification to the information terminal 6 associated with the target customer. The receipt notification is a notification that the declaration by the target customer about the products that were not consumed is accepted. The processor 11 issues the receipt notification by using, for example, a well-known push notification. When the information terminal 6 receives the receipt notification, it displays, for example, a screen showing a list of the target products included in the target product table TD1, and accepts the designation of the products that were not consumed among the target products. Note that the processor 11 also notifies the information terminal 6 of list data showing the list of the target products in the receipt notification. Alternatively, the processor 11 notifies the information terminal 6 of the list of the target products in response to a request from the information terminal 6 in response to the receipt notification, for example. If the information terminal 6 is owned by the customer, the customer and the information terminal 6 are associated with each other, for example, when the customer registers as a member. If the information terminal 6 is loaned to the customer by the store, the target customer and the information terminal are associated with each other, for example, when the customer checks in. When the processor 11 has finished notifying the acceptance, the process proceeds to ACT 14 in FIG.

[0041] In ACT 14, the processor 11 checks whether the target customer has taken the product to be purchased from the sales floor. If the processor 11 cannot confirm that the target customer has taken the corresponding action, it determines NO and proceeds to ACT 15. In ACT 15, the processor 11 checks whether the target customer has returned the product to the sales floor. If the processor 11 cannot confirm that the target customer has performed the corresponding action, the processor 11 determines NO and proceeds to ACT 16. In ACT 16, the processor 11 checks whether the target customer has entered the eating area. If the processor 11 cannot check that the target customer has performed the corresponding action, the result is NO, and the process proceeds to ACT 17. In ACT 17, the processor 11 checks whether or not a declaration notice has been made. If the processor 11 cannot check that the notice has been made, it judges the result as NO and proceeds to ACT 18. In ACT 18, the processor 11 checks whether the target customer has left the store. If the processor 11 cannot check that the target customer has performed the corresponding action, the processor 11 determines NO and returns to ACT 14. Thus, in ACT14 to ACT18, the processor 11 waits for the target customer to take out or return the product, for the target customer to enter the eating area, for a declaration notice to be made, or for the target customer to leave the store.

[0042] For example, when notification data sent from the behavior monitoring device 5 to notify removal is received by the communication interface 14, the processor 11 judges YES in ACT14 and proceeds to ACT19. In ACT19, the processor 11 checks whether or not it is necessary to add new record data RD1. If it is necessary to add new record data RD1, the processor 11 determines YES and proceeds to ACT20. Note that the processor 11 determines that addition is necessary, for example, when record data RD1 in which the product code included in the above notification data is set in field F11 is not included in the target product table TD1. The processor 11 also determines that addition is necessary when the following three conditions (1-1) to (1-3) are met. (1-1) The target product table TD1 contains record data RD1 in which the product code contained in the above notification data is set in the field F11. (1-2) The reset state reduction flag is set in field F15 of record data RD1 in which the product code included in the above notification data is set in field F11. (1-3) The product identified by the product code included in the notification data above is the target product.

[0043] In ACT20, the processor 11 updates the product table TD1 so as to add new record data RD1. Specifically, the processor 11 sets the product code included in the notification data in the field F11 of the record data RD1 to be added. The processor 11 acquires the product name and unit price associated with the product code set in the field F11 from the product master database. The processor 11 sets these product names and unit prices in the fields F12 and F13 of the new record data RD1, respectively. The processor 11 sets the quantity included in the notification data in the field F14 of the new record data RD1. If the product identified by the product code included in the notification data is not the target product, the processor 11 sets the reduction flag in the reset state in the field F15 of the new record data RD1. If the product identified by the product code included in the notification data is the target product, the processor 11 sets the reduction flag in the set state in the field F15 of the new record data RD1. Then, the processor 11 thereafter returns to the standby state of ACT14 to ACT18.

[0044] As a result, when the target customer takes out a new product after leaving the eating area that is the same as the product that the target customer brought into the eating area, two record data RD1 associated with the product will be included in the target product table TD1. One of the two record data RD1 relates to a product for which the reduction flag is reset and the standard tax rate is applied because the product was brought into the eating area. The other of the two record data RD1 relates to a product for which the reduction flag is set and the product was not brought into the eating area and the reduced tax rate is applied. Note that when a target customer enters and leaves the eating area more than twice, three or more record data RD1 associated with the same product may be included in the target product table TD1.

