CN115131925B

CN115131925B - Information processing apparatus and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN115131925B
Application number: CN202210003936.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 伊藤健二
Original assignee: Toshiba TEC Corp
Current assignee: Toshiba TEC Corp
Priority date: 2021-03-25
Filing date: 2022-01-04
Publication date: 2024-03-01
Anticipated expiration: 2042-01-04
Also published as: JP2022149142A; CN115131925A

Abstract

The present invention provides an information processing apparatus and a storage medium, which can effectively use a display by displaying information for a store clerk or information for a customer on the display according to a scene used, the information processing apparatus being used in a store providing a commodity, the information processing apparatus comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires distance information indicating whether or not a distance between a display that selectively displays store-person-oriented display information or customer-oriented display information and a preset reference position is equal to or less than a predetermined distance; and a display processing unit that switches display information displayed on the display to the store-oriented display information or the customer-oriented display information based on the distance information acquired by the acquisition unit.

Description

Information processing apparatus and storage medium

The present application claims priority from Japanese application No. JP2021-051155, 25 on application day 2021, 3, and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing apparatus and a storage medium.

Background

Various information processing apparatuses having a display are used in various stores selling goods. For example, POS (Point Of sale) terminals are known in which a clerk registers information Of a commodity to be transacted (hereinafter, also referred to as commodity registration) and performs settlement processing; a tablet computer terminal for displaying various information about the commodity in order to describe the commodity sold by the store to the customer; a ordering terminal for receiving the ordering of the customer by the store staff; etc. Here, the concept of commodity includes a service provided by a store to a customer.

Information processing apparatuses used in these stores display information for store staff or information for customers according to their functions. For example, the POS terminal displays a store-person registration screen for registering a commodity by a store person. The tablet pc terminal displays customer-oriented commodity information for a customer to obtain commodity information, and the order terminal displays a store-oriented person receiving screen for a store person to receive a point form from the customer.

Conventionally, in stores, a display for displaying images for store personnel and a display for displaying images for customers are separately provided, and there is room for improvement in terms of effective use of the displays.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an information processing apparatus and a storage medium, which can effectively use a display by displaying information for a store clerk or information for a customer on the display according to a scene to be used.

In order to solve the above-described problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides an information processing apparatus for use in a store providing a commodity, comprising: an acquisition unit that acquires distance information indicating whether or not a distance between a display that selectively displays store-person-oriented display information or customer-oriented display information and a preset reference position is equal to or less than a predetermined distance; and a display processing unit that switches display information displayed on the display to the store-oriented display information or the customer-oriented display information based on the distance information acquired by the acquisition unit.

According to the information processing apparatus described above, display information for a store clerk or display information for a customer is displayed on the display according to the scene used, whereby the display can be effectively used.

In the information processing apparatus described above, the information processing apparatus is a registration apparatus that registers information of a commodity to be transacted, the reference position is an apparatus main body that detachably holds the display, and the display processing unit is configured to display information for a clerk on the display when the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating that a distance between the apparatus main body and the display is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, and to display information for a customer on the display when the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating that a distance between the apparatus main body and the display is greater than the predetermined distance.

According to the information processing apparatus described above, the display of the registration apparatus can be utilized even in a state in which the display is detached from the apparatus main body, and therefore the display of the registration apparatus can be effectively utilized.

The information processing apparatus further includes: a radio wave receiver provided in the device main body; a radio wave transmitter provided in the display; and a radio wave information processing unit that outputs distance information indicating whether or not a distance between the device main body and the display is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, based on a radio wave intensity of a radio wave received by the radio wave receiver, the radio wave information processing unit being transmitted by the radio wave transmitter.

According to the information processing apparatus described above, the distance can be flexibly set according to the scene used by determining the distance by using the radio wave intensity, and the information displayed for the store clerk or the information displayed for the customer can be switched.

The information processing apparatus further includes: and a 1 st display and a 2 nd display, wherein the display is one of the 1 st display and the 2 nd display, the reference position is the other of the 1 st display and the 2 nd display, and the display processing unit switches at least one of display information displayed on the 1 st display and the 2 nd display based on the distance information acquired by the acquisition unit.

According to the information processing apparatus described above, the display can be effectively used even in an information processing apparatus provided with a plurality of displays.

In the information processing apparatus described above, the information processing apparatus is a registration apparatus that registers information of a commodity being transacted, the 1 st display is detachably attached to an apparatus main body provided with the 2 nd display, and the display processing unit is configured to display information for a store clerk on the 1 st display and the 2 nd display when the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating that a distance between the 1 st display and the 2 nd display is equal to or smaller than a predetermined distance, and to display information for a customer on the 1 st display and display information for a store clerk on the 2 nd display when the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating that a distance between the 1 st display and the 2 nd display is greater than a predetermined distance.

According to the information processing apparatus described above, the display information for the store clerk is displayed on the 1 st display and the 2 nd display in the state where the 1 st display is attached to the registration apparatus main body, and the operability of the store clerk who operates the registration apparatus can be improved. In addition, the display information for the customer is displayed on the 1 st display in a state in which the 1 st display is detached from the registration apparatus main body, whereby the 1 st display can be effectively utilized.

In the information processing apparatus, the display processing unit may be configured to display the store-oriented display information on 1 screen by using the 1 st display and the 2 nd display when the acquiring unit acquires distance information indicating that a distance between the 1 st display and the 2 nd display is equal to or smaller than a predetermined distance.

According to the information processing apparatus described above, since the information is displayed for the store clerk using 1 screen display of the 1 st display and the 2 nd display in a state in which the 1 st display is attached to the apparatus main body provided with the 2 nd display, operability of the store clerk can be improved.

In the information processing apparatus described above, the information processing apparatus may be a tablet personal computer terminal having a display, the reference position may be a holding table on which the tablet personal computer terminal is mounted, and the display processing unit may be configured to display information for a store clerk on the display when the acquiring unit acquires distance information indicating that a distance between the holding table and the display is equal to or smaller than a predetermined distance, and to display information for a customer on the display when the acquiring unit acquires distance information indicating that the distance between the holding table and the display is greater than the predetermined distance.

According to the information processing apparatus described above, the information processing apparatus can switch the display based on the distance from the holding table on which the information processing apparatus is mounted.

The information processing apparatus further includes: a radio wave receiver that receives a radio wave from a radio wave transmitter provided on the holding base; and a radio wave information processing unit that outputs distance information indicating whether or not a distance between the holding base and the display is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, based on a radio wave intensity of a radio wave received by the radio wave receiver.

According to the information processing apparatus described above, the display can be switched based on the radio wave intensity of the radio wave from the holding table.

In the above-described information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus is a terminal for ordering for use by a store clerk in a restaurant having a display, the reference position is a wristband attached to the store clerk, and the information processing apparatus further includes: a radio wave receiver that receives a radio wave from a radio wave transmitter provided to the wrist band; and a radio wave information processing unit that outputs distance information indicating whether or not a distance between the order terminal and the wristband is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, based on whether or not a state in which radio wave intensity of radio waves received by the radio wave receiver is equal to or greater than a reference value continues for a predetermined period, wherein the display processing unit displays display information for a clerk on the display when the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating that the distance between the order terminal and the wristband is equal to or less than the predetermined distance, and displays display information for a customer on the display when the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating that the distance between the order terminal and the wristband is greater than the predetermined distance.

According to the information processing apparatus described above, the information processing apparatus can perform stable display switching based on the distance from the wristband.

Further, according to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a storage medium storing a program for controlling an information processing apparatus used in a store providing a commodity by a computer, the program causing the computer to function as an acquisition unit that acquires distance information indicating whether or not a distance between a display that selectively displays store-oriented display information or customer-oriented display information and a preset reference position is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, and a display processing unit that switches display information displayed on the display to the store-oriented display information or the customer-oriented display information based on the distance information acquired by the acquisition unit.

According to the storage medium, the display information for the store clerk or the display information for the customer is displayed on the display according to the scene used, so that the computer can be provided with a function of effectively using the display.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a view showing an external appearance of an information processing apparatus (POS terminal) according to a first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a display information management table in a memory unit of the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control unit in the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of display switching processing performed by the control unit in the information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an external appearance of an information processing apparatus (tablet terminal) of the second embodiment.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a display information management table in a memory section of the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a control unit in the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of display switching processing performed by the control unit in the information processing apparatus according to the second embodiment.

