Notification system, notification control device, and program

Abstract

To allow a clerk to handle a commodity appropriately regardless of his / her work experience at a store.SOLUTION: A notification system includes: a commodity identification unit that identifies a commodity; a notification unit that performs notification; a storage unit that stores information on the notification unit associated with a commodity that associates the notification unit and the commodity; and notification control means for controlling the notification unit associated with the commodity identified by a commodity identification unit that identifies the commodity based on the information on the notification unit associated with the commodity so as to perform a predetermined notification.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a notification system, a notification control device, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] 2. Description of the Related Art Electronic shelf labels are placed for each product displayed on store shelves, and product information such as the product name and price is displayed by the electronic shelf label (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-24497 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a store, a sales clerk may perform tasks such as replenishing products in a designated display position or removing products ordered by a customer from the display position. In such cases, for example, a sales clerk who has just started working in a store may not have sufficient product knowledge or may not fully understand the display positions of the products. In such cases, the sales clerk may easily make operational errors, such as being confused about where the products are displayed, replenishing products in the wrong place, or removing the wrong product.

[0005] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and has an object to enable store clerks to properly handle merchandise regardless of their work experience, etc. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is an alarm system comprising a product identification unit that identifies a product, an alarm unit that issues an alarm, a memory unit that stores alarm unit product correspondence information that associates the alarm unit with a product, and an alarm control means that controls the alarm unit that is associated with the product identified by the product identification unit that identifies the product in the alarm unit product correspondence information to issue a predetermined alarm.

[0007] Another aspect of the present invention is an alarm control device that includes an alarm control means for controlling an alarm unit that is associated with a product identified by a product identification means that identifies a product in alarm unit product correspondence information that corresponds the alarm unit that issues the alarm with the product, so that the alarm unit issues a predetermined alarm.

[0008] Another aspect of the present invention is a program for causing a computer acting as an alarm control device to function as an alarm control means for controlling an alarm unit that is associated with a product identified by a product identification means for identifying a product using alarm unit product correspondence information that associates the alarm unit that issues the alarm with the product, so that the alarm unit issues a predetermined alarm. Effect of the Invention

[0009] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an effect that a store clerk can appropriately handle merchandise regardless of work experience or the like. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a POS system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of installation of a POS terminal in the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a POS terminal according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of a POS terminal in the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the external appearance of an electronic shelf label in a first embodiment, as viewed from the front. [Figure 6]FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration of an electronic shelf label in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of display of cooked products in a thermal insulation display unit in the first embodiment and installation of electronic shelf labels corresponding to each cooked product. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure that is executed by the POS terminal and the electronic shelf label in response to a display setting operation by a store clerk in the first embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of shelf label product correspondence information in the first embodiment. [Figure 10] 6 is a flowchart showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the POS terminal and the electronic shelf label in relation to the registration of a cooking product in the first embodiment. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of a process procedure executed by the POS terminal and the electronic shelf label in relation to notification of expiration of a cooked commodity in the first embodiment. [Figure 12] 6 is a diagram showing an example of a processing procedure executed by the POS terminal and the electronic shelf label in relation to a replenishment instruction for cooking commodities in the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of how cigarettes are displayed in the second embodiment. [Figure 14] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of shelf label product correspondence information in the second embodiment. [Figure 15] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of a product designation screen corresponding to the product registration of cigarettes in the second embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a shelf label display operation screen in the first modified example. [Figure 17] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of shelf label product correspondence information in a first modified example. [Figure 18] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a ticket vending machine in a third modified example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] First Embodiment [Example of POS system configuration] 1 shows an example of the configuration of a POS (Point Of Sales) system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The POS system in the figure is provided in a store ST. The POS system in the figure includes a POS terminal 20, an electronic shelf label 30, a store controller 10, and a store clerk mobile terminal 40. The POS terminals 20, the electronic shelf labels 30, the store controller 10, and the store clerk mobile terminals 40 are communicatively connected via an in-store network NT. The connections in the POS system via the in-store network NT may be wireless or wired, or may be a mixture of wireless and wired connections.

[0012] The POS terminal 20 executes processes corresponding to transactions at the store. The POS terminal 20 also executes control corresponding to display, notification, etc. on the electronic shelf label 30. Note that, although the figure shows an example in which two POS terminals 20 are installed in the store ST, there is no particular limit to the number of POS terminals 20 installed in the store ST.

[0013] The electronic shelf label 30 is a device that is installed at a position corresponding to each specific product displayed in the store ST and functions as a shelf label by displaying information about the corresponding product, including the product name, price, etc.

[0014] The store controller 10 is a higher-level device than the POS terminal 20, and transmits information such as a product master to the POS terminal 20. The store controller 10 may also store, for example, the results of transaction processing by the POS terminal 20.

[0015] The store clerk mobile terminal 40 is a terminal that is carried and used by a store clerk for business purposes. The store clerk mobile terminal 40 can be used to perform operations such as ordering products.

[0016] Although there is no particular limitation on the type of store ST in which the POS system of this embodiment is installed, the following description will be given of an example in which the POS system is installed in a convenience store.

[0017] [About POS terminals] Figure 2 is a diagram showing an example of the installation of a POS terminal. Figure 2(A) is a perspective view of the POS terminal 20, etc., as seen from the customer side. Figure 2(B) is a perspective view of the POS terminal 20, etc., as seen from the store clerk side. As shown in Figure 2(A), a counter is placed to the right of the POS terminal 20 as seen from the customer side.

[0018] Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the appearance of a POS terminal. Fig. 3(A) is a perspective view of the POS terminal 20 as seen from the customer side. Fig. 3(B) is a perspective view of the POS terminal 20 as seen from the store clerk side. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the POS terminal 20. In Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, the same parts are given the same symbols.

[0019] An example of the configuration of the POS terminal 20 shown in Fig. 4 will be described below with reference to Fig. 3. The POS terminal 20 includes a CPU 201, a ROM 202, a RAM 203, a hard disk 204, a customer display unit 205, a customer scanner unit 206, a card payment unit 208, a change dispenser 209, a store clerk display unit 210, a key operation unit 211, a store clerk scanner unit 212, a printing unit 213, an audio output unit 214, and a communication unit 215. These can communicate with each other via a bus.

[0020] The CPU 201 is a central processing unit of the POS terminal 20, and controls the operation of the POS terminal 20 by reading and executing programs stored in the ROM 202. The ROM 202 is a read-only memory, and stores various types of information used by the CPU 201, including programs.

[0021] The RAM 203 is a read / write memory and stores various information. For example, the RAM 203 stores information acquired from the outside (e.g., a product master acquired from the store controller 10) and information generated during processing (e.g., registration information generated during registration processing, settlement information generated during settlement processing, etc.).

[0022] The hard disk 204 stores various information. For example, the hard disk 204 may store programs executed by the CPU 201 instead of the ROM 202. Also, instead of the RAM 203, the hard disk 204 may store information acquired from the outside and information generated during processing.

[0023] The customer-side display unit 205 is a touch display for customers, which displays various information to customers and accepts various inputs from customers. The customer side scanner unit 206 is a scanner unit for customer use, and optically reads, for example, bar codes (product codes, etc.) attached to products.

[0024] Although the customer-side scanner unit 206 is used when a customer registers a product, the customer may register the product by other methods. For example, if a product order button or the like is displayed on the customer-side display unit 205, the customer can operate (press) the order button to register the product.

[0025] The card payment unit 208 is a payment mechanism that accepts various cards (credit cards, transportation cards, etc.). The card payment unit 208 of this embodiment includes a card recognition unit (reading unit), a display unit, and an operation unit, but it is sufficient that the card payment unit 208 includes at least the card recognition unit.

[0026] The change machine 209 (cash settlement unit) is a cash settlement mechanism that has an input port for banknotes and coins and an output port for banknotes and coins. It calculates the amount of money inserted into the input port, calculates the change amount, which is the difference between the input amount and the purchase amount, and dispenses the change from the output port.

[0027] The store clerk's display unit 210 is a touch display for the store clerk, which displays various information to the store clerk and receives various inputs from the store clerk. The key operation unit 211 is made up of various keys (buttons) and receives various inputs from the store clerk. The store clerk scanner unit 212 is a scanner unit for use by the store clerk, and optically reads, for example, bar codes (product codes, etc.) attached to products and store clerk codes attached to the name tags of store clerks.

[0028] Although the store clerk's scanner unit 212 is used when the store clerk registers a product, the store clerk may register the product by other methods. For example, if a key corresponding to a product (e.g., a key corresponding to a sports newspaper, etc.) is arranged on the key operation unit 211, the store clerk can operate (press) that key to register the product. Also, if a preset key corresponding to a product is displayed on the store clerk's display unit 210, the store clerk can operate that preset key to register the product.

[0029] Printing unit 213 is a printing unit that ejects media, and prints and issues various media such as receipts. Printing unit 213 is a single printing unit that can be freely rotated to face from the store clerk side to the customer side and from the customer side to the store clerk side (direction of the media issuing port). The orientation of the printing unit may be changed manually, or may be changed automatically (mechanically controlled, etc.) in response to, for example, a transition in operating mode. The correctness of the orientation of the printing unit may be detected by a sensor or the like.

[0030] The audio output unit 214 outputs audio. For example, the audio output unit 214 outputs audio guidance and the like. The communication unit 215 transmits and receives information to and from other devices (other POS terminals 20, the store controller 10).

[0031] [POS terminal operation mode] Next, a description will be given of the operation modes of the POS terminal 20. The POS terminal 20 has a plurality of operation modes. Specifically, the POS terminal 20 has four operation modes: a normal mode, a full self-service mode, a double scan mode, and a semi-self-service mode. Note that the operating modes described below are operating modes related to accounting during normal business operations (operating modes related to registration processing and settlement processing), and do not include a calculation mode in which sales and inventory are calculated and inquired, a maintenance mode in which store clerks or maintenance personnel perform setup and maintenance work, a training mode in which new employees are trained, etc. In this embodiment, the concept of "accounting" includes, for example, from product registration in one transaction to settlement (payment) of the registered products.

[0032] The normal mode is an operation mode for when, during a transaction, a store clerk performs an operation corresponding to product registration (product registration operation) and a customer performs an operation corresponding to payment (payment operation). In the normal mode, the POS terminal 20 executes a registration process in response to a product registration operation performed by the store clerk on the store clerk side (FIG. 2(A)), and executes a payment process in response to a payment operation performed by the customer on the customer side (FIG. 2(B)). Specifically, the clerk operates the clerk display unit 210, the clerk scanner unit 212, the key operation unit 211, etc. on the clerk's side to register the items purchased by the customer. When the clerk has completed the registration of the items, the customer checks the total amount of the purchased items displayed on the clerk display unit 210, and for settlement, inserts coins into the change machine 209 and operates the customer display unit 205 and the card settlement unit 208. The POS terminal 20 executes settlement processing in response to such operations by the customer.

