JP2012185731A - Identification information acquiring device, discount information specifying program, discount information specifying method and pos system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an identification information acquiring device capable of properly calculating an item to be discounted.SOLUTION: An information acquiring section 1a acquires identification information 2a, time information 2b, and setting information 2c. A time acquiring section 1b acquires current time 2d. A specifying section 1c specifies discount information 2e corresponding to the identification information 2a, and specifies the discount information 2e at the current time based on the time information 2b, the setting information 2c, and the current time 2d. An identification information acquiring device 1 specifies that the item corresponding to the identification information 2a is not to be discounted if the current time 2d is not during discount time, and specifies that the item corresponding to the identification information 2a is to be predeterminedly discounted if the current time 2d is during the discount time. Since specifying a discount of the item corresponding to the identification information 2a regardless of existence of a discount seal, the identification information acquiring device 1 can prevent a fraud by changing the discount seal or a mistake on a selling price due to an oversight of the discount seal.

Description

  The present invention relates to an identification information acquisition device, a discount information specifying program, a discount information specifying method, and a POS system.

  POS (Point Of Sale) terminals are widely used in merchandise sales sites such as supermarkets and convenience stores. The POS terminal includes a barcode scanner, scans the barcode attached to the product, and acquires the product code. Then, the POS terminal searches the product information file with the acquired product code, and acquires product information such as a product name and a sales price.

  By the way, in order to reduce waste loss at the site of product sales, discount sales of products may be performed by attaching discount stickers to products that have reached their expiration date or products that have passed time since manufacture. . Such discount stickers are often affixed later independently of the product label. If the product label and the discount sticker are not close, the cashier may overlook the discount sticker and make payment.

  In addition, since the product label and the discount sticker are independent, it was not easy for the cashier to find an illegal act such as replacement of the discount sticker by a malicious shopper. For such an illegal act, there is a proposal of a seal reading device that attaches identification information to a discount sticker and confirms the validity of the discount sticker (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2008-147331 A

  However, even if the proposed sticker reading apparatus can prevent the reuse of the discount sticker that has once passed through the cash register, it does not support the replacement of the discount sticker. In addition, a shopper who purchases a product whose discount sticker has been removed for replacement will purchase a discount target product at a price without discount. In addition, the proposed sticker reading apparatus still does not solve the problem that the cashier overlooks the discount sticker and performs adjustment when the product label and the discount sticker are not close to each other.

  Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an identification information acquisition device, a discount information specifying program, a discount information specifying method, and a POS system that enable appropriate settlement of discount target products.

In order to solve the above problem, the identification information acquisition device includes an information acquisition unit, a time acquisition unit, and a specification unit.
The information acquisition unit acquires identification information for identifying a product, time information used for sales management of the product, and setting information in which discount information corresponding to the sales time of the product is set from the product. The time acquisition unit acquires the current time. The specifying unit specifies discount information corresponding to the identification information at the current time from the time information and setting information acquired from the information acquisition unit and the current time acquired from the time acquisition unit.

  Moreover, in order to solve the said subject, a discount information specific program makes a computer perform the following processes. The computer acquires identification information for identifying the product, time information used for sales management of the product, and setting information in which discount information corresponding to the sales time of the product is set, and acquires the current time from the product, The discount information corresponding to the identification information at the current time is specified from the time information, the setting information, and the current time.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the discount information specifying method sets identification information for identifying a product, time information used for sales management of the product, and discount information corresponding to the sales time of the product. The set information is acquired, the current time is acquired, and discount information corresponding to the identification information at the current time is specified from the time information, the set information, and the current time.

  In order to solve the above problems, the POS system includes an identification information acquisition device that acquires identification information for identifying a product from a product, and a payment device that performs checkout of the product based on the price of the product specified from the identification information. The identification information acquisition device includes an information acquisition unit, a time acquisition unit, a specification unit, and an output unit.

  The information acquisition unit acquires identification information for identifying a product, time information used for sales management of the product, and setting information in which discount information corresponding to the sales time of the product is set from the product. The time acquisition unit acquires the current time. The specifying unit specifies discount information corresponding to the identification information at the current time from the time information and setting information acquired from the information acquisition unit and the current time acquired from the time acquisition unit. The output unit outputs the identification information and the discount information to the settlement apparatus.

  According to the identification information acquisition device, the discount information specifying program, the discount information specifying method, and the POS system, it is possible to appropriately settle the discount target product.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the identification information acquisition apparatus of 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the general view of the POS system of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the hardware constitutions of the checker unit of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the product label of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the POS system of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the barcode reading information of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the two-dimensional barcode reading information of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the merchandise information of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of merchandise information with discount information of 2nd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram at the time of the merchandise information reading in the checker unit and cashier unit of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the merchandise information reading process in the checker unit of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the merchandise information generation process in the checker unit of 2nd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the discount information specific process in the checker unit of 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the product label of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the two-dimensional barcode reading information of 3rd Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the discount information specific process in the checker unit of 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the structure of the POS system of 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the two-dimensional barcode reading information of 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the discount definition table of 4th Embodiment. It is a flowchart of the discount information specific process in the checker unit of 4th Embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings.
[First Embodiment]
First, the identification information acquisition apparatus according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an identification information acquisition apparatus according to the first embodiment.

  The identification information acquisition device 1 acquires identification information 2a, time information 2b, setting information 2c, and current time 2d, and specifies identification information 2a and discount information 2e corresponding to the identification information 2a. The identification information acquisition device 1 is, for example, a barcode scanner provided at a cash register in a supermarket, reads a product code from a product, and outputs the product code to a settlement apparatus.