Fig. 11 is a view showing an external appearance of an information processing apparatus (issue instruction apparatus) according to a first modification.

Fig. 12 is a diagram showing an external appearance of an information processing apparatus (order terminal) according to a second modification.

Fig. 13 is a view showing an external appearance of an information processing apparatus (POS terminal) according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 14 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of an information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of a display information management table in a memory section of the information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 16 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of an information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing a flow of display switching processing performed by the control unit in the information processing apparatus according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 18 is a view showing an example of display screens of the 1 st display and the 2 nd display according to the third embodiment.

Fig. 19 is a view showing another example of display screens of the 1 st display and the 2 nd display according to the third embodiment.

Description of the reference numerals

10 POS terminal (information processing apparatus), 12 display, 30 tablet terminal (information processing apparatus, display), 50 issue instruction device (information processing apparatus), 52 display, 70 order terminal (information processing apparatus, display), 80 POS terminal (information processing apparatus), 82 1 st display, 83 nd display, 1005 acquisition unit, 1006 display processing unit, 3003 acquisition unit, 3004 display processing unit, 8005 acquisition unit, 8007 display processing unit

Detailed Description

An information processing apparatus and a storage medium according to an embodiment will be described below. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described below. For example, the present invention can be widely applied to various information processing apparatuses used in shops selling commodities. The information processing apparatus according to the present invention can also be used in shops selling goods as a service.

(first embodiment)

The information processing apparatus and the program according to the first embodiment are described below with reference to the drawings. The first embodiment is an example in which the information processing apparatus is applied to a POS terminal having 1 display. POS terminal 10 is used, for example, in clothing stores. Fig. 1 is a view showing an external appearance of a POS terminal.

The POS terminal 10 is an information processing device that registers a commodity of a transaction to perform settlement processing, and is also an example of a registration device. The POS terminal 10 is connected to a store server S (see fig. 2) provided in a store back office via a communication line such as a LAN (LocalArea Network: local area network). Thus, the POS terminal 10 and the store server S can communicate with each other and can receive and transmit information (data).

Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an external appearance of a POS (Point of sale) terminal 10. The POS terminal 10 has a main body 11 and a display 12. The main body 11 (apparatus main body) houses a control device including a control unit 100 and a memory unit 110 (see fig. 2), and includes a scanner 13, a printer 14, a cash register 15, a radio receiver 16, and the like. The display 12 can communicate with the control unit 100 wirelessly and is controlled by the control unit 100. The display 12 is detachably mounted on the main body 11, and includes a display unit 17, an operation unit 18, a radio transmitter 19, and the like. The POS terminal 10 may be provided with a card reader for reading credit card information from a credit card. The display 12 is provided with a battery. When the main body 11 mounts the display 12, power is supplied to the display 12, and the battery is charged.

The scanner 13 optically recognizes code symbols such as bar codes attached to products purchased by customers. The scanner 13 decodes the recognized code symbol and reads the commodity code indicated by the code symbol. The commodity code read by the scanner 13 is information identifying the commodity. The control unit 100 of the POS terminal 10 may decode the code symbol recognized by the scanner 13.

The printer 14 is constituted by, for example, a thermal printer, and is housed in the main body 11. The printer 14 prints commodity information of commodities purchased by customers, settlement information of a transaction, and the like as a receipt issue on roll-shaped receipt paper stored in the main body 11. The bill is issued from a bill issuing port 141 formed in the main body 11.

The cash register 15 has therein a drawer (cashbox) for storing money (coins, banknotes) and the like, and stores money to be pre-paid by a customer, cash coupons such as commodity coupons, change finding for the customer, and the like. The cash register 15 opens to expose a drawer storing money according to an instruction from the control unit 100 of the POS terminal 10.

The radio wave receiver 16 receives radio waves transmitted from the radio wave transmitter 19 provided on the display 12. The control unit 100 can identify the distance between the main body 11 and the display 12 based on the radio wave intensity of the radio wave received by the radio wave receiver 16. The transmission and reception between the radio wave transmitter 19 and the radio wave receiver 16 is performed using bluetooth (registered trademark), for example. The position where the radio receiver 16 is mounted is an example of a reference position.

The display unit 17 is configured by a liquid crystal panel or the like, and displays various information. For example, in a state where the display 12 is mounted on the main body 11 as shown in fig. 1, the display unit 17 displays a registration information screen showing information on a commodity registered with the commodity in order for a clerk to confirm the registration content. The registration information screen is an example of information displayed for store personnel. The display information for the store staff refers to the display content that the store staff visualizes for performing the business. The display unit 17 displays a commodity guide screen indicating information for the clerk to explain the commodity to the customer, in other words, information for the customer to know the detailed content of the commodity, in a state where the display 12 is spaced apart from the main body 11 by a predetermined distance. The product guide screen is a screen for displaying details of products sold by a store, such as product images, prices, colors, and sizes, and is an example of information displayed for customers. The commodity guide screen is effective for describing to customers that there is no commodity in stock in the store. The customer-oriented display information refers to display content for viewing by customers. Further, the brightness of the display content of the customer-oriented display information is higher than that of the store-oriented display information. In the description of the present embodiment and the following embodiments, the display of the display unit of the display may be referred to as a display.

The operation unit 18 is constituted by a touch panel provided on the surface of the display unit 17. The operation unit 18 inputs information corresponding to the touched position to the control unit 100. The radio wave transmitter 19 continuously transmits radio waves.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of POS terminal 10. The POS terminal 10 includes: a control unit 100, a memory unit 110, a display unit 17, an operation unit 18, a scanner 13, a printer 14, a cash register 15, a radio wave receiver 16, a radio wave transmitter 19, a communication unit 120, and the like. The control unit 100, the memory unit 110, the display unit 17, the operation unit 18, the scanner 13, the printer 14, the cash register 15, the radio wave receiver 16, the radio wave transmitter 19, and the communication unit 120 are connected to each other via a bus B or the like.

The control unit 100 is configured by a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit: central processing unit) 101, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 102, and a RAM (RandomAccess Memory: random access Memory) 103. The CPU101, ROM102, RAM103 are connected to each other via a bus B or the like.

The CPU101 controls the overall operation of the POS terminal 10. The ROM102 stores various programs such as programs for driving the CPU101 and various data. The RAM103 is used as a work area of the CPU101, and expands various programs and various data stored in the ROM102 and the memory unit 110. The control unit 100 executes various control processes of the POS terminal 10 by the CPU101 operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM102, the memory unit 110, and the RAM 103.

The memory unit 110 is configured by a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or a flash memory, and maintains the storage content even when the power supply is turned off. The memory unit 110 stores a control program 111, a commodity master file (ledger) 112, a registration information screen management file 113, a commodity display data management file 114, and a display information management table 115.

The control program 111 is a control program for functioning as the POS terminal 10, a control program for calculating the distance between the main body 11 and the display 12 based on the radio wave intensity of the radio wave received by the radio wave receiver 16, a control program for switching the display of the display 12 according to the calculated distance, and the like.

The commodity master 112 is a master in which information of commodities sold in a store is stored. The commodity code identifying the commodity is registered in the commodity main file 112 in association with commodity information such as a commodity name and a price. Since the commodity sold in the store changes every day, the commodity master 112 is updated appropriately by the store server S connected via the communication unit 120.

The registration information screen management file 113 is a file for managing information for displaying a registration information screen on the display 12. The registration information screen management file 113 is registered with configuration information for displaying the trade name and the amount of the commodity registered in the commodity.

The commodity display data management file 114 is a file for managing data for displaying detailed information of commodities to customers. Information indicating the display No, commodity classification, commodity name, color, size, price, commodity image, and the like is registered in association with the commodity display data management file 114.

The display information management table 115 is a table for managing display information displayed on the display 12 based on the radio wave received by the radio wave receiver 16. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the explicit information management table 115. Each piece of information indicating the radio wave intensity, the distance between the main body and the display, and the display content is registered in the display information management table 115 in association with each other.

Information indicating whether or not the radio wave intensity of the radio wave received by the radio wave receiver 16 is equal to or greater than a preset reference value is registered in the item of radio wave intensity.