[0033] The customer may wait until the registration process is completed (until the total amount is determined), but may insert money into the change dispenser 209 before the product registration process is completed. In other words, the POS terminal 20 may be able to accept deposits during the registration process.

[0034] The store clerk may wait until the customer completes the settlement (until the customer receives the change and receipt), but may also register the purchased items of the next customer. In other words, the POS terminal 20 may be capable of registering the purchased items of the next customer during the settlement process.

[0035] Furthermore, when there is change, the POS terminal 20 controls the dispenser 209 to dispense the change and change notes to prevent the customer from forgetting to take the change, and after detecting with a sensor or the like that the customer has removed the change and change notes, controls the printing unit 213 to print a receipt. This is the same in other operation modes.

[0036] The full self-service mode is an operating mode in which the customer performs product registration operations and payment operations. In the full self-service mode, the customer operates the customer display unit 205, customer scanner unit 206, etc. on the customer side (FIG. 2(A)) to register the purchased products. When the registration process is completed, the customer checks the total amount of the purchased products displayed on the clerk display unit 210, and inserts coins into the change machine 209 and operates the customer display unit 205 and card payment unit 208 for payment.

[0037] In the full self-service mode, both the registration process and the settlement process are performed by the customer, but this does not mean that the store clerk cannot do anything. In other words, even when the POS terminal 20 is operating in the full self-service mode, the store clerk code can be scanned by the store clerk scanner unit 212. Also, even when the POS terminal 20 is operating in the full self-service mode, various information (for example, the list described in FIG. 15) can be displayed on the store clerk display unit 210. For example, during operation in the full self-service mode, the clerk display unit 210 may display the same screen as that displayed on the customer display unit 205 in accordance with the registration process and settlement process being performed on the customer side. In other words, the clerk display unit 210 may display a mirrored version of the content displayed on the customer display unit 205. This allows the clerk to know what operations the customer is performing and the processing status of the POS terminal 20 in the full self-service mode.

[0038] The double scan mode is an operation mode in which both the clerk and the customer can perform product registration operations, and the customer performs payment operations. That is, in the double scan mode, the clerk can register purchased products by operating the clerk display unit 210, the clerk scanner unit 212, and the key operation unit 211 on the clerk side, and the customer can register products by operating the customer display unit 205, the customer scanner unit 206, etc. on the customer side. The product registration operations on the clerk side and the product registration operations on the customer side may be performed simultaneously in parallel. The POS terminal 20 executes registration processing in accordance with the product registration operations performed by the clerk side and the product registration operations performed by the customer side, respectively. Once the registration process is complete, the customer checks the total amount of the purchased items displayed on the store clerk display unit 210, and to settle the bill, inserts coins into the change machine 209 or operates the customer display unit 205 or card payment unit 208.

[0039] In the double scan mode, the POS terminal 20 may be set to wait until the store clerk completes the customer's payment (until the customer receives the change and receipt), but the store clerk may be able to register the items purchased by the next customer before the previous customer's payment is completed. Also, the store clerk may be absent while a customer is paying. In other words, the store clerk may finish serving the customer while the customer is paying.

[0040] The semi-self-service mode is an operation mode that is possible when multiple POS terminals 20 are installed. In the semi-self-service mode, a store clerk operates the store clerk side of at least one POS terminal 20 set to the registration-only mode to register products, and a customer operates the customer side of another POS terminal 20 set to the settlement-only mode to settle the payment. In the semi-self-service mode, the store clerk operates the store clerk scanner unit 212, the store clerk display unit 210, the key operation unit 211, etc., on the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode to register the products purchased by the customer. When the store clerk has completed the product registration operation, the customer moves to the POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode. The destination POS terminal 20 is provided with information necessary for settlement processing (such as registration information generated in the POS terminal 20 in the registration-only mode). The customer checks the total amount of the purchased products displayed on the customer-side display unit 205 of the destination POS terminal 20 in the settlement-only mode, and inserts coins into the change machine 209 and operates the customer-side display unit 205 and card settlement unit 208 for settlement.

[0041] In the following description, a case where the POS terminal 20 operates in the normal mode will be taken as an example. Furthermore, the POS terminal 20 in this embodiment is not limited to being switchable between the four operating modes as described above, but may be, for example, one that performs accounting processes from product registration to payment in response to operations by a store clerk.

[0042] [About electronic shelf labels] 5A is a front view of an example of the external appearance of the electronic shelf label 30. On the front side of the electronic shelf label 30, a display unit 304 and a light emitting indicator unit 305 are arranged. The display unit 304 is configured with a display device such as electronic paper, and displays content according to the input display data. Fig. 5(B) shows an example in which information (product related information) about the product "fried chicken (salty)" is displayed on the display unit 304. The light emitting indicator unit 305 is a portion where display is performed by a light emitting element such as an LED. The light emitting indicator unit 305 may be configured to emit light in a single color, or may be capable of emitting light in a predetermined number of colors.

[0043] The electronic shelf label 30 is provided so as to be attached to a predetermined position corresponding to a predetermined product displayed on a display shelf or the like, and product-related information of the corresponding product is displayed on the display unit 304 of the electronic shelf label 30, as shown in Fig. 5(B) . A customer can learn the product name and price of the corresponding product by looking at the product-related information displayed on the electronic shelf label 30.

[0044] Moreover, code information BC is attached to the electronic shelf label 30. The code information BC indicates at least a shelf label code that is an identifier that uniquely identifies the corresponding electronic shelf label 30, for example.

[0045] Fig. 6 shows an example of the configuration of an electronic shelf label 30. In the figure, the same parts as those in Fig. 5 are given the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. The electronic shelf label 30 in the figure includes a CPU 301 , a storage unit 302 , a RAM 303 , a display unit 304 , a light emitting indicator unit 305 , and a communication unit 306 . The CPU 301 is a central processing unit of the electronic shelf label 30, and controls the operation of the electronic shelf label 30 by, for example, reading and executing a program stored in the storage unit 302. The storage unit 302 is an auxiliary storage device of the electronic shelf label 30, and stores various types of information used by the CPU 301, including programs. The RAM 303 is a main storage device of the electronic shelf label 30, and stores information that is temporarily used when the CPU 301 executes processing. The communication unit 306 executes communication via the in-store network NT.

[0046] The electronic shelf label 30 has a structure (attachment site) that allows attachment at a predetermined position corresponding to a displayed product. The attachment site is not particularly limited, and an appropriate structure may be adopted depending on the location where attachment is performed. A specific example of the attachment site may be a site having a shape that allows the electronic shelf label 30 to be inserted or fitted into a groove or hole in a site on the side where the electronic shelf label 30 is attached. The attachment site may also have a structure that clamps an object using a clip mechanism. The attachment site may be configured to allow attachment by magnetic force using a magnet or the like. The attachment site may be configured to allow attachment by adhesion. The attachment site may also be configured to allow attachment by adhering using a suction cup.

[0047] [Example of use of electronic shelf labels in this embodiment] [Electronic shelf label display settings] In the store ST as a convenience store, products (cooked products) that are cooked in the store ST, such as fried chicken, are provided, for example. Such cooked products are displayed in showcases (insulating fixtures) that can keep the products warm. For example, in the case of product registration, in the case of products (general products) that are not cooked products but are displayed on general shelves, customers pick up the products they want to purchase and hand them to the store clerk operating the POS terminal 20 at the time of payment. For this reason, general products are usually affixed with barcodes indicating product information such as product codes. Therefore, when the store clerk operating the POS terminal 20 receives a general product from a customer, the store clerk can register the product by inputting the barcode affixed to the received general product into the POS terminal 20. In this case, even if the store clerk has only recently started working at the store ST and has little product knowledge or does not fully understand the display positions of the products (inexperienced person), the store clerk can perform the product registration task without any particular problem. On the other hand, in the case of cooked products displayed in a warming display, a store clerk takes out the cooked product from the warming display upon receiving an order from a customer. Furthermore, the cooked product itself does not have a barcode. For this reason, when registering a cooked product, the store clerk must specify the cooked product to be registered and then perform an operation to execute the registration process. In this case, if the store clerk is inexperienced, mistakes such as not knowing where the product is when taking it out or mistaking the product for another one are likely to occur. It is preferable to reduce the occurrence of such mistakes as much as possible.

[0048] Therefore, in this embodiment, electronic shelf labels 30 are used for cooked products displayed in a warming display unit. As described below, the electronic shelf labels 30 are configured to provide predetermined notifications (including warnings, instructions, etc.) regarding the cooked products to store clerks, thereby reducing mistakes in handling the cooked products by store clerks.

[0049] 7 shows an example of display of cooked products in a heat-retaining fixture 50 and installation of electronic shelf labels 30 corresponding to each cooked product. Note that in this figure, the display unit 304, the light-emitting indicator unit 305, the code information BC, etc. of the electronic shelf label 30 are omitted. Fig. 7(A) is a view of the warming fixture 50 as seen from the store clerk's side. Fig. 7(B) is a view of the warming fixture 50 as seen from the customer's side opposite the store clerk's side. The heat-retaining fixture 50 is placed near the POS terminal 20, for example, on a counter on which the POS terminal 20 is placed. The thermal display unit 50 is in the form of a transparent showcase. For example, the door of the thermal display unit 50 can be opened and closed from the store clerk's side. The store clerk can open the door of the thermal display unit 50, place cooked products inside and display them, or take out the cooked products that are displayed. In addition, from the customer's side of the thermal display unit 50, the customer can see what cooked products are displayed through the transparent case.

[0050] In the example shown in the figure, the warming fixture 50 has three levels, one above the other, and each level is designed to display two types of cooked products. Specifically, referring to Fig. 7(A) and viewed from the store clerk's side, tray TL-1 is placed on the left side and tray TL-2 is placed on the right side on the first tier from the top (upper tier). Cooked product SC-1 is placed on tray TL-1, and cooked product SC-2 is placed on tray TL-2. In addition, in the second tier from the top (middle tier), tray TL-3 is placed on the left and tray TL-4 is placed on the right. Tray TL-3 carries cooked product SC-3, and tray TL-4 carries cooked product SC-4. In addition, in the third tier from the top (bottom tier), tray TL-5 is placed on the left and tray TL-6 is placed on the right. Tray TL-5 carries cooked product SC-5, and tray TL-6 carries cooked product SC-6. FIG. 7(B) shows the arrangement of cooked products SC-1 to SC-6 placed on trays TL-1 to TL-6 as shown in FIG. 7(A) as viewed from the customer side, opposite the staff side.

