JP2016218753A - POS system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a POS system capable of reliably storing image data obtained by photographing a customer executing payment processing at a price payment machine.SOLUTION: A POS system comprises: a commodity register for performing the registration processing of a commodity; and a price payment machine 30 for performing the payment processing of a price on the basis of price data generated by the execution of the registration processing. The price payment machine 30 includes: a camera 314 for photographing a customer during the payment processing at the price payment machine 30; a storage unit 315 for storing image data obtained by the camera 314; and a control unit that transfers moving image data stored in the storage unit 315 for a certain period to a storage unit in a storage, deletes the transferred moving data from the storage unit 315 upon completion of the transfer, and determines whether to accept payment processing on the basis of the idle capacity in a storage area in the storage unit 315.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a semi-automatic POS (Point of Sales) system.

  A semi-automatic POS system is known that includes a product registration machine that executes product registration processing and a price payment machine that executes price payment processing based on price data generated by the execution of the registration processing ( For example, see Patent Document 1). In the semi-automatic POS system, a store clerk operates a product registration machine, and a customer operates a price payment machine, thereby shortening the time required for payment.

  In such a semi-automatic POS system, the payment of the price is left to the customer, so it is necessary to take measures to prevent fraud. For example, Patent Document 1 is configured so that registration processing and customer imaging data captured by a camera are stored in association with each other, and customer imaging data associated with registration processing for which payment processing is not performed can be extracted. A POS system is disclosed. According to this POS system, customers who have not been liquidated can be easily identified.

JP 2014-16880 A

  In such a POS system, it is necessary to reliably store the customer's imaging data when performing payment processing in the payment machine. However, the conventional POS system does not assume a situation in which captured data is not stored, such as a lack of capacity in the storage unit.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a POS system capable of reliably storing imaging data obtained by imaging a customer who performs payment processing in a payment machine.

  The POS system of the present invention includes a commodity registration machine that performs commodity registration processing, and a price payment machine that performs payment processing based on price data generated by performing the registration processing. Picks up an image pickup unit that picks up an image of a customer who performs payment processing in a payment machine, a first storage unit that stores image pickup data picked up by the image pickup unit, and image pickup data stored in the first storage unit for a certain period of time. Transfer data to a second storage unit that is different from the first storage unit, and when the transfer is completed, erase the transferred imaging data from the first storage unit and free space in the storage area in the first storage unit And a control unit that determines whether to accept payment processing based on

  In the POS system having this configuration, the imaging data stored in the first storage unit is transferred to the second storage unit before the storage area of the first storage unit in the payment machine is insufficient, and the transferred imaging data is transferred. Is deleted from the first storage unit. Thereby, it is possible to avoid in advance that the storage area of the first storage unit is short of capacity. In the POS system having this configuration, when the free space in the storage area in the first storage unit is less than a predetermined value, acceptance of payment processing is prohibited, and the free space in the storage area in the first storage unit is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. In some cases, acceptance of payment processing is permitted. Thereby, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of an event that makes it impossible to take an image of a customer who performs payment processing. As a result, it is possible to reliably store imaging data obtained by imaging a customer who performs payment processing in a payment machine.

  In the POS system of the present invention, the merchandise registration machine may be operated by a store clerk, and the price payment machine may be operated by a customer.

  In the POS system configured as described above, it is possible to shorten the time required for payment for the price of the product.

  In the POS system of the present invention, a plurality of price payment machines are provided, and when the commodity registration machine generates the price data, it accepts payment processing for one of the price payment machines. If one of the payment machines receives an inquiry from the product registration machine, it decides whether or not to accept the payment process, and if the decision is possible, accepts the price data, If the decision is negative, it will refuse to accept the price data, and if the price payment machine is refused to accept the price data from one price payment machine, it will be different from the one price payment machine. The payment machine may be inquired as to whether payment processing can be accepted.

  In the POS system having this configuration, the price data can be sent to the price payment machine having a sufficient free space, so that it is possible to prevent the price data from being delayed in the commodity registration machine.

  In the POS system of the present invention, the control unit in the payment machine may accept the payment process when the free space in the first storage unit is equal to or greater than a predetermined value.

  In the POS system configured as described above, the payment machine can make payment processing only when it is in a state where image data obtained by imaging the customer who makes payment processing can be reliably stored.

  In the POS system of the present invention, identification information may be associated with the imaging data.

  In the POS system having this configuration, even when image data is separately transferred from the first storage unit to the second storage unit, related image data can be easily extracted. Thereby, for example, a series of imaging data can be continuously displayed (reproduced).

  In the POS system of the present invention, the price payment machine may further include a display unit that displays the imaging data stored in the first storage unit or the second storage unit.

  In the POS system having this configuration, the image data stored in the first storage unit or the second storage unit can be displayed on the display unit of the payment machine.

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, the imaging data which imaged the customer who processes payment in a price payment machine can be memorize | stored reliably.