Information indicating whether or not the main body 11 and the display 12 are located within a predetermined distance is registered in an item between the main body and the display. In the present embodiment, the predetermined distance is set to be considered as a distance at which the display 12 is placed on the main body 11.

Information indicating a display screen displayed on the display 12 is registered in an item of display content. As shown in fig. 3, in the present embodiment, when the distance between the main body and the display is equal to or less than a predetermined distance and the display 12 is considered to be mounted on the main body 11, the display 12 displays a registration information screen as display information for the store clerk. The registration information screen is displayed based on the registration information screen management file 113. Further, in the case where the main body/display distance is greater than the predetermined distance and the display 12 is considered to be separated from the main body 11, the display 12 displays a commodity guide screen as display information for the customer. The commodity guide screen is displayed based on the commodity display data management file 114.

The description returns to fig. 2. The scanner 13, the printer 14, the cash register 15, the radio wave receiver 16, the display 17, the operation unit 18, and the radio wave transmitter 19 are configured and function as described above. The communication unit 120 is an interface for communicating with the store server S. The control unit 100 is connected to the store server S via the communication unit 120, and can transmit and receive information (data) to and from the store server S.

Next, the functional configuration of the POS terminal 10 will be described. Fig. 4 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the POS terminal 10. The control unit 100 operates in accordance with control programs stored in the ROM102 and the memory unit 110 by the CPU101, and functions as an input unit 1001, a registration unit 1002, a settlement processing unit 1003, a radio wave information processing unit 1004, an acquisition unit 1005, and a display processing unit 1006. The functions described above may be configured by hardware such as a dedicated circuit. Further, a brightness adjusting portion may be provided.

Various information is input to the input unit 1001. For example, a commodity code read from a code symbol such as a bar code attached to a commodity by the scanner 13 is input to the input unit 1001. Information accompanying the operation of the operation unit 18, such as information indicating the start of the settlement process, is input to the input unit 1001.

The registration unit 1002 performs commodity registration for the commodity whose commodity code is input to the input unit 1001. Specifically, the registration unit 1002 acquires commodity information (trade name, price, etc.) corresponding to the commodity code input to the input unit 1001 in the commodity master 112, and stores the acquired commodity information in the RAM103.

The settlement processing unit 1003 performs settlement processing for the commodity in which the commodity registration is performed by the registration unit 1002. The settlement processing refers to processing related to the payment price of the commodity purchased by the customer, and includes calculation of the total amount (transaction amount) of the commodity registered by the commodity, calculation of the change amount, display instruction for displaying various information on the display unit 17, and the like.

The radio wave information processing unit 1004 executes processing related to radio waves received by the radio wave receiver 16. Specifically, the radio wave information processing unit 1004 calculates the distance between the radio wave transmitter 19 and the radio wave receiver 16 based on the radio wave intensity of the radio wave received by the radio wave receiver 16, and determines whether the calculated distance is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. In other words, the radio wave information processing unit 1004 determines whether or not the distance between the main body 11 and the display 12 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. Distance information indicating whether or not the distance between the main body 11 and the display 12 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance is output. The radio wave information processing unit 1004 always executes processing related to radio waves received by the radio wave receiver 16.

The acquisition unit 1005 acquires distance information indicating whether or not the distance between the display 12 and the preset reference position is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, and the display 12 selectively displays store-person-oriented display information or customer-oriented display information. Specifically, the acquisition unit 1005 acquires distance information indicating whether or not the distance between the main body 11 and the display 12, which is determined by the radio wave information processing unit 1004, is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. The acquiring unit 1005 may acquire distance information indicating whether or not the distance between the main body 11 and the display 12 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance from a distance sensor provided outside the POS main body 10. The acquiring unit 1005 does not necessarily need to acquire information based on the calculation result of the distance. For example, the acquisition unit 1005 may acquire the radio wave intensity of the radio wave received by the radio wave receiver 16 as distance information. In this case, if the radio wave intensity obtained by the obtaining unit 1005 as the distance information is stronger than the radio wave intensity when the distance between the radio wave transmitter 19 and the radio wave receiver 16 is a predetermined distance, the distance information becomes distance information indicating that the distance between the main body 11 and the display 12 is equal to or less than the predetermined distance. In contrast, if the radio wave intensity obtained by the obtaining unit 1005 as the distance information is weaker than the radio wave intensity when the distance between the radio wave transmitter 19 and the radio wave receiver 16 is a predetermined distance, the distance information becomes distance information indicating that the distance between the main body 11 and the display 12 is greater than the predetermined distance.

The display processing unit 1006 switches the display information displayed on the display 12 to store-person-oriented display information or customer-oriented display information based on the distance information acquired by the acquisition unit 1005. Specifically, the display processing unit 1006 refers to the display information management table 115, and displays the display information corresponding to the distance information acquired by the acquisition unit 1005 on the display 12. More specifically, when the acquiring unit 1005 acquires distance information indicating that the distance between the main body 11 and the display 12 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, the display processing unit 1006 displays a registration information screen on the display 12. When the acquiring unit 1005 acquires distance information indicating that the distance between the main body 11 and the display 12 is larger than a predetermined distance, the display processing unit 1006 displays a commodity guide screen on the display 12. When the radio wave intensity is used, the display can be switched between a position near the reference position of the display and a position far from the reference position by changing the reference value of the radio wave intensity. Display switching according to the scene to be used can be realized.

The brightness adjustment unit operates in conjunction with the process of switching the display information displayed on the display 12 to display information for a store clerk or display information for a customer. The brightness is reduced when the display information for the store clerk is displayed, and the brightness is increased when the display information for the customer is displayed. In the case where the display 12 is detached from the main body 11, it is driven by a battery. The increase in luminance does not normally increase the luminance because the increase in luminance increases the power consumption, but in the present embodiment, the characteristic control of increasing the luminance is performed in conjunction with the display of information for the customer. In addition, in the case of displaying information for customers, in order to suppress battery consumption, the radio wave transmitter 19 reduces the transmission/reception amount of radio waves by performing intermittent radio wave transmission, thereby achieving power saving. Battery consumption can be reduced. By increasing the brightness when displaying information for a customer, a bright and clear display can be provided to the customer. By reducing the brightness when the display is for the store personnel to display information, power can be saved.

Note that, the radio wave intensity at the position where the display 12 is detached from the main body 11 is not set as a reference value, but the radio wave intensity at the position separated from the position where the display 12 is detached from the main body 11 is set as a reference value. Even if the display 12 is detached from the main body 11, the display information for the customer is not displayed until the radio wave intensity becomes weaker than the reference value. The brightness of the display 12 does not change. The display screen for the customer is displayed based on distance information that becomes a position where the display 12 is separated from the main body 11, and the brightness of the display 12 is changed. This can save power consumption compared with a case where the display 12 is detached from the main body 11 and information to be displayed for the customer is immediately displayed.

Next, the display switching process performed by the control unit 100 of the POS terminal 10 will be described. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of the display switching process performed by the control unit 100. The display switching process is always performed in the background of the settlement process or the like.

First, the radio wave information processing unit 1004 receives input of radio wave information from the radio wave receiver 16 (S1). The radio wave information processing unit 1004 calculates the distance between the radio wave transmitter 19 and the radio wave receiver 16, in other words, the distance between the main body 11 and the display 12, based on the received radio wave information, and determines whether or not the distance between the main body 11 and the display 12 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance (S2).

The acquisition unit 1005 acquires distance information as a determination result of the radio wave information processing unit 1004 (S3). The display processing unit 1006 determines whether or not the distance information acquired by the acquiring unit 1005 is information indicating that the distance between the main body 11 and the display 12 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance (S4), and if the distance information is information indicating that the distance is equal to or less than the predetermined distance (no in S4), a registration information screen (screen for displaying a store clerk) is displayed on the display 12 (S5). Then, the control unit 100 ends the display switching process.

If the distance information acquired by the acquiring unit 1005 is information indicating that the distance between the main body 11 and the display 12 is greater than the predetermined distance (yes in S4), the display processing unit 1006 displays the commodity guide screen (customer-oriented display screen) on the display 12 (S6). Then, the control unit 100 ends the display switching process. By always performing this display switching process, the display of the display 12 is appropriately switched in correspondence with the distance between the main body 11 and the display 12.