  The identification information 2a is information that can identify the product. The identification information 2a is, for example, a product code that can identify a product in an arbitrary category, and is attached to a product package or product label as print information such as a barcode.

  The time information 2b is information indicating a time serving as a reference when determining the discount of the product. The time information 2b includes, for example, a consumption deadline, a best before date, a manufacturing date / time, a discount time, a business date / time (including a store opening time, a store closing time, a business day, a closed day, etc.), and an event date / time (such as a time sale). The time information 2b is attached to the product package or the product label as print information such as a two-dimensional barcode together with the setting information 2c.

  The setting information 2c is information related to discounts on products. The setting information 2c includes, for example, a discount time, a discount amount (information that can specify a discount price such as a discount amount, a discount rate, a sales price after discount), and the like.

The current time 2d is the time when the discount of the product is determined. The current time 2d is, for example, the time when the identification information acquisition device 1 acquires the identification information 2a.
The discount information 2e is information for determining the sales price after the discount of the product corresponding to the identification information 2a. The discount information 2e includes a discount amount, a discount rate, a sales price after discount, and the like.

  The identification information acquisition device 1 includes an information acquisition unit 1a, a time acquisition unit 1b, and a specification unit 1c. The information acquisition unit 1a acquires identification information 2a, time information 2b, and setting information 2c. The time acquisition unit 1b acquires the current time 2d. The time acquisition unit 1b may acquire the current time 2d from a clock provided in the identification information acquisition device 1, or may acquire it from an external device by communication.

  The specifying unit 1c specifies discount information 2e corresponding to the identification information 2a. The specifying unit 1c specifies discount information 2e at the current time 2d from the time information 2b, the setting information 2c, and the current time 2d. For example, if the current time 2d is not a discount target time that can be specified from the time information 2b and the setting information 2c, the specifying unit 1c specifies that there is no discount for the product corresponding to the identification information 2a. Further, if the current time 2d is a discount target time that can be specified from the time information 2b and the setting information 2c, the specifying unit 1c specifies that the product corresponding to the identification information 2a has a predetermined discount. .

  Thus, the identification information acquisition apparatus 1 can specify the discount of the product corresponding to the identification information 2a. Thereby, the identification information acquisition apparatus 1 enables the appropriate payment of the discount target product. Specifically, the settlement apparatus inquires the sales price before discount from the identification information 2a by using the identification information 2a and the discount information 2e specified by the identification information acquisition apparatus 1, and uses the discount information 2e to determine the sales price after the discount. Can be determined.

  Moreover, since the identification information acquisition apparatus 1 specifies the discount of the product corresponding to the identification information 2a separately from the presence / absence of the discount sticker, the sales are performed by improper replacement of the discount sticker or oversight of the discount sticker. Price errors can be prevented.

  Moreover, since the identification information acquisition apparatus 1 can specify the discount of the goods corresponding to the identification information 2a without depending on an external apparatus, the capital investment burden concerning a user (supermarket etc.) may become excessive. Absent.

[Second Embodiment]
Next, a second embodiment will be described by exemplifying a checker unit constituting a POS system as a more specific identification information acquisition apparatus.

First, the POS system will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the POS system according to the second embodiment.
The POS system 10 includes a network 16, a POS terminal 11 connected to the network 16, a POS server 14, and a store server 15. The POS terminal 11 is a terminal for managing point-of-sale information. The POS server 14 centrally manages the sales information registered by the POS terminal 11. Further, the store server 15 manages a product master in which product codes and prices for identifying products are registered.

The POS terminal 11 includes a cashier unit (settlement device) 12 and a checker unit (identification information acquisition device) 13.
The cashier unit 12 is a unit for mainly receiving a sales price. The cashier unit 12 includes a control unit 17, an automatic change machine 18, a cash drawer 19, an automatic fishing bill machine 20, a keyboard 21, a touch panel 22, a display 23, a customer display 24, and a printer 25.

  The control unit 17 is a computer that controls the cashier unit 12 and controls the POS terminal 11 in an integrated manner. The automatic change machine 18 deposits coins received from customers (shoppers) and withdraws changes. The automatic bill machine 20 deposits banknotes received from customers and withdraws the bills. The cash drawer 19 is a storage for storing coins and banknotes. The display 23 displays a predetermined GUI (Graphical User Interface) for performing transaction work. The display 23 is a liquid crystal display, for example. The display 23 is located below the touch panel 22. The image displayed on the display 23 is visible through the touch panel 22 and visible from the operator (registry). The operator can perform a touch operation on the touch panel 22 while viewing the image displayed on the display 23. The keyboard 21 is an input device for operating the GUI displayed on the display 23. The customer display 24 is a display device that displays transaction information on the customer side. For example, the customer display 24 displays the total amount of merchandise purchases, the deposit amount from the customer, and the change amount. The printer 25 is a printing device that issues a receipt by printing a transaction result with a customer on a roll paper.

  The checker unit 13 is a unit for mainly inputting a product code. The checker unit 13 includes a touch panel 26, a speaker 27, a lane stand 28, a column 29, a fixed scanner 30, a multi-item keyboard 31, a display 32, and a customer display 33.