[0051] 7(A), on the staff side of the warming fixture 50, electronic shelf labels 30-1B to 30-6B are arranged for each of the six cooked products SC-1 to SC-6 displayed as described above, with their display units facing the staff side. Here, the customer side electronic shelf label 30-1B and the staff side electronic shelf label 30-1A are paired electronic shelf labels associated with the same product. Similarly, the customer side electronic shelf labels 30-2B to 30-6B and the staff side electronic shelf labels 30-2A to 30-2B are paired electronic shelf labels associated with the same product. Although not shown in the figure, each of the electronic shelf tags 30-1A to 30-6A displays product-related information, such as the product name, so that a store clerk can see that the corresponding products are cooked products SC-1 to SC-6, respectively.

[0052] Also, as shown in FIG. 7(B), electronic shelf labels 30-1B to 30-6B are arranged on the customer side corresponding to the cooked products SC-1 to SC-6. Each of the electronic shelf labels 30-1B to 30-6B displays product-related information that indicates information about a corresponding product that is necessary for a customer, such as the product name and price. The content of the product-related information displayed to store clerks on electronic shelf labels 30-1A to 30-6A and the content of the product-related information displayed to customers on electronic shelf labels 30-1B to 30-6B may be the same, or different content may be displayed for store clerks and customers.

[0053] In the following explanation of Fig. 7, the store clerk side electronic shelf labels 30-1A to 30-6A will be referred to as electronic shelf labels 30-A when there is no particular distinction between them. Also, the customer side electronic shelf labels 30-1B to 30-6B will be referred to as electronic shelf labels 30-B when there is no particular distinction between them. Also, when there is no particular distinction between the electronic shelf labels 30-A and the electronic shelf labels 30-B, they will be referred to as electronic shelf labels 30. Moreover, when there is no particular distinction between the trays TL-1 to TL-6, they will be referred to as trays TL. Furthermore, when no particular distinction is made between the cooked products SC-1 to SC-6, they will be referred to as cooked product SC.

[0054] The electronic shelf labels 30 are capable of displaying information by acquiring (receiving) information for display. Thus, each of the electronic shelf labels 30 installed corresponding to the thermal fixtures 50 is also configured to acquire product-related information of the corresponding product and display the product-related information of the corresponding product. In this embodiment, the store clerk can display product-related information on the electronic shelf labels 30 by performing a display setting operation as described below.

[0055] An example of a process procedure that the POS terminal 20 and the electronic shelf label 30 execute in response to a display setting operation by a store clerk will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. First, an example of a process executed by the POS terminal 20 will be described. Step S101: For example, at a certain time on a business day, a store clerk prepares to display cooked products SC on the warming display unit 50. At this time, the store clerk attaches electronic shelf labels 30-1A to 30-6A to the store clerk side and electronic shelf labels 30-1B to 30-6B to the customer side in advance, corresponding to the left and right positions (positions where trays TL are placed) on the upper, middle, and lower levels of the warming display unit 50. At this time, the electronic shelf labels 30-1A to 30-6A and the electronic shelf labels 30-1B to 30-6B have not acquired information for display, and therefore are not displayed on the display unit 304. After completing the above preparations, the store clerk operates the POS terminal 20 to switch to the shelf label display control mode. The shelf label display control mode is a mode in which the POS terminal 20 executes control to display the electronic shelf labels 30 attached to the thermal fixtures 50. In response to the operation to switch to the shelf label display control mode, the POS terminal 20 sets the shelf label display control mode.

[0056] It should be noted that the store clerk should confirm (decide) where on the warming fixture 50 (on which tray TL) which cooked products will be displayed when performing the operation to switch to the shelf label display control mode. Alternatively, the cooked products SC may be displayed in the heat-retaining fixture 50 at a stage before the product-related information is displayed on the electronic shelf label 30.

[0057] Step S102: The store clerk performs an operation (product designation operation) to designate one of the products displayed on the electronic shelf label 30 as a target product. The POS terminal 20 accepts the product designation operation performed by the store clerk. That is, the POS terminal 20 may store information on the product designated by the product designation operation in, for example, the RAM 203.

[0058] Step S103: The store clerk also performs an operation to have the store clerk scanner unit 212 (or the customer scanner unit 206) read the code information BC attached to the electronic shelf label 30 attached corresponding to the display position of the product specified by the product specification operation in step S102. In response to this operation, the POS terminal 20 acquires information (shelf label information) such as the shelf label code indicated by the code information read by the store clerk scanner unit 212.

[0059] 7, one electronic shelf label 30 is associated with each cooking product SC, one for the store clerk side and one for the customer side (two in total). In response to step S103, the code information of one electronic shelf label 30 is read. For example, particularly when the content displayed on the electronic shelf labels 30 on the store clerk side and the customer side is to be different, it is preferable that when the code information is read from the electronic shelf label 30, it is possible to identify whether the electronic shelf label 30 to be read is for the store clerk side or the customer side. Therefore, in response to step S103, when the code information is read from the electronic shelf label 30, the store clerk may operate the POS terminal 20 to specify whether the electronic shelf label 30 for which the code information is to be read belongs to the store clerk or to the customer.

[0060] In correspondence with the processing procedure of steps S102 and S103, the store clerk first performs the product designation operation, and then performs the operation to read the code information BC of the electronic shelf label 30. However, the store clerk may first perform the operation to read the code information BC of the electronic shelf label 30, and then perform the product designation operation. When the operations are performed in this order, the POS terminal 20 executes the processing in the order of steps S103 and S102.

[0061] Step S104: In response to the execution of the processes of steps S102 and S103, the POS terminal 20 stores shelf label-product correspondence information. The shelf label-product correspondence information is information indicating the correspondence between the electronic shelf labels 30 attached to the thermal display unit 50 and the products displayed in the thermal display unit 50. The shelf label-product correspondence information may be stored in the hard disk 204.

[0062] Fig. 9 shows an example of shelf label product correspondence information stored in the POS terminal 20. One row (one record) in the figure is one piece of shelf label product correspondence information corresponding to a combination of one cooking product SC and two electronic shelf labels 30 on the staff side and the customer side. One shelf label product correspondence information has a structure in which the shelf label codes of the electronic shelf labels 30 on the corresponding store clerk side and customer side correspond to the product code of the corresponding cooking product. The shelf label codes of the shelf label product correspondence information are acquired from the code information of the electronic shelf labels 30 in response to step S103. The product code of the shelf label product correspondence information is the product code of the product specified in response to step S102.

[0063] Here, at the stage where shelf label product correspondence information is stored in response to, for example, previously reading code information from the clerk's electronic shelf label 30 in correspondence with one cooking product SC, the area of ​​the customer's shelf label code in the stored shelf label product correspondence information is blank. Then, when code information is subsequently read from the customer's electronic shelf label 30 in correspondence with the same cooking product SC, the POS terminal 20 may execute the following process as the process of step S104. That is, the shelf label code based on the code information read from the customer's electronic shelf label 30 may be stored in the area of ​​the customer's shelf label code in the shelf label product correspondence information that has already been stored in a state in which the code information of the clerk's electronic shelf label 30 is stored.

[0064] The store clerk's side electronic shelf label 30 and the customer's side electronic shelf label 30 corresponding to one cooking product SC may be registered in advance as a pair. In this case, for example, in the shelf label product correspondence information, it is stored that the shelf label codes of the store clerk's side electronic shelf label 30 and the customer's side electronic shelf label 30, which have been registered and set in advance to be a pair, are in a paired relationship. In this case, the two electronic shelf labels 30 registered as a pair may be provided with a unique mark (e.g., a predetermined figure, design, pair number, character, etc.) so that the pair can be identified and the pair can be distinguished from the electronic shelf labels 30 other than the other pairs. In this way, when a store clerk attaches the electronic shelf labels 30 to the warming fixture 50, the clerk can check the mark and attach the two paired electronic shelf labels 30 to the store clerk side and the customer side, respectively, without mistaking the electronic shelf labels 30 for one cooked product SC with other electronic shelf labels 30. In this case, the store clerk performs a product designation operation and an operation of reading the code information BC of either the store clerk's or customer's electronic shelf label 30, whereby the product code is associated with both the electronic shelf label 30 from which the code information BC was read and the electronic shelf label 30 that is paired with the electronic shelf label 30. That is, in the shelf label product association information, the product code acquired by the product designation operation is stored in the product code field associated with the paired electronic shelf label code including the shelf label code of the electronic shelf label 30 from which the code information BC was read. In this case, for example, when the business day ends and the warming fixture 50 is cleaned, the correspondence between the shelf label code and the product code in the shelf label-product correspondence information is cleared, but the shelf label code of the paired electronic shelf label 30 may not be cleared. In this case, if the electronic shelf label 30 attached to the warming fixture 50 is one that has been registered as a pair, there is no need to register the pair of electronic shelf labels 30.

[0065] Moreover, in the shelf label product correspondence information in the figure, a cooking history is further associated. The cooking history is information showing the cooking history of the corresponding cooked product SC at the store ST. As shown in the figure, the cooking history is information that associates the cooking completion time with the replenishment quantity. For example, each time the corresponding cooked product SC is cooked in the store ST and displayed (replenished) in the warming fixture 50 during one business day, one cooking history (cooking completion time and replenishment quantity) is added. The cooking completion time is the time when the cooking of the corresponding cooked product SC in the store ST is completed. The cooking completion time of the shelf label product correspondence information may be, for example, the time corresponding to the timing when the processing of steps S102 and S103 is completed. The time corresponding to the timing when the processing of steps S102 and S103 is completed is not, strictly speaking, the time when the cooking of the corresponding cooked product SC is completed. However, in this case, when the cooking of the cooked product SC is actually completed, the store ST puts the cooked product SC in the warming fixture 50 and displays it as soon as possible, so there is not much difference between the time when the shelf label product correspondence information is stored and the time when the cooking is actually completed, and there is no problem in considering it as the time when the cooking is completed. Furthermore, the replenishment quantity indicates the quantity of cooked products SC cooked at the corresponding cooking completion time that has been replenished (displayed) in the warming fixture 50. When the replenishment quantity is included in the cooking history in this manner, the store clerk may perform an operation to input the current replenishment quantity in addition to the operation of specifying the product in accordance with steps S102 and S103 and the operation of reading the code information BC. In response to the completion of the processes in steps S102 and S103, the process proceeds from step S104 to step S105, which will be described next. In response to the process in step S105, the electronic shelf label 30 displays product-related information. Therefore, the time when the processes of steps S102 and S103 are completed corresponds to the time when the product-related information is displayed on the electronic shelf label 30 in response to the product-related information being transmitted to the electronic shelf label 30 in step S105.

[0066] Returning to the explanation to FIG. Step S105: The POS terminal 20 transmits product-related information to the electronic shelf label 30 having the shelf label code acquired in response to step S103. The product-related information transmitted in step S105 may be generated using information on the product specified in step S102 acquired from the product master. In step S105, the POS terminal 20 transmits product-related information to the clerk-side electronic shelf label 30-A and the customer-side electronic shelf label 30-B. At this time, the POS terminal 20 may transmit the same product-related information to the clerk-side electronic shelf label 30-A and the customer-side electronic shelf label 30-B, or may transmit product-related information with different contents for the clerk-side electronic shelf label 30-A and the customer-side electronic shelf label 30-B.