The CPU101 may output the luminance change signal to the display 12 by the luminance adjusting section that adjusts the luminance at the time of the processing of S5 and S6. The brightness adjusting unit outputs a signal for lowering the brightness when the display screen for the store clerk is displayed, and outputs a signal for raising the brightness when the display screen for the customer is displayed. The CPU101 can instruct to output a signal for increasing the brightness and intermittently transmit radio waves to the radio wave transmitter 19.

According to the first embodiment, when the distance between the main body 11 and the display 12 is equal to or less than the predetermined distance and the display 12 is considered to be placed on the main body 11 in a state operated by a store clerk, the display 12 displays a registration information screen for confirming the product information in which the store clerk has registered the product. When the distance between the main body 11 and the display 12 is greater than the predetermined distance and the display 12 is considered to be in a state where the store clerk is describing the product to the customer from the main body 11, a product guide screen showing detailed information of the product to the customer is displayed.

Therefore, the display 12 can switch between displaying the registration screen as the store clerk-oriented display screen and displaying the commodity guide screen as the customer-oriented display screen, and therefore the display 12 can be effectively used. Further, since the display of the display 12 is automatically switched to the registration information screen and the commodity guide screen based on the distance information acquired by the acquisition unit 1005, operability of a clerk operating the POS terminal 10 can be improved.

(second embodiment)

Next, an information processing apparatus and a program according to a second embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The first embodiment is a case where the information processing apparatus is applied to a POS terminal, and the second embodiment is a case where the information processing apparatus is applied to a tablet terminal provided separately from the POS terminal. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing the external appearance of the POS terminal 20 and the tablet terminal 30 as an information processing apparatus. The POS terminal 20 and the tablet terminal 30 are used in a restaurant such as a fast food restaurant. In the following description of the present embodiment, the same components and functions as those described above are omitted or simplified, and repetitive description is avoided as much as possible.

In fig. 6, POS terminal 20 includes a customer display 21, an operator display 22, a keyboard 23, a printer 24, and a cash register 25.

The customer display 21 is configured by a liquid crystal panel or the like, and displays a total amount paid by a customer who purchases a commodity in a transaction. The operator display 22 is constituted by a liquid crystal panel or the like, and displays, for an operator operating the POS terminal 20, commodity information screens, settlement information concerning settlement processing such as transaction amounts and change amounts, and the like.

The keyboard 23 is provided with various keys. Examples of the various keys include: a transaction start key for announcing the start of a transaction, a setting key for inputting a commodity code, an amount, etc., a subtotal key for announcing the calculation of a sales total amount, a total key for performing a total process of a transaction to instruct execution of a settlement process, a clear key for clearing the input, etc.

The printer 24 prints commodity information, checkout information, and the like on roll-shaped bill paper stored in the main body 11 as bill issue. The cash register 25 has a drawer (cashbox) for storing money (coins, banknotes), and stores money to be pre-paid by a customer, money substitutes such as commodity certificates, and change-seeking money to be paid back to the customer.

The tablet pc terminal 30 is detachably held by a holding table 31. The tablet pc terminal 30 further includes a display unit 32, an operation unit 33, and a radio receiver 34. The tablet pc terminal 30 having the display unit 32 is an information processing device integrally provided with a display.

The display unit 32 is configured by a liquid crystal panel or the like, and displays various information. The display unit 32 displays, for example, an empty seat status screen indicating the status of an empty seat in a store in a state where the tablet pc terminal 30 is held by the holding stand 31 as shown in fig. 6. The air-seat status screen is a screen for displaying air-seat information generated based on the output of an in-store camera or the like, and is formed of a screen or the like in which marks indicating the air-seat are mapped in a store. The store clerk who receives the order from the customer and operates the POS terminal 20 can check the empty seat status screen to guide the empty seat to the customer. The empty seat status screen is a screen for guiding the store personnel to the customer, and is an example of information displayed for the store personnel.

The display unit 32 displays a menu screen for viewing by a customer waiting for a menu in a state where the tablet pc terminal 30 is separated from the holding base 31 by a predetermined distance. The menu screen is a screen for displaying details of the commodity sold by the store, for example, commodity images, prices, and the like, and is an example of information displayed for the customer. The customer waiting for the point form can make a request for the commodity of the point form by viewing the menu screen, thereby reducing the situation of being confused with the commodity of the point form after being located at the POS terminal 20. This allows the store to efficiently receive the order, and reduces the number of customers waiting for the order. In the present embodiment, when a customer waiting for a ticket is present in a store, the store prioritizes the handling of the customer waiting for the ticket over the vacant seat guide for the ordered customer.

The operation unit 33 is constituted by a touch panel provided on the surface of the display unit 32. The operation unit 33 inputs information corresponding to the touched position to the control unit 300 (see fig. 7). The radio wave receiver 34 receives radio waves transmitted from the radio wave transmitter 35 provided in the holding base 31. The radio wave transmitter 35 continuously transmits radio waves. The position of the holding base 31 to which the radio transmitter 35 is attached is an example of a reference position.

Fig. 7 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration of the tablet terminal 30. The tablet computer terminal 30 includes: a control unit 300, a memory unit 310, a display unit 32, an operation unit 33, a radio receiver 34, a communication unit 320, and the like. The control unit 300, the memory unit 310, the display unit 32, the operation unit 33, the radio receiver 34, and the communication unit 320 are connected to each other via a bus B or the like.

The control unit 300 is configured by a computer including a CPU301, a ROM302, and a RAM 303. The CPU301, ROM302, RAM303 are connected to each other via a bus B or the like.

The CPU301 controls the overall operation of the tablet pc terminal 30. The ROM302 stores various programs such as programs for driving the CPU301 and various data. The RAM303 is used as a work area of the CPU301, and expands various programs and various data stored in the ROM302 and the memory unit 310. The control unit 300 operates by the CPU301 in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM302 and the memory unit 310 and developed in the RAM303, thereby executing various control processes of the tablet personal computer terminal 30.

The memory unit 310 is configured by a storage medium such as an HDD or a flash memory, and maintains the storage content even when the power supply is turned off. The memory unit 310 stores a control program 311, a menu file 312, an air-seat information management file 313, and a display information management table 314.

The control program 311 is a control program for functioning as the tablet pc terminal 30, a control program for calculating the distance between the holding base 31 and the tablet pc terminal 30 based on the radio wave intensity of the radio wave received by the radio wave receiver 34, a control program for switching the display of the display unit 32 according to the calculated distance, and the like.

The menu file 312 is a file storing information of commodities sold in a store. Trade names, prices, commodity images, and the like are registered in association with the menu file 312.

The air-seat information management file 313 is a file storing air-seat information acquired from the store server S. The air mat information management file 313 stores layout data in a store, and depicts air mat information in which the air mat positions are depicted. The air seat information is generated and updated at any time by the store server S that receives imaging data from the in-store camera, and is transmitted to the tablet computer terminal 30. The air-seat information management file 313 is updated at any time based on the air-seat information received from the store server S.

The display information management table 314 is a table for managing the display contents displayed on the display 12 based on the radio waves received by the radio wave receiver 34. Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the explicit information management table 314. Each piece of information indicating the radio wave intensity, the distance between the holding station and the display, and the display content is registered in the display information management table 314 in association with each other.

Information indicating whether or not the radio wave intensity of the radio wave received by the radio wave receiver 34 is equal to or greater than a preset reference value is registered in the item of radio wave intensity.

Information indicating whether or not the holding table 31 and the tablet pc terminal 30 are located within a predetermined distance is registered in an item between the holding table and the display. In the present embodiment, the predetermined distance is set to be considered as a distance at which the tablet pc terminal 30 is placed on the holding stand 31.

Information indicating the display screen displayed on the display unit 32 is registered in the item of display content. As shown in fig. 8, in the present embodiment, when the distance between the holding base and the monitor is equal to or less than a predetermined distance and the tablet pc terminal 30 is considered to be mounted on the holding base 31, the display unit 32 displays an empty seat status screen as information for the store clerk. Further, when the holding table/display distance is greater than the predetermined distance and the tablet pc terminal 30 is considered to be separated from the holding table 31, the display unit 32 displays a menu screen as display information for the customer.

The description returns to fig. 7. The display unit 32, the operation unit 33, and the radio receiver 34 have the above-described configuration and functions. The communication unit 320 is an interface for communicating with the store server S. The control unit 300 is connected to the store server S via the communication unit 320, and can transmit and receive information (data) to and from the store server S.

