JP2006039716A - Checkout counter operation management system, method, and device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a checkout counter operation management system, a method for it, and a device for it quickly predicting a degree of congestion at a checkout counter according to the incessantly fluctuating number of customers at a shop for preventing formation of a queue of customers waiting for settlement at the checkout counter. <P>SOLUTION: This system is applicable to a sales form in which a shopper uses one of a plurality of shopping baskets placed at an entrance of the shop and settles for shopping inside the shop at one of a plurality of checkout counters 80. A monitoring device 60 acquires a speed of decrease in the number of baskets, which is reduced in number because a shopper takes one of them for starting shopping in the shop, in the entrance as a prediction value of a degree of congestion at the checkout counters. When the prediction value becomes a predetermined value or more, a shop clerk is notified for operating the checkout counter 80 which is out of service. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  In the present invention, in a retail store such as a supermarket or a convenience store, the checkout of products purchased by customers in the store using one of a plurality of in-store shopping baskets placed at the store entrance is called a cash register or a register. With regard to systems that support sales forms that are settled at any of a plurality of checkout tables, in particular, a checkout table operation management for realizing lubrication and, in turn, lubricated retail operations by avoiding congestion at the checkout table. The present invention relates to a system, a checkout table operation management method, and a checkout table operation management apparatus.

  In retail sites such as supermarkets where goods and people intersect violently, a slight delay in response leads to confusion in the store and significantly impairs customer satisfaction. Preparation of bag in sudden rain, preparation of substitute product when sale product not received in flyer, production area / producer / production method of meat / eggs that are questioned food safety It is an industry where every day is required to respond accurately to changes, such as immediate disclosure of information requests.

  In particular, there are many complaints from customers about the congestion of the checkout counter. Many of the claims are why, when there are a lot of checkout lanes that are closed and not in use when crowded, they are not in operation. The store wants to prevent a large number of customers from queuing at the checkout table, but it does not mean that employees only have to work on the checkout stand. All of us are always busy, such as processing foods and side dishes, picking out goods, arranging the shelves, and receiving, inspecting and storing the delivered products. However, competition for price cuts among stores is intensifying, and it is difficult as a business decision to increase the number of employees.

  Conventionally, as a way to deal with the congestion of the checkout counter, the store floor managers etc. "Please support the checkout counter", "Please checkout counter operation" in the store's microphone announcement The method of requesting support is taken. This method is carried out so that the customer satisfaction of the store visitor is not further impaired by taking the necessary minimum response to the problem that has become apparent in front of the eyes. However, this method has already reduced customer satisfaction among customers. This is because many customers have already queued up for payment at the checkout table, restrained time that was otherwise unnecessary, stood up, and held heavy luggage. Furthermore, if there are closed checkout counters next to them, customers may get angry or even angry at the slow response of customers to queues and crowds. As a result, the customer satisfaction of this store is impaired by such a method.

  Techniques relating to automation / efficiency of store operations and automation of checkout tables are disclosed in, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 3.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a payment settlement system. This system makes it possible to avoid having to carry around the store by putting it in a shopping cart equipped with the product that the customer wants to purchase at a sales floor such as a supermarket or mass retailer. The purpose is to perform payment processing for purchased products efficiently in a short time. In this system, the non-contact type IC tag in which the product information is recorded is used instead of the product for settlement.

  Patent Literature 2 discloses a sales floor inventory management system. The purpose of this system is to clarify the location and flow of products in the store by managing the inventory of products at the sales floor, so that the correspondence between materials and processed products can be obtained even for processed products. Yes. This system is a sales floor inventory management system that manages the inventory status of products in a store where the product storage and the sales floor are separated, and the products that travel between the product storage and the sales floor, or the products. First tag information that is attached to a transport vehicle that carries and stores product information, and is provided at least at an entrance between the product storage and the sales floor, and reads information on the wireless tag that passes through the entrance A reading unit; and an inventory management unit that performs inventory management based on information of the wireless tag read by the first tag information reading unit.