[0067] Step S106: In response to the completion of the transmission of the product-related information in step S105, the POS terminal 20 notifies the store clerk that the transmission of the product-related information is completed (transmission completion notification). The transmission completion notification may be performed, for example, by displaying in a predetermined manner on the store clerk-side display unit 210.

[0068] Step S107: After step S106, the POS terminal 20 determines whether or not the store clerk has performed an operation to instruct the end of the shelf label display control mode (mode end operation). If there are still electronic shelf labels 30 on which product-related information should be displayed, the store clerk does not end the mode, but instead performs a product designation operation for the next target product in order to display the product-related information on the next electronic shelf label 30. In response to the product designation operation being performed, the POS terminal 20 is caused to return to the process of step S102.

[0069] Step S108: The store clerk performs a mode ending operation when the product-related information is displayed for all the electronic shelf labels 30 that should display the product-related information. In response to the mode ending operation, the POS terminal 20 ends the shelf label display control mode.

[0070] Next, an example of a process executed by the electronic shelf label 30 will be described. Step S201: The electronic shelf label 30 receives the product-related information sent to itself from the POS terminal 20 as the process of step S105. Step S202: The electronic shelf label 30 displays the received product-related information on the display unit 304.

[0071] As can be understood from the above explanation, when a store clerk displays cooked products SC on the thermal insulation display unit 50, the clerk can perform a product designation operation on the POS terminal 20 to designate the target product, and then have the code information BC of the electronic shelf label 30 attached corresponding to the display position of the target product read, thereby causing the electronic shelf label 30 to display (report) information about the target product, through a simple operation.

[0072] For example, in a general display shelf where customers can take products, when replenishing products, there are often products that remain on display and are not sold out. Furthermore, in a general display shelf, the display positions of products are not changed frequently. For this reason, when product information is displayed on a general display shelf using electronic shelf labels, the display on the electronic shelf labels is not changed or the electronic shelf labels are not removed frequently. For this reason, when replenishing products, for example, the work can be performed by checking the products already on display and replenishing the same products. In other words, in most cases, even an inexperienced store clerk can display and replenish products on a general display shelf without any problems. On the other hand, the warming fixture 50 is cleaned periodically, for example, once a day. When cleaning, the warming fixture 50 is emptied. For this reason, when attempting to display cooked products SC for the first time after cleaning the warming fixture 50, cooked products SC are displayed in a state where nothing is displayed in the warming fixture 50, and therefore an inexperienced store clerk is likely to be confused about which cooked products SC should be displayed in which position or to display the cooked products SC in the wrong position. In the case of this embodiment, by performing the above-described operation of specifying the cooked product SC on the store clerk display unit 210 of the POS terminal 20 and having the POS terminal 20 read the code information of the electronic shelf label 30 attached to the thermal insulation fixture 50, the product information can be displayed on the electronic shelf label 30. The store clerk can then display the cooked products SC while checking the product information displayed on the electronic shelf label 30. This allows even an inexperienced store clerk to perform display work while accurately understanding which cooked products SC should be displayed at each display position on the warming display unit 50. Also, when it is necessary to remove cooked products SC from the warming display unit 50, the store clerk can confirm the cooked products SC to be removed while checking the product information displayed on the electronic shelf label 30, and remove the cooked products SC. This allows even an inexperienced store clerk to remove cooked products SC without hesitation, for example, by relying on the names of the cooked products SC. In addition, it is preferable that the cooked products SC displayed in the warming fixture 50 can be flexibly changed depending on, for example, the weather, the season, events, etc. of the day. In this case, if product information is presented by, for example, a general product tag or sticker corresponding to each product displayed in the warming fixture 50, it is difficult to change the cooked products SC displayed in the warming fixture 50 because it is troublesome to replace the product tag or sticker. In contrast, if the electronic shelf label 30 is configured to display product information as in the present embodiment, the store clerk does not need to select a particular electronic shelf label 30 when attaching the electronic shelf label 30 to the warming fixture 50, and the display of product information on the electronic shelf label 30 can be performed by a simple operation. In other words, under the present embodiment, the products displayed in the warming fixture 50 can be easily and flexibly changed.

[0073] [Notification of display position of cooked products] In the store ST, product-related information is displayed on each of the electronic shelf labels 30 attached to the warming fixtures 50, and the store operates with cooked products SC displayed in appropriate positions on the warming fixtures 50. When a customer wishes to purchase a cooked product SC, the customer places an order by verbally telling the store clerk operating the POS terminal 20 which cooked product SC he or she wishes to purchase. The store clerk operates the POS terminal 20 to register the ordered cooked product SC, and also takes out the ordered product from the warming display unit 50. At this time, there is a possibility that the store clerk will be confused as to which of the products displayed in the warming display unit 50 the ordered product is, or may take the wrong product. Such a mistake is more likely to occur, for example, when the store clerk is inexperienced. In this embodiment, an electronic shelf label 30 displaying product information for each cooked product SC is attached to the staff side of the warming fixture 50. This can prevent mistakes such as those described above from occurring, but even if product information is displayed on the electronic shelf label 30, there is a possibility that a store clerk, particularly an inexperienced store clerk, may make a mistake such as mistaking the product name of the cooked product SC, for example. Therefore, in this embodiment, the configuration described below enables the waiter to more accurately pick up the cooked product SC ordered by the customer.

[0074] The flowchart in FIG. 10 shows an example of a process performed by the POS terminal 20 and the electronic shelf label 30 in relation to the registration of the cooking product SC. First, an example of a process executed by the POS terminal 20 will be described. Step S301: The POS terminal 20 waits for a product registration operation to be performed to specify and register one product. Step S302: In response to the product registration operation, the POS terminal 20 executes a product registration process for registering the product designated by the product registration operation.

[0075] Step S303: The POS terminal 20 judges whether or not the product registered by the product registration process in step S302 is a cooking product. For example, in the product information for each product stored in the product master in this embodiment, information indicating that the product is a cooking product is stored. As the process of step S303, the POS terminal 20 may judge whether or not information indicating that the product is a cooking product is included in the product information of the corresponding product acquired when executing the product registration process in step S302. If it is determined that the registered product is not a cooking product, the process of step S304 described below is skipped and the process in FIG.

[0076] Step S304: If it is determined in step S303 that the registered product is a cooking product, the POS terminal 20 transmits a position notification instruction to the electronic shelf label 30 on the store clerk side that is associated with the registered product. The position notification instruction is a command to instruct the electronic shelf label 30 to execute an operation of notifying the store clerk of the position where the corresponding product is displayed. The store clerk's electronic shelf label 30 that is the destination of the position notification instruction can be specified by referring to the shelf label code of the store clerk's electronic shelf label 30 in the shelf label product correspondence information that stores the same product code as the registered product.

[0077] Next, an example of a processing procedure of the electronic shelf label 30 will be described. Step S401: The electronic shelf label 30 receives the position notification instruction transmitted from the POS terminal 20 in step S304. Step S402: In response to receiving the position notification command, the electronic shelf label 30 executes position notification. The electronic shelf label 30 may emit light from the light emitting indicator unit 305 as a form of position notification in step S402. In this case, the color of light emitted by the light emitting indicator unit 305 may be determined appropriately. The color of light emitted by the light emitting indicator unit 305 may be changed over time. The light emitting indicator unit 305 may also be made to flash in a predetermined pattern. As an aspect of the position notification in step S402, a display corresponding to the notification may be performed on the display unit 304.

[0078] The electronic shelf label 30 that notifies the store clerk of the position as described above is attached to correspond to the display position of the cooked product SC registered by the product registration process. The store clerk then takes out the cooked product SC that corresponds to the electronic shelf label 30 that is notifying the position from the warming fixture 50. This allows even an inexperienced store clerk to quickly take out the cooked product SC ordered by a customer without making a mistake.

[0079] The position notification in step S402 may be terminated after a certain period of time has elapsed, or may be controlled by the POS terminal 20 so as to be terminated when the store clerk performs an operation to register the next product or a subtotal operation on the POS terminal 20. Furthermore, an operator may be provided on the electronic shelf label 30, and the position notification may be terminated in response to an operation on the operator. Also, a sensor such as an acceleration sensor capable of detecting vibrations is provided on the electronic shelf label 30. Then, the position notification may be terminated in response to the sensor detecting vibrations in response to an operation of touching any position on the electronic shelf label 30. In addition, in a case where a door is provided on the staff side of the warming fixture 50 and needs to be opened to take out the cooked product SC, the position notification may be terminated in response to the sensor detecting vibrations caused by the door being opened.

[0080] Furthermore, in the case where the electronic shelf label 30 includes a sensor for detecting vibration as described above, the electronic shelf label 30 can be configured to notify the POS terminal 20 that the cooked product SC has been removed as described below. That is, in response to the sensor detecting the vibration, the electronic shelf label 30 transmits a notification (a removal confirmation notification) to the POS terminal 20 that the registered cooked product SC has been removed from the warming fixture 50. By receiving the removal confirmation notification, the POS terminal 20 can confirm that the store clerk has remembered to remove the cooked product SC registered by the product registration process from the warming fixture 50. When a cooking product SC is included in the products registered by the product registration process in one transaction, the POS terminal 20 may be controlled so as not to complete the transaction unless a removal confirmation notice has been received for all of the registered cooking products SC. As a specific example, when a subtotal operation is performed and a removal confirmation notice has not been received for at least one of the registered cooking products SC, a message may be displayed on the store clerk's display unit 210, for example, to guide the customer to remove the cooking product SC that has been forgotten to be removed from the warming fixture 50. Then, in response to receiving a removal confirmation notice from the electronic shelf label 30 (or a confirmation operation on the POS terminal 20 by the store clerk), the POS terminal 20 may be made capable of executing a process related to the transaction after the subtotal operation.