[0045] On the other hand, if the processor 11 determines that it is not necessary to add new record data RD1, it determines NO in ACT 19 and proceeds to ACT 21. Note that the processor 11 determines that it is not necessary to add new record data RD1 when, for example, the following two conditions (2-1) and (2-2) are satisfied, or when all of the following conditions (3-1) to (3-3) are satisfied. (2-1) The target product table TD1 contains record data RD1 in which the product code contained in the above notification data is set in the field F11. (2-2) The product identified by the product code included in the above notification data is not the target product. (3-1) The target product table TD1 contains record data RD1 in which the product code contained in the above notification data is set in the field F11. (3-2) The reduction flag for the set state is set in field F15 of record data RD1 in which the product code included in the above notification data is set in field F11. (3-3) The product identified by the product code included in the above notification data is the target product.

[0046] In ACT21, processor 11 updates target product table TD1 to change the number of products taken out. Specifically, processor 11 acquires the number set in field F14 of record data RD1 in which the product code included in the above notification data is set in field F11. Processor 11 calculates a new number by adding the number included in the above notification data to this acquired number. Processor 11 then sets the calculated number in field F14. Processor 11 then returns to the standby state of ACT14 to ACT18.

[0047] For example, when notification data sent from the behavior monitoring device 5 to notify a return is received by the communication interface 14, the processor 11 judges YES in ACT15 and proceeds to ACT22. Then, the processor 11 executes ACT22 in the same manner as ACT9 in Fig. 4. Then, the processor 11 returns to the standby state of ACT14 to ACT18.

[0048] For example, when notification data sent from the behavior monitoring device 5 to notify the start of eating and drinking is received by the communication interface 14, the processor 11 judges YES in ACT16 and proceeds to ACT23. The processor 11 then executes ACT23 in the same manner as ACT10 in Fig. 4, or ACT23 to ACT26 in the same manner as ACT10 to ACT13 in Fig. 4. The processor 11 then returns to the standby state of ACT14 to ACT18.

[0049] Thus, even after leaving the eating area, the customer can continue shopping in the same way as before entering the eating area. However, when the customer leaves the eating area, the customer can declare the products that were not consumed by following the display on the information terminal 6 in response to the reception notification. When the customer specifies the products that were not consumed, the information terminal 6 performs a declaration notification to notify the sales management device 1 of the specified products. In other words, the information terminal 6 sends notification data for the declaration notification to the communication network 200, addressed to the sales management device 1. In the notification data, the information terminal 6 includes list data showing a list of product codes of the products specified as not consumed, and a command that is predetermined as a notification of the declaration. The notification data is transmitted to the sales management device 1 by the communication network 200, and received by the communication interface 14.

[0050] When the notification data for this declaration notification is received by the communication interface 14, the processor 11 judges YES in ACT17 and proceeds to ACT27. In ACT27, the processor 11 updates the target product table TD1 so as to apply the reduced tax rate to the product specified as not consumed. For example, the processor 11 detects record data RD1 associated with the product specified as not consumed from among the record data RD1 included in the target product table TD1. The record data RD1 is record data RD1 in which the product code set in field F11 matches one of the product codes shown in the list data included in the notification data for the declaration notification. The processor 11 then sets a reduction flag in the set state in field F15 of the corresponding record data RD1. The processor 11 then returns to the standby state of ACT14 to ACT18.

[0051] In this example, the processor 11 determines that the product designated by the target customer as not being consumed is a product not consumed in the eating area. Also, by setting the reduction flag, the selling price is returned to the first selling price. Thus, by the processor 11 executing information processing based on the information processing program, the computer with the processor 11 as the core portion functions as the determination means and the third update means.

[0052] Now, when the customer has finished picking up all the purchased items, he or she leaves the store. In response to this, when notification data transmitted from the behavior monitoring device 5 to notify that the target customer has left the store is received by the communication interface 14, the processor 11 judges YES in ACT5 in Fig. 4 or ACT18 in Fig. 5, and proceeds to ACT28 in Fig. 4.