  The lane stand 28 supports the support column 29. Further, on the lane stand 28, a shopping basket brought by the customer and a product put in the shopping basket are placed. The column 29 supports the touch panel 26, the speaker 27, the fixed scanner 30, the multi-item keyboard 31, the display 32, and the customer display 33. The fixed scanner 30 is a device for reading print information in addition to a barcode given to a product. The fixed scanner 30 captures a product with a camera and extracts print information from the captured image. The operator inputs a product code using the fixed scanner 30 as an input device by holding the barcode attached to the product toward the fixed scanner 30. The input result of the product code is displayed on the display 32, and the operator can check the input result such as the product code and the discount amount. The touch panel 26 is an input device that selects a product without a barcode (for example, fresh food such as loosely sold vegetables and fish, side dish, etc.) from the product group displayed on the display 32. The customer display 33 is a display device that displays transaction information on the customer side. For example, the customer display 33 displays the name, unit price, discount amount, etc. of the product for which the product code is input. In addition, the speaker 27 notifies the input result by voice. For example, the speaker 27 performs a sound output in different modes depending on the state, such as when the input is made normally and when it is necessary to alert the operator about the input. More specifically, for example, a single sound “beep” is generated during normal operation, and a voice is output that can be easily distinguished by an operator such as a continuous sound “beep” when calling attention. The multi-item keyboard 31 receives an operator's operation. For example, the multi-item keyboard 31 receives a correction operation by an operator who has recognized an operation error when alerted by an audio output from the speaker 27. For example, the checker unit 13 alerts when the product code is read twice (continuous reading) and there is a discount.

Next, the hardware configuration of the checker unit 13 of the second embodiment will be described. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the checker unit according to the second embodiment.
The checker unit 13 includes a control device 100 and controls various input / output devices in an integrated manner. The entire control apparatus 100 is controlled by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 101. A random access memory (RAM) 102, a hard disk drive (HDD) 103, a communication interface 104, a graphic processing device 105, and an input / output interface 106 are connected to the CPU 101 via a bus 107.

  The RAM 102 temporarily stores at least a part of an OS (Operating System) program to be executed by the CPU 101, an information acquisition function, a time acquisition function, a specific function, and other functions. The RAM 102 stores various data necessary for processing by the CPU 101. The HDD 103 stores an OS and application programs.

  A display 32 and a customer display 33 are connected to the graphic processing device 105. The display 32 displays a predetermined GUI (Graphical User Interface) for performing transaction work. The display 32 is, for example, a liquid crystal display. The display 32 is located below the touch panel 26. The image displayed on the display 32 is visible through the touch panel 26 from the operator. The operator can perform a touch operation on the touch panel 26 while viewing the image displayed on the display 32. The graphic processing device 105 displays an image on the screen of the display 32 and the customer display 33 in accordance with a command from the CPU 101.

  A fixed scanner 30, a touch panel 26, a multi-item keyboard 31, and a speaker 27 are connected to the input / output interface 106. The fixed scanner 30 includes, for example, an image sensor (CCD (Charge Coupled Device) image sensor, CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor) image sensor, etc.), and acquires various types of information from image information output by the image sensor. The input / output interface 106 can be connected to a portable recording medium interface that can write information to the portable recording medium 110 and read information from the portable recording medium 110. The input / output interface 106 transmits signals sent from the fixed scanner 30, the touch panel 26, the multi-item keyboard 31, the speaker 27, and the portable recording medium interface to the CPU 101 via the bus 107.

  The communication interface 104 is communicably connected to the cashier unit 12 in a connection format such as RS-232C (Recommended Standard 232 version C) or USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection. The communication interface 104 may exchange data with other computers via a network (not shown).

With the hardware configuration as described above, the processing functions of the present embodiment can be realized.
Note that the control device 100 can be configured to include modules each composed of a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a digital signal processor (DSP), or the like, or can be configured without the CPU 101. In that case, the control device 100 includes a nonvolatile memory (for example, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), a flash memory, a flash memory type memory card, etc.) and stores module firmware. The nonvolatile memory can write firmware via the portable recording medium 110 or the communication interface 104. In this way, the control device 100 can update the firmware by rewriting the firmware stored in the nonvolatile memory.

  Next, an outline of the operation of the checker unit 13 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, a product label display example of a product to be handled by the POS system 10 will be described. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a product label according to the second embodiment.

  The product 40 is an example of a product to be handled by the POS system 10. A product label 41 and a discount sticker 47 are attached to the product 40. The discount sticker 47 is usually attached in the vicinity of the product label 41.

  The product label 41 prints and displays a product name display 42, a barcode display 43, a price display 44, a two-dimensional barcode display 45, and a product supplementary information display 46. The product name display 42 clearly indicates the product name for the shopper. The price display 44 clearly indicates the price of the product for the shopper. The product incidental information display 46 clearly shows information incidental to the product for the shopper. The information attached to the product displays information to be displayed to the consumer, such as the manufacturer name, seller name, expiration date, date and time of manufacture, raw material, and content.

  The barcode display 43 is a one-dimensional barcode display, and has a function as a first information display unit that represents a product code as product identification information. In principle, the bar code display 43 is attached to all products regardless of whether the product is a discount target product.

  The two-dimensional bar code display 45 has a function as a second information display unit that represents time information indicating a reference time when determining discounts for products and setting information related to product discounts. The two-dimensional bar code display 45 is attached to the product to be discounted.

  The discount sticker 47 prints and displays the discount content to clearly indicate that the product is a discount product and the discount content to the shopper. For example, the discount contents displayed by the discount sticker 47 include discount rate display such as “half-bikibi” and “30% bib”, discount display such as “50 yen bib” and “30 yen bib”, and “198 yen”. , “Price display after discount” such as “148 yen”.

