Sales processing system

Abstract

The present invention reduces the risk that payment for a product will not be completed due to failure to register the product.　A transaction processing system according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a sales processing device and a monitoring device separate from the sales processing device. The transaction processing device also comprises a registration unit provided to the sales processing device, a detection unit, and a notification unit provided to the monitoring device. The registration unit registers a transaction product. The detection unit detects a product placed below the uppermost stage of a multi-stage carrier located in a detection area established near the sales processing device. In response to the product being detected by the detection unit, the notification unit causes a notification action, for providing notification to a monitor separate from the operator of the sales processing device that the product has been detected, to be performed during a period in which the transaction product is being registered by the registration unit.

Description

Sales Processing System

[0001] FIELD OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a sales processing system.

[0002] In stores where customers register items picked up from the sales floor for purchase as transaction items and then pay for the registered transaction items, some of the picked items may not be registered as transaction items. For example, items placed on the bottom shelf of a two-tiered shopping cart often fail to be registered. For these reasons, it has been desirable to reduce the risk of items not being paid for due to registration failure.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-46166

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a transaction processing system that can reduce the risk of products remaining unpaid due to omission of registration.

[0005] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of a product sales system according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the installation of a POS terminal, a camera, and an attendant terminal in a store. FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of the POS terminal. FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of the management server. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the circuit configuration of the attendant terminal. FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram illustrating a sale of a product to a customer who approaches a POS terminal pushing a shopping cart with a large item in the lower part. FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the support process according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the schematic configuration of a monitoring screen. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating changes to the monitoring screen. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram illustrating a sale of a product to a customer who approaches a POS terminal pushing a shopping cart with a shopping basket in the lower part. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the support process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the support process according to the second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating changes to the monitoring screen. Embodiment

[0006] A transaction processing system according to an embodiment includes a sales processing device and a monitoring device separate from the sales processing device, and includes a registration unit, a detection unit, and a notification unit provided in the monitoring device. The registration unit registers a transaction commodity. The detection unit detects a transaction commodity placed below the top shelf of a multi-tiered carrier located in a detection area defined near the sales processing device. In response to detection of a commodity by the detection unit, the notification unit performs a notification operation to notify a monitor separate from the operator of the sales processing device of the detection of the commodity during the period in which the registration unit is registering the transaction commodity.

[0007] A merchandise sales system that processes merchandise sales to customers in a store will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating the overall configuration of the merchandise sales system 1 according to this embodiment. The merchandise sales system 1 includes a point-of-sale (POS) terminal 100, a camera 200, a management server 300, and an attendant terminal 400. The merchandise sales system 1 is configured so that the POS terminal 100, the camera 200, the management server 300, and the attendant terminal 400 can communicate with each other via a communication network 2. While FIG. 1 illustrates one POS terminal 100, one camera 200, one management server 300, and one attendant terminal 400, the number of each is arbitrary. Typically, the merchandise sales system 1 includes multiple POS terminals 100. The POS terminal 100 is an example of a sales processing device. The management server 300 is an example of a management device. The attendant terminal 400 is an example of a monitoring device. The merchandise sales system 1 is an example of a sales processing system. The communication network 2 may be the Internet, a virtual private network (VPN), a local area network (LAN), a public communication network, a mobile communication network, or the like, either singly or in appropriate combination. A LAN is typically used as the communication network 2.

[0008] Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the installation of POS terminals 100, cameras 200, and attendant terminals 400 in a store. Fig. 2 shows an example in which four POS terminals 100, one camera 200, and one attendant terminal 400 are installed at a checkout corner in a store. In the example of Fig. 2, the four POS terminals 100 are arranged in a row with their operation surfaces facing to the right in the figure.

[0009] A customer CU who wishes to purchase merchandise sold at a store picks up the merchandise from the store's sales floor and brings it to the cashier. The customer CU can use a shopping cart CA to transport the merchandise. The shopping cart CA has two levels, allowing items to be placed on either the upper or lower level. In other words, the shopping cart CA is an example of a multi-level carrier. In most cases, items are primarily placed on the upper level. However, large items such as rice or boxed items are often placed on the lower level. The customer CU then selects an unused POS terminal 100 and stands in front of it. In response to the customer CU's operation, the POS terminal 100 registers the merchandise the customer brought to the cashier as a transaction item and performs a transaction process to settle the price for all registered transaction items. In other words, the POS terminal 100 is primarily operated by the customer CU. However, the POS terminal 100 may also be operated by an operator other than the customer CU, such as a store clerk.

[0010] The camera 200 is installed in the checkout area so as to capture a range including the operation surfaces of all four POS terminals 100. The area between the two dashed lines in FIG. 2 is the camera 200's capture range. The camera 200 captures the above capture range to obtain image data. The camera 200 detects a person within a predetermined detection area ARA for each POS terminal 100 by using AI (artificial intelligence) processing on the captured image data. The camera 200 then notifies the management server 300 of the person detection, along with an area code that serves as an identifier for the detection area ARA in which the person was detected. The camera 200 also detects large items placed in the bottom tier of a shopping cart CA within the detection area ARA by using AI processing on the captured image data. Items that can be placed in the bottom tier of a shopping cart CA are predetermined as large items by the person who determines the specifications of the product sales system 1 or the store manager. Typically, multiple items are designated as large items. In other words, a large item is an example of a specific product group. The camera 200 then notifies the management server 300 of the detection of the large item, along with the area code of the detection area ARA in which the large item was detected. In other words, the camera 200 has the function of a detection unit.

