Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and computer program

Abstract

This information processing device 1 comprises: a commodity information acquiring unit 11 that acquires commodity information related to a commodity; a commodity processing unit 12 that uses the commodity information and processes the commodity; and a store changing unit 13 that changes the function of at least one among the commodity information acquiring unit 11 and the commodity processing unit 12 in accordance with at least one among a target that uses the information processing device 1 and the location of the information processing device 1.

Description

Information processing device, information processing system, information processing method, and recording medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the technical fields of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium.

[0002] Patent Literature 1 describes a service providing device having a means of transportation that travels to a destination, a providing means that travels with the means of transportation and provides a service, and an acquiring means that acquires information about the destination where the providing means provides the service. Patent Literature 2 describes a technology that uses a customer service robot to acquire a facial image of a visitor and a facial image of a service attendant, identifies the visitor based on the facial image of the visitor, acquires information associated with the identified visitor, identifies the service attendant based on the facial image of the service attendant, and identifies the viewing authority of the identified service attendant. Of the acquired information, information corresponding to the identified viewing authority is displayed on the service attendant's terminal, thereby supporting the customer and the store clerk. Patent Literature 3 describes a robot control device that moves a robot to a customer's stopping position based on the area and stay time recorded in a customer movement table, and causes the robot to suggest products based on product categories related to the customer's most recent area. The suggestions are made based on multiple consecutive product categories in the area where the customer stayed in order of movement. Patent document 4 describes a technology that involves an unmanned aerial vehicle for transporting a package to a destination along the way, and a self-propelled robot that delivers the package to the destination after dropping it off at the destination, thereby handing over the package to the recipient.

[0003] JP 2018-005650 A JP 2018-041231 A JP 2019-049785 A JP 2022-073395 A

[0004] An object of this disclosure is to provide an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium that aim to improve upon the techniques described in prior art documents.

[0005] One aspect of the information processing device comprises a product information acquisition means for acquiring product information regarding a product, a product processing means for processing the product using the product information, and a modification means for modifying the functions of at least one of the product information acquisition means and the product processing means depending on at least one of the target using the information processing device and the location of the information processing device.

[0006] One aspect of the information processing system includes a plurality of payment support devices each having a product information acquisition means for acquiring product information indicating a product, a product processing means for processing the product using the product information, a change means for changing functions of at least one of the product information acquisition means and the product processing means depending on at least one of a target using the payment support device and a location of the payment support device, and a payment communication means for communicating with a device external to the payment support device, and a shared communication means for communicating with a device external to the shared device, and a recording means for acquiring payment support device information from each of the plurality of payment support devices via the payment communication means and the shared communication means, the payment support device information including at least one of location information indicating the location of the payment support device, usage status information indicating the usage status of the payment support device, and payment information indicating a payment at the payment support device, and recording the payment support device information.

[0007] One aspect of the information processing method is to acquire product information about a product using a product information acquisition means provided in an information processing device, process the product using the product information using a product processing means provided in the information processing device, and change the functions of at least one of the product information acquisition means and the product processing means depending on at least one of the target using the information processing device and the location of the information processing device.

[0008] One aspect of the recording medium has a computer program recorded on it for causing a computer to execute an information processing method in which product information regarding a product is acquired by a product information acquisition means provided in an information processing device, the product is processed using the product information by a product processing means provided in the information processing device, and the function of at least one of the product information acquisition means and the product processing means is changed depending on at least one of the target using the information processing device and the location of the information processing device.

[0009] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is an external view showing the appearance of a cash register robot according to a second embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cash register robot according to the second embodiment. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of information processing operations of the cash register robot according to the second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram showing an example of product information acquired by the cash register robot according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cash register robot according to a third embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the flow of information processing operations of the cash register robot according to the third embodiment. FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cash register robot according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of information processing operations of the cash register robot according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cash register robot according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cash register robot according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of information processing operations of the cash register robot according to the seventh embodiment. FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a cash register robot according to an eighth embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the flow of information processing operations of the cash register robot according to the eighth embodiment.

[0010] Hereinafter, embodiments of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described with reference to the drawings. [1: First Embodiment]

[0011] A first embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described below. Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described using an information processing device 1 to which the first embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium is applied. [1-1: Configuration of Information Processing Device 1]

[0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing device 1 in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the information processing device 1 includes a product information acquisition unit 11, a product processing unit 12, and a store change unit 13. The product information acquisition unit 11 acquires product information related to a product. The product processing unit 12 processes the product using the product information. The store change unit 13 changes the function of at least one of the product information acquisition unit 11 and the product processing unit 12 depending on at least one of the person using the information processing device 1 and the location of the information processing device 1. [1-2: Technical Effects of the Information Processing Device 1]

[0013] The information processing device 1 in the first embodiment can appropriately change at least one of the functions of acquiring product information and processing products depending on the usage status of the information processing device 1. [2: Second Embodiment]

[0014] Next, a second embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described. Hereinafter, the second embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described using an information processing device to which the second embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium is applied. [2-1: Example of a scene in which the cash register robot 2 is applied]

[0015] Hereinafter, the information processing device to which the second embodiment is applied will be referred to as a cash register robot 2. The cash register robot 2 supports the sale of products handled by a store. The cash register robot 2 operates in an area where multiple stores are open. The cash register robot 2 can function as a cash register for multiple stores. The cash register robot 2 functions as a cash register for any one of the multiple stores depending on the situation. [2-2: Appearance of the cash register robot 2]

[0016] Fig. 2 is an external view illustrating an example of the appearance of the cash register robot 2. As shown in Fig. 2, the cash register robot 2 may include, for example, a biometrics imaging camera BC, a commodity imaging camera GC, an information reader RFR, a code reader CR, a display 251, a reception unit 241, a microphone 242, a speaker 252, a printer 253, a card reader S, and an IC reader ICR.

[0017] The biometric imaging camera BC images the target. The biometric imaging camera BC may be provided in a position that makes it easy to image the target's face, for example. The commodity imaging camera GC images the commodity. The commodity imaging camera GC may be provided in a position that makes it easy to image the commodity placed on the top surface TS of the register robot 2, for example. The biometric imaging camera BC and the commodity imaging camera GC may be integrated, and imaging of the target and imaging of the commodity may be achieved by a single camera with a wide field of view.

[0018] The information reader RFR reads information from an item attached to a product. The item attached to the product may be, for example, a tag. The information read by the information reader RFR may be product information or identification information that identifies the product. The information reader RFR may be installed in a position that makes it easy to obtain information from products placed on the top surface TS of the register robot 2, for example.

[0019] The code reader CR reads the code attached to the product. The code may be a code that encodes product information. Alternatively, the code may be a code that encodes information used when referencing a product table, which will be described later. In this case, the product information may be obtained by referencing the product table. The code read by the code reader CR may include a two-dimensional code, a barcode, etc. The code reader CR may be located in a position that makes it easy to read the code attached to the product placed on the top surface TS of the register robot 2.