  Next, the POS system 10 that performs payment for the product 40 will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a POS system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of barcode reading information according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of two-dimensional barcode reading information according to the second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of product information according to the second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of product information with discount information according to the second embodiment.

  The checker unit 13 includes an information acquisition unit 3, a time acquisition unit 4, a specification unit 5, and an output unit 6. The information acquisition unit 3 acquires barcode reading information 51 and two-dimensional barcode reading information 53. Specifically, the information acquisition unit 3 images the product label 41. The information acquisition unit 3 extracts a barcode display 43 and a two-dimensional barcode display 45 from the captured image. The information acquisition unit 3 decodes the extracted barcode display 43 to acquire barcode reading information 51, and decodes the extracted two-dimensional barcode display 45 to acquire two-dimensional barcode reading information 53.

  The barcode reading information 51 includes a product code 52. The product code 52 can specify the product. For example, the product code “2100001003005” specifies the product “Kinpira Gobo”.

  The two-dimensional barcode reading information 53 includes an expiration date 54, a discount time 55, a time unit 56, a discount amount 57, and a discount type 58. The expiration date 54 can specify the expiration date. For example, the expiration date “201103012300” specifies the expiration date “March 1, 2011 23:00”. The discount time 55 is information for specifying the magnitude of time, and the time unit 56 is information for specifying the time unit, and the discount target time is specified by combining the discount time 55 and the time unit 56. For example, the time unit “1” represents the time unit “minute”, and specifies the discount target time “90 minutes” together with the discount time “90”. Therefore, the discount start time is 21:30 on March 1, 2011, which is 90 minutes before March 23, 2011. The discount amount 57 is information that specifies the size of the discount, and the discount type 58 is information that specifies the type of discount, and the discount content is combined with the discount amount 57 and the discount type 58. Is identified. For example, the discount type “1” represents the discount type “discount rate”, and the discount content “50% OFF” can be specified together with the discount amount “0050”.

  The time acquisition unit 4 acquires the current time 48 from a clock built in the checker unit 13. The current time 48 may be acquired from the POS server 14 or the store server 15.

  The identification unit 5 identifies the discount start time and the discount content from the barcode reading information 51 and the two-dimensional barcode reading information 53 acquired by the information acquisition unit 3, and from the current time 48 acquired by the time acquisition unit 4. Identify the discount for the current product. The output unit 6 outputs (notifies) the product information 59 or the product information 62 with discount information to the cashier unit 12.

  The product information 59 includes an ID 60, a product code 52, and a CR 61. ID 60 is header information of the notification sentence, and CR 61 is a carriage return of the notification sentence. The ID “F” indicates that the product information 59 is a notification sentence (no discount information) with only the product code 52.

  The product information 62 with discount information includes an ID 60, a product code 52, a discount amount 57, a discount type 58, and a CR 61. The ID “Q” indicates that the product information 62 with discount information is a notification sentence including discount information in addition to the product code 52.

  The cashier unit 12 includes a settlement unit 7, an information inquiry unit 8, and an input unit 9. The input unit 9 inputs product information 59 or product information 62 with discount information from the checker unit 13. The information inquiry unit 8 inquires of the product master 130 about the product code 52 included in the product information 59 and the product information 62 with discount information, and acquires the product name, product price, and other information. The information inquiry unit 8 outputs the inquiry result of the product code 52 to the settlement unit 7. The settlement unit 7 settles the product based on the inquiry result of the product code 52. At this time, if there is discount information (discount amount 57, discount type 58), the settlement unit 7 settles the product at the discounted price.

  In this way, the POS system 10 determines whether the checker unit 13 has a discount for each product, and notifies the cashier unit 12 as product information 59 or product information 62 with discount information. There is no need to judge whether or not there is a discount.

  Next, barcode input processing of the POS terminal 11 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 is a sequence diagram when reading product information in the checker unit and the cashier unit according to the second embodiment.

  The POS terminal 11 inputs and settles at least one product code for each shopping. The barcode input process is a process in which the cashier unit 12 and the checker unit 13 read a barcode attached to a product and input the product code.

  [Step S11] The cashier unit 12 instructs the initialization of the fixed scanner 30. An instruction to initialize the fixed scanner 30 is made based on, for example, an operation of the keyboard 21 by an operator. The cashier unit 12 issues an initialization instruction once for each customer shopping.

[Step S21] The checker unit 13 receives an initialization instruction from the cashier unit 12 and initializes a storage area for storing input information for each purchase.
[Step S22] The checker unit 13 determines whether or not to end the barcode input process. The end determination of the bar code input process is determined in response to an end instruction from the cashier unit 12. When the checker unit 13 determines to end the barcode input process, the checker unit 13 ends the barcode input process. On the other hand, if the checker unit 13 determines that the barcode input process is not terminated, the checker unit 13 proceeds to step S23.

[Step S23] The checker unit 13 executes a product information reading process. Details of the merchandise information reading process will be described later with reference to FIG.
[Step S24] The checker unit 13 notifies the cashier unit 12 of the product information 59 or the product information 62 with discount information.

In this way, the checker unit 13 reads the barcode and notifies the input data until receiving an end instruction from the cashier unit 12.
[Step S12] The cashier unit 12 waits for notification of the product information 59 or the product information 62 with discount information from the checker unit 13 or the depression of the subtotal key. The cashier unit 12 proceeds to step S13 when the checker unit 13 notifies the product information 59 or the product information 62 with discount information. On the other hand, if the subtotal key is pressed, the cashier unit 12 proceeds to step S14.