  Patent Document 3 discloses a POS (Point Of Sale) system. This system is intended to provide a POS system suitable for reliably calling another checkout desk during work or rest. And this system determines that the traffic check unit for determining the degree of congestion based on the number of operating POS terminals (checkout tables) and the amount of transaction data per unit time of each terminal, and the checkout table is congested. In such a case, a message is sent to the person in charge of the non-operating POS terminal to activate the person in charge.

JP 2002008134 A JP 2003-128213 A JP 2000-20833 A

  However, the conventional techniques disclosed in Patent Documents 1 to 3 have the following problems.

  In the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 1, it is expected that the queue of customers waiting for payment at the checkout table will be eliminated relatively quickly by expediting the checkout process, but the store congestion Sometimes it is not expected to prevent customers waiting for checkout from queuing themselves.

  In the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 2, although it is expected that the efficiency of operations related to the processing of products can be improved in terms of the overall operation of the store, waiting for settlement when the store is crowded. Since it is not a technology aimed at preventing customers from queuing themselves, it is impossible to expect such effects directly.

  In the prior art disclosed in Patent Document 3, the degree of congestion at the POS terminal is determined based on the actual transaction data amount of each terminal, and the POS terminal is additionally operated for the first time when it is determined that the terminal is congested. Since the message is sent, it does not prevent the customers waiting for checkout from queuing.

  In stores, the number of customers visiting the store constantly fluctuates, and it is necessary to recognize the change at an early stage and take measures as soon as possible. Therefore, a method for quickly and accurately recognizing fluctuations is expected.

  Therefore, the problem of the present invention is to quickly predict the degree of congestion of the checkout table according to the number of customers who change every moment, and to prevent the customers from waiting in the checkout by the checkout table. An operation management system, a checkout table operation management method, and a checkout table operation management device are provided.

  According to the present invention, the sales form in which the customer pays the product purchased in the store using any one of the plurality of in-store shopping baskets placed at the store entrance at any of the plurality of checkout tables. In the payment counter operation management system to be applied, the reduction rate from the store entrance of the plurality of baskets when the customer picks up the basket and starts shopping in the store is acquired as a predicted value of the degree of congestion of the balance counter. When the predicted value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a checkout table operation management system is provided that notifies a store clerk to operate a non-operating checkout table.

  Further, according to the present invention, the sales form in which the customer pays out the goods purchased in the store by using one of the plurality of checkout tables using any of the plurality of in-store shopping baskets placed at the store entrance. In the checkout table operation management method applied to the store, the reduction rate from the store entrance of the plurality of baskets when the customer picks up the basket and starts shopping in the store is obtained as a predicted value of the degree of congestion on the checkout table Then, when the predicted value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a checkout table operation management method is provided in which the store clerk is notified to operate the non-operating checkout table.

  Furthermore, according to the present invention, a sales form in which a customer pays out a product purchased in the store by using one of a plurality of checkout tables using any of a plurality of in-store shopping baskets placed at the store entrance. In the checkout table operation management device applied to the above, the reduction rate from the store entrance of the plurality of baskets when the store customer picks up the basket and starts shopping in the store is obtained as a prediction value of the degree of checkout table congestion Then, when the predicted value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a payment counter operation management device is provided that notifies the store clerk to operate the non-operational adjustment counter.

  The first effect of the present invention is that when a customer is concentrated at a certain time, before the customer completes the purchase and settles at the checkout table accordingly, You can add numbers in advance. The reason for this is that if the number of customers at the checkout counter exceeds the number of visitor stores that can be processed per hour at the current number of checkout counters, the message “Please add a checkout counter” will flow in the store, This is because the number of operations increases.

  The second effect is that the number of customers queuing is reduced. The reason for this is that if the number of customers visiting the checkout counter exceeds the number of customers that can be processed per hour, the message “Please add a checkout counter” will appear in the store, and the number of checkout counters operating. This is because a large number of visitors can complete the settlement at a vacant checkout table without queuing.