[0020] The display 251 may be provided so that the purchaser can see the displayed content. The display 251 may present, for example, information that assists the purchaser in operating the register robot 2.

[0021] The reception unit 241 may detect a pointing action of the purchaser in the space between the display 251 and the purchaser and receive the input. The reception unit 241 may realize the input reception operation in the same way as the purchaser operates a touch panel without touching the display 251. On the other hand, the reception unit 241 may be a mechanism that receives input by contact, such as a touch panel.

[0022] The microphone 242 inputs the voice uttered by the purchaser. The microphone 242 may collect the voice with directionality. The microphone 242 may collect the voice in a manner that does not pick up the voice of anyone other than the purchaser. Alternatively, the microphone 242 may input voices and sounds uttered by anyone other than the orderer P in addition to the voice uttered by the purchaser.

[0023] The speaker 252 outputs audio to the purchaser. The speaker 252 may output audio with directionality. The speaker 252 may output audio so that information for the purchaser cannot be heard by anyone other than the purchaser.

[0024] The printer 253 may output paper media such as receipts and coupons to be provided to purchasers.

[0025] The card reader S reads a credit card. The IC reader ICR reads an IC card used as electronic money. Note that the shape of the register robot 2 and the arrangement of each device are merely examples, and any shape and arrangement may be adopted. [2-3: Configuration of the register robot 2]

[0026] 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cash register robot 2 in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 3, the cash register robot 2 includes a calculation device 21 and a storage device 22. The cash register robot 2 may further include a communication device 23, an input device 24, and an output device 25. However, the cash register robot 2 does not have to include at least one of the communication device 23, the input device 24, and the output device 25. The calculation device 21, the storage device 22, the communication device 23, the input device 24, and the output device 25 may be connected via a data bus 26.

[0027] The arithmetic device 21 includes, for example, at least one of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The arithmetic device 21 loads a computer program. For example, the arithmetic device 21 may load a computer program stored in the storage device 22. For example, the arithmetic device 21 may load a computer program stored in a computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium using a storage medium reading device (e.g., the input device 24 described below) not shown in the drawings provided in the cash register robot 2. The arithmetic device 21 may acquire (i.e., download or load) the computer program from a device (not shown) located outside the cash register robot 2 via the communication device 23 (or another communication device). The arithmetic device 21 executes the loaded computer program. As a result, a logical function block for executing the operation to be performed by the register robot 2 is realized within the arithmetic unit 21. In other words, the arithmetic unit 21 can function as a controller for realizing the logical function block for executing the operation (in other words, processing) to be performed by the register robot 2.

[0028] FIG. 3 shows an example of logical functional blocks implemented within the computing device 21 to execute information processing operations. As shown in FIG. 3 , the computing device 21 includes a product information acquisition unit 211, which is a specific example of a "product information acquisition means" described in the appendix, a product processing unit 212, which is a specific example of a "product processing means" described in the appendix, a store change unit 213, which is a specific example of a "change means" described in the appendix, a biometric information acquisition unit 214, which is a specific example of a "biometric information acquisition means" described in the appendix, and an authentication unit 215, which is a specific example of an "authentication means" described in the appendix. However, any of the biometric information acquisition unit 214 and the authentication unit 215 may not be implemented within the computing device 21. Details of the operations of the product information acquisition unit 211, the product processing unit 212, the store change unit 213, the biometric information acquisition unit 214, and the authentication unit 215 will be described later with reference to FIG. 4 .

[0029] The storage device 22 can store desired data. For example, the storage device 22 may temporarily store a computer program executed by the arithmetic device 21. The storage device 22 may temporarily store data that the arithmetic device 21 temporarily uses when the arithmetic device 21 is executing a computer program. The storage device 22 may store data that the register robot 2 stores long-term. The storage device 22 may include at least one of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a disk array device. In other words, the storage device 22 may include a non-temporary recording medium.

[0030] The communication device 23 can communicate with devices external to the cash register robot 2 via a communication network (not shown). The communication device 23 may be a communication interface based on standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or USB (Universal Serial Bus).

[0031] The cash register robot 2 does not have to be equipped with at least one of the biometrics imaging camera BC, commodity imaging camera GC, information reader RFR, code reader CR, card reader S, and IC reader ICR. In this case, at least one of the biometrics imaging camera BC, commodity imaging camera GC, information reader RFR, code reader CR, card reader S, and IC reader ICR may transmit and receive information to and from the cash register robot 2 via the communication device 23.

[0032] The input device 24 is a device that accepts information input to the register robot 2 from outside the register robot 2. For example, the input device 24 may include an operating device (e.g., at least one of a keyboard, a mouse, and a touch panel) that can be operated by an operator of the register robot 2. For example, the input device 24 may include a reading device that can read information recorded as data on a recording medium that can be externally attached to the register robot 2. In the second embodiment, the register robot 2 may include a reception unit 241 and a microphone 242 as the input device 24.

[0033] The output device 25 is a device that outputs information to the outside of the cash register robot 2. For example, the output device 25 may output information as an image. That is, the output device 25 may include a display device (a so-called display) that can display an image showing the information to be output. For example, the output device 25 may output information as sound. That is, the output device 25 may include an audio device (a so-called speaker) that can output sound. Furthermore, for example, the output device 25 may output information on paper. That is, the output device 25 may include a printing device (a so-called printer) that can print desired information on paper. In the second embodiment, the cash register robot 2 may include a display 251, a speaker 252, and a printer 253 as the output device 25. [2-3: Information Processing Operations Performed by the Cash Register Robot 2]

[0034] The flow of information processing operations performed by the cash register robot 2 will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4(a) is a flowchart showing the store change operation performed by the cash register robot 2, and Figure 4(b) is a flowchart showing the payment operation performed by the cash register robot 2. [Store Change Operation]

[0035] 4A, the store change unit 213 determines whether or not there is a target who will use the cash register robot 2 (step S10). For example, the store change unit 213 may determine that there is a target who will use the cash register robot 2 when the reception unit 241 detects an operation (e.g., a touch operation) by the target. The target may be a store clerk at one of the stores.

[0036] If a store clerk is using the register robot 2 (Step S10: Yes), the biometric information acquisition unit 214 acquires the biometric information of the store clerk (Step S11). The biometric information acquisition unit 214 may acquire a facial image of the store clerk as the biometric information. The biometric information acquisition unit 214 may also cause the biometric imaging camera BC to capture an image of the target's face and acquire the facial image of the store clerk from the biometric imaging camera BC. Note that the biometric information may be facial information including a facial image, iris information including an iris image, fingerprint information including a fingerprint image, or the like.