[0081] In addition, when an electronic shelf label 30 equipped with a sensor for detecting vibration is attached to the customer side, the customer may touch the electronic shelf label 30 on the customer side corresponding to the cooking product SC that he or she wishes to order, thereby supporting product registration for the cooking product SC as a transaction object. That is, in this case, the electronic shelf label 30 on the customer side transmits a product registration request including its own shelf label code to the POS terminal 20 in response to detection of vibration caused by touching by the customer. The POS terminal 20 identifies the product code associated with the shelf label code included in the received product registration request from the shelf label product correspondence information, and displays in a predetermined manner on the store clerk's display unit 210 that the identified product should be registered. In this case, the display may be, for example, a pop-up window that presents information about the identified product (product name, product code), and the like, and then displays a message instructing the store clerk to perform a registration operation for the product. Also, the display may be such that the button corresponding to the identified product among the product designation buttons arranged on the product registration screen is highlighted, thereby urging the store clerk to perform a registration operation for the identified product. Also, at this time, the POS terminal 20 may control the electronic shelf label 30 corresponding to the identified product among the electronic shelf labels 30 on the store clerk's side to notify the customer of the position. In addition, the POS terminal 20 may execute a product registration process to register the identified product in response to identifying the product associated with the shelf label code included in the product registration request. In addition, in this case, the POS terminal 20 may control the electronic shelf label 30 corresponding to the identified product among the electronic shelf labels 30 on the store clerk's side to notify the customer of the product's location in conjunction with the execution of the product registration process. With this configuration, compared to when a store clerk receives a verbal order from a customer and registers the product, it is possible to reliably register the cooked product SC without making any mistakes.

[0082] In this manner, in this embodiment, in response to a product registration operation for registering a cooking product SC, the electronic shelf label 30 on the store clerk's side corresponding to the registered cooking product SC itself issues a notification. As a result, the store clerk can take out the cooking product SC without mistake by taking out the cooking product SC from the display position corresponding to the electronic shelf label 30 that issued the notification, for example, without checking the product name displayed on the electronic shelf label 30. In other words, even an inexperienced store clerk can accurately take out the cooking product SC without hesitation.

[0083] The POS terminal 20 may transmit a position notification instruction not only to the store clerk's electronic shelf label 30 but also to the customer's electronic shelf label 30 so that the customer's electronic shelf label 30 also performs position notification. By looking at the position notification of the customer's electronic shelf label 30, the customer can check whether the store clerk has mistakenly registered another product. In addition, the customer can clearly check whether the store clerk has mistakenly taken out another cooking product SC.

[0084] [Notification of expiration date of cooked products (time to discard)] The cooked product SC has a set expiration date of, for example, about several hours. Therefore, if the cooked product SC that has been cooked and displayed in the warming fixture 50 remains unsold until the expiration date, the store clerk must remove the cooked product SC that has passed its expiration date from the warming fixture 50 and discard it. However, when disposing of the cooked products SC as described above, the store clerk needs to know the expiration date of each cooked product SC and not forget the time when the cooked products SC displayed in the warming fixture 50 will expire. For this reason, the disposal of cooked products SC is difficult for an inexperienced store clerk, and even an experienced store clerk may forget the time when the cooked products SC will expire. Therefore, in this embodiment, as described below, when the expiration date of the corresponding cooking product SC is reached, a discard instruction notification (expiration date expiration notification) may be issued to the store clerk to instruct them to discard the cooking product SC, as shown on the electronic shelf label 30.

[0085] The flowchart in FIG. 11 shows an example of a process procedure executed by the POS terminal 20 and the electronic shelf label 30 in relation to notification of the expiration date of the cooked product SC. First, an example of a processing procedure of the POS terminal 20 will be described. Step S501: The POS terminal 20 waits for the cooking completion time to be set for one product. The cooking completion time is set in response to the shelf label product corresponding information being stored in step S104 of FIG. 8. The shelf label product corresponding information includes cooking completion time information. Therefore, the cooking completion time is set in response to the shelf label product corresponding information being stored.

[0086] Step S502: The POS terminal 20 acquires the expiration date of the cooked product SC for which the cooking completion time is set in step S101. The POS terminal 20 may acquire information on the expiration date of the cooked product SC stored in the product information in the product master, for example.

[0087] Step S503: When the POS terminal 20 acquires the expiration date in step S502, it starts measuring time and waits until the measured time passes the expiration date. Step S504: When the expiration date has passed, the POS terminal 20 transmits an expiration date notification indicating that the expiration date has passed to the store clerk's electronic shelf label 30 associated with the corresponding cooked product SC in the shelf label product association information.

[0088] Next, an example of a process executed by the electronic shelf label 30 will be described. Step S601: The electronic shelf label 30 receives the expiration date notification sent from the POS terminal 20 in step S504. Step S602: In response to receiving the expiration date notification, the electronic shelf label 30 issues a disposal instruction notification. The disposal instruction notification is a notification to instruct a store clerk to dispose of the corresponding cooked product SC. The electronic shelf label 30 may be configured to cause the light-emitting indicator unit 305 to emit light in a predetermined manner as a mode of the disposal instruction notification in step S602. Furthermore, the electronic shelf label 30 may be configured to display content corresponding to the disposal instruction notification on the display unit 304.

[0089] By notifying the store clerk of the disposal instruction as described above, the store clerk can reliably recognize the cooked products SC that have passed their expiration date and can carry out the disposal work.

[0090] [Instructions for replenishing (producing) cooked products] In addition, for example, in a store ST, when the remaining number of cooked products SC displayed in the warming fixture 50 falls below a predetermined number, at least the missing cooked products SC are cooked and replenished in the warming fixture 50. In such an operation, the store clerk must know the remaining number of cooking products SC that requires replenishment, and must check whether the remaining number of cooking products SC has fallen below a certain level each time a customer purchases a cooking product SC. The remaining number that requires replenishment may differ depending on the cooking product SC. In this case, the store clerk must remember the remaining number that requires replenishment for each cooking product SC. For this reason, especially for inexperienced store clerks, there is a high possibility that cooking products SC will not be properly replenished because they will not be able to grasp the remaining number of cooking products SC that need to be replenished, or they will forget to check the remaining number, etc. If replenishment is not performed, for example, when an order is received from a customer, the cooking products SC will be out of stock, leading to a missed sales opportunity. Therefore, in this embodiment, an instruction to replenish cooking products SC may be given as follows.

[0091] The flowchart in FIG. 12 shows an example of a process procedure that the POS terminal 20 and the electronic shelf label 30 execute in relation to an instruction to replenish the cooking product SC. First, an example of a process executed by the POS terminal 20 will be described. Step S701: The POS terminal 20 waits for the completion of a transaction in which the cooking product SC is included in the purchased products as a transaction corresponding to one transaction. If the cooking product SC is included in the purchased products, it means that the cooking product SC was registered during the product registration process. In other words, a process of identifying the cooking product SC as a product has been performed.

[0092] Step S702: When it is determined that the transaction including the cooking product SC has been completed, the POS terminal 20 obtains the current remaining quantity of the cooking product SC included in the transaction. For this reason, the POS terminal 20 may be configured to constantly manage the remaining number. For example, when replenishing the cooking products SC in the warming fixture 50, the store clerk performs an operation of inputting the number of cooking products SC to be replenished into the POS terminal 20. In response to the input of the number of cooking products SC to be replenished, the POS terminal 20 adds the number of cooking products SC to be replenished to the previous remaining number, and updates the current remaining number. In addition, the POS terminal 20 updates the remaining number by subtracting the number of cooking products SC whose purchase has been confirmed from the current remaining number at a timing when the purchase of the cooking products SC by the customer can be considered to have been confirmed (for example, at the timing when the product registration of the transaction including the registration of the cooking products SC is completed (for example, at the timing when the product registration process of the cooking products SC is completed, or at the timing when the accounting for the transaction including the purchase of the cooking products SC is completed). In step S702, the POS terminal 20 may obtain the remaining number of cooking products SC purchased in the current transaction from the remaining number of cooking products SC managed in this manner. When multiple types of cooking products SC are purchased in the current transaction, the POS terminal 20 obtains the remaining number for each of the multiple types of cooking products SC.

[0093] Step S703: The POS terminal 20 determines whether or not there is a cooking product SC whose remaining quantity obtained in step S702 is equal to or less than a predetermined value (threshold value). If multiple types of cooking products SC are purchased in the current transaction, the POS terminal 20 compares the remaining quantity with a threshold value set for each type of cooking product SC. When it is determined in step S703 that there is no cooking product SC whose remaining number is equal to or less than the predetermined number, the POS terminal 20 skips the process of step S704 described next, and ends the process in the figure.

[0094] Step S704: If it is determined in step S703 that the remaining number of cooking products SC is equal to or less than the predetermined number, the POS terminal 20 transmits a replenishment instruction to each of the electronic shelf labels 30 associated with each cooking product SC whose remaining number is determined to be equal to or less than the predetermined number.

[0095] Next, an example of a process executed by the electronic shelf label 30 will be described. Step S801: The electronic shelf label 30 receives the replenishment instruction transmitted from the POS terminal 20 in step S704. Step S802: In response to receiving the replenishment instruction, the electronic shelf label 30 issues a replenishment instruction notification. The replenishment instruction notification is a notification to instruct a store clerk to replenish the corresponding cooking product SC. The electronic shelf label 30 may be configured to cause the light-emitting indicator unit 305 to emit light in a predetermined manner as a form of the disposal instruction notification in step S802. Furthermore, the electronic shelf label 30 may be configured to display content corresponding to the replenishment instruction notification on the display unit 304.

[0096] In the past, in POS systems, the function of managing the quantity related to the cooking (production) of cooking products SC and the like and the function of managing the sales quantity were performed separately, without any particular linkage between each other. In this embodiment, the function of managing the quantity related to the cooking (production) of cooking products SC and the like and the function of managing the sales quantity link together, making it possible to centrally manage the production quantity and the sales quantity. This makes it possible to accurately issue a replenishment instruction (payment instruction) for cooking products SC based on the production quantity and the sales quantity, as described above.

[0097] When notifying a replenishment instruction, the electronic shelf label 30 may display, for example, on the display unit 304, the number of cooked products SC to be replenished or the number of cooked products SC to be cooked (produced) for the replenishment. When notifying a replenishment instruction, if there is a lot of detailed information that cannot be displayed on the display unit 304 of the electronic shelf label 30, the detailed information may be displayed on the POS terminal 20, the store clerk mobile terminal 40, etc., along with the replenishment instruction notification on the electronic shelf label 30.

[0098] Furthermore, in the case where the POS terminal 20 is capable of managing the remaining number of cooked products SC displayed in the thermal insulation display unit 50 as in the processing shown in the same figure, there are cases where stock is not replenished because, for example, the store clerk forgets to replenish stock or it is not during sales hours and therefore there is no need to replenish stock. In such a case, as the cooking product SC is purchased, at a certain stage the remaining quantity of the cooking product SC remaining in the warming fixture 50 will become zero. If a store clerk does not realize that the remaining quantity of the cooking product SC is zero when a customer places an order for the cooking product SC in such a situation, the store clerk will needlessly perform an operation to register the cooking product SC. Therefore, the POS terminal 20 may be configured not to register a cooking product SC whose remaining quantity is zero. Specifically, for example, a button for designating the cooking product SC, which is arranged on a product registration screen displayed on the store clerk display unit 210, may be displayed as inoperable by being grayed out or the like. Alternatively, in response to the operation of the button for designating the cooking product SC, the POS terminal 20 may notify the store clerk by displaying on the store clerk display unit 210 that the cooking product SC cannot be sold because the remaining quantity is zero.