  The third effect is that the length of the queue at the checkout table of the customer can be suppressed, and as a result, the waiting time of the checkout table can be shortened. The reason for this is that if the number of customers visiting the checkout counter exceeds the number of customers that can be processed per hour, the message “Please add a checkout counter” will appear in the store, and the number of checkout counters operating. This is because the number of checkout tables can be increased faster than when there is no system, and forgetting to add a checkout counter or delaying instructions can be prevented in advance.

  Furthermore, by using an RFID tag or the like that contains ID information for each cage as a detected means for detecting the lifting of the cage, it is possible to detect the turnaround time for each visitor. In addition, it becomes possible to support the entire sales of the store.

  Hereinafter, a payment counter operation management system, a payment counter operation management method, and a payment counter operation management apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[Description of configuration]
With reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the checkout table operation management system according to the first embodiment of the present invention is disposed at the store entrance, is movable and can be stored on the cart 100, An RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag 20 attached to each of a plurality of carts used for shopping in the store, a plurality of RFID antennas 30 provided on the carriage 100, and an RFID reader 40 for processing a detection signal of the RFID antenna 30 The wireless LAN (Local Area Network) transceiver 50 that communicates with the RFID reader 40, the monitoring device 60 that is the checkout table operation management device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and at least the checkout control in the store business. A store computer 70, a plurality of POS checkout tables 80, and an in-house broadcast amplifier 90 are provided.

  With reference to FIG. 2, the RFID tag 20 includes a storage unit 21, a control unit 22, and a wireless unit 23 described later. The radio unit 23 includes an RF (Radio Frequency) unit and an antenna. The RFID reader 40 includes a wireless LAN wireless unit 41, a storage unit 42, a control unit 43, an RFID wireless unit 44, and a power supply unit 45, which will be described later. The monitoring device 60 includes a storage unit 61, a control unit 62, a voice synthesis unit 63, and a power supply unit 64, which will be described later.

  Since RFID technology, RFID tags, and the like are known, detailed description thereof is omitted in this specification.

[Description of operation]
Next, with reference to FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the adjustment table operation management method according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with the operation of the adjustment table operation management system shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

  In a retail store environment such as a supermarket in which the present system operates, the RFID tag 20 is attached or embedded in advance so that the RFID tag 20 is not intentionally removed.

  In addition, the cart 100 is installed at the store entrance of the customer, and the basket to which the RFID tag 20 is attached is stacked on the cart 100.

  The cart 100 is not necessarily one at the entrance. Prepare as many cars as necessary to keep the necessary number of baskets at the entrance.

  The ID (IDentification, identification information) of the RFID tag 20 is stored in the storage unit 21 and is an individual ID for each RFID tag 20.

  Next, steps (steps S101 to S105) in which the monitoring device 60 is always performing a loop operation will be described.

  The monitoring device 60 inquires of the RFID reader 40 about the current number of baskets at the store entrance (step S101). When making an inquiry, the wireless LAN transceiver 50 or the like is used.

  Receiving the inquiry instruction from the monitoring device 60, the RFID reader 40 inquires about the individual IDs of the RFID tags 20 of the carts loaded on the carriage 100 (step S102).

  In response to the inquiry from the RFID reader 40, the RFID tag 20 transmits individual IDs to the RFID reader 40 (step S103). Since the transmission power and control power at this time are supplied by the induced electromotive force from the RFID reader 40, the RFID tag 20 does not require a power supply unit.

  The RFID reader 40 returns the received ID of each RFID tag 20 to the monitoring device 60. That is, first, ID data from the RFID tag 20 is received by the RFID antenna 30, and the contents are temporarily stored in the storage unit 42 using the control unit 43, and further temporarily stored by an instruction from the control unit 43. The received ID is transmitted to the wireless LAN transceiver 50 via the wireless LAN wireless unit 41, and the contents arrive at the monitoring device 60 (step S104).

  The control unit 62 of the monitoring device 60 temporarily stores the acquired cart IDs in the storage unit 61 so as to arrange them, and deletes the portion of the plurality of carts 100 that read the same RFID tag 20 twice, Determine the number of baskets. That is, the control unit 62 temporarily stores in the storage unit 61 the number of basket reductions in the last one minute, that is, the number of baskets reduced compared to the previous counting result (step S105).