[0037] The authentication unit 215 authenticates the store clerk using the biometric information (step S12). The authentication unit 215 may compare the biometric information of the store clerk with pre-registered biometric information. Alternatively, the cash register robot 2 may transmit the acquired biometric information to an external device such as a cloud server having an authentication mechanism, receive the authentication result performed by the external device, and authenticate the store clerk. [Store Information Storage Unit 221]

[0038] A store information storage unit 221 may be implemented within the storage device 22. The store information storage unit 221 may include a store clerk table, a product table, a transaction table, and a payment amount table. The biometric information may be registered in the store clerk table included in the store information storage unit 221. The product table, transaction table, and payment amount table will be described later.

[0039] The clerk table may store information about clerks working at each store. A clerk working at a store may also be referred to as a clerk belonging to the store. The clerk table may store information about clerks who may use the register robot 2. The clerk table may store information about clerks who work for only a limited period of time, such as clerks who work for only one day. [Table 1: Clerk Table]

[0040]

[0041] As shown in Table 1, the clerk table may store, for each store, identification information identifying the clerk belonging to the store and the biometric information of the clerk. Table 1 shows an example in which store A has a clerk identified by "a1", a clerk identified by "a2", and a clerk identified by "a3". Table 1 also shows an example in which store B has a clerk identified by "b1". Table 1 also shows an example in which the biometric information of the clerk identified by "a1" is "a1B", the biometric information of the clerk identified by "a2" is "a2B", the biometric information of the clerk identified by "a3" is "a3B", and the biometric information of the clerk identified by "b1" is "b1B".

[0042] The store change unit 213 determines in which store the cash register robot 2 is being used, based on the authentication result by the authentication unit 215 (step S13). The store change unit 213 may refer to the store clerk table and identify the store where the clerk identified using the biometric information works. The store change unit 213 determines in which store the cash register robot 2 is being used.

[0043] The process performed using the cash register robot 2 differs for each store. The store change unit 213 changes the function of at least one of the product information acquisition unit 211 and the product processing unit 212 according to the identified store (step S14). In this embodiment, the store change unit 213 changes the function according to the store where the store clerk works.

[0044] That is, when a sales clerk belonging to store A is authenticated, the store changing unit 213 changes the function of at least one of the product information acquisition unit 211 and the product processing unit 212 so that the sales clerk performs an operation related to store A. When a sales clerk belonging to store B is authenticated, the store changing unit 213 changes the function of at least one of the product information acquisition unit 211 and the product processing unit 212 so that the sales clerk performs an operation related to store B.

[0045] [Product Information Acquisition Unit 211] The product information acquisition unit 211 acquires product information related to a product. The product information may include information indicating the type of product and the price of the product. The product information acquisition unit 211 may acquire the product information from a device including at least one of a product imaging camera GC as an imaging device, a code reader CR as a code reader, an information reader RFR as an information reader, and the reception unit 241.

[0046] Depending on the store, it may be changed which of the devices, the commodity imaging camera GC, the information reader RFR, the code reader CR, and the reception unit 241, the commodity information acquisition unit 211 acquires commodity information from. The store change unit 213 may identify the store to which the subject using the register robot 2 belongs, and change which of the devices, the commodity imaging camera GC, the information reader RFR, the code reader CR, and the reception unit 241, the commodity information acquisition unit 211 acquires commodity information from.

[0047] Alternatively, the product information acquisition unit 211 may acquire information related to product information from a device including at least one of the product imaging camera GC, the information reader RFR, the code reader CR, and the reception unit 241. The information related to product information may include information indicating the type of product. The product information acquisition unit 211 may acquire the product information by using the information related to product information and referring to a product table. In other words, the product information acquisition unit 211 may acquire access information for referring to the product table instead of product information from a device including at least one of the product imaging camera GC, the code reader CR, the information reader RFR, and the reception unit 241.

[0048] The product table stores product information about products belonging to the store. The process of a store clerk registering product information in the product table may be called product registration processing. Product information may be registered in the product table by an input operation by a store clerk who is authorized to register products. The product information acquisition unit 211 may refer to the product table, match it with products handled by the store, and identify the product. [Table 2: Product Table Example 1]

[0049]

[0050] As shown in Table 2, the product table may store product information about products belonging to each store. As shown in Table 2, the product information may include identification information that identifies the type of product and the price of the product. The price of the product registered in the product table may be the price without any discounts.

[0051] Table 2 above illustrates that store A includes products of the type identified by "AG1," products of the type identified by "AG2," and products of the type identified by "AG3." Table 2 also illustrates that the price of the product of the type identified by "AG1" is "1,000 yen," the price of the product of the type identified by "AG2" is "500 yen," and the price of the product of the type identified by "AG3" is "2,000 yen."

[0052] If the product requires age verification for sale, the product table may include information indicating that age verification is required. If the product requires age verification, the product processing unit 212 may support an age verification operation such as displaying a confirmation screen.

[0053] When the product information acquisition unit 211 acquires product information from the code reader CR, the code reader CR reads the code attached to the product, and the product information acquisition unit 211 acquires the code. The code may be a code obtained by encoding the product information itself. The code may also be access information to a product table. The code that is access information may be, for example, a code obtained by encoding identification information that identifies the type of product.

[0054] When the product information acquisition unit 211 acquires product information from the reception unit 241, the reception unit 241 may function as a reception machine that detects an instruction action of a store clerk and accepts input corresponding to the product. In this case, the product information acquisition unit 211 may acquire product information through an input operation by the store clerk to the reception unit 241. The product information acquisition unit 211 may acquire product information by accepting an input operation corresponding to the product identified by the store clerk.

[0055] When the product information acquisition unit 211 acquires information about product information from the product imaging camera GC, images of the products may be registered in the product table. [Table 3: Example 2 of the product table]

[0056]

[0057] As shown in Table 3, the product table may store, for each store, identification information for identifying the type of product belonging to the store, product prices, and product images. Table 3 shows an example in which store B is home to products of the type identified by "BG1," products of the type identified by "BG2," and products of the type identified by "BG3." Table 3 also shows an example in which the image of the product type identified by "BG1" is "bg1," the image of the product type identified by "B2" is "bg2," and the image of the product type identified by "B3" is "bg3."

[0058] When the product information acquisition unit 211 acquires product information from the product imaging camera GC, the product information acquisition unit 211 may identify the product by image recognition and acquire the product information. The product information acquisition unit 211 may identify and specify the product based on the image captured by the product imaging camera GC and acquire product information about the product. The product information acquisition unit 211 may identify the product by comparing the image captured by the product imaging camera GC with an image of the product registered in the product table and acquire the product information.

[0059] For example, suppose the commodity imaging camera GC captures image I shown in Fig. 5. Image I shown in Fig. 5 includes images "bg1", "bg2", and "bg3". The commodity information acquisition unit 211 may acquire commodity information relating to a type of commodity identified by "BG1" corresponding to image "bg1", a type of commodity identified by "BG2" corresponding to image "bg2", and a type of commodity identified by "BG3" corresponding to image "bg3".

[0060] For example, in a store that handles products that cannot contain information, such as unpackaged fruit and other foods, processing may be performed using a product imaging camera GC or the reception unit 241.