[0011] The management server 300 is installed in the back of the store, for example. For this reason, the management server 300 is not illustrated in FIG. 2 . However, the management server 300 may be installed within the store, such as in the checkout area. The management server 300 is an information processing device that processes information for issuing warnings regarding large items (described below) based on notifications from the camera 200. The attendant terminal 400 is an information processing device that performs support processing to assist the attendant AT in monitoring the operating status of the four POS terminals 100 and attending to customer CUs. The attendant AT operates the attendant terminal 400. In other words, the attendant AT also serves as a supervisor. The attendant AT is generally a store employee. The attendant terminal 400 may be installed in a location separate from the checkout area. The attendant terminal 400 may be portable. In this case, the attendant terminal 400 may not be installed in a specific location, but may be carried by the attendant AT who moves around the checkout counters.

[0012] 3 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the POS terminal 100. The POS terminal 100 includes a processor 101, a main memory unit 102, a sub-memory unit 103, an input unit 104, a display unit 105, a sound unit 106, a fixed scanner 107, a handheld scanner 108, a currency receiving unit 109, a settlement unit 110, a printer 111, a communication unit 112, and a transmission path 113. The processor 101 may be a processing circuit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (e.g., a Simple Programmable Logic Device (SPLD), a Complex Programmable Logic Device (CPLD), or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA)). The processor 101 is not limited to being configured as a single processing circuit, but may be configured by combining a plurality of processing circuits as the processor 101. The same applies to the other processors according to this embodiment.

[0013] The processor 101, main storage unit 102, and sub-storage unit 103 are connected via a transmission path 113 to form a computer that performs information processing to control the POS terminal 100. The processor 101 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 101 executes information processing to control each part to realize the various functions of the POS terminal 100 in accordance with information processing programs such as an operating system and application programs.

[0014] The main memory unit 102 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The main memory unit 102 includes a read-only memory area and a rewritable memory area. The main memory unit 102 stores part of the information processing program in the read-only memory area. The main memory unit 102 may also store data necessary for the processor 101 to execute processes for controlling each component in the read-only memory area or the rewritable memory area. The main memory unit 102 uses the rewritable memory area as a work area for the processor 101.

[0015] The sub-storage unit 103 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. The sub-storage unit 103 may be, for example, an EEPROM (electric erasable programmable read-only memory), a HDD (hard disk drive), an SSD (solid state drive), or any other well-known storage device. The sub-storage unit 103 stores data used by the processor 101 in performing various processes and data generated by the processes performed by the processor 101. The sub-storage unit 103 may also store the information processing program. In this embodiment, the sub-storage unit 103 stores a transaction processing program PRA, which is one of the information processing programs. The transaction processing program PRA is an application program that describes the processing procedures to be performed by the processor 101, which will be described later.

[0016] The input unit 104 is used by an operator to input various instructions. Known input devices such as a touch sensor, a key switch, and a keyboard can be used alone or in combination as the input unit 104. For example, an input device included in the input unit 104 is a touch sensor provided on a touch panel.

[0017] The display unit 105 performs various display operations to notify the operator of various types of information. Well-known display devices, such as a screen display device such as a liquid crystal display and a light-emitting device such as an LED lamp, can be used alone or in combination as the display unit 105. One of the display devices included in the display unit 105 is, for example, the display device provided on the touch panel described above. The sound unit 106 outputs sounds for various types of guidance and warnings. Well-known sound devices, such as a voice synthesis device and a buzzer, can be used alone or in combination as the sound unit 106.

[0018] The fixed scanner 107 has a reading window facing the operator. The fixed scanner 107 captures an image of a product held in front of the reading window and recognizes the barcode information represented by the barcode through image processing. The fixed scanner 107 then outputs the barcode information to the processor 101. Note that the fixed scanner 107 may also be another type of well-known device that optically reads barcodes using reflected laser light. The fixed scanner 107 may also be a well-known device that has the function of identifying a product using object recognition technology from an image of the product itself obtained by capturing an image of the product. The handheld scanner 108 is held in the operator's hand and optically reads a barcode placed in front of the reading window. The handheld scanner 108 outputs the barcode information represented by the read barcode to the processor 101.

[0019] The currency collection unit 109 counts the value of coins inserted through the coin slot and stores them in an internal storage. The currency collection unit 109 discharges coins stored in the storage to a coin tray through the coin discharge port. The currency collection unit 109 counts the value of banknotes inserted through the banknote slot and stores them in an internal storage. The currency collection unit 109 discharges banknotes stored in the storage from the banknote discharge port. The banknote discharge port holds the discharged banknotes with a portion of them exposed to the outside.

[0020] The payment unit 110 reads data recorded on payment cards such as credit cards, prepaid cards, and electronic money cards. The payment unit 110 also writes data to payment cards. The payment unit 110 is equipped with reading devices capable of reading credit card integrated circuits (ICs), magnetic stripes, and near-field communication. The IC reading device reads data stored in the ICs on the credit cards through communication via electrical contacts. The magnetic stripe reading device uses a magnetic head to read data magnetically recorded on the magnetic stripe formed on the surface of the credit card. The near-field communication reading device reads data stored in the ICs on the credit cards through wireless communication such as near-field communication (NFC). The printer 111 prints an image of a transaction voucher, such as a receipt, invoice, or sales slip, on receipt paper. The printer 111 ejects the receipt paper with the printed image to the outside through a receipt ejection port.