[0053] As ACT28, the processor 11 performs a settlement process. For example, the processor 11 calculates the price of all purchased products shown in the target product table TD1. Specifically, the processor 11 extracts record data RD1 in which a reduction flag in a reset state is set in field F15 from the target product table TD1. The processor 11 then calculates the product of the unit price and the number of items set in fields F13 and F14 for each of the extracted record data RD1, and obtains the first tax-excluded amount to which the normal tax rate is applied as the sum of these products. The processor 11 then applies the normal tax rate to the first tax-excluded amount to calculate the first tax amount. The processor 11 also extracts record data RD1 in which a reduction flag in a set state is set in field F15 from the target product table TD1. The processor 11 then calculates the product of the unit price and the number of items set in fields F13 and F14 for each of the extracted record data RD1, and obtains the second tax-excluded amount to which the reduced tax rate is applied as the sum of these products. Then, the processor 11 applies the reduced tax rate to the second tax-excluded amount to calculate the second tax amount. Furthermore, the processor 11 calculates the price as the sum of the first tax-excluded amount, the second tax-excluded amount, the first tax amount, and the second tax amount. However, the processor 11 may also discount or discount the unit price, the first tax-excluded amount, the second tax-excluded amount, or the above price amount as necessary. The processor 11 then requests the settlement server 300 to settle the above price amount using, for example, credit information previously declared for the target customer. When the processor 11 is notified by the settlement server 300 that the settlement has been completed, the above sales management process ends.

[0054] As described above, the sales management device 1 sets the selling price of the target product to the unit price excluding tax plus the tax amount at the reduced tax rate unless the customer enters the eating and drinking area. However, once the customer enters the eating and drinking area, the sales management device 1 sets the selling price of the target product to the unit price excluding tax plus the tax amount at the standard tax rate. Therefore, the selling price to be applied can be easily selected from the two selling prices set for the purchased product without any operation by the customer.

[0055] Furthermore, when a customer leaves the eating area, the sales management device 1 notifies the customer that it will accept the declaration of products that were not consumed. Then, upon receipt of the declaration, the amount of the product that was not consumed is returned to the tax-excluded unit price plus the tax amount at the reduced tax rate. Thus, even if a customer consumes only a portion of the target products that he or she brought into the eating area, the reduced tax rate can be applied to the products that he or she takes home without consuming them.

[0056] This embodiment can be modified in various ways as follows. The area for determining whether to change the selling price is not limited to the food and drink area. Furthermore, the first and second selling prices are not limited to those determined by whether the reduced tax rate or the standard tax rate is applied. For example, if a customer goes to a special campaign area, the selling price of the campaign target product may be lower than if the customer did not go there. Furthermore, even if the first and second selling prices are determined by changing the tax rate to be applied, the tax rate is not limited to the reduced tax rate or the standard tax rate.

[0057] The behavior monitoring device 5 may monitor which products have been consumed in the eating and drinking area, and the reduced tax rate may be applied again to target products that are not confirmed to have been consumed. In this way, it is possible to save customers the trouble of declaring products that they have not consumed.

[0058] If it were made a principle that all eligible products brought into the eating and drinking area be consumed, there would be no need to return products that are not consumed to the reduced tax rate.

[0059] The payment may be made at a different timing from that in the above embodiment. The payment may be made, for example, when the customer checks out at a checkout device separately provided near the exit. The payment may be made, for example, when the behavior monitoring device 5 cannot confirm that the customer is still in the store even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the behavior monitoring device 5 determined that the customer has left the store. The payment may be made, for example, when a start command is given by a customer or a store clerk at a payment device installed at the cashier's corner in the store. In this case, the process for the payment is performed at the payment device, and payment using a payment medium other than a credit card may be applied.

[0060] The registration of purchased items in the item table may be performed, for example, in response to the customer's operation of an information terminal carried by the customer or an information terminal attached to a shopping cart. In these cases, the item table may be managed by the information terminal. In this case, the behavior of the customer does not need to be monitored by the behavior monitoring device 5. However, since there is a risk that items held by the customer may not be correctly registered as purchased items, it is preferable to also monitor the behavior of the customer by the behavior monitoring device 5.

[0061] Instead of the product table TD1, a product table that does not indicate the number of items owned by the customer may be used. In this case, when a customer owns multiple products identified by the same product code, the processor 11 includes multiple record data corresponding to each of the multiple products in the product table. In other words, when a product is taken out by the target customer, the processor 11 adds new record data related to the product to the product table, regardless of whether record data including the product code of the product is already included in the product table.

[0062] The behavior monitoring device 5 may determine which customers enter the store. For example, the behavior monitoring device 5 may determine which customers are those by facial recognition from an image captured by a camera of the faces of customers moving into the store through the gate device 3. In this case, the check-in device 2 may be omitted. When the check-in device 2 is omitted, the gate device 3 may be controlled by, for example, the behavior monitoring device 5 or the sales management device 1.

[0063] The monitoring process may be executed by the sales management device 1.

[0064] The gate device 3 does not need to be provided.