[0061] When the product information acquisition unit 211 acquires product information from the information reader RFR, the product information may include information about the product registered in the product table. That is, the product information acquisition unit 211 may acquire information included in the product table, such as the store to which the product belongs, the product type, and the price, without referring to the product table. [Product Processing Unit 212]

[0062] The product processing unit 212 processes products using the product information. The store change unit 213 changes the function of the product processing unit 212 depending on the store where the salesperson works. The product processing by the product processing unit 212 differs for each store. The product processing by the product processing unit 212 may be registered in a processing table. [Table 4: Processing Table]

[0063]

[0064] As shown in Table 4 above, the processing table may register the processing to be performed at each store. Table 4 above illustrates that "Store A Processing 1," "Store A Processing 2," and "Store A Processing 3" are performed at Store A. Table 4 also illustrates that "Store B Processing 1," "Store B Processing 2," and "Store B Processing 3" are performed at Store B. For example, "Store A Processing 1" may be a payment processing. "Store A Processing 2" may be a product registration processing. "Store A Processing 3" may be a cash register closing processing.

[0065] The payment process may include processing related to point cards. If a store offers points based on the payment amount, payment using those points may be accepted. The payment process may also include discount processing and issuing tickets, receipts, etc. from the printer 253.

[0066] The product registration process may include product disposal process, product delivery process, etc. The cash register closing process may include payment processing suspension process, cash register process for registering cash to the store's account, etc. The cash register closing process may include processing related to point cards.

[0067] In addition, the processes that can be performed by the product processing unit 212 may include electronic money charging processing, displaying the above-mentioned processes on the display 251, output processing such as audio output from the speaker 252, adult verification processing, etc.

[0068] The product processing unit 212 determines the process that the store clerk wants to perform (step S15). If the store clerk belongs to store A, the product processing unit 212 determines whether the process that the store clerk wants to perform is payment processing, product registration processing, or closing processing. The product processing unit 212 may control the reception unit 241 and the display 251 to provide a user interface appropriate for the store.

[0069] In this embodiment, the store change unit 213 may limit the processes that can be performed by the store clerk to only those processes that the store clerk is authorized to perform. The store clerk table may include information about the processes that the store clerk is authorized to perform. [Table 5: Store clerk table]

[0070]

[0071] As shown in Table 5, the clerk table may store, for each store, identification information identifying the clerk belonging to the store, the clerk's biometric information, and information indicating whether the clerk is authorized to perform each process. Table 5 shows an example in which the clerk identified by "a1" is authorized to perform all of Store A Process 1, Store A Process 2, and Store A Process 3; the clerk identified by "a2" is authorized to perform Store A Process 1 and Store A Process 2 but is not authorized to perform Store A Process 3; and the clerk identified by "a3" is authorized to perform Store A Process 1 but is not authorized to perform Store A Process 2 or Store A Process 3. The registration of clerks in this clerk table may be performed by the product processing unit 212.

[0072] The product processing unit 212 may control the display 251 so that only the operation screen for the process authorized by the store clerk is displayed. The product processing unit 212 may also control the reception unit 241 and the display 251 so as to provide a user interface suited to the store clerk. This improves convenience for the store clerk. [Payment Process]

[0073] 4B, the product information acquisition unit 211 acquires product information (step S20). The output device 25 may notify the target of the method by which the store will acquire the product information. The notification may prompt the target to take an action.

[0074] For example, when identifying a product code from an image of the product itself, information such as "Please place the product in the designated location" may be output from an output device 25 such as a display or speaker, and the subject may be asked to place the product within the imaging range of the product imaging camera GC.

[0075] The product information acquisition unit 211 identifies the product indicated by the product information (step S21). The product information acquisition unit 211 determines whether the product belongs to the store where the register robot 2 is being used (step S22). The product information acquisition unit 211 may refer to a product table to determine whether the product belongs to the store. If the product does not belong to the store where the register robot 2 is being used (step S22: No), an alert notification is output indicating that the product does not belong to the store (step S23). If the product information acquisition unit 211 cannot identify the product in step S21, for example, if the product is not sold in any of the stores that the register robot 2 handles, an alert notification is also output.

[0076] If the product belongs to the store where the register robot 2 is used (step S22: Yes), the product processing unit 212 determines whether all the products have been processed (step S24). In step S24, the product processing unit 212 may display a list of products belonging to the specified store on the display 251 and have the store clerk confirm the list.

[0077] If an input indicating that all items have been processed is received from the store clerk, the process may proceed to step S25. The product processing unit 212 carries out payment for the items (step S25). In step S25, the customer may be able to select which payment method to use. The payment methods available may vary depending on the store. For example, store A may allow payment by electronic money, credit card, or code payment. If the register robot 2 is equipped with an automatic change dispenser, payment by cash may also be available. The product processing unit 212 may display a screen on the display 251 that allows the customer to select which payment method to use. During the operation of step S25, the product processing unit 212 may register information related to the payment in a payment amount table. [Table 6: Payment Amount Table]

[0078]

[0079] As shown in Table 6, the payment amount table may store, for each store, the identification information of the type of product paid for, the actual payment amount, and the payment method. The actual payment amount may be a value different from the price included in the product information. For example, if a discount coupon is presented, the payment may be a value changed according to the information indicated by the coupon. Table 6 shows an example in which, at Store A, a product type identified by "AG1" was paid for by credit card for 500 yen, a product type identified by "AG2" was paid for by credit card for 2,000 yen, a product type identified by "AG1" was paid for by cash for 500 yen, a product type identified by "AG2" was paid for by code for 1,900 yen, and a product type identified by "AG3" was paid for by electronic money for 1,000 yen. [2-4: Technical Effects of the Register Robot 2]

[0080] The cash register robot 2 in the second embodiment can identify the store to which the clerk using the cash register robot 2 belongs based on the clerk using the cash register robot 2, so at least one of the functions of acquiring product information and processing products can be appropriately changed depending on the store. For example, if the clerk belongs to store A, the cash register robot 2 can realize the functions appropriate for store A, and if the clerk belongs to store B, the cash register robot 2 can realize the functions appropriate for store B. The cash register robot 2 can change the device used to acquire product information, so it can acquire product information using a means appropriate for the products belonging to the store. Because the cash register robot 2 can perform cash register operations for multiple stores, the number of cash registers can be reduced compared to installing cash registers in each of the multiple stores.