[0021] The communication unit 112 executes communication processing for performing data communication via the communication network 2. For example, an existing communication device for a LAN can be used as the communication unit 112. The transmission path 113 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, etc., and transmits data and control signals exchanged between the connected components.

[0022] The hardware for the POS terminal 100 can be, for example, the hardware of an existing POS terminal of the same type. The POS terminal 100 is generally transferred with the transaction processing program PRA stored in the sub-storage unit 103. However, the transaction processing program PRA may be transferred separately from the hardware without the transaction processing program PRA stored in the sub-storage unit 103, or with a different version of the same application program stored in the sub-storage unit 103. The POS terminal 100 may be configured by writing the transaction processing program PRA to the sub-storage unit 103 in response to an operator's operation. The transaction processing program PRA may be transferred by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, or semiconductor memory, or by communication via a network.

[0023] 4 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the management server 300. The management server 300 includes a processor 301, a main storage unit 302, a sub-storage unit 303, a communication unit 304, and a transmission path 305. The functions of the processor 301, the main storage unit 302, the sub-storage unit 303, the communication unit 304, and the transmission path 305 are generally equivalent to those of the processor 101, the main storage unit 102, the sub-storage unit 103, the communication unit 112, and the transmission path 113.

[0024] However, sub-storage unit 303 stores a management program PRB instead of transaction processing program PRA. Management program PRB is an application program that describes the procedures for information processing by processor 301 for managing the detection results of camera 200.

[0025] The hardware of the management server 300 can be, for example, the hardware of an existing general-purpose server device. The transfer of the management server 300 is generally performed with the management program PRB stored in the sub-storage unit 303. However, the management program PRB may be transferred separately from the hardware without the management program PRB stored in the sub-storage unit 303, or with a different version of the same application program stored in the sub-storage unit 303. The management server 300 may be configured by writing the management program PRB to the sub-storage unit 303 in response to the operation of an operator. The transfer of the management program PRB can be performed by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, magneto-optical disk, optical disk, or semiconductor memory, or by communication via a network.

[0026] 5 is a block diagram showing the main circuit configuration of the attendant terminal 400. The attendant terminal 400 includes a processor 401, a main storage unit 402, a sub-storage unit 403, an input unit 404, a display unit 405, a sound unit 406, a communication unit 407, a transmission path 408, and the like.

[0027] The functions of the processor 401, main memory unit 402, sub-memory unit 403, input unit 404, display unit 405, sound unit 406, communication unit 407, and transmission path 408 are generally equivalent to those of the processor 101, main memory unit 102, sub-memory unit 103, input unit 104, display unit 105, sound unit 106, communication unit 112, and transmission path 113. However, the sub-memory unit 403 stores an attendant program PRC instead of the transaction processing program PRA. The attendant program PRC is an application program that describes the procedures for the support processing by the processor 401, which will be described later.

[0028] The hardware of the attendant terminal 400 may be, for example, a general-purpose computer device. Furthermore, if the attendant terminal 400 is portable as described above, the hardware of the attendant terminal 400 may be, for example, a tablet computer, a smartphone, or a wearable device. The attendant terminal 400 may also be configured using, for example, a tablet computer, a smartphone, or a wearable device as a user interface device for the attendant AT. The attendant program PRC is typically stored in the sub-storage unit 403 when the attendant terminal 400 is transferred. However, the attendant program PRC may be written to the sub-storage unit 403 by the processor 401 in response to an operation by an operator after the transfer of the attendant terminal 400. In this case, however, the sub-storage unit 403 of the attendant terminal 400 to be transferred may store a program of the same type but a different version than the attendant program PRC, or may not store such a program. In the former case, a program written later to the sub-storage unit 403 is used in place of a different version of the same program. The attendant program PRC can be transferred by recording it on a removable recording medium such as a magnetic disk, a magneto-optical disk, an optical disk, or a semiconductor memory, or by communication via a network.

[0029] The operation of the product sales system 1 configured as described above will be described below. Note that the contents of the various processes described below are merely examples, and it is possible to change the order of some of the processes, omit some of the processes, or add other processes as appropriate. For example, in the following description, in order to clearly explain the characteristic operations of this embodiment, explanation of some of the processes will be omitted. For example, if an error occurs, processing may be performed to deal with the error, but a description of such processing will be omitted.

[0030] 6 is a sequence diagram showing a process of selling a product to a customer CU who has pushed a shopping cart CA with a large product on the bottom shelf and moved in front of the POS terminal 100. In the following description, when the term "POS terminal 100" is used, it refers to the POS terminal 100 used by the customer CU.

[0031] In ACT 201, the camera 200 detects the customer CU. In ACT 202, the camera 200 notifies the management server 300 of the person detection. For example, the camera 200 generates predetermined notification data for this notification, including the area code of the detection area ARA that is the target of the person detection. The camera 200 then transmits the notification data to the communication network 2, addressed to the management server 300.

[0032] On the other hand, when a customer CU starts operating the POS terminal 100 to use it, the processor 101 proceeds to ACT 101. In ACT 101, the processor 101 notifies the management server 300 of the start of use. For example, the processor 101 generates predetermined notification data for this notification, including the terminal code of its own POS terminal 100. The processor 101 then causes the communication unit 112 to send the notification data to the communication network 2, addressed to the management server 300.