  Steps S101 to S105 are repeatedly performed without interruption. In steps S101 to S105, the shorter the cycle, the more accurate the basket take-out time can be captured, and thus the accurate basket reduction rate can be detected.

  Also, at any time during this operation, there may be a calculation result that the basket is increased by collecting the basket by the employee and returning it to the cart 100, but it is interpreted that the basket has not decreased for that part. To do. It is determined that there is valid data only when the number of baskets has decreased compared to the previous time or is unchanged (zero reduction), and the number of visitors to the store is regarded as the number of reduced numbers of baskets.

  Next, the flow of a portion that operates once per minute per unit time will be described here.

  The store computer 70 is connected to all POS checkout tables 80 in the store, that is, a plurality of POS checkout tables 80, and constantly monitors and grasps whether or not each POS checkout table 80 is in operation. .

  The store computer 70 reports the number of operating POS checkout tables 80 to the monitoring device 60, for example, once every minute (step S106).

  The control unit 62 of the monitoring device 60 continues to store the reduction in the number of baskets for the last one minute temporarily stored in the storage unit 61 generated in step S105 in the form of a time series database or the like on the storage unit 61. (Step S107). As a result, the number of baskets taken out per minute is recorded in the storage unit 61.

  The average number of persons processed per POS checkout table 80 and per minute is determined in advance from the work of actual checkout table workers when this system is introduced. The product of the average number of persons processed per POS checkout table 80 and per minute and the actual number of operations of the POS checkout table 80 is calculated in advance. This product represents the speed of how many customers can check out per minute at all POS checkout tables 80 currently in operation.

  The control unit 62 refers to the time-series database in the storage unit 61 to determine whether or not the store visitor has a speed that is at least twice this speed and that it has continued for 10 minutes or more. If it is not more than twice, it is determined that the queue of customers at the POS checkout table 80 will not be in a serious state, and the next step S106 is started after one minute until the next step S106 is started. Steps S101 to S105 continue to operate as a loop (step S108). On the other hand, if the number of customers visiting the POS checkout counter 80 is more than double the number of people that can be processed per minute for 10 minutes, the voice of “Please add the checkout counter” through the in-house broadcast amplifier 90. Shed. This voice is output from the voice synthesizer 63 of the monitoring device 60 (step S109).

  In the first embodiment, the time unit handled in step S105 and step S106 is set to every minute. However, the unit of time can be optimized according to on-site characteristics such as once every 2 minutes or once every 5 minutes.

  In step S108, the number of customers who can process more than twice is taken as an example. However, the number of visits can be optimized according to on-site characteristics, such as triple or quadruple.

  Although the store computer 70 and the POS checkout table 80 are combined, the function of the store computer 70 can be incorporated into the monitoring device 60, or the function of the monitoring device 60 can be incorporated into the store computer 70. At that time, it is possible to provide a means for reporting whether or not the POS checkout table 80 is in operation, and it is possible to function with an ordinary checkout table instead of a POS checkout table.

  The communication between the RFID reader 40 and the monitoring device 60 is based on a wireless LAN, but various other means such as a mobile phone, wired communication, and infrared light can be employed.

  In the first embodiment, it is possible to avoid the inconvenience of the customer who has to queue at the checkout table while protecting the customer's privacy. The reason for this is that RFID tags are attached to shopping carts that are widely used for general purposes, not to specific customers, rather than to individual products that are purchased by individual customers. It will be laid down. In addition, since the RFID tag is used to detect only the fact that the shopping cart has been taken out of the cart (RFID reader) placed at the store entrance and its time information, how much sales floor each individual customer visits. It is because it will be concealed even if it took a long time.

  In the present invention, in order to detect the decrement speed from the store entrance of the shopping cart, it is limited to the monitored means having ID information such as an RFID tag and a barcode in Example 1 that can identify each basket. Not. For example, an optical sensor, an image processing system, a magnetic sensor, a weight scale, etc., that can detect that the carts that have been stacked up are reduced by being lifted by customers are provided as monitored means at the shopping cart storage area at the store entrance. However, the reduction rate of the shopping cart can be detected. However, by attaching a monitored means having ID information that can identify each cage such as an RFID tag or a bar code to the cage, and obtaining identification information for each cage, a plurality of carts can generate the same cage. It is possible to prevent heavy reading.