[0099] <Second embodiment> Next, a second embodiment will be described. Convenience stores sell cigarettes. In convenience stores, the cigarettes are displayed on shelves on the store clerk side of the counter where the POS terminal 20 is installed. Each cigarette is assigned a unique number (cigarette control number). On the shelves, a sign indicating the cigarette control number is attached to each cigarette in accordance with its position on the shelves. This allows not only store clerks but also customers behind the counter to see what cigarette control number has been assigned to each cigarette. When a customer purchases cigarettes, the customer checks the cigarette control number displayed at the location of the cigarette he or she wants to purchase on the display shelf, and then tells the store clerk the cigarette control number of the cigarette he or she wants to purchase. The store clerk then finds the location on the display shelf where the cigarette control number is displayed, and takes out the cigarettes displayed at the location he or she finds. However, in this type of work where a clerk provides cigarettes in response to an order from a customer, if the clerk is inexperienced, it may take longer than necessary to find the cigarette control number.In addition, while searching for the ordered cigarettes, the clerk may mistake the cigarette control number and take out the wrong cigarette.

[0100] In view of this, in this embodiment, the position of the cigarettes ordered by the customer among the cigarettes displayed on the display shelf is notified. The configuration for this purpose will be described below.

[0101] In this embodiment, an electronic shelf label 30 is attached to each cigarette displayed on the display shelf. FIG. 13 shows an area where two cigarettes are displayed on a display shelf. In the figure, two cigarettes SCT, which are products, are displayed side by side. In addition, an electronic shelf label 30 is attached in front of each of the displayed cigarettes SCT. In this case, the display unit 304 of the electronic shelf label 30 displays information that allows the corresponding cigarette to be identified. Specifically, the figure shows an example in which the electronic shelf label 30 displays the product name and number.

[0102] Furthermore, the POS terminal 20 of this embodiment stores shelf-label-item correspondence information that associates cigarettes with the electronic shelf labels 30 attached to the display shelves. 14 shows an example of shelf label product correspondence information of this embodiment. The shelf label product correspondence information in the figure is information that associates shelf label codes with cigarette management numbers. The shelf label product correspondence information in this embodiment may be generated, for example, by a store clerk setting the shelf label display control mode in accordance with the first embodiment, specifying a cigarette (which may be an input operation of the cigarette management number), and reading the code information of the electronic shelf label 30.

[0103] When a customer who is purchasing cigarettes conveys the cigarette control number of the cigarettes to be purchased to a store clerk operating the POS terminal 20, the store clerk performs, for example, a cigarette registration declaration operation to declare that the product type to be registered is cigarettes. In response to the tobacco registration declaration operation, the POS terminal 20 displays a tobacco-compatible product designation screen on the store clerk display unit 210. Fig. 15 shows an example of a product designation screen for registering a cigarette product. The product designation screen in Fig. 15 is shown as an example in a window format that is displayed so as to be superimposed on the product registration screen. The product designation screen in the figure is designed to designate a product (brand) as a cigarette by inputting a cigarette control number. The store clerk performs an operation to input the cigarette control number communicated by the customer into the product designation screen. When the cigarette control number is input into the product designation screen, for example, the product designation screen is cleared and the display returns to the product registration screen.

[0104] Although not shown in the figure, the product specification screen for cigarettes may be configured to allow input of not only the cigarette control number but also a character string as a search key related to cigarettes. In this case, the character string as a search key may be the product name (brand), product features (cigarettes, electronic cigarettes, heat-not-burn cigarettes, menthol, etc.), nicotine and tar values, etc. Furthermore, for example, with respect to product names, a refined search may be performed each time a character is entered. Moreover, each time a search condition is input, candidate cigarette brands that match the search condition may be displayed. Then, the POS terminal 20 may control the electronic shelf label 30 to notify the location of a cigarette when the cigarette is determined by narrowing down the search.

[0105] Furthermore, when a tobacco control number is input on the product designation screen, the POS terminal 20 transmits a position notification command to the electronic shelf label 30 associated with the input tobacco control number. The electronic shelf label 30 that receives the position notification command executes a position notification display. As a result, on the cigarette display shelves, the electronic shelf label 30 corresponding to the cigarette with the cigarette control number that the customer has given to the store clerk for purchase displays a position notification. The store clerk then removes the cigarettes displayed according to the electronic shelf label 30 that is displaying the position notification. In this case, the store clerk can quickly remove the cigarettes ordered by the customer without hesitation, simply by looking at the position notification display.

[0106] <Modification> A modification of this embodiment will now be described. [First Modification] In the first embodiment described above, when product information is displayed on the electronic shelf label 30 in the shelf label display control mode, an operation is performed to read the code information BC from the electronic shelf label 30 in order to generate shelf label product correspondence information that associates the shelf label code with the product code. In this modified example, as described below, the shelf label code and the product code are associated with each other without performing an operation to read the code information BC from the electronic shelf label 30. In the following explanation, for simplicity, an example is given in which the electronic shelf label 30 is attached to the staff side of the heat-retaining fixture 50, but the electronic shelf label 30 is not attached to the customer side.

[0107] In this modified example, the POS terminal 20 displays a shelf label display operation screen on the store clerk's display unit 210 in response to a store clerk performing an operation to switch to the shelf label display control mode. 16 shows an example of a shelf label display operation screen. On the shelf label display operation screen, a heat-retaining fixture button area AR10 and a product button area AR20 are arranged.

[0108] In the warming fixture button area AR10, the display position buttons BT11 are arranged corresponding to the display positions of the cooked products SC when the warming fixture 50 is viewed from the store clerk side. In the figure, the display position buttons BT11 are arranged corresponding to the case where two cooked products SC are displayed on each of three levels, one above the other, corresponding to the display in the warming fixture 50 shown in Fig. 7(A). Each of the display position buttons BT11 displays a display position number from 1 to 6 that is assigned to each display position.

[0109] In the product button area AR20, product buttons BT21 are arranged which correspond to each of the cooked products SC handled in the store ST and displayed in the warming fixture 50 for sale. Each of the product buttons BT21 displays product information indicating the corresponding product. In the figure, an example is shown in which the product name is displayed as the product information, but the price, a photo or an illustrated image of the product, etc. may also be displayed.

[0110] When displaying product information on an electronic shelf label 30 attached corresponding to one display position, a store clerk first operates the display position button BT11 in the warming fixture button area AR10, which corresponds to the display position where the electronic shelf label 30 to be displayed is attached. The operated display position button BT11 is highlighted in a predetermined manner, indicating that the corresponding display position is currently being selected. Next, the store clerk performs an operation to select the cooking product SC to be displayed at the display position corresponding to the operated display position button BT11. That is, the store clerk operates the product button BT21 associated with the cooking product SC from among the product buttons BT21 in the product button area AR20. In response to such an operation, the POS terminal 20 displays product information of the cooked product SC selected by operating the product button BT21 on the selected display position button BT11. In the same figure, an example is shown in which product information such as "fried chicken (salty)" is displayed on the display position button BT11 of display position number 1. Furthermore, the POS terminal 20 displays the product information of the cooking product SC selected by operating the product button BT21 on the electronic shelf label 30 attached to the display position corresponding to the display position button BT11 on which the product information is displayed. Even with such operations, the store clerk can accurately display product information for each electronic shelf label 30 with simple and easy-to-understand operations.

[0111] 17 shows an example of shelf label product correspondence information corresponding to this modification stored by the POS terminal 20. In the figure, one row (one record) is shelf label product correspondence information corresponding to one display position in the thermal insulation fixture 50. The shelf label product-related information corresponding to one display position includes fields for the display position number, the shelf label code, the product code, and the cooking completion time. The display position number field stores the display position number assigned to the corresponding display position among the display positions defined in the thermal fixture 50. The shelf label code area stores the shelf label code of the electronic shelf label 30 attached to the corresponding display position.

[0112] In this embodiment, the electronic shelf labels 30 to be attached to the corresponding display positions are determined in advance, and then the shelf label codes of the electronic shelf labels 30 to be attached to the corresponding display positions are registered for each display position number by a pre-registering and setting operation.

[0113] The product code area stores the product code of the cooking product SC selected by operating the product button BT21 while the display position button BT11 of the display position number stored in the display position number area is operated and selected.

[0114] The cooking completion time field stores the cooking completion time of the cooked product SC displayed at the corresponding display position. In this case, the cooking completion time may be the time corresponding to the timing at which the correspondence between the shelf label code and the product code at the corresponding display position is confirmed in response to the operation of the display position button BT11 and the operation of the product button BT21. In this modified example, by including the cooking completion time in the shelf label product correspondence information, it is possible to issue a notification (FIG. 11) instructing the disposal of the cooked product SC that has passed its expiration date.

[0115] [Second modified example] In each of the above embodiments, when a product is registered, in response to an operation of designating (identifying) a product such as a cooked product SC or tobacco as a registered product, a notification indicating the display position of the designated product is performed by the electronic shelf label 30. In this case, the operation of designating (identifying) a product as a registered product is performed as an operation on the POS terminal 20. However, in this embodiment, the designation of the product to be notified is not limited to being performed by an operation on the POS terminal 20. For example, the device capable of specifying the product to be notified may be the store clerk mobile terminal 40, the store controller 10, or the like.

[0116] [Third Modification] The device capable of specifying the product to be notified may be a ticket vending machine that issues a voucher for the product ordered by the customer (for example, a meal ticket if the product is a cooked product). Fig. 18 shows an example of the appearance of a ticket vending machine 60 of this modified example. The ticket vending machine 60 in the figure is equipped with a display unit 61 with a rectangular display surface arranged vertically. The display unit 61 is configured as a touch panel. In the store ST, the ticket vending machine 60 is installed, for example, at a counter where the POS terminal 20 is installed so that a customer can view and operate the display unit 61. A screen that allows the customer to select the cooked product SC or cigarettes to be notified of the display position is displayed on the display unit 61. The customer performs an operation on the display unit 61 to specify (identify) the cooked product SC or cigarettes that he or she wishes to purchase. The ticket vending machine 60 stores shelf label product correspondence information. The ticket vending machine 60 searches the shelf label product correspondence information for a shelf label code that is associated with a product designated by a customer's operation, and transmits a position notification instruction to the shelf label code that is found as a destination. As a result, the electronic shelf label 30 installed in correspondence with the product selected by the customer operating the ticket vending machine notifies the position, so that the store clerk can accurately take out the product ordered by the customer. In this case, the ticket vending machine may be capable of issuing an order slip on which information (order information) showing the details of the products ordered by the customer when operating the ticket vending machine is printed as text or code information, by utilizing the configuration of a printing unit equipped in the ticket vending machine. The customer hands the issued order slip to a store clerk. The store clerk can register the products by checking the order information printed on the handed order slip or by performing an operation to have the POS terminal 20 read the code information printed on the order slip. Alternatively, in this case, the ticket vending machine 60 may notify the POS terminal 20 of the specified product in response to an operation by a customer to specify the product. The POS terminal 20 may, for example, highlight a button for specifying the notified product on a product registration screen displayed on the store clerk display unit 210. This allows the store clerk to immediately grasp the product specified on the ticket vending machine 60 and perform product registration operations. In such a case, since the ticket vending machine 60 does not need to issue slips or the like, it may function as an order receiving machine capable of receiving orders from customers separately from the POS terminal 20.