[0033] When the notification data sent from the camera 200 and the notification data sent from the POS terminal 100 are each transmitted to the management server 300 via the communication network 2 and sequentially received by the communication unit 304, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT 301. In ACT 301, the processor 301 instructs the camera 200 to start detection targeting the bottom level of the shopping cart CA. For example, the processor 301 generates predetermined instruction data for this instruction, including the terminal code included in the received notification data. The processor 301 then causes the camera 200 to send the generated instruction data from the communication unit 304 to the communication network 2. When this instruction data is transmitted to the camera 200 via the communication network 2, the camera 200 begins detection processing for the bottom level of the shopping cart CA that is present in the detection area defined for the POS terminal 100 identified by the terminal code included in the instruction data.

[0034] In ACT 203, camera 200 detects the large item, which is placed in the bottom shelf of the shopping cart in this case. In ACT 204, camera 200 notifies management server 300 of the detection of the large item. For example, camera 200 transmits predetermined notification data for this notification to communication network 2, addressed to management server 300.

[0035] In ACT 205, the camera 200 notifies the POS terminal 100 that a large item has been detected. For example, the camera 200 sends predetermined notification data for this notification to the communication network 2, addressed to the POS terminal 100 associated with the detection area in which the large item was detected. When this notification data is transmitted to the POS terminal 100 via the communication network 2 and received by the communication unit 112, the processor 101 proceeds to ACT 102.

[0036] In ACT 102, the processor 101 initiates a warning operation to remind the customer CU not to forget to register the items placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA. As the warning operation, the processor 101, for example, causes the display unit 105 to display a predetermined warning screen. The processor 101, for example, causes the sound unit 106 to output a warning sound to prompt the customer CU to visually check the warning screen. This warning operation allows the customer CU to confirm that the items placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA must be registered. The customer CU then performs a predetermined confirmation operation, for example, on the input unit 104, to declare that he or she has confirmed this. In response to this confirmation operation, the processor 101 proceeds to ACT 103. In ACT 103, the processor 101 ends the warning operation.

[0037] Meanwhile, when the notification data sent by the camera 200 in ACT 204 as described above is transmitted to the management server 300 via the communication network 2 and received by the communication unit 304, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT 302. In ACT 302, the processor 301 instructs the attendant terminal 400 to start issuing an alarm regarding the detection of a large item. For example, the processor 301 generates predetermined instruction data for the above instruction, including the terminal code included in the received notification data. The processor 301 then causes the communication unit 304 to send the generated instruction data to the attendant terminal 400 via the communication network 2.

[0038] When the attendant terminal 400 is in a situation where it needs to assist the attendant AT in monitoring the operating status of the POS terminal 100, the processor 401 executes support processing based on the attendant program PRC. Figure 7 is a flowchart of the support processing in the first embodiment. In ACT 411, the processor 401 displays a monitoring screen on the display unit 405. The monitoring screen lists the operating status of each POS terminal 100.

[0039] Fig. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the schematic configuration of a monitoring screen. The monitoring screen shown in Fig. 8 does not show the display content that specifically shows the operating status of each POS terminal 100. The monitoring screen shown in Fig. 8 shows four areas ARB and button groups BGA that are associated with each POS terminal 100.

[0040] Area ARB includes multiple areas for displaying the operating status of the associated POS terminal 100. Area ARBA is an area for displaying the status of the associated POS terminal 100. Statuses displayed in area ARBA include, for example, "Waiting," "Registering," "Cash Transaction in Progress," and "Calling Store Attendant." Area ARBB is an area for displaying information indicating the occurrence of an error in the POS terminal 100. Area ARBC is an area for displaying information regarding the declaration of use of point cards, shopping bags, etc. made by the operator in connection with the transaction being processed. Area ARBD is an area for displaying details of registered transaction items. Area ARBE is an area for displaying information regarding situations that require special attention from the attendant AT, such as when the registered transaction items include age-restricted items. Area ARBF is an area for displaying information regarding the transaction related to the registered transaction items. Area ARBG is an area for displaying the number of coins stored by denomination in the coin receiving unit 109 and the operating status of the coin receiving unit 109.

[0041] The button group BGA includes a plurality of buttons BUA. While FIG. 8 shows an example including ten buttons BUA, the number of buttons BUA included in the button group BGA is arbitrary. The buttons BUA are soft keys to which functions are assigned as appropriate and through which the operator can specify the functions. The assignment of functions to the buttons BUA can be changed as appropriate depending on the operating state of the attendant terminal 400.

[0042] In ACT 412, the processor 401 checks whether the operating status of the POS terminal 100 has changed. If the processor 401 cannot confirm the relevant event, it determines "NO" and proceeds to ACT 413. In ACT 413, the processor 401 checks whether an alarm is necessary for large items. If the processor 401 cannot confirm the relevant event, it determines "NO" and returns to ACT 412. Thus, in ACT 412 and ACT 413, the processor 401 waits for a change in the operating status or for an alarm to be necessary. Then, when the instruction data sent from the management server 300 in ACT 302 in FIG. 6 is transmitted to the attendant terminal 400 via the communication network 2 and received by the communication unit 407 as described above, the processor 401 determines "YES" in ACT 413 that an alarm is necessary and proceeds to ACT 414.