  When the monitoring means equipped with ID information is attached to the basket and the identification information for each basket is obtained, when the plurality of baskets are taken out by the store customers from the store entrance, respectively. Time information can be captured. By measuring the time it takes for the customer to put in the merchandise that the customer wants to pay and arrive at the checkout table, the time required for buying for each customer can be measured. Furthermore, it is possible to collect the time required for the purchase for each visitor and statistically obtain the purchase time for each visit time zone. Hereinafter, such a configuration will be described as a second embodiment.

  In order to realize the configuration as in the second embodiment, it is necessary to obtain the time when each basket with an RFID tag was picked up by the customer (the time when the use was started) and the time when it arrived at the checkout table.

[Description of configuration]
Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the checkout table operation management system according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be stored on the cart 100 and the cart 100 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. RFID tags 20 mounted on each of a plurality of carts used for shopping, a plurality of RFID antennas 30 provided on the carriage 100, an RFID reader 40, a wireless LAN transceiver 50, a monitoring device 60, and a store computer 70 And a plurality of POS checkout tables 80 and a broadcast amplifier 90 in the hall. The monitoring device 60 includes a storage unit 61, a control unit 62, a voice synthesis unit 63, and a power supply unit 64.

  Particularly in the second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, each POS checkout table 80 includes a basket passing table 81 for placing a basket in which a product has been purchased and a product is placed, a POS checkout table main body 83, and a POS checkout table. A fixed barcode scanner / RFID reader 82 connected to the table main body 83 and a handy barcode scanner 84 connected to the POS checkout table main body 83 are provided.

  The fixed barcode scanner / RFID reader 82 optically reads information contained in a barcode by holding a POS barcode attached to the package of a relatively small product. The handy barcode scanner 84 optically reads information contained in a barcode by assigning itself to a POS barcode attached to the package of a relatively large product.

  The fixed bar code scanner / RFID reader 82 is further configured as an RFID reader. That is, an RFID wireless unit including an RFID antenna that receives ID data from the RFID tag 20 attached to the basket, a storage unit that temporarily stores information read from the RFID tag 20, and the POS checkout table main body 83. , A control unit that controls the operation of the fixed barcode scanner / RFID reader 82 as a whole, and a power supply unit.

  The POS checkout table main body 83 is connected to the store computer 70 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, and communicates with the store computer 70.

[Description of operation]
Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 and FIGS. 4 and 5, the adjustment table operation management method according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with the operation of the adjustment table operation management system according to the second embodiment.

  Similar to the first embodiment, in a retail store environment such as a supermarket in which the present system operates, the RFID tag 20 is attached or embedded in advance so as not to be intentionally removed for each basket. In addition, the cart 100 is installed at the store entrance of the customer, and the basket to which the RFID tag 20 is attached is stacked on the cart 100. The cart 100 is not necessarily one at the entrance. Prepare as many cars as necessary to keep the necessary number of baskets at the entrance. The ID (IDentification, identification information) of the RFID tag 20 is stored in the storage unit 21 and is an individual ID for each RFID tag 20.

  Next, steps (steps S201 to S205) in which the monitoring device 60 is always performing a loop operation will be described.

  The monitoring device 60 inquires of the RFID reader 40 about the current number of baskets at the store entrance (step S201). When making an inquiry, the wireless LAN transceiver 50 or the like is used.

  Receiving the inquiry instruction from the monitoring device 60, the RFID reader 40 inquires about individual IDs of the RFID tags 20 of the baskets loaded on the carriage 100 (step S202).

  In response to the inquiry from the RFID reader 40, the RFID tag 20 transmits individual IDs to the RFID reader 40 (step S203). Since the transmission power and control power at this time are supplied by the induced electromotive force from the RFID reader 40, the RFID tag 20 does not require a power supply unit.