[0117] [Fourth Variation] In addition, various notifications performed by the electronic shelf label 30 in the above embodiment (notification of the display position of a product when registering a product, instructions to discard cooked products SC when the expiration date has passed, instructions to replenish cooked products SC when the number of products on display falls below a certain level, etc.) may be performed by a device other than the electronic shelf label 30. For example, the above-mentioned notification may be performed as a display in a predetermined format on the store clerk display unit 210 of the POS terminal 20.

[0118] Furthermore, when the position of the cooking product SC is notified by a device other than the electronic shelf label 30 as described above, the location of the cooking product SC may be far from the device. Therefore, when notifying the position of the cooking product SC by a device other than the electronic shelf label 30, for example, the display position of the cooking product SC to be notified on a map in the store ST or a route from the current location to the display position of the cooking product SC to be notified may be displayed. Furthermore, notification by the electronic shelf label 30 as in each of the above embodiments and notification by a device other than the electronic shelf label 30 as described above may be performed in combination.

[0119] Furthermore, as a notification by a device other than the electronic shelf label 30, a projector may be used to project and display in a predetermined manner so as to indicate the display position of the target cooking product SC.

[0120] [Fifth Modification] In each of the above embodiments (and the fourth modified example), a notification regarding the cooked product SC is given by display on the electronic shelf label 30 or a device other than the electronic shelf label 30. However, for example, the electronic shelf label 30 or a device other than the electronic shelf label 30 may be configured to give a notification by sound. In this case, the notification may be given by sound without a display, or a notification may be given by a combination of a display and sound.

[0121] [Sixth Modification] Even if the display positions of the cooked products SC are notified by the electronic shelf labels 30 or the like, there is a possibility that the store clerk may mistake the products. Therefore, the POS system may be configured to detect when a store clerk mixes up the cooked products SC in the thermal insulation display unit 50, and may be configured to notify the store clerk when a mix-up is detected. First, as a configuration for detecting mix-up of cooked products SC, a sensor capable of measuring the weight of the cooked products SC displayed at each display position of the warming fixture 50 is provided. For example, when the measured weight changes, the sensor transmits a notification of the weight change (weight change notification) together with its own sensor identifier to the POS terminal 20 (which may be the store controller 10, etc.). Note that the sensor may include information on the measured weight in the weight change notification.

[0122] The POS terminal 20 stores product sensor correspondence information that associates the displayed cooked products SC with the sensor identifiers. The store clerk performs an operation to register the ordered cooked product SC, and then takes out the ordered cooked product SC from the warming fixture 50. At this time, the sensor corresponding to the taken-out cooked product SC transmits a weight change notification to the POS terminal 20. The POS terminal 20 refers to the product sensor compatibility information to identify the cooking product SC (the product to be removed) that corresponds to the sensor to which the received weight change notification was sent, and determines whether the cooking product SC to be removed matches the cooking product SC registered by the store clerk's product registration operation. If the taken-out product does not match the cooking product SC registered by the product registration operation by the store clerk, it means that the store clerk has taken out a cooking product SC different from the cooking product SC registered by the product registration operation from the warming fixture 50. In this case, the POS terminal 20 notifies the store clerk that the cooking product SC has been mixed up. Such a notification may be made, for example, as a display in a predetermined manner on the store clerk-side display unit 210, or may be made by voice.

[0123] In addition, for example, the store clerk may be required to carry a store clerk terminal, and the POS terminal 20 may communicate with the store clerk terminal so that the store clerk terminal notifies the store clerk that the cooked product SC has been mixed up.

[0124] Even if the taken-out product matches the cooked product SC registered by the product registration operation, the number of cooked products SC taken out from the warming fixture 50 may be incorrect. Therefore, in this modified example, it may be possible to notify the user of the wrong number of cooked products SC taken out from the warming fixture 50. For this purpose, the sensor transmits the measured weight information together with the weight change notification. Also, for example, the product master may include the weight information of each cooked product SC. When the POS terminal 20 receives a weight change notification from the sensor, it calculates the difference between the weight notified by the received weight change notification and the weight notified by the previous weight change notification. The POS terminal 20 determines whether the calculated weight difference is within a range that can be considered to be equal to the weight corresponding to the number of registered cooking products SC. If it is determined that the calculated weight difference is not within a range that can be considered to be equal to the weight corresponding to the number of registered cooking products SC, the POS terminal 20 may be configured to notify that there is an error in the number of taken out.

[0125] The detection of the wrong take-out of the cooking product SC may be performed based on an image captured by a camera, for example. For example, the image captured by the camera may be processed to identify the type of the taken cooking product SC, and it may be determined whether the store clerk has taken out the wrong product. It may also be determined whether the number of cooking products SC taken out by the store clerk is correct.

[0126] Furthermore, with the configuration of this modified example, it is possible to notify not only of the mistaken picking of the cooked products SC as described above, but also of mistakes in the display positions when displaying the products.

[0127] [Seventh Variation] Furthermore, as in the sixth modified example, when it is determined that the wrong cooking product SC has been taken, the POS terminal 20 may restrict the completion of the accounting for the corresponding transaction. Specifically, for example, the POS terminal 20 may be configured not to execute the product registration process corresponding to the product registration operation even if the store clerk subsequently performs a product registration operation. Alternatively, the POS terminal 20 may be configured to allow the product registration operation but not to perform subtotal operations, payment type selection, receipt issuance, etc., unless an operation to confirm that the cooking product SC has been taken out again is performed. Alternatively, the POS terminal 20 may display a dialogue window for each error user and not accept any operation until a confirmation operation is performed on the dialogue window.

[0128] [Eighth Modification] In this modified example, a recommended product for a customer who has registered the product at the POS terminal 20 is determined, and the determined recommended product is notified to a store clerk. For example, if the customer is a member and has had the POS terminal 20 read the member code on the member card after the product registration process has started, the recommended products can be determined based on the member's attributes (gender, age, etc.) shown in the member information. Also, the recommended products may be determined based on the customer's past purchase history. In addition, as a notification of a recommended product, for example, when a cooked product SC is recommended, the fact that it is a recommended product may be notified by the electronic shelf label 30 attached to the warming fixture 50. Alternatively, the POS terminal 20 may notify a store clerk that it is a recommended product by display, audio, or the like.

[0129] [Ninth Variation] For example, there may be cases where the electronic shelf label 30 cannot communicate (failed communication) with the POS terminal 20 due to a malfunction of the electronic shelf label 30. In this modified example, when the POS terminal 20 (which may be the store controller 10, etc.) determines that communication with the electronic shelf label 30 that is the notification destination is not possible, a notification is instead made by an electronic shelf label 30 that is capable of communication and is attached in a position close to the electronic shelf label 30 that is not capable of communication. As a specific example, when it is determined that the electronic shelf label 30-1A in FIG. 7A is in a communication disabled state, the POS terminal 20 transmits an alternative notification instruction to the electronic shelf label 30-2A located to the right of the electronic shelf label 30-1A. The electronic shelf label 30-2A that has received the substitute notification instruction notifies the display position by, for example, displaying an arrow pointing left on the display unit 304 to indicate that the display position to be notified is the cooked product SC-1 on the left side. At this time, the light-emitting indicator unit 305 of the electronic shelf label 30-2A may be illuminated. To realize such a display on the display unit 304, for example, when transmitting the substitute notification instruction to the electronic shelf label 30-2A, display data to be displayed on the display unit 304 may also be transmitted. With this configuration, even if some of the electronic shelf labels 30 fail, the store ST can continue to operate without having to replace the electronic shelf labels 30.

[0130] Furthermore, the electronic shelf label 30 may display its own status on the display unit 304 in response to an instruction from the POS terminal 20 (which may be the store controller 10, etc.). This allows a store clerk to accurately check the status of the electronic shelf label 30 when he or she wishes to check the status of the electronic shelf label 30. Furthermore, such a display to inform the store clerk of the status of the electronic shelf label 30 may be performed by the POS terminal 20. The displayed status of the electronic shelf label 30 may be, for example, whether the electronic shelf label 30 is normal or out of order, the remaining battery level, the communication status, etc. Furthermore, when the POS system is aware that an electronic shelf label 30 is in a state where it cannot be displayed due to a malfunction, dead battery, or the like, information about the malfunctioning electronic shelf label 30 may be displayed on the display unit 304 of a normal electronic shelf label 30 located close to the malfunctioning electronic shelf label 30. As a display mode, for example, an arrow may be displayed to point to the malfunctioning electronic shelf label 30. Alternatively, messages such as "Battery dead on the right" or "Please replace the electronic shelf labels in display positions 3 to 5" may be displayed on the display unit 304.

[0131] [Tenth Modification] Regarding the notification, instead of displaying a notification on the electronic shelf label 30 corresponding to the target cooking product SC, for example, a notification indicating that the cooking product is not the target may be displayed on all electronic shelf labels 30 corresponding to products other than the target cooking product SC. As a specific example, before a notification is made, all the electronic shelf labels 30 display product information of the corresponding cooking product SC in the same manner on the display unit 304. Then, when a notification should be made for a certain cooking product SC, the POS terminal 20 does not issue any particular instruction for the electronic shelf label 30 that is the target of the notification, thereby allowing the electronic shelf label 30 to continue displaying the same information as before the notification. On the other hand, the POS terminal 20 controls the electronic shelf labels 30 that are not the target of the notification so as to erase the display of the product information on the display unit 304, for example. Alternatively, if the brightness (tone) of the display unit 304 is adjustable, the POS terminal 20 may control the brightness of the display unit 304 of the electronic shelf labels 30 that are not the target of the notification to be lower than that of the electronic shelf label 30 that is the target of the notification. By varying the display in this manner, the electronic shelf label 30 corresponding to the cooking product SC to be notified is effectively highlighted, enabling the store clerk to accurately grasp which cooking product SC is the one to be notified.

[0132] [Eleventh Modification] In this embodiment, the products for which the display position and the like are notified are not limited to the cooked product SC and cigarettes. For example, products that are the subject of a campaign or limited time offer and are displayed in places other than general display shelves or in showcases may also be the subject of notification.