[0081] Furthermore, the register robot 2 can be prevented from handling products that do not belong to the store using the register robot 2. In particular, when a store clerk who is not accustomed to handling products in the store uses the register robot 2, it is effective to notify the store of products that do not belong to the store. [3: Third embodiment]

[0082] Next, a third embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described. Hereinafter, the third embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described using a cash register robot 3 to which the third embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium is applied. [3-1: Configuration of the cash register robot 3]

[0083] As shown in FIG. 6 , the register robot 3 in the third embodiment includes a computing device 21 and a storage device 22, similar to the register robot 2 in the second embodiment. Furthermore, the register robot 3 in the third embodiment may include a communication device 23, an input device 24, and an output device 25, similar to the register robot 2 in the second embodiment. However, the register robot 3 may not include one of the input device 24 and the output device 25. The register robot 3 in the third embodiment further includes a self-propelled mechanism W, which is a specific example of the "self-propelled mechanism" described in the appendix below. As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the register robot 3 may include, for example, wheels that are part of the self-propelled mechanism W. The self-propelled mechanism W may be a mechanism suitable for movement on a plane. The self-propelled mechanism W may include one or more wheels. The self-propelled mechanism W may include a belt conveyor.

[0084] The cash register robot 3 differs from the cash register robot 2 in the second embodiment in that the calculation device 21 further includes a movement control unit 316, which is a specific example of the "movement control means" described in the appendix below, a location information acquisition unit 317, which is a specific example of the "location information acquisition means" described in the appendix below, and a receiving unit 318, which is a specific example of the "receiving means" described in the appendix below. The receiving unit 318 may have a call information receiving unit 3181.

[0085] Furthermore, the communication device 23 provided in the register robot 3 in the third embodiment may be capable of communicating with an external device O, which is a device external to the register robot 3. The external device O may be a terminal device carried by a store clerk. Other features of the register robot 3 in the third embodiment may be the same as other features of the register robot 2 in the second embodiment. Therefore, in the following, differences from the embodiments already described will be described in detail, and other overlapping parts will be omitted as appropriate. [3-2: Information processing operations performed by the register robot 3]

[0086] The flow of the information processing operation performed by the cash register robot 3 will be described with reference to Figure 7. The information processing operation performed by the cash register robot 3 differs from the information processing operation performed by the cash register robot 2 in the method of specifying the store in which the cash register robot 3 is used during the store change operation. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the store change operation performed by the cash register robot 3. Note that the payment operation performed by the cash register robot 3 may be the same as the payment operation performed by the cash register robot 2.

[0087] As shown in FIG. 7 , the store change unit 313 determines whether or not there is a target using the cash register robot 3 (step S10). If there is a target using the cash register robot 3 (step S10: Yes), the location information acquisition unit 317 acquires location information indicating the location of the cash register robot 3 (step S30). The location information acquisition unit 317 may acquire location information using, for example, a global positioning system. The store change unit 313 identifies a store that will use the cash register robot 3 based on the location information (step S31). The store information storage unit 221 may include area information indicating the area in which each store is located. The store change unit 313 may identify a store from an area that includes the location indicated by the location information. The store change unit 313 changes the function of at least one of the product information acquisition unit 211 and the product processing unit 212 based on the identified store (step S32). After the store change unit 313 changes the functions of at least one of the product information acquisition unit 211 and the product processing unit 212 according to the identified store, the product processing unit 212 can determine the processing desired by the subject and carry out the processing desired by the subject, as in the second embodiment.

[0088] The register robot 3 in the third embodiment may be used by a purchaser. That is, the register robot 3 may function as a so-called self-checkout. In this case, the processing performed by the product processing unit 212 may be payment processing only. The product processing unit 212 may display a screen on the display 251 that allows the purchaser to select which payment method to use, and allow the purchaser to select.

[0089] The cash register robot 3 in the third embodiment can receive a call from a person who needs the cash register robot 3 and move to the location of the person. In this case, the person may be a store clerk. The call information receiving unit 3181 receives caller location information indicating the location of the person who is calling the cash register robot 3, and the movement control unit 316 controls the self-propelled mechanism W that causes the cash register robot 3 to self-propel in accordance with the caller location information. In this case, the location information acquired by the location information acquisition unit 317 may be the caller location information, and the store change unit 313 may identify the store in accordance with the caller location information. [3-3: Technical Effects of the Cash Register Robot 3]

[0090] The register robot 3 in the third embodiment can identify the store that uses the register robot 3 depending on the location where the register robot 3 is used, and can appropriately change at least one of the functions of acquiring product information and processing products depending on the store. The register robot 3 can change the device used to acquire product information, so it can acquire product information by a means appropriate for the products belonging to the store.

[0091] Furthermore, the register robot 3 can move to the location of the store clerk who needs it, thereby improving convenience for the store clerk.

[0092] Furthermore, the register robot 3 can be prevented from processing products that do not belong to the store using the register robot 2. For example, when the register robot 3 is used as a so-called self-checkout, it is effective to notify the store of products that do not belong to the store. [4: Fourth embodiment]

[0093] Next, a fourth embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described. Hereinafter, the fourth embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described using a cash register robot 4 to which the fourth embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium is applied.

[0094] As shown in Figure 8, the cash register robot 4 to which the fourth embodiment is applied may have both the function of identifying a store using biometric information and the function of identifying a store using location information. In other words, it may be possible to identify a store both by authenticating a store clerk and by the location where the cash register robot 4 is used. In addition, a personal information storage unit 422 may be implemented within the storage device 22 of the cash register robot 4. The personal information storage unit 422 stores personal information of the purchaser, and the personal information may include the purchaser's biometric information and personal payment information. The personal payment information may be bank account information, credit card information, electronic money information, etc. [4-1: Information Processing Operations Performed by the Cash Register Robot 4]

[0095] The flow of information processing operations performed by the register robot 4 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. The information processing operations performed by the register robot 4 differ from the information processing operations performed by the register robot 2 and the register robot 3 in the store change operation. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing the store change operation performed by the register robot 4.

[0096] 9, the store change unit 413 determines whether or not there is a target who will use the register robot 4 (step S10). If there is a target who will use the register robot 4 (step S10: Yes), the biometric information acquisition unit 414 acquires the target's biometric information (step S40).

[0097] The authentication unit 415 authenticates the target using biometric information and determines whether the target is a store clerk (step S41). If the target is a store clerk (step S41: Yes), the store change unit 413 identifies the store to which the store clerk belongs (step S42).

[0098] If the target is not a store clerk (step S41: No), the location information acquisition unit 417 acquires location information (step S43). The store change unit 413 identifies a store based on the location information (step S44). The store change unit 413 changes the function of at least one of the product information acquisition unit 211 and the product processing unit 412 based on the store (step S45).

[0099] Using the determination result of step S40, if the target is a store clerk (step S46: Yes), the desired processing is determined (step S15). In other words, if a store can be identified from the biometric information, a store clerk is using the register robot 4, so it may function as a so-called manned register. For example, even if the location information is not the location of the store, it may function as a register for the store identified from the biometric information.

[0100] If the target is not a store clerk (step S46: No), the product processing unit 412 performs the payment process. In other words, if the store cannot be identified from the biometric information, the store may be identified based on the location information, and the system may function as a so-called self-checkout.