  The RFID reader 40 returns the received ID of each RFID tag 20 to the monitoring device 60. That is, first, ID data from the RFID tag 20 is received by the RFID antenna 30, and the contents are temporarily stored in the storage unit 42 using the control unit 43, and further temporarily stored by an instruction from the control unit 43. The received ID is transmitted to the wireless LAN transceiver 50 via the wireless LAN wireless unit 41, and the contents arrive at the monitoring device 60 (step S204).

  As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 62 of the monitoring device 60 exists in the storage unit 61 at the time of the previous confirmation and is attached to the basket lifted to the customer by the current confirmation. The use start time of the car is recorded in the field corresponding to the ID of the car (step S205). For example, the basket on which the RFID tag 20 with the “ID number 103-3511” is attached is lifted to the use start date “July 8, 2004 10:40 am”, and this is recorded as shown in FIG. Is done. The reason why the date of use, especially date information, is included in the use start time and the use completion time information described later is that it is assumed that the store is open 24 hours a day, or is open late at night. .

  On the other hand, the POS checkout table 80 reads the ID information from the RFID tag 20 of the basket that has been bought and checked out by the fixed barcode scanner / RFID reader 82 and reports it to the store computer 70 (step S206).

  The store computer 70 reports the ID information of the basket that has been paid and received from the POS checkout table 80 to the monitoring device 60 (step S207).

  In response to a report from the store computer 70, the control unit 62 of the monitoring device 60 displays a field in the storage unit 61 corresponding to the ID of the RFID tag 20 attached to the settled car as shown in FIG. The use completion time of the basket is recorded (step S208). For example, when the RFID tag 20 with the “ID number 103-3025” is attached and the use start date “July 8, 2004 10:10 am” is used, the use completion date “July 8, 2004 10 am 40 minutes "is settled and this is recorded as shown in FIG. Incidentally, while the use completion time is not recorded and is blank, an ID basket in which only the use start time is recorded indicates that it is currently used for buying by customers.

  Further, the control unit 62 of the monitoring device 60 further sets the ID, the use start time, and the use completion time as a set for the ID for which both the start time and the complete time information are gathered, and stores the purchase unit 61 as purchase data for one customer. 7 and is stored in a database area provided separately in the storage unit 61 or in a database provided separately from the storage unit 61 as shown in FIG. 7 (step S209). This set information includes usage start time and usage completion time information, and as a result, usage time information is also included (not shown). For example, the RFID tag 20 of “ID number 103-3069” is attached in advance, the use start date and time “July 8, 2004 10:20 am” and the use completion date “July 8, 2004 11:00 am ”Is recorded as shown in FIG.

  Next, the control unit 62 of the monitoring device 60 erases the contents of the use start time and use completion time fields corresponding to the basket ID temporarily stored in the storage unit 61, and prepares for the next use (step S210). . For example, the contents of the use start time and use completion time fields are erased for the basket to which the RFID tag 20 with the “ID number 103-2058” is attached, and is blank as shown in FIG.

  Thereafter, in the same manner, for the next use of the same car and for the use of other car, set information is acquired and stored in a database.

  The operation according to the second embodiment described above can be performed in parallel with the operation according to the first embodiment.

  In the present invention, although not shown, information recorded in the storage unit 61 or the database of the monitoring device is viewed by the system administrator or operator in a table format as shown in FIG. 6 or FIG. A display device may be included. When browsing, it is preferable that the items can be sorted and displayed in the order of the ID number, use start date / time, use completion date / time, and use time.

  According to the second embodiment, the store refers to the database storing the information as described above, and associates the store visit time with the customer unit price separately acquired and stored from the store computer. In this way, it will lead to knowing issues such as product lineup enhancement. For example, if the purchase price and the number of purchase points are small despite the purchase time being considerably longer than the average, it is possible to make a hypothesis that there is no product that the customer wants to purchase in the store.

  In addition, if the use completion time is not recorded even after the use start time is recorded and the store closes, the basket was reported to the store or taken out of the store (theft etc.) I understand that.