Next, the functional configuration of the tablet pc terminal 30 will be described. Fig. 9 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the tablet pc terminal 30. The control unit 300 operates in accordance with control programs stored in the ROM302 and the memory unit 310 by the CPU301, and functions as an input unit 3001, a radio wave information processing unit 3002, an acquisition unit 3003, and a display processing unit 3004. The functions described above may be constituted by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

Various information is input to the input unit 3001 in response to an operation of the operation unit 33. For example, information indicating an operation for displaying the next page on the menu screen or the like is input to the input unit 1001.

The radio wave information processing unit 3002 performs the same processing as the radio wave information processing unit 1004 of the first embodiment, and determines whether or not the distance between the radio wave transmitter 35 and the radio wave receiver 34 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. That is, it is determined whether or not the distance between the tablet pc terminal 30 and the holding stand 31 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. Distance information indicating whether or not the distance between the tablet pc terminal 30 and the holding table 31 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance is output.

The acquisition unit 3003 performs the same processing as the acquisition unit 1005 of the first embodiment, and acquires distance information indicating whether or not the distance between the tablet pc terminal 30 and the holding base 31 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance from the radio wave information processing unit 3002.

The display processing unit 3004 performs the same processing as the display processing unit 1006 of the first embodiment, and when the obtaining unit 3003 obtains distance information indicating that the distance between the tablet pc terminal 30 and the holding base 31 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, the display unit 32 displays an empty status screen. When the obtaining unit 3003 obtains distance information indicating that the distance between the tablet pc terminal 30 and the holding base 31 is greater than a predetermined distance, the display processing unit 3004 displays a menu screen on the display unit 32.

Next, a display switching process performed by the control unit 300 of the tablet pc terminal 30 will be described. Fig. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of the display switching process performed by the control unit 300. The display switching process is always performed.

First, the radio wave information processing unit 3002 receives input of radio wave information from the radio wave receiver 34 (S11). The radio wave information processing unit 3002 calculates the distance between the radio wave transmitter 35 and the radio wave receiver 34, in other words, the distance between the holding base 31 and the tablet pc terminal 30, based on the received radio wave information, and determines whether or not the distance between the tablet pc terminal 30 and the holding base 31 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance (S12).

The acquisition unit 3003 acquires distance information as a result of the determination by the radio wave information processing unit 3002 (S13). The display processing unit 3004 determines whether or not the distance information acquired by the acquiring unit 3003 is information indicating that the distance between the holding base 31 and the tablet pc terminal 30 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance (S14), and if the distance information is information indicating that the distance is equal to or less than the predetermined distance (no in S14), displays the air-seat status screen on the display unit 32 (S15). Then, the control unit 300 ends the display switching process.

If the distance information acquired by the acquiring unit 3003 is information indicating that the distance between the holding base 31 and the tablet pc terminal 30 is greater than the predetermined distance (yes in S14), the display processing unit 3002 displays the menu screen on the display unit 32 (S16). Then, the control unit 300 ends the display switching process. By always performing this display switching process, the display of the display portion 32 of the tablet pc terminal 30 is appropriately switched in correspondence with the distance between the holding table 31 and the tablet pc terminal 30.

According to the second embodiment, when it is determined that the distance between the tablet pc terminal 30 and the holding base 31 is equal to or less than the predetermined distance and the tablet pc terminal 30 is placed on the holding base 31 and operated by the clerk, an empty seat status screen for the clerk to guide the customer to an empty seat is displayed. When the distance between the tablet pc terminal 30 and the holder 31 is greater than the predetermined distance and the tablet pc terminal 30 is considered to be away from the holder 31, a menu screen is displayed.

Accordingly, the display unit 32 of the tablet pc terminal 30 can switch between displaying the air-seat status screen as a display screen for the store clerk and displaying the menu screen as a display screen for the customer, and therefore the display unit 32 of the tablet pc terminal 30 can be effectively used. Further, the display of the display unit 32 automatically switches between the air-seat status screen and the menu screen based on the distance information acquired by the acquisition unit 3003, and thus, a clerk does not need to be bothered.

Modification 1

Next, modification 1 of the information processing apparatus will be described. Modification 1 is an example in which the information processing apparatus is applied to a ticket issuing instruction apparatus of a ticket issuing printer provided in a ticket issuing window or the like of a store. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the appearance of the ticket issuing printer 40 and the issuing instruction device 50.

The ticket issuing printer 40 is connected to an issuing instruction device 50. The issue instruction device 50 has a control device including a control unit and a memory unit (both not shown) similar to the tablet computer terminal 30 of the second embodiment. The issue instruction device 50 has a keyboard main body 51 (device main body) and a display 52. The issue instruction device 50 may be constituted by a personal computer, for example.

The keyboard main body 51 is provided with a keyboard 53 and a radio transmitter 54. The position where the radio wave transmitter 54 is mounted is an example of a reference position set in advance. The keyboard 53 functions as an input device for inputting information necessary for issuing instructions to the ticket issuing printer 40. The radio wave transmitter 54 continuously transmits radio waves.

The display 52 houses the control device and is detachably provided to the keyboard main body 51. The display 52 is provided with a display unit 55 and a radio receiver 56. The display unit 55 displays various information based on the control of the control device. For example, the display unit 55 displays a screen (store-oriented display information) necessary for the store personnel to input the issuance instruction in a state where the display 52 is attached to the keyboard main body 51, and displays a screen (store-oriented display information) for displaying ticket information including the payment amount for the customer in a state where the display 52 is detached from the keyboard main body 51. The radio wave receiver 56 receives the radio wave transmitted by the radio wave transmitter 54.

The issue instruction device 50 functions as an acquisition unit and a display processing unit in the same manner as the first and second embodiments, and recognizes whether or not the display 52 is attached to the keyboard main body 51, and switches the display of the display 52 to display information for a store clerk or display information for a customer based on the recognition result. Accordingly, the display 52 can display information for the store clerk at the stage of ticket issuance, and the display 52 can display information for the customer after ticket issuance. Therefore, in modification 1, the display can be effectively used without requiring complicated operations, as in the first and second embodiments.

Modification 2

Next, modification 2 of the information processing apparatus will be described. Modification 2 is an example in which the information processing apparatus is applied to a terminal for ordering used by a clerk in a restaurant such as a western restaurant. Fig. 12 is a view showing the external appearance of the wristband 60 and the order terminal 70 attached by a clerk.

The wristband 60 is mounted on one hand of a clerk who receives a ticket from a customer. The wristband 60 is provided with a radio transmitter 61. The position of the wristband 60 to which the radio wave transmitter 61 is attached is an example of a preset reference position. The radio wave transmitter 61 continuously transmits radio waves.

The order terminal 70 includes a main body 71 and a cover 72. The cover 72 is rotatably attached to the main body 71 by a hinge mechanism, and can cover the main body 71.

The main body 71 houses a control device (not shown) and includes a display 73. The order terminal 70 having the display 73 is an information processing apparatus integrally provided with a display. The display unit 73 is constituted by a liquid crystal panel or the like, and displays various information under the control of the control device. For example, in a state where the store clerk holds the order terminal 70 with the hand to which the wristband 60 is attached, the display unit 73 displays a screen (store clerk-oriented display information) for confirmation when the store clerk accepts the order, such as a display screen showing the commodity information of the inputted commodity. In a state where the store clerk holds the order terminal 70 with the hand to which the wristband 60 is not attached, the display unit 73 displays a screen (customer-oriented display information) for displaying the total amount of the ordered commodities to the customer. The display unit 73 may not display nothing in a state where the store clerk is not holding the order terminal 70.

The cover 72 includes an operation unit 74 and a radio receiver 75. A plurality of operation keys corresponding to the respective products are formed in the operation section 74. The order terminal 70 accepts the commodity ordered by the customer by pressing an operation key by the clerk. The radio wave receiver 75 receives radio waves transmitted from the radio wave transmitter 61 provided in the wristband 60.

The order terminal 70 functions as a radio wave information processing unit, an acquisition unit, and a display processing unit as in the first and second embodiments.