[0133] [Twelfth Modification] In this embodiment, the device that controls notifications by displaying the electronic shelf label 30 is not limited to the POS terminal 20, but may be, for example, a higher-level device in a POS system such as a store controller 10, a store clerk mobile terminal 40, etc.

[0134] [Summary of the embodiment] (1) As described above, one aspect of this embodiment is an alarm system including a product identification unit that identifies a product (e.g., the POS terminal 20 that acquires a product code in response to an operation of specifying (registering) a product (including an operation of having a scanner read the product code)), an alarm unit that issues an alarm (e.g., the electronic shelf label 30), a memory unit (e.g., the hard disk 204 or the RAM 203) that stores alarm unit product correspondence information (e.g., shelf label product correspondence information) that associates the alarm unit with a product, and an alarm control means that controls the alarm unit that is associated with the product identified by the product identification unit that identifies the product in the alarm unit product correspondence information to issue a predetermined alarm. According to the above configuration, for example, when a product code is acquired (product identification) through the POS terminal 20, the electronic shelf label 30 performs a predetermined display operation, making it possible to notify a store clerk of information related to the specified product. Specifically, for example, in the shelf label display control mode, an operation to designate one cooking product SC is performed on the POS terminal 20, and the code information BC is read by the scanner unit of the electronic shelf label 30, thereby generating shelf label product correspondence information. Then, the product information can be displayed (reported) on the electronic shelf label 30 associated with the cooking product SC in the shelf label product correspondence information. In this way, by obtaining a state in which product information is reported by the electronic shelf label 30, even an inexperienced store clerk can accurately grasp the necessary information about the product. In other words, the store clerk can handle the products appropriately regardless of the work experience, etc.

[0135] The product specification unit in (1) may be the POS terminal 20, or may be the ticket vending machine 60, a higher-level device in a POS system, or a store clerk mobile terminal 40, as described in the third and twelfth modified examples above. Furthermore, the product identification unit may be a customer mobile terminal such as a smartphone carried by the customer. In this case, for example, the user operates a shopping application corresponding to the store ST on the customer mobile terminal, and then performs an operation to specify (identify) the cooking product SC that the user wants to purchase. In response to such an operation, the electronic shelf label 30 corresponding to the identified cooking product SC may notify the position. In addition, when a device other than the POS terminal 20, such as the ticket machine 60, a higher-level device, a store clerk mobile terminal 40, or a customer mobile terminal, is used as the product identification unit, in response to the identification of a product by these devices, in addition to an alert on the electronic shelf label 30, the POS terminal 20 operated by the store clerk may be controlled to perform store clerk assistance operations such as product registration processing for the identified cooking product SC or highlighting the button for registering the identified cooking product SC. In addition, the notification unit in (1) may be the electronic shelf label 30, as described above, the POS terminal 20, the store clerk mobile terminal 40, etc., or may be a specified device provided in the store ST, including the projector (fourth variant) described above.

[0136] (2) One aspect of this embodiment is the notification system described in (1) above, wherein the notification control means controls the notification unit to notify the display position of a corresponding product. According to the above configuration, for example, a store clerk performs a product registration operation to register a cooking product SC ordered by a customer, thereby identifying the product. Then, the electronic shelf label 30 attached to the display position of the identified cooking product SC performs an informing operation, thereby reporting the position of the cooking product SC. As a result, when the store clerk takes out the ordered cooked product SC from the warming fixture 50, he or she only needs to take out the cooked product SC displayed in the display position corresponding to the electronic shelf label 30 that performs the notification operation. In other words, even an inexperienced store clerk can reliably take out the ordered cooked product SC.

[0137] (3) One aspect of this embodiment is the notification system described in (1) or (2) above, wherein the notification control means controls the notification unit to issue a notification to instruct a predetermined change to the display of the corresponding product (for example, replenishing the displayed product, or rearranging (changing) the display location, etc.). According to the above configuration, for example, when a cooking product SC is purchased (the cooking product SC is identified by the product registration process) or when the number of displayed identified cooking products SC falls below a predetermined number, a notification operation can be executed by the corresponding electronic shelf label 30. This allows, for example, even if a store clerk is inexperienced and does not fully understand the conditions for replenishing cooking products SC, to appropriately replenish cooking products SC in response to the notification.

[0138] (4) One aspect of this embodiment is an alarm system as described in any one of (1) to (3), wherein the alarm control means controls the alarm unit to issue an alarm to instruct the production or disposal of a corresponding product. According to the above configuration, for example, it is possible to give an instruction to produce (cook) cooking products to replenish them depending on the display quantity of cooking products SC, or to give an instruction to discard cooking products SC when they have expired.

[0139] (5) One aspect of this embodiment is an alert system as described in any one of (1) to (4), further comprising a registration means for registering a commodity as a trading object, and based on the identification of a commodity by the commodity identification unit, registration of the identified commodity by the registration means and a predetermined alert by the alert control means are performed. According to the above configuration, for example, when a cooking product SC specified by a customer is specified, the specified product is registered and notified at the same time. This allows, for example, the product registration process for the cooking product SC specified by the customer and the position notification of the corresponding cooking product SC to the store clerk to be performed without the store clerk performing any operation, thereby reducing the work burden on the store clerk.

[0140] (6) One aspect of this embodiment is an alarm control device (for example, a POS terminal 20, or a higher-level device such as a store controller 10 or a store clerk mobile terminal 40) that includes an alarm control means for controlling an alarm unit that is associated with a product identified by a product identification means that identifies the product in alarm unit product correspondence information that associates the alarm unit that issues the alarm with the product, so that the alarm unit issues a predetermined alarm.

[0141] (7) One aspect of this embodiment is a program for causing a computer serving as an alarm control device to function as an alarm control means for controlling an alarm unit that is associated with a product identified by a product identification means for identifying a product using alarm unit-product correspondence information that associates the alarm unit that issues the alarm with the product, so that the alarm unit issues a specified alarm.

[0142] In addition, a program for implementing the functions of each device in the POS system described above may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium, and the program recorded on the recording medium may be read into a computer system and executed to process each device. Here, "reading a program recorded on a recording medium into a computer system and executing it" includes installing the program into a computer system. The "computer system" here includes hardware such as an OS and peripheral devices. The "computer system" may also include a plurality of computer devices connected via a network including the Internet, a WAN, a LAN, a dedicated line, and other communication lines. The "computer-readable recording medium" refers to a portable medium such as a flexible disk, an optical magnetic disk, a ROM, a CD-ROM, and a storage device such as a hard disk built into a computer system. In this way, the recording medium storing the program may be a non-transient recording medium such as a CD-ROM. The recording medium also includes a recording medium provided inside or outside the distribution server that can be accessed from the distribution server to distribute the program. The code of the program stored in the recording medium of the distribution server may be different from the code of the program in a format executable by the terminal device. In other words, the format in which the program is stored in the distribution server does not matter as long as it can be downloaded from the distribution server and installed in a format executable by the terminal device. The program may be divided into several parts, downloaded at different times, and then combined on a terminal device, or each divided program may be distributed by a different distribution server. Furthermore, the term "computer-readable recording medium" includes a storage medium that stores a program for a certain period of time, such as a volatile memory (RAM) inside a computer system that becomes a server or a client when a program is transmitted over a network. The program may be a storage medium that realizes part of the above-mentioned functions. Furthermore, the program may be a so-called difference file (difference program) that can realize the above-mentioned functions in combination with a program already recorded in the computer system. [Explanation of symbols]

[0143] 10 store controller, 20 POS terminal, 30 electronic shelf label, 40 store clerk mobile terminal, 50 warming fixture, 60 ticket vending machine, 201 CPU, 202 ROM, 203 RAM, 204 hard disk, 205 customer side display unit, 206 customer side scanner unit, 208 card payment unit, 209 change machine, 210 store clerk side display unit, 211 key operation unit, 212 store clerk side scanner unit, 213 printing unit, 214 voice output unit, 215 communication unit, 301 CPU, 302 memory unit, 303 RAM, 304 display unit, 305 light emitting indicator unit, 306 communication unit

Claims

1. A system including an electronic shelf label and an accounting processing device that executes processing corresponding to an accounting in a store, The accounting processing device includes: an acquiring means for acquiring electronic shelf label identification information for identifying the electronic shelf label from a symbol code attached to the electronic shelf label; A designation means for designating a product; a storage means for storing in a storage unit shelf label product corresponding information in which product identification information corresponding to the product specified by the specification means and electronic shelf label identification information acquired by the acquisition means from a symbol code corresponding to at least one of a pair of electronic shelf labels, the pair being an electronic shelf label corresponding to each product and arranged facing a customer and an electronic shelf label arranged facing a store clerk, are associated with each product; A system that provides.

2. a transmitting unit that acquires product information associated with product identification information stored in the shelf label product correspondence information stored in the storage unit, and transmits the acquired product information to an electronic shelf label identified by the electronic shelf label identification information stored in the shelf label product correspondence information stored in the storage unit; and a display unit for displaying the transmitted product information on the display unit of the electronic shelf label. The system of claim 1.

3. The shelf label product correspondence information stored in the storage unit is further provided with a release unit that releases the association between the stored product identification information and a pair of electronic shelf label identification information corresponding to the pair of electronic shelf labels, without releasing the association between the pair of shelf label identification information.

3. A system according to claim 1 or 2.

4. An accounting device provided in the system and performing accounting-related processing is configured to, in a state in which a shelf label display control mode is set, acquire electronic shelf label identification information by the acquisition means, designate a product by the designation means, store shelf label product corresponding information by the storage means, and transmit product information to the electronic shelf label by the transmission unit. The system of claim 2.

5. a determination means for determining whether a product registered by a checkout device that is provided in the system and performs checkout-related processing is an electronic shelf label compatible product that is associated with the electronic shelf label; The electronic shelf label identification information may be associated with the electronic shelf label-compatible product. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

6. The storage means further stores the cooking completion time in the storage unit in association with the shelf label product corresponding information, an acquisition unit that acquires a best-before date of a product associated with the product identification information stored in the shelf label product correspondence information; and a notification control unit that determines whether the expiration date acquired by the acquisition unit has passed based on the time measured based on the stored cooking completion time, and when it is determined that the expiration date has passed, notifies the user of the expiration date on the electronic shelf label indicated by the electronic shelf label identification information stored in the shelf label product correspondence information. A system according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. A computer provided in the system, an acquiring means for acquiring electronic shelf label identification information for identifying the electronic shelf label from a symbol code attached to the electronic shelf label; A means for designating the product; a storage means for storing in a storage unit shelf label product corresponding information stored in association with product identification information corresponding to the product designated by the designation means and electronic shelf label identification information acquired by the acquisition means from a symbol code corresponding to at least one of a pair of electronic shelf labels, the electronic shelf label for customers being associated with each product and arranged facing a customer and the electronic shelf label for store clerks being associated with each product, A program to function as a

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