  In addition, since the usage frequency and total usage time of each basket are known, it is useful for scheduling and managing periodic inspections such as periodic cleaning of the basket and the presence or absence of damage.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the technical scope described in the claims. Needless to say.

  For example, the present invention can be applied to applications such as capturing the operating rate of a fitting room for trying on and selling clothes and increasing the number of corresponding store staff, or increasing the number of store counters of so-called rental video shop rental counters. In the case of the former, it is determined that you are trying on clothes by bringing clothes with RFID tags to the fitting room, or if you put the clothes in the basket and bring them to the fitting room, the RFID tag of the basket is read. Good. In the case of the latter, it is possible to increase the number of clerks at the rental counter in advance of congestion by using a basket with an RFID tag as in the supermarket and capturing the store visit.

It is a conceptual diagram which shows the payment counter operation management system by Example 1, 2 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the checkout table operation management system shown in FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the payment counter operation management system by Example 1 of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram which shows the structure of the POS adjustment stand included in the adjustment stand operation management system by Example 2 of this invention. It is a flowchart for demonstrating operation | movement of the payment counter operation management system by Example 2 of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the memory | storage form of the information to the memory | storage part of the payment counter operation management system by Example 2 of this invention. It is a conceptual diagram for demonstrating the memory | storage form of the information to the database of the payment counter operation management system by Example 2 of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

20 RFID tag 21 Storage unit 22 Control unit 23 Radio unit 30 RFID antenna 40 RFID reader 41 Wireless LAN radio unit 42 Storage unit 43 Control unit 44 RFID radio unit 45 Power supply unit 50 Wireless LAN transceiver 60 Monitoring device 61 Storage unit 62 Control unit 63 Voice Synthesizer 64 Power Supply 70 Store Computer 80 POS Checkout Table 81 Basket Passing Table 82 Fixed Barcode Scanner and RFID Reader 83 POS Checkout Table Main Body 84 Handy Barcode Scanner 90 In-House Broadcast Amplifier 100 Car

Claims (33)