  [Step S13] The cashier unit 12 executes a required process for the product information 59 or the product information 62 with discount information. For example, the cashier unit 12 inquires of the product master 52 about the product code 52 and acquires the product name and the product unit price. Then, the cashier unit 12 displays the product name, the product unit price, the discount amount if there is a discount, and the price after the discount on the display 23 and the customer display 24. When the cashier unit 12 finishes the execution of the required processing for the product information 59 or the product information 62 with discount information, the cashier unit 12 proceeds to step S12.

  [Step S14] When the subtotal key of the keyboard 21 is pressed, the cashier unit 12 instructs the checker unit 13 to end the barcode input process, and ends the barcode input process.

  Next, the product information reading process executed by the checker unit 13 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the merchandise information reading process in the checker unit according to the second embodiment.

  [Step S31] The checker unit 13 acquires an image obtained by photographing the product 40 by the fixed scanner 30. The fixed scanner 30 may shoot a product when an image acquisition request is made, or may select a predetermined image when a moving image is taken and an image acquisition request is made.

  [Step S32] The checker unit 13 determines whether or not the bar code display 43 is included in the image captured by the fixed scanner 30. The checker unit 13 proceeds to step S33 when the bar code display 43 is included in the image captured by the fixed scanner 30. On the other hand, when the bar code display 43 is not included in the image captured by the fixed scanner 30, the checker unit 13 proceeds to step S31.

[Step S33] The checker unit 13 reads the barcode display 43 included in the image captured by the fixed scanner 30.
[Step S34] The checker unit 13 sets a monitoring time. The monitoring time is a time for determining the presence or absence of the two-dimensional barcode display 45 after acquiring the barcode display 43.

  [Step S35] The checker unit 13 determines whether or not the two-dimensional barcode display 45 is included in the image obtained by photographing the product 40 by the fixed scanner 30. The checker unit 13 proceeds to step S39 when the image captured by the fixed scanner 30 includes the two-dimensional barcode display 45. On the other hand, when the image captured by the fixed scanner 30 does not include the two-dimensional barcode display 45, the checker unit 13 proceeds to step S36.

  [Step S36] The checker unit 13 reacquires an image obtained by photographing the product 40 by the fixed scanner 30. The image to be reacquired is an image having a different shooting timing from the image acquired in step S31.

  [Step S37] The checker unit 13 determines whether or not the monitoring time has exceeded (timed out). The checker unit 13 proceeds to step S38 when the monitoring time is over. On the other hand, the checker unit 13 proceeds to step S35 when the monitoring time has not exceeded.

  Accordingly, the checker unit 13 can display the two-dimensional barcode during the monitoring time even when the two-dimensional barcode display 45 is out of the photographing range when the fixed scanner 30 captures the image obtained from the barcode display 43. It is possible to wait for 45 to enter the shooting range.

  If the product 40 goes out of the shooting range during the monitoring time, the checker unit 13 may retry the product information reading process to prevent acquisition of the two-dimensional barcode display 45 of different products. Good.

  [Step S38] The checker unit 13 executes product information generation processing for generating product information 59. Details of the product information generation process will be described later with reference to FIG. The checker unit 13 ends the product information reading process after executing the product information generation process.

[Step S39] The checker unit 13 reads the two-dimensional barcode display 45 included in the image captured by the fixed scanner 30.
[Step S40] The checker unit 13 executes a discount information specifying process for generating the product information 62 with discount information. Details of the discount information specifying process will be described later with reference to FIG. After executing the discount information specifying process, the checker unit 13 ends the product information reading process.

  In this way, the checker unit 13 generates product information 59 when the fixed scanner 30 reads only the bar code display 43, and when the fixed scanner 30 reads the bar code display 43 and the two-dimensional bar code display 45. The product information 62 with discount information is generated.

  Next, the product information generation process executed by the checker unit 13 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart of product information generation processing in the checker unit of the second embodiment.

[Step S41] The checker unit 13 acquires the product code 52 from the barcode display 43.
[Step S42] The checker unit 13 generates product information 59 including the product code 52.

  Next, discount information specifying processing executed by the checker unit 13 of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 13 is a flowchart of discount information specifying processing in the checker unit according to the second embodiment.

[Step S51] The checker unit 13 acquires the product code 52 from the barcode display 43 (barcode reading information 51).
[Step S52] The checker unit 13 acquires the current time 48.

  [Step S53] The checker unit 13 acquires the expiration date 54, the discount time 55, and the time unit 56 from the two-dimensional barcode display 45 (two-dimensional barcode reading information 53), and specifies the discount time.

[Step S54] The checker unit 13 acquires the discount amount 57 and the discount type 58 from the two-dimensional barcode display 45, and specifies the discount content.
[Step S55] The checker unit 13 determines whether or not the current time 48 is within the discount time range. The checker unit 13 proceeds to step S56 when the current time 48 is within the discount time range. On the other hand, the checker unit 13 proceeds to Step S57 when the current time 48 is not within the discount time range.

[Step S56] The checker unit 13 generates discount information (discount amount 57, discount type 58) to be added to the product information 62 with discount information.
[Step S57] The checker unit 13 generates product information 59 including the product code 52 when there is no discount information, and product information with discount information including the product code 52 and discount information when there is discount information. 62 is generated. The checker unit 13 ends the discount information specifying process after generating the product information 59 or the product information 62 with discount information.

  In this way, the checker unit 13 generates the product information 59 if the current time 48 is not within the discount time range even if the two-dimensional barcode display 45 is present, and the current time 48 is within the discount time range. If it is within, product information 62 with discount information is generated.