The radio wave information processing unit determines whether or not the distance between the radio wave transmitter 61 and the radio wave receiver 75 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. That is, it is determined whether or not the distance between the order terminal 70 and the wristband 60 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, based on whether or not the radio wave intensity is higher than a reference value. And outputs distance information indicating whether the distance between the order terminal 70 and the wristband 60 is equal to or less than a prescribed distance. It is assumed that the cover 72 of the order terminal 70 is opened and closed by the hand to which the wristband 60 is attached in a state where the order terminal 70 is held by the hand to which the wristband 60 is not attached. If the distance between the order terminal 70 and the wristband 60 is temporarily equal to or less than a predetermined distance, it is cumbersome to switch the display of the display unit 73. When the distance between the order terminal 70 and the wristband 60 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance for a predetermined period (for example, 1 second or 2 seconds), the order terminal 70 is held by the hand to which the wristband 60 is attached. When the radio wave intensity is higher than the reference value for a predetermined period of time, the radio wave information processing unit determines that the distance between the order terminal 70 and the wristband 60 is equal to or smaller than the predetermined distance. The radio wave information processing unit corresponding to the wrist band 60 attached to the hand performs the characteristic processing different from those of the first and second embodiments, and thereby can prevent frequent switching of the display unit 73. The radio wave information processing unit outputs distance information indicating whether or not the distance between the radio wave transmitter 61 and the radio wave receiver 75 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance.

Whether or not the order terminal 70 is gripped by the hand of the store clerk to which the wristband 60 is attached is recognized based on the distance between the radio wave transmitter 61 and the radio wave receiver 75, and based on the recognition result, the display of the display unit 73 is switched to display information for the store clerk or display information for the customer.

Thus, the store personnel can change the holding of the order terminal 70 to switch the display of the display unit 73 between the store personnel-oriented display information and the customer-oriented display information. Therefore, in modification 2 as well, the display can be effectively used, and the operability of the order terminal 70 can be improved, as in the first and second embodiments.

(third embodiment)

Next, an information processing apparatus and a program according to a third embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. The first and second embodiments apply the information processing apparatus to an apparatus having 1 display, and the third embodiment applies the information processing apparatus to a POS terminal having a plurality of displays. Fig. 13 is a view showing an external appearance of a POS terminal 80 according to the third embodiment. POS terminal 80 is used in a restaurant such as a fast food restaurant.

The POS terminal 80 includes a main body 81 (device main body) and a 1 st display 82. The main body 81 houses a control unit 800 (see fig. 14) and the like, and includes a 2 nd display 83, a keyboard 84, a printer 85, and a cash register 86.

The 1 st display 82 is detachably supported by a support portion 87 connected to the 2 nd display 83. The 1 st display 82 can communicate with the main body 81 wirelessly, and display various information under the control of the control unit 800. The 1 st display 82 includes a 1 st display portion 88, a 1 st operation portion 89, and a radio transmitter 90.

The 1 st display unit 88 is constituted by a liquid crystal panel or the like, and displays various information under the control of the control unit 800. For example, as shown in fig. 13, the 1 st display unit 88 cooperates with the 2 nd display unit 83 in a state where the 1 st display unit 82 is supported by the support unit 87, and displays a registration screen for registering a commodity by a clerk. In other words, the 1 st display unit 88 displays a part of the registration screen in a state where the 1 st display 82 is supported by the support unit 87. The registration screen is a screen on which a store clerk can select a commodity to register the commodity, and is an example of information displayed for the store clerk. The 1 st display unit 88 displays a menu screen for viewing by the customer in a state where the 1 st display 82 is detached from the support unit 87. The menu screen is a screen for displaying details of the commodity sold by the store, for example, commodity images, prices, and the like, and is an example of information displayed for the customer. The 1 st operation unit 89 is constituted by a touch panel provided on the surface of the 1 st display unit 88. The 1 st operation unit 89 inputs information corresponding to the touched position to the control unit 800. The radio wave transmitter 90 continuously transmits radio waves.

The 2 nd display 83 includes a 2 nd display unit 91, a 2 nd operation unit 92, and a radio receiver 93. The 2 nd display unit 91 is constituted by a liquid crystal panel or the like, and displays various information under the control of the control unit 800. The 2 nd display unit 91 displays a registration screen together with the 1 st display unit 88 in a state where the 1 st display 82 is supported by the support unit 87, for example, as shown in fig. 13. In a state where the 1 st display 82 is supported by the support portion 87, the control portion 800 sets the display mode to the enlarged mode. The zoom-in mode is a mode in which 1 screen to be displayed is displayed by the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83, and is a so-called multi-screen zoom-in mode. The 2 nd display unit 91 displays the registration screen separately in a state where the 1 st display 82 is detached from the support unit 87.

As described above, the 1 st display unit 88 switches between displaying information for a store clerk and displaying information for a customer according to whether or not the 1 st display 82 is supported by the supporting unit 87. Further, the 2 nd display unit 91 displays information for the store clerk, regardless of whether the 1 st display 82 is supported by the supporting unit 87. The 2 nd operation unit 92 is constituted by a touch panel provided on the surface of the 2 nd display unit 91. The 2 nd operation unit 92 inputs information corresponding to the touched position to the control unit 800. The radio wave receiver 93 receives the radio wave transmitted by the radio wave transmitter 90. The position where the radio receiver 93 is mounted is an example of a reference position set in advance.

The constitution of the keyboard 84, the printer 85, and the cash register 86 is the same as that of the keyboard 23, the printer 24, and the cash register 25 in the second embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted.

Fig. 14 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 80. The POS terminal 80 includes: the control unit 800, the memory unit 810, the 1 st display unit 88, the 1 st operation unit 89, the 2 nd display unit 91, the 2 nd operation unit 92, the keyboard 84, the printer 85, the cash register 86, the radio wave receiver 93, the radio wave transmitter 90, and the communication unit 820. The control unit 800, the memory unit 810, the 1 st display unit 88, the 1 st operation unit 89, the 2 nd display unit 91, the 2 nd operation unit 92, the keyboard 84, the printer 85, the cash register 86, the radio wave receiver 93, the radio wave transmitter 90, and the communication unit 820 are connected to each other via a bus B or the like.

The control unit 800 is configured by a computer including a CPU801, a ROM802, and a RAM 803. The CPU801, ROM802, RAM803 are connected to each other via a bus B or the like.

The CPU801 controls the operation of the entire POS terminal 80. The ROM802 stores various programs such as programs for driving the CPU801 and various data. The RAM803 is used as a work area of the CPU801, and expands various programs and various data stored in the ROM802 and the memory unit 810. The control unit 800 executes various control processes of the POS terminal 80 by the CPU801 operating in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM802 and the memory unit 810 and developed in the RAM 803.

The memory unit 810 is configured by a storage medium such as an HDD or a flash memory, and maintains the storage content even when the power supply is turned off. The memory 810 stores a control program 811, a commodity main file 812, a registration screen management file 813, a menu file 814, and a display information management table 815.

The control program 811 is a control program for functioning as the POS terminal 80, a control program for calculating the distance between the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 based on the radio wave intensity of the radio wave received by the radio wave receiver 93, a control program for switching the display of the 1 st display 88 and the 2 nd display 91 according to the calculated distance, and the like.

The configuration of the commodity main file 812 is the same as that of the commodity main file 112 in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. The menu file 814 has the same structure as the menu file 312 in the second embodiment, and is described in the second embodiment, so that a duplicate description is omitted.

The registration screen management file 813 is a file for managing a registration screen in which registration keys for commodity registration by store personnel are arranged. For the commodity sold in the store, the commodity name is registered in the registration screen management file 813 in association with the positional information of the registration key in 1 screen.

The display information management table 815 is a table for managing display information displayed on the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 based on radio waves received by the radio wave receiver 93. Fig. 15 is a diagram illustrating a data structure of the explicit information management table 815. Information indicating radio wave intensity, distance between displays, display ID, enlarged screen function, and display content is registered in the display information management table 815 in association with each other.

Information indicating whether or not the radio wave intensity of the radio wave received by the radio wave receiver 93 is equal to or greater than a preset reference value is registered in the item of radio wave intensity.

Information indicating whether or not the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 are located within a predetermined distance is registered in an item between the displays. In the present embodiment, the predetermined distance is set to be considered as a distance at which the 1 st display 82 is supported by the support portion 87.

Display identification information for identifying the display is registered in an item of the display ID.