[0065] Each function realized by the processor 11 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.

[0066] 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. In addition, the claims as originally filed in this application are set forth below. [C1] a first update means for updating list data representing a list of purchased goods of the customer so as to include the goods possessed by the customer as purchased goods to which a first selling price determined for the goods is applied; and a second update means for updating the list data to change the selling price of a predetermined product among the products included in the list as the purchased products to a second selling price determined for the product in response to the customer's entry into a specific area. [C2] The predetermined product is a food product that can be eaten in the store, the first update means sets the first selling price as an amount obtained by adding a tax amount calculated based on a first tax rate to a unit price of the product; 2. The product registration device according to claim 1, wherein the second update means sets the second selling price to an amount obtained by adding a tax amount determined by a second tax rate to a unit price of the product. [C3] 3. The product registration device according to claim 1, wherein the second update means sets the specific area as an eating area in the store where eating and drinking are permitted. [C4] A determination means for determining products that will not be consumed in the eating area; The product registration device according to claim 3, further comprising a third update means for updating the list data to return the selling price of the product that is not consumed determined by the determination means to a first selling price determined for that product. [C5] updating list data representing a list of purchased goods of the customer to include the newly acquired goods by the customer as purchased goods to which the first selling price determined for the goods is applied; The product registration method includes updating the list data to change the selling price of a predetermined product among the products included in the list as the purchased products to a second selling price determined for the product in response to the customer entering a specific area. [C6] A computer installed in the product registration device, a first update means for updating list data representing a list of purchased goods of the customer so as to include a new product possessed by the customer as a purchased goods to which a first selling price determined for the product is applied; An information processing program for causing the list data to function as a second update means for updating the list data to change the selling price of a predetermined item among the items included in the list as the purchased items to a second selling price determined for that item in response to the customer entering a specific area. [Explanation of symbols]

[0067] 1...sales management device, 2...check-in device, 3...gate device, 4...sensor group, 5...behavior monitoring device, 6...information terminal, 7...payment server, 11...processor, 12...main memory, 13...auxiliary storage unit, 14...communication interface, 15...transmission path, 100...store management system, 200...communication network, 300...payment server.

Claims

1. A sales management device capable of communicating with an information terminal, A storage means for storing a list of products to be purchased by a target customer, including a target product to which the first selling price is applied; a second update means for updating the list of purchased goods so as to apply a second selling price, different from the first selling price, to the target goods in response to the target customer entering a specific area; A sales management device comprising: a notification means for notifying the information terminal associated with the target customer of the list of target products included in the list of purchased products when the target customer leaves the specific area.

2. a receiving means for receiving a list of the target products designated by the target customer among the target products notified by the notifying means; 2. The sales management device according to claim 1, further comprising: a third update means for updating said list of purchased goods so as to apply said first selling price to said specified goods.

3. A sales management device capable of communicating with an information terminal, A storage means for storing a list of products to be purchased by a target customer, including a target product to which the first selling price is applied; a second update means for updating the list of purchased goods so as to apply a second selling price, different from the first selling price, to the target goods in response to the target customer entering a specific area; a notification means for, when the target customer leaves the specific area, notifying the information terminal associated with the target customer of the list of target products included in the list of purchased products and notifying the customer that declarations of products among the target products that were not consumed will be accepted, the sales management device being provided with:

4. A means for receiving a list of the target products notified by the notification means as products that have not been consumed by the target customer; 4. The sales management device according to claim 3, further comprising: a third update means for updating said list of purchased goods so as to apply said first selling price to said specified goods.

5. The first selling price is an amount obtained by adding a tax amount calculated based on a first tax rate to the selling price of the target product, 5. The sales management device according to claim 2, wherein the second selling price is an amount obtained by adding a tax amount determined by a second tax rate to the selling price of the target product.

6. 6. The sales management device according to claim 1, further comprising: a calculation unit for calculating prices of all purchased products shown in the list of purchased products, and carrying out a settlement process.

7. An information terminal; A storage means for storing a list of products to be purchased by a target customer, including a target product to which the first selling price is applied; a second update means for updating the list of purchased goods so as to apply a second selling price, different from the first selling price, to the target goods in response to the target customer entering a specific area; a notification means for notifying the information terminal associated with the target customer of the list of the target products included in the list of purchased products when the target customer leaves the specific area; A sales management device comprising the above, and a store management system comprising the above.

8. 8. The store management system according to claim 7, further comprising a payment device for processing payments for all of the purchased items shown in the list of purchased items.

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