[0101] Furthermore, if the target is not a store clerk but a registered purchaser, the authentication unit 415 may identify the target as a non-store clerk. If the purchaser is registered in the personal information storage unit 422, the product processing unit 412 may perform payment processing using the registered personal payment information. For example, if bank account information is registered as the personal payment information, the product processing unit 412 may perform payment processing directly with the account. Alternatively, if credit card information is registered as the personal payment information, the product processing unit 412 may perform payment processing using the credit card.

[0102] The product processing unit 412 may also verify the identity of the purchaser. For example, the product processing unit 412 may display a question such as "Are you Mr. / Ms. N (name of purchaser)?" along with options of "Yes" and "No" on the display 251, and may execute payment when the reception unit 241 receives the selection of "Yes" from the purchaser.

[0103] The store change unit 413 may change the function of at least one of the product information acquisition unit 211 and the product processing unit 412 so that the store change unit 413 functions as a so-called manned register when the store is identified by a store clerk, and functions as a so-called self-register when the store cannot be identified by a store clerk and the store is identified by location information. [4-2: Technical Effects of the Register Robot 4]

[0104] The register robot 4 in the fourth embodiment can switch between functioning as a so-called manned register or a so-called self-register, depending on the target. [5: Fifth Embodiment]

[0105] Next, a fifth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described. Hereinafter, the fifth embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described using an information processing system SYS to which the fifth embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium is applied.

[0106] Fig. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information processing system SYS according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 10, the information processing system SYS according to the fifth embodiment includes a cash register robot 5, which is a specific example of a "payment support device" described in the appendix, and a shared device 100, which is a specific example of a "shared device" described in the appendix, which will be described later. The information processing system SYS may include multiple cash register robots 5.

[0107] 10 , the shared device 100 includes an arithmetic device 1001, a storage device 1002, and a communication device 1003. The shared device 100 may further include an input device 1004 and an output device 1005. However, the shared device 100 does not necessarily include at least one of the input device 1004 and the output device 1005. The arithmetic device 1001, the storage device 1002, the communication device 1003, the input device 1004, and the output device 1005 may be connected via a data bus 1006.

[0108] Like the arithmetic device 21, the arithmetic device 1001 includes at least one of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), and an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array). The arithmetic device 1001 reads a computer program. For example, the arithmetic device 1001 may read a computer program stored in the storage device 1002. For example, the arithmetic device 1001 may read a computer program stored in a computer-readable, non-transitory storage medium using a storage medium reading device (e.g., an input device 1004, described later) not shown in the drawings that is included in the shared device 100. The arithmetic device 1001 may acquire (i.e., download or read) a computer program from a device (not shown) located outside the shared device 100 via the communication device 1003 (or another communication device). Arithmetic device 1001 executes the loaded computer program. As a result, logical functional blocks for executing the operations that common device 100 should perform are realized within arithmetic device 1001. In other words, arithmetic device 1001 can function as a controller for realizing logical functional blocks for executing the operations (in other words, processing) that common device 100 should perform.

[0109] The storage device 1002 can store desired data, similar to the storage device 22. For example, the storage device 1002 may temporarily store a computer program executed by the arithmetic device 1001. The storage device 1002 may temporarily store data that the arithmetic device 1001 temporarily uses when the arithmetic device 1001 is executing a computer program. The storage device 1002 may store data that the shared device 100 stores long-term. The storage device 1002 may include at least one of a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a hard disk device, a magneto-optical disk device, an SSD (Solid State Drive), and a disk array device. In other words, the storage device 1002 may include a non-transitory recording medium.

[0110] A store information storage unit 10021 may be implemented within the storage device 1002. The store information storage unit 10021 stores register robot 5 information, acquired from each of the multiple register robots 5 via the communication device 23 and the communication device 1003, including at least one of location information indicating the location of the register robot 5, usage status information indicating the usage status of the register robot 5, and payment information indicating a payment made at the register robot 5. The usage status information indicating the usage status of the register robot 5 may include congestion information indicating the degree of congestion around the register robot 5. The store information storage unit 10021 may store information registered in the store information storage unit 221 of each of the multiple register robots 5.

[0111] Communication device 1003 is capable of communicating with devices external to shared device 100 via a communication network (not shown). Communication device 1003 may be a communication interface based on standards such as Ethernet (registered trademark), Wi-Fi (registered trademark), Bluetooth (registered trademark), or USB (Universal Serial Bus). Shared device 100 transmits and receives information to and from cash register robot 5 via communication device 1003.

[0112] Input device 1004 is a device that accepts information input to common device 100 from outside common device 100. Output device 1005 is a device that outputs information to the outside of common device 100.

[0113] In this embodiment, any of the functions implemented in the computing device 21 of the cash register robot 5 may be implemented in the computing device 1001 of the shared device 100. The cash register robot 5 may implement any of the functions implemented in the computing device 21 under the control of the shared device 100. For example, the cash register robot 5 may have the self-propelled mechanism W driven under the control of the shared device 100. [Technical Effects of the Information Processing System SYS]

[0114] In the fifth embodiment, the shared device 100 acquires and records information about each of the multiple cash register robots 5. This allows, for example, each cash register robot 5 to move to the appropriate location. Furthermore, even when multiple cash register robots 5 are used in the same store, the store can easily handle the exact payment amount. [6: Sixth Embodiment]

[0115] Next, a sixth embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described. Hereinafter, the sixth embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described using a cash register robot 6 to which the sixth embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium is applied.

[0116] 11, the cash register robot 6 to which the sixth embodiment is applied differs from the cash register robot 2 in the second embodiment to the cash register robot 5 in the fifth embodiment in that the movement control unit 616 further includes a congestion determination unit 6161 and the receiving unit 618 further includes a congestion information receiving unit 6182. [6-1: Information Processing Operation Performed by the Cash Register Robot 6]

[0117] The congestion information receiving unit 6182 receives congestion information indicating the degree of congestion around the external device O from an external device O outside the cash register robot 6. The external device O may be another cash register robot 6 or a device such as the shared device 100 described in the fifth embodiment (referred to as a "shared device").

[0118] The congestion information receiving unit 6182 may receive congestion information indicating the degree of congestion in the store where the other register robot 6 is used from the other register robot 6. The congestion information receiving unit 6182 may acquire, from the other register robot 6, an image of the store where the other register robot 6 is used as the congestion information.

[0119] The shared device may manage a surveillance camera. The congestion information receiving unit 6182 may obtain, from the shared device, an image captured by the surveillance camera as congestion information.

[0120] The congestion information receiving unit 6182 may also acquire, from the shared device, usage status information indicating the usage status of the cash register robot 6 within the area in which the cash register robot 6 can move. The congestion determining unit 6161 may determine the degree of congestion based on the usage status information.

[0121] The congestion determination unit 6161 controls the self-propelled mechanism W in accordance with the congestion information. The congestion determination unit 6161 may use the congestion information to determine which stores are relatively crowded. The congestion determination unit 6161 may control the self-propelled mechanism W to move to stores with a relatively high degree of congestion.