  Therefore, the checker unit 13 generates the product information 59 or the product information 62 with discount information regardless of the presence of the discount sticker 47. Can be prevented.

  Further, the checker unit 13 generates the product information 59 or the product information 62 with discount information regardless of the presence of the discount sticker 47, so that the shopper puts the product 40 into the shopping cart before the discount sticker 47 is attached. Correct the unfairness when passing the cash register at the discount target time.

[Third Embodiment]
Next, as a third embodiment, a case of handling a two-dimensional barcode display attached to a seal (label) separate from the barcode display 43 will be described with reference to FIGS. 14 to 16. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a product label according to the third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of two-dimensional barcode reading information according to the third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a flowchart of discount information specifying processing in the checker unit of the third embodiment. In addition, about the same structure as 2nd Embodiment, the same number is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

The product 40 has a product label (first medium) 63 and a discount sticker (second medium) 64 attached thereto. The discount sticker 64 is usually attached in the vicinity of the product label 63.
The product label 63 prints and displays a product name display 42, a barcode display 43, a price display 44, and a product supplementary information display 46. The bar code display 43 is a one-dimensional bar code display and has a function as a first information display unit that represents a product code as product identification information.

  The discount sticker 64 prints and displays a discount content display 65 and a two-dimensional bar code display 66. The discount sticker 64 is attached to the product to be discounted. The discount content display 65 prints and displays the discount content to clearly indicate that the product is a discount product and the discount content to the shopper. For example, the discount content displayed by the discount content display 65 displays the discount content that can be selected when the discount content is not fixed, such as “Time Sale 30-50%”. Also good. The discount content display 65 includes a discount rate display such as “50% snoring” and “30% snoring”, a discount displaying such as “50 yen snoring”, “30 yen snoring”, “198 yen”, “148 yen”. ”Etc. may be displayed after discount.

  The two-dimensional barcode display 66 has a function as a second information display unit that represents time information indicating a reference time when determining discounts for products, and setting information related to product discounts.

  The information acquisition unit 3 of the checker unit 13 acquires the barcode reading information 51 from the barcode display 43 and acquires the two-dimensional barcode reading information 67 from the two-dimensional barcode display 66.

  The two-dimensional barcode reading information 67 includes an expiration date 70, a first discount condition 68, a second discount condition 69, and a check code 74. The first discount condition 68 and the second discount condition 69 each include a discount time 71, a discount amount 72, and a discount type 73.

  The expiration date 70 can specify the expiration date. For example, the expiration date “201103012300” specifies the expiration date “March 1, 2011 23:00”. The first discount condition 68 is information that defines the first discount condition and the first discount content, and indicates that the first discount content is applied when the first discount condition is satisfied. . That is, the first discount condition 68 indicates that the discount specified by the discount amount 72 and the discount type 73 is performed when the time specified by the expiration date 70 and the discount time 71 is reached.

  The second discount condition 69 is information defining the second discount condition and the second discount content, and indicates that the second discount content is applied when the second discount condition is satisfied. . That is, the second discount condition 69 indicates that the discount specified by the discount amount 72 and the discount type 73 is performed when the time specified by the expiration date 70 and the discount time 71 is reached.

  As a result, the two-dimensional bar code reading information 67 indicates that one discount sticker 64 (one two-dimensional bar code) indicates that a discount of 30% is performed after 19:00 and a discount of 50% is performed after 20:00. It can be realized by code display 66).

  As described above, the two-dimensional barcode reading information 67 has the definition of two discount contents, thereby eliminating the need to replace the discount sticker every time the discount contents are changed. The two-dimensional barcode reading information 67 is not limited to the definition of two discount contents, and may have two or more discount contents definitions.

  The check code 74 is information used to determine the validity of the combination of the barcode display 43 and the two-dimensional barcode display 66. For example, the check code 74 can be a hash value of information generated from a combination of information specified from the barcode display 43 and information specified from the two-dimensional barcode display 66. As a result, the check code 74 makes it possible to detect improper replacement of the discount sticker 64 with the two-dimensional bar code display 66.

Next, discount information specifying processing for specifying discount information from the barcode display 43 and the two-dimensional barcode display 66 will be described with reference to FIG.
[Step S61] The checker unit 13 acquires the product code 52 from the barcode display 43 (barcode reading information 51).

  [Step S62] The checker unit 13 determines the validity of the combination of the barcode display 43 and the two-dimensional barcode display 66 based on the check code 74. The checker unit 13 proceeds to step S63 when the combination of the barcode display 43 and the two-dimensional barcode display 66 is valid. On the other hand, the checker unit 13 proceeds to step S70 when the combination of the barcode display 43 and the two-dimensional barcode display 66 is invalid, and does not add discount information for the product 40.

[Step S63] The checker unit 13 acquires the current time 48.
[Step S64] The checker unit 13 acquires one discount condition from the two-dimensional barcode display 66 (two-dimensional barcode reading information 67).

[Step S65] The checker unit 13 acquires the expiration date 70 and the discount time 71 from the acquired discount condition, and specifies the discount time.
[Step S66] The checker unit 13 acquires the discount amount 72 and the discount type 73 from the acquired discount condition, and specifies the discount content.

  [Step S67] The checker unit 13 determines whether or not the current time 48 is within the discount time range. When the current time 48 is within the discount time range, the checker unit 13 proceeds to step S69. On the other hand, if the current time 48 is not within the discount time range, the checker unit 13 proceeds to step S68.