Checkout operation applied to sales forms in which customers use one of multiple shopping carts placed at the store entrance to pay for the purchases of products purchased by customers in the store. In the management system,
When the customer's store picks up a basket and starts shopping in the store, the reduction rate from the store entrance of the plurality of baskets is acquired as a predicted value of the degree of checkout congestion, and the predicted value is a predetermined value or more The checkout table operation management system is characterized by informing the store clerk to operate a checkout table that is not in operation. Monitored means mounted on each of the plurality of baskets and comprising at least information indicating the presence / absence of the basket at the store entrance; and
2. A checkout table operation management system according to claim 1, further comprising: a monitoring device that acquires a reduction rate from a store entrance of a plurality of baskets as a predicted value of the degree of checkout congestion based on information detected from the monitored means. . The monitored means is an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag,
The checkout table operation management system according to claim 2, further comprising an RFID reader disposed at a store entrance and detecting information from the RFID tag and outputting the information to the monitoring device. The monitored means is a barcode,
The checkout table operation management system according to claim 2, further comprising a bar code reader disposed at a store entrance and detecting information from the bar code and outputting the information to the monitoring device.   The payment monitor operation management system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the monitoring device also acquires whether each of the plurality of checkout tables is in operation.   6. The checkout table operation management system according to claim 5, further comprising a store computer that mediates communication between the monitoring device and the plurality of checkout tables.   The payment counter operation management system according to any one of claims 3, 5, and 6, wherein the monitoring device and the RFID reader are connected at least by a wireless network.   The payment monitor operation management system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the monitoring device and the store computer are connected to each other by at least a wireless network.   The payment counter operation management system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which notifies a store clerk to operate a non-operational adjustment counter by synthetic voice.   The predetermined value, which is a threshold value for determining whether or not to notify, is calculated based on the processability of a plurality of checkout tables, and is stored in the monitoring device in an updatable manner. Settlement stand operation management system described in 1.   11. The payment counter operation management system according to claim 3, wherein the RFID reader is provided in a cart storage cart that stores the plurality of shopping carts. Checkout operation applied to sales forms in which customers use one of multiple shopping carts placed at the store entrance to pay for the purchases of products purchased by customers in the store. In the management method,
When the customer's store picks up a basket and starts shopping in the store, the reduction rate from the store entrance of the plurality of baskets is acquired as a predicted value of the degree of checkout congestion, and the predicted value is a predetermined value or more A checkout table operation management method, characterized in that a salesclerk is notified to operate a checkout table that is not in operation. Using the monitored means that is attached to each of the plurality of baskets and includes at least information indicating the presence or absence of the basket at the store entrance,
The payment counter operation management method according to claim 12, wherein a decrement rate from a store entrance of a plurality of baskets is acquired as a predicted value of the degree of congestion adjustment based on information detected from the monitored means. The monitored means is an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag,
The payment counter operation management method according to claim 13, further comprising an RFID reader disposed at a store entrance and detecting information from the RFID tag. The monitored means is a barcode,
The payment counter operation management method according to claim 13, further comprising a barcode reader disposed at a store entrance and detecting information from the barcode.   16. The checkout table operation management method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, wherein each of the plurality of checkout tables is also acquired.   The method according to claim 16, further comprising using a store computer that mediates communication with the plurality of checkout tables.   18. The checkout table operation management method according to claim 14, wherein the detection result of the RFID reader is acquired through at least a wireless network.   The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the store computers are connected at least by a wireless network.   20. The checkout table operation management method according to any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein a clerk is notified to operate a non-operating checkout table by synthetic voice.   21. The settlement according to any one of claims 12 to 20, wherein the predetermined value, which is a threshold value indicating whether or not to notify, is calculated based on the processability of a plurality of settlement tables and is stored in an updatable manner. Stand-alone operation management method.   23. The checkout table operation management method according to any one of claims 14 and 16 to 21, wherein the RFID reader is provided in a cart storage cart for storing the plurality of shopping carts. Checkout operation applied to sales forms in which customers use one of multiple shopping carts placed at the store entrance to pay for the purchases of products purchased by customers in the store. In the management device,
When the customer's store picks up a basket and starts shopping in the store, the reduction rate from the store entrance of the plurality of baskets is acquired as a predicted value of the degree of checkout congestion, and the predicted value is a predetermined value or more The checkout table operation management device is characterized by notifying a store clerk to operate a checkout table that is not in operation. Using the monitored means that is mounted on each of the plurality of baskets and includes at least information indicating the presence / absence of the basket at the store entrance,
24. The checkout table operation management apparatus according to claim 23, wherein a decrement rate from a store entrance of a plurality of baskets is acquired as a predicted value of a checkout table congestion degree based on information detected from the monitored means. The monitored means is an RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag,
The checkout table operation management device according to claim 24, further comprising an RFID reader disposed at a store entrance and detecting information from the RFID tag. The monitored means is a barcode,
25. The checkout table operation management apparatus according to claim 24, further comprising a bar code reader disposed at a store entrance and detecting information from the bar code.   27. The checkout table operation management device according to any one of claims 23 to 26, which also acquires whether or not each of the plurality of checkout tables is in operation.   28. The checkout table operation management apparatus according to claim 27, further comprising a store computer that mediates communication with the plurality of checkout tables.   29. The checkout table operation management apparatus according to any one of claims 25, 27, and 28, wherein the detection result of the RFID reader is acquired through at least a wireless network.   30. The checkout table operation management apparatus according to claim 28 or 29, wherein the store computer is connected to at least a wireless network.   31. The checkout table operation management apparatus according to any one of claims 23 to 30, wherein a clerk is notified to operate a non-operating checkout table by a synthesized voice.   32. The settlement according to any one of claims 23 to 31, wherein the predetermined value, which is a threshold value indicating whether or not to notify, is calculated based on the processability of a plurality of settlement tables and is stored in an updatable manner. Stand operation management device. 33. The checkout table operation management apparatus according to any one of claims 25 and 27 to 32, wherein the RFID reader is provided in a cart storage cart that stores the plurality of shopping carts.

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