[0122] Alternatively, a store clerk at a busy store may call the cash register robot 6. In this case, the call information receiving unit 4181 may receive caller location information indicating the location of the store clerk who is calling the cash register robot 6 from a terminal device carried by the store clerk at the busy store, and move to the store to which the store clerk belongs.

[0123] Furthermore, the cash register robot 6 may request assistance from other cash register robots 6 depending on its own usage status. [6-2: Technical Effects of the Cash Register Robot 6]

[0124] The cash register robot 6 in the sixth embodiment can move to crowded places, so that customers who wish to use the cash register robot 6 can be supported in the store appropriately without having to wait. [7: Seventh Embodiment]

[0125] Next, a seventh embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described. In the following, the seventh embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described using a cash register robot 7 to which the seventh embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium is applied.

[0126] As shown in Figure 12, the cash register robot 7 to which the seventh embodiment is applied differs from the cash register robots 2 to 6 in that the product processing section 712 has a closing processing section 7121. The cash register closing processing by the closing processing section 7121 may be a process of tallying and confirming the payment amounts settled on that day. [7-1: Information Processing Operations Performed by the Cash Register Robot 7]

[0127] The flow of information processing operations performed by the register robot 7 will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a flowchart showing the register closing process performed by the register robot 7.

[0128] When an instruction to close the payment process at the store is received from the target, the closing processing unit 7121 causes the biometric information acquisition unit 414 to acquire the biometric information of the store clerk (step S70), as shown in Fig. 13. The closing processing unit 7121 determines whether the authentication unit 415 has successfully authenticated the store clerk using the biometric information (step S71).

[0129] If the authentication unit 415 successfully authenticates the store clerk using biometric information (step S71: Yes), the closing processing unit 7121 stops the payment processing by the product processing unit 712 (step S72). The closing processing unit 7121 may determine whether the authenticated store clerk is authorized to perform cash register closing processing. If the authenticated store clerk is authorized to perform cash register closing processing, the closing processing unit 7121 may stop the payment processing for the store by the cash register robot 7.

[0130] The closing processing unit 7121 presents confirmation information (step S73). The closing processing unit 7121 may, for example, display information on transactions settled during the day registered in the settlement table on the display 251. The closing processing unit 7121 may, for example, present a total amount for each payment method. The closing processing unit 7121 determines whether a store clerk has input information indicating that the register may be closed (step S74). If the register may be closed (step S74, Yes), the closing processing unit 7121 confirms the register closing process (step S75). For example, for transactions settled in cash and transactions involving direct transfer from an account, a request for transfer to the store's account may be issued. Alternatively, if the store so desires, the register robot 7 may dispense cash.

[0131] In addition, when there are multiple cash register robots 7, as described in the fifth embodiment, the payment processing by the multiple cash register robots 7 aggregated by the shared device 100 can be performed together to perform the cash register closing operation. Furthermore, in the above-mentioned steps S13, S31, S42, and S44, if the identified store is a store where cash register closing processing has already been performed, the product processing unit may issue an alert notification. [7-2: Technical Effects of the Cash Register Robot 7]

[0132] The register robot 7 in the seventh embodiment can properly perform the register closing process in accordance with the instructions of a store clerk. [8: Eighth Embodiment]

[0133] Next, an eighth embodiment of an information processing device, an information processing system, an information processing method, and a recording medium will be described. Hereinafter, the eighth embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium will be described using a cash register robot 8 to which the eighth embodiment of the information processing device, the information processing system, the information processing method, and the recording medium is applied.

[0134] The register robot 8 to which the eighth embodiment is applied differs from the register robot 7 to which the seventh embodiment is applied in the method of authenticating the target. The information processing operation performed by the register robot 8 may be a process that can be performed by a store clerk who has specific identification information. [8-1: Information Processing Operation Performed by the Register Robot 8]

[0135] The flow of information processing operations performed by the register robot 8 will be described with reference to Fig. 15. Fig. 15 is a flowchart showing the register closing process performed by the register robot 8.

[0136] When an instruction to close the payment transaction at the store is received from the target, the closing processing unit 8121 causes the location information acquisition unit 417 to acquire location information indicating the location of the cash register robot 8 (step S80), as shown in FIG. 15 . The closing processing unit 8121 then causes the store change unit 413 to identify the store that will use the cash register robot 8 based on the location information (step S81). The closing processing unit 8121 acquires identification information from the store clerk that can identify the store clerk, and uses the identification information to determine whether the store clerk belongs to the store (step S82). The closing processing unit 8121 may acquire the identification information of the store clerk by, for example, having the store clerk present an employee ID card. The identification information that can identify the store clerk may be the store clerk's biometric information. If the store clerk belongs to the store (step S82: Yes), the closing processing unit 8121 executes steps S72 to S76 described with reference to FIG. 13 . [8-2: Technical Effects of the Cash Register Robot 8]

[0137] The register robot 8 can properly perform the cash register closing process according to the instructions of the store clerk. [9: Supplementary Note]