Information about the zoom-in mode in which 1 screen is displayed by the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 is registered in an item of the zoom-in screen function.

Information showing the display screen displayed on the 1 st display unit 88 and the 2 nd display unit 91 is registered in the display content. In the present embodiment, when the distance between the displays is equal to or less than the predetermined distance and it is considered that the 1 st display 82 is supported by the support portion 87, the screen for registration (the zoom-in mode) is displayed by 1 st screen display performed by the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83. When the 1 st display 82 is detached from the supporting portion 87 with the distance between the displays being larger than the predetermined distance, a menu screen is displayed on the 1 st display 82 and a registration screen (normal mode) is displayed on the 2 nd display 83.

The description returns to fig. 14. The 1 st display portion 88, the 1 st operation portion 89, the 2 nd display portion 91, the 2 nd operation portion 92, the keyboard 84, the printer 85, the cash register 86, the radio wave receiver 93, and the radio wave transmitter 90 are configured and function as described above. The communication unit 820 is an interface for communicating with the store server S. The control unit 300 is connected to the store server S via the communication unit 820, and can transmit and receive information (data) to and from the store server S.

Next, the functional configuration of the POS terminal 80 will be described. Fig. 16 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the POS terminal 80. The control unit 800 operates in accordance with a control program stored in the ROM802 and the memory unit 810 by the CPU801, and functions as an input unit 8001, a registration unit 8002, a settlement processing unit 8003, a radio wave information processing unit 8004, an acquisition unit 8005, a display mode setting unit 8006, and a display processing unit 8007. The functions described above may be configured by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

Various information is input to the input unit 8001. For example, the commodity code is input to the input unit 8001 from the 1 st operation unit 89 and the 2 nd operation unit 92. Information indicating the start of the settlement process is input from the keyboard 84 to the input unit 1001.

The registration unit 8002 performs commodity registration for the commodity whose commodity code is input to the input unit 8001.

The settlement processing unit 8003 performs settlement processing for the commodity for which the registration unit 8002 performs commodity registration.

The radio wave information processing unit 8004 performs the same processing as the radio wave information processing unit 1004 of the first embodiment, and determines whether or not the distance between the radio wave transmitter 90 and the radio wave receiver 93 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance. That is, it is determined whether or not the distance between the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance.

The acquisition unit 8005 performs the same processing as the acquisition unit 1005 of the first embodiment, and acquires distance information indicating whether or not the distance between the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance from the radio wave information processing unit 8004.

The display mode setting unit 8006 sets the display modes of the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83. The display mode setting unit 8006 sets the display mode to an enlarged mode in which 1 screen is displayed on the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 when the distance between the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 is equal to or smaller than a predetermined distance. When the distance between the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, the display mode setting unit 8006 sets the display mode to a normal mode in which the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 each display 1 screen independently.

When the obtaining unit 8005 obtains distance information indicating that the distance between the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, the display processing unit 8007 displays a registration screen on the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 with 1 screen in the zoom-in mode. When the obtaining unit 8005 obtains distance information indicating that the distance between the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 is greater than the predetermined distance, the display control unit 8007 displays a menu screen on the 1 st display 82 and a registration screen on the 2 nd display 83 in the normal mode.

Next, a display switching process performed by the control unit 800 of the POS terminal 80 will be described. Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing a flow of display switching processing performed by the control unit 800. The display switching process is always performed.

First, the radio wave information processing unit 8004 receives an input of radio wave information from the radio wave receiver 93 (S21). The radio wave information processing unit 8004 calculates the distance between the radio wave transmitter 90 and the radio wave receiver 93, in other words, the distance between the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83, based on the received radio wave information, and determines whether or not the distance between the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance (S22).

The acquisition unit 8005 acquires distance information as a result of the determination by the radio wave information processing unit 8004 (S23). The display mode setting unit 8006 determines whether or not the distance information acquired by the acquisition unit 8005 is information indicating that the distance between the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 is equal to or less than a predetermined distance (S24), and if it is information indicating that the distance is equal to or less than the predetermined distance (yes in S24), sets the display mode to the enlargement mode (S25). Next, the display processing unit 8007 displays a registration screen with 1 screen using the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 (S26). Then, the control unit 800 ends the display switching process.

If the distance information acquired by the acquisition unit 8005 is information indicating that the distance between the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 is greater than the predetermined distance (no in S24), the display mode setting unit 8006 sets the display mode to the normal mode (S27). Next, the display processing unit 8007 displays a menu screen on the 1 st display 82 (S28), and displays a registration screen on the 2 nd display 83 (S29). Then, the control unit 800 ends the display switching process.

Fig. 18 shows an example of the display states of the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 in a state where the 1 st display 82 is attached to the supporting portion 87. In this state, 1 screen display is performed by the 1 st display portion 88 of the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display portion 91 of the 2 nd display 83. Specifically, the 1 st display unit 88 and the 2 nd display unit 91 display the screen 95 for registration. The registration screen 95 is composed of a registration information area 951 and a registration key area 952.

The registration information area 951 displays the same display content as the registration information display screen of the first embodiment, and displays the product name, price, and the number of items of the commodity registered. The store clerk can confirm whether or not the product registration is performed on the order received from the customer by visually observing the registration information area 951.

The registration key area 952 displays a plurality of registration keys 953 corresponding to respective products sold by the store. Trade names are shown in a registration key 953. The store clerk who receives the customer order can register the product by pressing the register button 953 indicating that the product of the order was received.

In the state shown in fig. 18, the display mode is set to the enlarged mode, and 1 screen display is performed by the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83, so that the entire registration screen 95 can be displayed. Accordingly, since all the registration keys 953 can be viewed by the clerk without any operation, commodity registration can be easily performed.

Fig. 19 shows an example of the display states of the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 in a state where the 1 st display 82 is detached from the supporting portion 87. In this state, the 1 st display 82 displays a menu screen 96, and the 2 nd display 83 displays a screen 95 for registration.

The menu screen 96 displayed on the 1 st display 82 is composed of a menu area 961 and a scroll area 962. The menu area 961 is an area for displaying a plurality of product display portions 963 corresponding to respective products sold by the store. The commodity display portions 963 show a commodity name, a price, and a commodity image. The scroll area 962 is an area in which scroll keys 964 and 965 are displayed. The scroll keys 964 and 965 are keys for sliding the menu area 961 up and down on the 1 st display 88. When the scroll key 964 or 965 is operated, the menu area 961 scrolls to display the other product display portion 963. The customer waiting for the order can determine the commodity of the order in advance by viewing the menu screen 96 displayed on the 1 st display 82.

The registration screen 95 displayed on the 2 nd display 83 is composed of a registration information area 951, a registration key area 952, and a scroll area 954. The registration information area 951 and the registration key area 952 are as described above. The scroll area 954 is an area in which scroll buttons 955 and 956 are displayed. The scroll buttons 955 and 956 are buttons for sliding up and down the registration button area 952 on the 2 nd display unit 91. In a state where the 1 st display 82 is detached from the support portion 87, only the 2 nd display 83 displays the registration screen, and therefore the 2 nd display 91 cannot display all the registration keys 953. By operating the scroll buttons 955 and 956, even when only the 2 nd display displays the registration screen, the store clerk can register all the products.

According to the third embodiment, in the POS terminal 80 including a plurality of displays, when the distance between the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 is equal to or less than the predetermined distance and the 1 st display 82 is considered to be supported by the support portion 87, the registration screen is displayed by 1 screen display by the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83. When the distance between the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 is greater than the predetermined distance and the 1 st display 82 is considered to be detached from the supporting portion 87, the 1 st display 82 displays a menu screen and the 2 nd display 83 displays a registration screen.

Accordingly, the 1 st display 82 can switch between the registration screen 95 as a display screen for a store clerk and the menu screen 96 as a display screen for a customer, and therefore the 1 st display 82 can be effectively used. Further, since the display of the 1 st display 82 is automatically switched between the registration screen 95 and the menu screen 96 based on the distance information acquired by the acquisition unit 8005, it is unnecessary to bother the store personnel. Further, the 1 st display 82 and the 2 nd display 83 are switched to the normal mode and the enlarged mode in accordance with the distance between the two displays 82 and 83, and therefore the two displays 82 and 83 can be used more effectively.