[0043] In ACT 414, the processor 401 sets the POS terminal 100 identified by the terminal code included in the instruction data sent from the management server 300 as the terminal that will be the target of the alarm (hereinafter referred to as the alarm terminal). For example, the processor 401 stores the terminal code included in the instruction data sent from the management server 300 in the main storage unit 402 or the sub-storage unit 403 as the terminal code of the alarm terminal.

[0044] In ACT 415, the processor 401 updates the monitoring screen to start an alarm operation regarding the detection of a large item. Then, the processor 401 returns to the standby state of ACT 412 and ACT 413. Note that as a result, the processor 401 starts an alarm operation in ACT 401 in FIG. 6.

[0045] Figure 9 shows how the monitoring screen changes in this case. The monitoring screen shown in Figure 9 is an example of a case where a large item has been detected for a POS terminal 100 called "Register 1." Therefore, by displaying the character string "Large Item" in area ARBE, attendant AT is notified that a large item has been placed in the bottom level of shopping cart CA located in detection area ARA corresponding to the POS terminal 100.

[0046] At this time, the processor 401 may perform another alarm operation, such as causing the sound unit 406 to output an alarm sound or voice message, in addition to or instead of the above display. Thus, the alarm operation corresponds to a notification operation. The processor 301 executes information processing based on the management program PRB, so that the computer with the processor 301 as its central part functions as a notification unit.

[0047] In the example of Figure 6, the customer CU first performs a predetermined operation on the POS terminal 100 to designate a product that does not belong to the large product category to be registered as a transaction product. In response to this, the processor 101 of the POS terminal 100 proceeds to ACT 104. In ACT 104, the processor 101 registers the designated product as a transaction product. Thus, the processor 101 executes information processing based on the transaction processing program PRA, and the computer with the processor 101 as its central part functions as a registration unit.

[0048] In ACT 105, the processor 101 notifies the attendant terminal 400 of the product registration. The processor 101 generates, for example, predetermined notification data for this notification, including the product code of the product registered as the transaction product. The processor 101 then causes the communication unit 112 to send the notification data to the attendant terminal 400 via the communication network 2.

[0049] When the notification data sent from the POS terminal 100 as described above is transmitted to the attendant terminal 400 via the communication network 2 and received by the communication unit 407, the processor 401 of the attendant terminal 400 determines that the operating status has changed and judges YES in ACT 412 in Figure 7, and proceeds to ACT 416.

[0050] In ACT 416, the processor 401 checks whether the POS terminal 100 whose operating status has changed is an alarm terminal. If the POS terminal 100 that sent the corresponding notification data is set as an alarm terminal, the processor 401 determines the answer as YES and proceeds to ACT 417.

[0051] In ACT 417, the processor 401 confirms whether the change in operating status indicates the registration of a large-sized item as a trading item. For example, if the notification of item registration has been made as described above, the processor 401 confirms whether the item identified by the item code included in the notification data belongs to the large-sized item category. If the processor 401 cannot confirm that the item belongs to the large-sized item category, it determines "NO" and proceeds to ACT 418. Thus, the processor 401 executes information processing based on the attendant program PRC, and the computer with the processor 401 as its core functions as a confirmation unit.

[0052] If the processor 401 cannot confirm that the POS terminal 100 whose operating status has changed is set as an alarm terminal, it determines NO in ACT 416 and proceeds to ACT 418 without proceeding to ACT 417. In ACT 418, the processor 401 updates the monitoring screen to indicate the change in the operating status of the POS terminal 100. In the example of FIG. 6, if the processor 401 executes ACT 418 in FIG. 7 in response to the notification in ACT 105, this results in updating the monitoring screen in ACT 402 in FIG. 6. Then, in ACT 402, the processor 401 updates the details of the transaction product displayed in area ARBD on the monitoring screen to include the product identified by the product code included in the notification data for the notification in ACT 105. The processor 401 then returns to the standby state in ACT 412 and ACT 413 in FIG. 7.

[0053] 6, the customer CU then performs a predetermined operation on the POS terminal 100 to designate a product belonging to the large-sized product category to be registered as a transaction product. In response to this, the processor 101 of the POS terminal 100 proceeds to ACT 106. In ACT 106, the processor 101 registers the designated product as a transaction product.

[0054] In ACT 107, the processor 101 notifies the attendant terminal 400 of the product registration, as in ACT 105. When the notification data for this notification is transmitted to the attendant terminal 400 via the communication network 2 and received by the communication unit 407, the processor 401 determines YES in ACT 412, ACT 416, and ACT 417 in Fig. 7 and proceeds to ACT 419. In ACT 419, the processor 401 cancels the alarm terminal setting for the POS terminal 100 that sent the current notification.

[0055] In ACT 420, the processor 401 updates the monitoring screen to indicate changes in the operating status of the POS terminal 100. In the example of Fig. 6, if the processor 401 executes ACT 418 in Fig. 7 in response to the notification in ACT 107, this results in updating the monitoring screen in ACT 403 in Fig. 6. Then, in ACT 403, the processor 401 updates the details of the transaction product displayed in area ARBD of the monitoring screen to include the product identified by the product code included in the notification data for the notification in ACT 107, and prevents the character string "large product" from being displayed in area ARBE. The processor 401 then returns to the standby state in ACT 412 and ACT 413 in Fig. 7.

[0056] As described above, in the merchandise sales system 1 of the first embodiment, if a large item is placed in the bottom level of a shopping cart brought into the detection area ARA by a customer CU, an alarm operation to warn of this fact is performed at the attendant terminal 400. This allows the attendant AT to recognize that a large item that should be registered at the corresponding POS terminal 100 has been placed in the bottom level of the shopping cart CA. In this case, the attendant AT can pay attention to the customer CU's actions regarding this large item and take appropriate action, such as speaking to the customer CU, if necessary.