  [Step S68] The checker unit 13 determines whether or not all discount conditions have been acquired from the two-dimensional barcode display 66. The checker unit 13 proceeds to step S70 when all discount conditions are acquired from the two-dimensional barcode display 66. On the other hand, when the checker unit 13 has not acquired all the discount conditions from the two-dimensional barcode display 45, the checker unit 13 proceeds to step S64.

[Step S69] The checker unit 13 generates discount information (discount amount 57, discount type 58) to be added to the product information 62 with discount information.
[Step S70] The checker unit 13 generates product information 59 including the product code 52 when there is no discount information, and product information with discount information including the product code 52 and discount information when there is discount information. 62 is generated. The checker unit 13 ends the discount information specifying process after generating the product information 59 or the product information 62 with discount information.

  In this way, the checker unit 13 generates the product information 59 if the combination of the barcode display 43 and the two-dimensional barcode display 66 is not valid even if the two-dimensional barcode display 66 is present. For example, product information 62 with discount information is generated.

  Further, even if the checker unit 13 has the two-dimensional bar code display 66, the checker unit 13 generates the product information 59 if the current time 48 is not within the discount time range, and the current time 48 is within the discount time range. For example, product information 62 with discount information is generated.

Further, even when the checker unit 13 generates the product information 62 with discount information, the checker unit 13 can generate the product information 62 with discount information having different discount contents according to the discount conditions.
It is also possible to apply the two-dimensional barcode defining two or more discount contents of this embodiment to the two-dimensional barcode display 45 described in the first example.

[Fourth Embodiment]
Next, as a fourth embodiment, with reference to the discount condition stored in the checker unit without specifying a specific discount condition on the two-dimensional barcode display, the discount content is specified with reference to FIG. Will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of a POS system according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating an example of two-dimensional barcode reading information according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of a discount definition table according to the fourth embodiment. FIG. 20 is a flowchart of discount information specifying processing in the checker unit according to the fourth embodiment. In addition, about the same structure as 2nd Embodiment, the same number is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted.

  The checker unit 121 includes an information acquisition unit 3, a time acquisition unit 4, a specification unit 5, an output unit 6, and a storage unit 122. The information acquisition unit 3 acquires barcode reading information 51 and two-dimensional barcode reading information 80.

  The two-dimensional barcode reading information 80 includes a date code 81, a date 82, and a discount code (specific information for specifying discount information) 83. The date / time code 81 specifies the type of the subsequent date / time 82. The type of the date and time 82 is that the date and time specified by the date and time 82 is the expiration date, the expiration date, the manufacturing date and time, the discount time, the business date and time (including the opening time, the closing time, the business day, and the closed day), the event date and time ( Time sale, etc.). For example, when the date / time code 81 is “1”, the date / time 82 “201103012300” specifies the expiration date “March 1, 2011, 23:00”.

  The discount code 83 is an index that refers to the discount content of the discount definition table 90. The discount definition table 90 defines specific discount contents using the discount code 83 as an index. For example, when the discount code 83 is “1002”, the discount content indicates “10% OFF from 1 hour before the expiration date”.

  The storage unit 122 stores a discount definition table (discount definition information) 90. The identifying unit 5 identifies the discount time and the discount content from the barcode reading information 51 and the two-dimensional barcode reading information 80 acquired by the information acquiring unit 3 and the discount definition table 90 stored in the storage unit 122. Then, the discount content of the current product is specified from the current time 48 acquired by the time acquisition unit 4. The output unit 6 outputs (notifies) the product information 59 or the product information 62 with discount information to the cashier unit 12.

  In this way, the POS system 120 determines whether the checker unit 13 has a discount for each product and notifies the cashier unit 12 as product information 59 or product information 62 with discount information. There is no need to determine whether or not there is a pull.

  Since the storage unit 122 stores the discount definition table 90 as described above, the POS system 120 can suppress the information content included in the two-dimensional barcode reading information 80. Further, the POS system 120 can define detailed discount contents that are difficult to include in the two-dimensional barcode reading information 80. For example, the discount code “1099” in the discount definition table 90 includes the discount content “10% OFF 2 hours before the expiration date, 30% OFF 1 hour before the expiration date, 50% OFF 0.5 hours before the expiration date”. Show. The POS system 120 makes it possible to easily realize discounts that are updated in a plurality of stages as time passes.

  Note that a seal printer (not shown) that prints a two-dimensional bar code stores the same information as the discount definition table 90. Thereby, the sticker printer can include the two-dimensional barcode reading information 80 in the two-dimensional barcode printed on the discount sticker.

Next, discount information specifying processing for specifying discount information using the discount code 83 and the discount definition table 90 will be described with reference to FIG.
[Step S71] The checker unit 121 acquires the product code 52 from the barcode display 43 (barcode reading information 51).

[Step S72] The checker unit 121 acquires the current time 48.
[Step S73] The checker unit 121 acquires the date and time code 81 and the date and time 82 from the two-dimensional barcode display 66 (two-dimensional barcode reading information 80).

[Step S74] The checker unit 121 acquires the discount code 83 from the two-dimensional barcode display 66.
[Step S75] The checker unit 121 refers to the discount code 83 from the discount definition table 90 and acquires the discount content.

  [Step S76] The checker unit 121 determines whether or not the current time 48 is within the discount time range. When the current time 48 is within the discount time range, the checker unit 121 proceeds to step S77. On the other hand, if the current time 48 is not within the discount time range, the checker unit 121 proceeds to step S78.

  [Step S77] The checker unit 121 identifies the discount content corresponding to the current time 48, and generates discount information (discount amount 57, discount type 58) to be added to the product information 62 with discount information.