As described above, the information processing apparatus according to the above embodiment is an information processing apparatus used in a store that provides a commodity, and includes: an acquisition unit that acquires distance information indicating whether or not a distance between a display that selectively displays store-person-oriented display information or customer-oriented display information and a preset reference position is equal to or less than a predetermined distance; and a display processing unit that switches display information displayed on the display to the store-oriented display information or the customer-oriented display information based on the distance information acquired by the acquisition unit.

In this way, the information processing apparatus according to each embodiment can display information for a store clerk or information for a customer on the display according to the scene used, and therefore the display can be effectively used.

The information processing apparatus according to the above embodiment is a registration apparatus that registers information of a commodity to be transacted, wherein the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating whether or not a distance between an apparatus main body that detachably holds a display and the display is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, the display processing unit displays display information for a clerk on the display when the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating that the distance between the apparatus main body and the display is equal to or less than the predetermined distance, and displays display information for a customer on the display when the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating that the distance between the apparatus main body and the display is not equal to or less than the predetermined distance.

This makes it possible to use the display of the registration device effectively even when the display is detached from the device body.

The information processing apparatus according to the above embodiment further includes a 1 st display and a 2 nd display, wherein the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating whether or not a distance between the 1 st display and the 2 nd display is equal to or smaller than a predetermined distance, and the display processing unit switches at least one of display information displayed on the 1 st display and the 2 nd display based on the distance information acquired by the acquisition unit.

Thus, even in an information processing apparatus having a plurality of displays, the displays can be effectively utilized.

The information processing apparatus according to the above embodiment is a registration apparatus for registering information of a commodity to be transacted, wherein the 1 st display is detachably attached to an apparatus main body provided with the 2 nd display, and the display processing unit is configured to display information for a store clerk on the 1 st display and the 2 nd display when the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating that a distance between the 1 st display and the 2 nd display is equal to or smaller than a predetermined distance, and to display information for a customer on the 1 st display and display information for a store clerk on the 2 nd display when the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating that a distance between the 1 st display and the 2 nd display is greater than a predetermined distance.

In this way, the display information for the store staff is displayed on the 1 st display and the 2 nd display in a state where the 1 st display is attached to the registration apparatus main body, and the operability of the store staff who operates the registration apparatus can be improved. In addition, in a state in which the 1 st display is detached from the registration apparatus main body, display information for the customer is displayed on the 1 st display, whereby the 1 st display can be effectively utilized.

In the information processing apparatus according to the above embodiment, the display processing unit may display information for a store clerk on 1 screen display by the 1 st display and the 2 nd display when the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating that a distance between the 1 st display and the 2 nd display is equal to or smaller than a predetermined distance.

In this way, in a state where the 1 st display is attached to the apparatus main body provided with the 2 nd display, the information is displayed for the store clerk with 1 screen display using the 1 st display and the 2 nd display, and thus the operability of the store clerk can be improved.

In the above embodiments, the control program executed by the information processing apparatus such as the POS terminal, the tablet computer terminal, the issue instruction apparatus, and the order terminal may be configured to be stored in a computer-readable storage medium such as a CD-ROM. The control program executed by the information processing apparatus may be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the internet, and may be downloaded via the network, or may be provided via a network such as the internet.

While the present invention has been described with reference to several embodiments, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. The above-described embodiments may be implemented in various other modes, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. The above embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An information processing apparatus used in a store providing a commodity, comprising:

an acquisition unit that acquires distance information indicating whether or not a distance between a display that selectively displays store-person-oriented display information or customer-oriented display information and a preset reference position is equal to or less than a predetermined distance; and

a display processing unit that switches display information displayed on the display to the store-oriented display information or the customer-oriented display information based on the distance information acquired by the acquisition unit,

the information processing device is a registration device for registering information of the commodity being transacted,

The reference position is a device main body for detachably holding the display,

the display processing unit displays display information for a store clerk on the display when the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating that the distance between the device main body and the display is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, displays display information for a customer on the display when the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating that the distance between the device main body and the display is greater than the predetermined distance,

wherein the information processing device further comprises:

a radio wave receiver provided in the device main body;

a radio wave transmitter provided in the display; and

and a radio wave information processing unit that outputs distance information indicating whether or not a distance between the device main body and the display is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, based on a radio wave intensity of a radio wave received by the radio wave receiver.

2. An information processing apparatus used in a store providing a commodity, comprising:

an acquisition unit that acquires distance information indicating whether or not a distance between a display that selectively displays store-person-oriented display information or customer-oriented display information and a preset reference position is equal to or less than a predetermined distance;

A display processing unit that switches display information displayed on the display to the store-person-oriented display information or the customer-oriented display information based on the distance information acquired by the acquisition unit; and

a 1 st display and a 2 nd display, wherein,

the display is one of the 1 st display or the 2 nd display, the reference position is the other of the 1 st display or the 2 nd display,

the display processing unit switches at least one of display information displayed on the 1 st display and the 2 nd display based on the distance information acquired by the acquisition unit,

wherein the information processing device is a registration device for registering information of the commodity being transacted,

the 1 st display is detachably mounted on a device main body provided with the 2 nd display,

the display processing unit displays display information for a store clerk on the 1 st display and the 2 nd display when the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating that a distance between the 1 st display and the 2 nd display is equal to or smaller than a predetermined distance, displays display information for a customer on the 1 st display and display information for a store clerk on the 2 nd display when the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating that a distance between the 1 st display and the 2 nd display is greater than a predetermined distance,

Wherein the information processing device further comprises:

a radio wave receiver provided on one of the 1 st display and the 2 nd display as the reference position;

a radio wave transmitter provided in the other of the 1 st display and the 2 nd display; and

3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein,

the display processing unit displays the store-oriented display information on 1 screen using the 1 st display and the 2 nd display when the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating that a distance between the 1 st display and the 2 nd display is equal to or smaller than a predetermined distance.

4. An information processing apparatus used in a store providing a commodity, comprising:

wherein the information processing device is a tablet personal computer terminal with a display, the reference position is a holding table for placing the tablet personal computer terminal,

the display processing unit displays display information for a store clerk on the display when the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating that the distance between the holding base and the display is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, displays display information for a customer on the display when the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating that the distance between the holding base and the display is greater than the predetermined distance,

wherein the information processing device further comprises:

a radio wave receiver that receives a radio wave from a radio wave transmitter provided on the holding base;

and a radio wave information processing unit that outputs distance information indicating whether or not a distance between the holding base and the display is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, based on a radio wave intensity of a radio wave received by the radio wave receiver.

5. An information processing apparatus used in a store providing a commodity, comprising:

wherein the information processing device is a ordering terminal for a store clerk in a restaurant with a display, the reference position is a wrist strap installed by the store clerk,

the information processing device further includes:

a radio wave receiver that receives a radio wave from a radio wave transmitter provided to the wrist band;

a radio wave information processing unit that outputs distance information indicating whether or not a distance between the order terminal and the wristband is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, based on whether or not a state in which a radio wave intensity of a radio wave received by the radio wave receiver is equal to or higher than a reference value continues for a predetermined period,

The display processing unit displays display information for a store clerk on the display when the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating that the distance between the order terminal and the wristband is equal to or less than a predetermined distance, and displays display information for a customer on the display when the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating that the distance between the order terminal and the wristband is greater than the predetermined distance.

6. A storage medium storing a program for controlling the information processing apparatus according to claim 1 used in a store providing a commodity by a computer, wherein the program causes the computer to function as an acquisition unit and a display processing unit,

the acquisition unit acquires distance information indicating whether or not a distance between a display that selectively displays store-oriented display information or customer-oriented display information and a preset reference position is equal to or less than a predetermined distance,

the display processing unit switches display information displayed on the display to the store-oriented display information or the customer-oriented display information based on the distance information acquired by the acquisition unit.

7. A storage medium storing a program for controlling the information processing apparatus according to claim 2 used in a store providing a commodity by a computer, wherein the program causes the computer to function as an acquisition unit and a display processing unit,

8. A storage medium storing a program for controlling the information processing apparatus according to claim 4 used in a store providing a commodity by a computer, wherein the program causes the computer to function as an acquisition unit and a display processing unit,

9. A storage medium storing a program for controlling the information processing apparatus according to claim 5 used in a store providing a commodity by a computer, wherein the program causes the computer to function as an acquisition unit and a display processing unit,