[0057] Furthermore, the product sales system 1 of the first embodiment stops the alarm operation if a large item belonging to the large item category is registered as a transaction item at the POS terminal 100 associated with the detection area ARA in which the large item was detected. As a result, if a large item placed in the bottom level of a shopping cart CA is properly registered as a transaction item by a customer CU, the attendant AT does not need to pay attention to subsequent processing of that customer CU, thereby reducing the attendant AT's burden. Note that in this embodiment, the system does not verify whether the large item placed in the bottom level of a shopping cart CA matches the large item registered as a transaction item. However, it is unlikely that multiple large items will be placed in the bottom level of a shopping cart CA. Furthermore, even if multiple large items are placed in the bottom level of a shopping cart CA, if a customer CU selects one of the items to be registered as a transaction item, it is likely that the other large items will also be selected as transaction items. Given these circumstances, it can be said that the alarm operation is substantially effective. Furthermore, since the camera 200 does not require processing power sufficient to identify each individual item placed on the lower level of the shopping cart CA, it is possible to reduce costs by using a relatively low-function device.

[0058] Furthermore, in the product sales system 1 of the first embodiment, if a large item is placed in the bottom level of a shopping cart brought into the detection area ARA by a customer CU, a warning operation to that effect is performed at the POS terminal 100 associated with the detection area ARA where the large item is detected. This allows the customer CU to recognize that the large item placed in the bottom level of the shopping cart CA must be designated to be registered as a transaction item, and prevents the customer CU from forgetting to do so.

[0059] [Second embodiment] In the second embodiment, the camera 200 also detects a shopping basket placed on the lower level of a shopping cart CA present within the detection area ARA by performing AI processing on image data obtained by photographing.

[0060] The operation in the second embodiment when a customer CU places a large item in the lower level of the shopping cart CA is the same as that in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the following operation is performed when a customer CU places a shopping basket in the lower level of the shopping cart CA. In the following description of the operation of the second embodiment, detailed description of the same operations as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

[0061] Fig. 10 is a sequence diagram of a product sale to a customer CU who has moved in front of the POS terminal 100 while pushing a shopping cart CA with a shopping basket in the lower level. Fig. 11 and Fig. 12 are flowcharts of the support process in the second embodiment. As shown in Fig. 10, regardless of the state of the lower level of the shopping cart CA used by the customer CU, the process is the same as in the first embodiment until the processor 301 of the management server 300 issues an instruction to start detection as ACT301.

[0062] 10 , however, because a shopping basket is placed on the bottom shelf of the shopping cart, camera 200 detects this shopping basket in ACT 211. In ACT 212, camera 200 notifies management server 300 of the detection of the shopping basket. For example, camera 200 transmits predetermined notification data for this notification to communication network 2, addressed to management server 300.

[0063] In ACT 213, the camera 200 notifies the POS terminal 100 of the detection of the shopping cart. For example, the camera 200 transmits predetermined notification data for this notification to the communication network 2, addressed to the POS terminal 100 associated with the detection area in which the shopping cart was detected.

[0064] When this notification data is transmitted to the POS terminal 100 via the communication network 2 and received by the communication unit 112, the processor 101 proceeds to ACT 102. The processor 101 then performs ACT 102 and ACT 103 in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and causes the warning action to be performed.

[0065] Meanwhile, when the notification data sent by the camera 200 in ACT 212 is transmitted to the management server 300 via the communication network 2 and received by the communication unit 304 as described above, the processor 301 proceeds to ACT 311. In ACT 311, the processor 301 instructs the attendant terminal 400 to start issuing a warning regarding the detection of a shopping cart. For example, the processor 301 generates predetermined instruction data for the above instruction, including the terminal code included in the received notification data. The processor 301 then causes the communication unit 304 to send the generated instruction data to the attendant terminal 400 via the communication network 2.

[0066] The processor 401 of the attendant terminal 400 performs ACT 411 to ACT 415 in FIG. 11 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. However, in the second embodiment, if the processor 401 determines "NO" in ACT 413, it proceeds to ACT 441. In ACT 441, the processor 401 checks whether a warning is required for the shopping cart placed on the lower level. If the processor 401 cannot confirm this event, it determines "NO" and returns to ACT 412. Thus, in ACT 412, ACT 413, and ACT 441, the processor 401 waits for a change in the operating state, for a warning to be issued, or for a warning to be issued. Then, when the instruction data sent from the management server 300 as ACT 311 in Figure 10 is transmitted to the attendant terminal 400 via the communication network 2 and received by the communication unit 407, the processor 401 determines that a warning is necessary and judges YES in ACT 441, and proceeds to ACT 442.

[0067] In ACT 442, the processor 401 sets the POS terminal 100 identified by the terminal code included in the instruction data sent from the management server 300 as the terminal to be alerted (hereinafter referred to as the alert terminal). For example, the processor 401 stores the terminal code included in the instruction data sent from the management server 300 in the main storage unit 402 or the sub-storage unit 403 as the terminal code of the alert terminal.

[0068] In ACT 443, the processor 401 updates the monitoring screen to start an alert action related to the detection of a shopping cart. Then, the processor 401 returns to the standby state of ACT 412 to ACT 414. Note that as a result, the processor 401 starts an alert action in ACT 431 in ACT 10.