  [Step S78] The checker unit 121 generates product information 59 including the product code 52 when there is no discount information, and product information with discount information including the product code 52 and discount information when there is discount information. 62 is generated. The checker unit 121 ends the discount information specifying process after generating the product information 59 or the product information 62 with discount information.

In this way, the checker unit 121 specifies the discount information by the discount code 83 and the discount definition table 90, and generates the product information 59 or the product information 62 with discount information.
As described above, in the first to fourth embodiments, the checker unit configured separately from the cashier unit that is the settlement apparatus has been described as the identification information acquisition device. However, the identification information acquisition device is It can also be applied to a self-checkout terminal as an operator. The self-checkout terminal includes a cashier unit (settlement unit) and a checker unit (identification information acquisition unit).

  The POS system can employ any data format such as QR code (registered trademark) or Datamatrix as the two-dimensional bar code. Further, the POS system may employ characters or other print information that can be acquired by OCR (Optical Character Recognition) instead of the two-dimensional barcode.

  The processing functions (information acquisition process, time acquisition process, identification process, output process, input process, information inquiry process, and settlement process) can be realized by a computer. In that case, a program describing the processing contents of the functions that the identification information acquisition apparatus 1, the cashier unit 12, and the checker units 13 and 121 should have is provided. By executing the program on a computer, the above processing functions are realized on the computer. The program describing the processing contents can be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium (including a portable recording medium). Examples of the computer-readable recording medium include a magnetic recording device, an optical disk, a magneto-optical recording medium, and a semiconductor memory. Examples of the magnetic recording device include a hard disk device (HDD), a flexible disk (FD), and a magnetic tape. Optical discs include DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), DVD-RAM, CD-ROM, CD-R (Recordable) / RW (ReWritable), and the like. Magneto-optical recording media include MO (Magneto-Optical disk).

  When distributing the program, for example, portable recording media such as a DVD and a CD-ROM in which the program is recorded are sold. It is also possible to store the program in a storage device of a server computer and transfer the program from the server computer to another computer via a network.

  The computer that executes the program stores, for example, the program recorded on the portable recording medium or the program transferred from the server computer in its own storage device. Then, the computer reads the program from its own storage device and executes processing according to the program. The computer can also read the program directly from the portable recording medium and execute processing according to the program. Further, each time the program is transferred from the server computer, the computer can sequentially execute processing according to the received program.

Note that various modifications can be made to the above-described embodiment without departing from the gist of the embodiment.
Further, the above-described embodiments can be modified and changed by those skilled in the art, and are not limited to the exact configurations and application examples described.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Identification information acquisition apparatus 1a Information acquisition part 1b Time acquisition part 1c Identification part 2a Identification information 2b Time information 2c Setting information 2d Current time 2e Discount information

Claims (10)

An information acquisition unit that acquires identification information for identifying the product, time information used for sales management of the product, and setting information in which discount information is set according to the sales time of the product, from the product,
A time acquisition unit for acquiring the current time;
A specifying unit for specifying the discount information corresponding to the identification information at the current time from the time information and the setting information acquired from the information acquiring unit and the current time acquired from the time acquiring unit;
An identification information acquisition apparatus comprising:   The information acquisition unit acquires the identification information from a first information display unit attached to the product, and acquires the time information and the setting information from a second information display unit attached to the product. The identification information acquisition apparatus according to claim 1. The second information display unit includes:
The second medium to be attached to the product is provided separately from the first medium including the first information display unit,
The information that can be acquired by the information acquisition unit includes information that can verify the validity of the combination of the first information display unit and the second information display unit.
The identification information acquisition apparatus according to claim 2. The setting information sets a plurality of the discount information,
The identification information acquisition apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the specifying unit selects one piece of the discount information from the plurality of pieces of discount information based on the current time. A storage unit for storing the time information and the setting information;
The information acquisition unit acquires the identification information from the first information display unit attached to the product, and can specify the time information and the setting information from the second information display unit attached to the product. The identification information acquisition apparatus according to claim 1, wherein:   6. The identification information acquisition apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the first information display unit is a one-dimensional barcode display, and the second information display unit is a two-dimensional barcode display. .   The identification information acquisition apparatus according to claim 6, further comprising an output unit that outputs the identification information and the discount information. On the computer,
From the product, obtain identification information for identifying the product, time information used for sales management of the product, and setting information in which discount information is set according to the sales time of the product,
Get the current time,
The discount information corresponding to the identification information at the current time is specified from the time information and the setting information, and the current time.
A discount information specifying program for executing a process. From the product, obtain identification information for identifying the product, time information used for sales management of the product, and setting information in which discount information is set according to the sales time of the product,
Get the current time,
The discount information corresponding to the identification information at the current time is specified from the time information and the setting information, and the current time.
The discount information specifying method characterized by the above. In a POS system comprising: an identification information acquisition device that acquires identification information for identifying the product from a product; and a payment device that performs checkout of the product based on the price of the product specified from the identification information.
The identification information acquisition device includes:
An information acquisition unit that acquires identification information for identifying the product, time information used for sales management of the product, and setting information in which discount information according to the sales time of the product is set from the product;
A time acquisition unit for acquiring the current time;
A specifying unit for specifying the discount information corresponding to the identification information at the current time from the time information and the setting information acquired from the information acquiring unit and the current time acquired from the time acquiring unit;
An output unit for outputting the identification information and the discount information to the settlement apparatus;
A POS system comprising:

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