[0138] The following supplementary notes are further disclosed with respect to the embodiments described above. [Supplementary Note 1] An information processing device comprising: a product information acquisition means for acquiring product information related to a product; a product processing means for processing the product using the product information; and a change means for changing functions of at least one of the product information acquisition means and the product processing means in accordance with at least one of a target using the information processing device and a location of the information processing device. [Supplementary Note 2] The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 1 further comprises: a biometric information acquisition means for acquiring biometric information of the target; and a biometric authentication means for authenticating the target using the biometric information, wherein the change means identifies a store to which the target using the information processing device belongs in accordance with an authentication result by the biometric authentication means, and changes functions of at least one of the product information acquisition means and the product processing means. [Supplementary Note 3] The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the change means changes the function of at least one of the product information acquisition means and the product processing means so that an operation related to the first store is performed when an object belonging to a first store is authenticated, and changes the function of at least one of the product information acquisition means and the product processing means so that an operation related to the second store is performed when an object belonging to a second store is authenticated. [Supplementary Note 4] The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 1, further comprising: movement control means for controlling a self-propelled mechanism that causes the information processing device to self-propel; and position information acquisition means for acquiring position information indicating the position of the information processing device, wherein the change means identifies a store that uses the information processing device according to the position information and changes the function of at least one of the product information acquisition means and the product processing means. [Supplementary Note 5] The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 4, further comprising: call information receiving means for receiving caller position information indicating the position of an object that is calling the information processing device, and the movement control means controls the self-propelled mechanism according to the caller position information. [Supplementary Note 6] The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 4, further comprising congestion information receiving means for receiving, from an external device of the information processing device, congestion information indicating a degree of congestion around the external device, wherein the movement control means controls the self-propelled mechanism in accordance with the congestion information.[Supplementary Note 7] The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 2 or 3, wherein the product information acquisition means is capable of acquiring the product information from a device including at least one of: an imaging device that captures an image of the product, a code reader that reads a code that encodes product information about the product attached to the product, an information reader that reads product information about the product attached to the product, and a reception device that detects a pointing action of the target and accepts input corresponding to the product, and the change means specifies a store that uses the information processing device, and changes from which of the devices the product information acquisition means acquires the product information. [Supplementary Note 8] The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 2 or 3, wherein the change means specifies in which store the information processing device is used, and when the product information acquisition means acquires product information indicating a product that does not belong to the store that uses the information processing device, outputs information indicating that the product does not belong to the store. [Supplementary Note 9] The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 2, wherein the product processing means, when receiving an instruction to perform closing processing of the payment processing at the store from a subject, causes the biometric information acquisition means to acquire biometric information of the subject, causes the biometric authentication means to authenticate the subject using the biometric information, and executes the closing processing if authentication by the biometric authentication means is successful. [Supplementary Note 10] The information processing device according to Supplementary Note 4, wherein the product processing means, when receiving an instruction to perform closing processing of the payment processing at the store from a subject, causes the location information acquisition means to acquire location information indicating the location of the information processing device, causes the change means to specify the store that uses the information processing device according to the location information, acquires identification information from the subject that can identify the subject, and executes the closing processing using the identification information if the subject is a person who belongs to the store.[Supplementary Note 11] An information processing system including: a plurality of payment support devices each comprising: product information acquisition means for acquiring product information indicating a product; product processing means for processing the product using the product information; modification means for modifying functions of at least one of the product information acquisition means and the product processing means in accordance with at least one of a target using the payment support device and a location of the payment support device; and payment communication means for communicating with a device external to the payment support device; and a shared device comprising: shared communication means for communicating with a device external to the shared device; and recording means for acquiring payment support device information from each of the plurality of payment support devices via the payment communication means and the shared communication means, the payment support device information including at least one of location information indicating the location of the payment support device, usage status information indicating a usage status of the payment support device, and payment information indicating a payment on the payment support device, and for recording the payment support device information. [Supplementary Note 12] An information processing method comprising: acquiring product information related to a product by a product information acquisition means provided in an information processing device; processing the product using the product information by a product processing means provided in the information processing device; and changing at least one function of the product information acquisition means and the product processing means according to at least one of a target using the information processing device and a location of the information processing device. [Supplementary Note 13] A recording medium having recorded thereon a computer program for causing a computer to execute an information processing method comprising: acquiring product information related to a product by a product information acquisition means provided in an information processing device; processing the product using the product information by a product processing means provided in the information processing device; and changing at least one function of the product information acquisition means and the product processing means according to at least one of a target using the information processing device and a location of the information processing device.

[0139] This disclosure may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the claims and the technical idea that can be read from the entire specification. Information processing devices, information processing systems, information processing methods, and recording media that involve such modifications are also included in the technical idea of ​​this disclosure.

[0140] 1 Information processing device 11, 211 Product information acquisition unit 12, 212, 412, 712, 812 Product processing unit 13, 213, 313, 413 Store change unit 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 Register robot 214, 414 Biometric information acquisition unit 215, 415 Authentication unit 221, 10021 Store information storage unit 241 Reception unit 242 Microphone 251 Display 252 Speaker 253 Printer BC Biometric imaging camera GC Product imaging camera RFR Information reader CR Code reader S Card reader ICR IC reader 316, 416, 616 Movement control unit 317, 417 Position information acquisition unit 318, 418, 518, 618 Receiving unit 3181, 4181 Call information receiving unit W Self-propelled mechanism O External device 422 Personal information storage unit SYS Information processing system 100 Shared device 6161 Congestion determination unit 6182 Congestion information receiving unit 7121, 8121 Closing processing unit

Claims

1. a product information acquisition means for acquiring product information relating to a product; a product processing means for processing the product using the product information; a change means for changing the function of at least one of the product information acquisition means and the product processing means in accordance with at least one of a target using the information processing device and a location of the information processing device; An information processing device comprising:

2. a biometric information acquisition means for acquiring biometric information of the subject; biometric authentication means for authenticating the target using the biometric information; The change means identifies a store to which the subject who uses the information processing device belongs, according to the authentication result by the biometric authentication means, and changes the function of at least one of the product information acquisition means and the product processing means. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

3. When a target belonging to a first store is authenticated, the change means changes a function of at least one of the product information acquisition means and the product processing means so that an operation related to the first store is performed, and when a target belonging to a second store is authenticated, the change means changes a function of at least one of the product information acquisition means and the product processing means so that an operation related to the second store is performed. The information processing device according to claim 2 .

4. a movement control means for controlling a self-propelled mechanism that causes the information processing device to self-propel; a location information acquisition unit that acquires location information indicating a location of the information processing device; The change means identifies a store that uses the information processing device according to the location information, and changes the function of at least one of the product information acquisition means and the product processing means. The information processing device according to claim 1 .

5. further comprising a call information receiving means for receiving caller location information indicating the location of a person calling the information processing device; The movement control means controls the self-propelled mechanism in accordance with the caller location information. The information processing device according to claim 4 .

6. further comprising congestion information receiving means for receiving congestion information indicating a degree of congestion around an external device from an external device of the information processing device, The movement control means controls the self-propelled mechanism in accordance with the congestion information. The information processing device according to claim 4 .

7. The product information acquisition means an imaging device for imaging the commodity; a code reader that reads a code that encodes product information about the product attached to the product; an information reader that reads product information about the product attached to the product; and a reception device that detects the pointing action of the target and receives an input corresponding to the product; The product information can be acquired from a device including at least one of The change means identifies a store that uses the information processing device, and changes from which device the product information acquisition means acquires the product information.

4. The information processing device according to claim 2 or 3.

8. a product information acquisition means for acquiring product information indicating a product; a product processing means for processing the product using the product information; a change means for changing the function of at least one of the product information acquisition means and the product processing means in accordance with at least one of a target using the payment support device and a location of the payment support device; a payment communication means for communicating with a device external to the payment support device; A plurality of payment support devices each including the a shared communication means for communicating with an external device of the shared device; a recording means for acquiring payment support device information from each of the plurality of payment support devices via the payment communication means and the shared communication means, the payment support device information including at least one of location information indicating a location of the payment support device, usage status information indicating a usage status of the payment support device, and payment information indicating a payment made at the payment support device, and for recording the payment support device information. An information processing system including:

9. acquiring product information about the product by a product information acquisition means provided in the information processing device; a product processing means provided in the information processing device processes the product using the product information; The function of at least one of the product information acquisition means and the product processing means is changed according to at least one of a target using the information processing device and a location of the information processing device. A computer-implemented information processing method.

10. On the computer, acquiring product information about the product by a product information acquisition means provided in the information processing device; a product processing means provided in the information processing device processes the product using the product information; The function of at least one of the product information acquisition means and the product processing means is changed according to at least one of a target using the information processing device and a location of the information processing device. A computer program for executing an information processing method.