[0069] Figure 13 shows how the monitoring screen changes in this case. The monitoring screen shown in Figure 13 is an example of a case where a shopping cart is detected for a POS terminal 100 called "Register 1." Therefore, by displaying the character string "Lower Basket" in area ARBE, the attendant AT is alerted that a shopping cart has been placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA located in the detection area ARA corresponding to the POS terminal 100. At this time, the processor 401 may perform another alert, such as having the sound unit 406 output a warning sound or voice message, in addition to or instead of the above display.

[0070] 10, the customer CU then performs a predetermined operation on the POS terminal 100 to designate one of the commodities to be registered as a transaction commodity. In response to this, the processor 101 of the POS terminal 100 proceeds to ACT 111. In ACT 111, the processor 101 registers the designated commodity as a transaction commodity.

[0071] In ACT 112, the processor 101 notifies the attendant terminal 400 of the product registration. For example, the processor 101 generates predetermined notification data for this notification, including the product code of the product registered as the transaction product. The processor 101 then causes the communication unit 112 to send the notification data to the attendant terminal 400 via the communication network 2.

[0072] Now, when the notification data sent from the POS terminal 100 as described above is transmitted to the attendant terminal 400 via the communication network 2 and received by the communication unit 407, the processor 401 of the attendant terminal 400 judges that the operating status has changed and determines YES in ACT 412 in Figure 11, and proceeds to ACT 416 in Figure 12.

[0073] The processor 401 performs ACT 416 to ACT 420 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. However, in the example of Fig. 10, when the notification is made in ACT 112, the POS terminal 100 whose operating status has changed is not an alarm terminal. If the processor 401 determines NO in ACT 416 for this reason, it proceeds to ACT 444.

[0074] In ACT 444, the processor 401 checks whether the POS terminal 100 whose operating status has changed is the alert terminal. If the POS terminal 100 that sent the notification data is set as the alert terminal, the processor 401 determines the answer as YES and proceeds to ACT 445.

[0075] In ACT 445, the processor 401 checks whether a predetermined cancellation condition is met due to the current change in the operating status. The cancellation condition is a condition for canceling the setting as an alert terminal and is appropriately determined by the person who determines the specifications of the product sales system 1, the person who determines the specifications of the attendant terminal 400, or the manager of the store where the product sales system 1 is used. One example of the cancellation condition is that the number of products registered as traded products reaches a predetermined number. One example of the cancellation condition is that the settlement amount for the products registered as traded products reaches a predetermined amount.

[0076] A shopping cart placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA is likely to occur when a customer CU has picked up a large number of items from the sales floor. Therefore, it is preferable to set the above cancellation conditions so as to distinguish situations in which items placed in a shopping cart placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA may also be registered as transaction items, taking into consideration the purchasing tendencies of the customer CU in the store where the product sales system 1 is used.

[0077] If the processor 401 cannot confirm that the cancellation condition is met, it determines NO in ACT 445, proceeds to ACT 418, and thereafter performs the same process as in the first embodiment. Note that if the processor 401 cannot confirm that the POS terminal 100 whose operating status has changed is set as the alert terminal, it determines NO in ACT 444, and proceeds to ACT 418 without proceeding to ACT 445.

[0078] In the example of Fig. 10, if the processor 401 executes ACT 418 in Fig. 12 in response to the notification in ACT 112, this results in updating the monitoring screen in ACT 432 in Fig. 10. Then, in ACT 432, the processor 401 updates the details of the traded product displayed in area ARBD of the monitoring screen to include the product identified by the product code included in the notification data for the notification in ACT 112.

[0079] 10, although not shown, the customer CU repeatedly performs an operation to designate a commodity to be registered as a transaction commodity on the POS terminal 100. In response to this, the processor 101 and the processor 401 perform the same processes as in ACT111, ACT112, and ACT432 each time a commodity is designated.

[0080] If a change occurs in the operating status of the POS terminal 100 set as the alert terminal and this status change results in the cancellation condition being met, the processor 401 determines YES in ACT 445 in Fig. 12 and proceeds to ACT 446. In ACT 446, the processor 401 cancels the alert terminal setting for the POS terminal 100 that sent the current notification.

[0081] In ACT 447, the processor 401 updates the monitoring screen to indicate changes in the operating status of the POS terminal 100. In the example of FIG. 11, the release condition is satisfied in response to the processor 101 registering a product in ACT 113. If the processor 401 executes ACT 418 in FIG. 12 in response to the registration notification issued by the processor 101 in ACT 114 regarding the product registration, this results in an update of the monitoring screen in ACT 433 in FIG. 10. Then, in ACT 433, the processor 401 updates the details of the transaction product displayed in area ARBD of the monitoring screen to include the product identified by the product code included in the notification data for the notification in ACT 105, and also prevents the character string "lower basket" from being displayed in area ARBE. The processor 401 then returns to the standby state of ACT 412, ACT 413, and ACT 441 in FIG. 11.

[0082] As described above, the merchandise sales system 1 of the second embodiment can prevent oversized items from being overlooked in the same way as the first embodiment. Furthermore, the merchandise sales system 1 of the second embodiment activates a warning at the attendant terminal 400 if a shopping basket is placed in the lower level of a shopping cart brought into the detection area ARA by a customer CU. This allows the attendant AT to recognize that an item that should be registered at the POS terminal 100 may be placed in the shopping basket placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA. In this case, the attendant AT can pay attention to the customer CU's actions regarding the items placed in the shopping cart and, if necessary, take appropriate action, such as speaking to the customer CU.

[0083] Furthermore, the product sales system 1 of the second embodiment stops the alarm operation when a cancellation condition is met in consideration of the registration status of the transaction item at the POS terminal 100 associated with the detection area ARA in which the shopping cart was detected. As a result, if the item placed in the shopping cart placed on the lower level of the shopping cart CA is properly registered as a transaction item by the customer CU, the attendant AT does not need to pay attention to subsequent processing of the customer CU, thereby reducing the burden on the attendant AT.

[0084] Furthermore, in the product sales system 1 of the second embodiment, if a shopping basket is placed in the lower level of a shopping cart brought into the detection area ARA by a customer CU, a warning operation to that effect is performed at the POS terminal 100 associated with the detection area ARA where the shopping basket is detected. This allows the customer CU to recognize that the products placed in the shopping basket placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA must be designated to be registered as products for transaction, preventing the customer CU from forgetting to do so.

[0085] This embodiment can be modified in various ways, as follows: A shopping cart with three or more tiers may be used. Regardless of the number of tiers in the shopping cart, the camera 200 will detect large items or shopping baskets placed below the top tier.

[0086] The camera 200 may detect items placed on the lower level of the shopping cart CA, not limited to large items.

[0087] If multiple large items are placed on the bottom shelf of the shopping cart CA, the number of these multiple large items may be identified by the camera 200. Then, in ACT 417 of Fig. 7 and Fig. 12, the processor 301 may confirm whether the number of large items identified by the camera 200 has been registered.

[0088] The camera 200 may be configured to identify the product codes of the products placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA. Then, in ACT 417 of Fig. 7 and Fig. 12, the processor 401 may confirm whether the products with the product codes identified by the camera 200 have been registered. In this case, if multiple products are placed in the lower level of the shopping cart CA, the camera 200 may be configured to identify the product codes of each of these multiple products. Then, in ACT 417 of Fig. 7 and Fig. 12, the processor 301 may be configured to confirm whether all of the products with the product codes identified by the camera 200 have been registered.

[0089] In the above embodiment, the camera 200 has been described as having the function of detecting people, large items, or shopping carts within a predetermined detection area ARA for each POS terminal 100 by performing AI processing on image data obtained by capturing images. However, a camera that does not have at least one of the above functions may be used instead of the camera 200, and the missing functions may be executed by the management server 300 or any other information processing device. For example, a camera that only has the function of outputting image data obtained by capturing images may be used instead of the camera 200. Then, for example, the processor 301 of the management server 300 receives the image data output from the camera. The processor 301 then performs AI processing on the received image data to detect people present within the predetermined detection area ARA for each POS terminal 100. In this case, the processor 301 generates an area code as an identifier for identifying the detection area ARA in which a person was detected based on the image data obtained by capturing images. The processor 301 also detects large items placed on the bottom shelf of a shopping cart CA present within the detection area ARA by performing AI processing on the image data obtained by photographing. The processor 301 then generates an area code for the detection area ARA in which the large item was detected based on the image data obtained by photographing, and executes large item detection. In other words, in this case, the processor 301 functions as a detection unit.

[0090] The processor 401 may terminate the alarm or alert operation in response to a predetermined operation being performed on the attendant terminal 400 to instruct the end of the alarm or alert operation.

[0091] The information processing for detecting large items and / or shopping carts may be performed by the POS terminal 100, the management server 300, the attendant terminal 400, or another information processing device not shown in FIG.

[0092] The decision to start and end at least one of the alarm operation and the wake-up operation may be made, for example, by the management server 300 or another information processing device not shown in FIG.

[0093] At least one of the alarm operation and the wake-up operation may be performed by any device other than the attendant terminal 400, such as a POS terminal other than the POS terminal 100 that is used in or around the checkout counter and operated by a store clerk.

[0094] Some or all of the functions realized by the processors 101, 301, and 401 through information processing can also be realized by hardware that executes information processing not based on a program, such as a logic circuit. Each of the above functions can also be realized by combining hardware such as the logic circuit with software control.

[0095] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A sales processing system comprising a sales processing device and a monitoring device separate from the sales processing device, comprising: a registration unit provided in the sales processing device for registering the products to be traded; a detection unit for detecting products placed below the top shelf of a multi-stage carrier located in a detection area defined near the sales processing device; and a notification unit provided in the monitoring device for, in response to the detection of a product by the detection unit, performing a notification operation to notify a monitor separate from the operator of the sales processing device of the fact that the product has been detected within the period during which the registration unit is registering the product to be traded.

2. The sales processing system of claim 1, further comprising a confirmation unit that confirms that the product detected by the detection unit has been registered as a trading product by the registration unit, wherein the notification unit initiates a notification operation in response to the detection of a product by the detection unit, and stops the notification operation in response to the registration being confirmed by the confirmation unit.

3. A sales processing system as described in claim 2, wherein the detection unit detects products belonging to a predetermined specific product group, and the confirmation unit confirms the registration of products belonging to the specific product group as trading products.

4. The sales processing system according to claim 1, wherein the registration unit of the sales processing device registers the product purchased by the customer as a transaction product in response to an operation by the customer.

5. The sales processing system according to claim 1, further comprising a management device, the management device comprising the detection unit.

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