It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the POS system of one Embodiment of this invention. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the goods registration machine of the POS system of FIG. It is an external appearance perspective view of the goods registration machine of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the price payment machine of the POS system of FIG. It is an external appearance perspective view of the price payment machine of FIG. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the storage of the POS system of FIG. It is a sequence diagram which shows the example of the payment machine determination procedure in the POS system of FIG.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. In the description of the drawings, the same elements are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant description is omitted. The dimensional ratios in the drawings do not necessarily match those described.

[Configuration of POS system]
As shown in FIG. 1, the POS system 1 includes a store controller 10, a plurality of product registration machines 20, and a plurality of price payment machines 30. The store controller 10, each merchandise registration machine 20, and each price payment machine 30 are connected to each other by a wired or wireless LAN (Local Area Network) 2. The POS system 1 is a semi-automatic POS system built in a store such as a supermarket. In other words, in the POS system 1, each product registration machine 20 is operated by a store clerk to execute a product registration process, and each price payment machine 30 is operated by a customer to generate a price generated by executing the registration process. Execute payment processing based on the data. The store clerk includes employees and users of the store where the POS system 1 is introduced, and in a broad sense includes related businesses of the store. A customer includes a person who purchases and / or purchases a product. In a broad sense, the customer includes a person who gives and / or receives a price to a store.

[Store controller 10]
The store controller 10 is a computer that controls the POS system 1 and manages various information such as a product master. The store controller 10 can communicate with each product registration machine 20, each price payment machine 30 and the storage 50, and appropriately transmits a product master to each product registration machine 20 and each price payment machine 30. The product master is a file that stores product information about each product (product identification information, information about the product name and sales price, etc.). The product master is updated as appropriate.

[Product Registration Machine 20]
Next, the product registration device 20 will be described. As shown in FIG. 2, the merchandise registration machine 20 includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 201, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 202, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 203, a scanner 204, and a store clerk display unit 205. A customer display unit 206, an operation unit 207, a communication unit 208, a speaker 209, and a printing unit 210. These are connected to each other by a bus 215. The appearance of the merchandise registration machine 20 is as shown in FIG.

  The CPU 201 controls the operation of the commodity registration machine 20 by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 202. The ROM 202 stores a program for controlling the operation of the product registration machine 20. The RAM 203 stores the product master transmitted from the store controller 10, the product information acquired from the product master based on the barcode (product code) read by the scanner 204, and information related to the operation history as needed.

  The scanner 204 optically reads a barcode or the like attached to a product. The store clerk display unit 205 displays to the store clerk the product name and sales price corresponding to the barcode read by the scanner 204. The customer display unit 206 displays to the customer the product name and sales price corresponding to the barcode read by the scanner 204. In addition, the display part 205 for shop assistants and the display part 206 for customers comprise a touch panel, and also function as an operation part.

  The operation unit 207 has various operation buttons (such as a subtotal key, a current total key, a numeric key, a correction key, and a preset key) for operating the commodity registration machine 20. The communication unit 208 communicates with other devices via the LAN 2. The speaker 209 outputs the operation sound of the product registration device 20 and various sounds. The printing unit 210 appropriately prints various characters on a paper piece and issues the paper piece.

  In the merchandise registration machine 20 configured as described above, when the bar code attached to the merchandise that the customer intends to purchase is read by the scanner 204 under the operation of the store clerk, the merchandise information is acquired from the merchandise master by the CPU 201. Then, the price data is generated (execution of registration process). The price data includes information on the unit price and quantity of all the products that the customer intends to purchase, the total price, and the like.

  Then, when the generated price data is acquired by any one price payment machine 30, the price payment machine 30 that acquired the price data among the plurality of price payment machines 30 (that is, the customer is charged for the price). The payment machine 30) to be paid is informed. In the product registration machine 20, the customer display unit 206 and the printing unit 210 function as a notification unit. Specifically, the customer display unit 206 displays, for example, the identification number of the price payment machine 30 that has acquired the price data among the identification numbers assigned to the price payment machines 30. The printing unit 210 prints the identification number of the payment machine 30 that has acquired the price data, a barcode indicating the price data identification information, and the like on a piece of paper, and issues the paper piece (accounting ticket).

  Note that the speaker 209 may function as a notification unit. In that case, the speaker 209 outputs the audio | voice which shows the identification number of the price payment machine 30 which acquired price data among the identification numbers attached | subjected to each price payment machine 30, for example. In the merchandise registration machine 20, at least one of the customer display unit 206, the speaker 209, and the printing unit 210 can function as a notification unit.

[Payment machine 30]
Next, the price payment machine 30 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the payment machine 30 includes a CPU 301, a ROM 302, a RAM 303, a scanner 304, a display unit 305, an operation unit 307, a communication unit 308, a speaker 309, and a printing unit 310. , A settlement unit 311, a sign pole 312, a human sensor 313, a camera (imaging unit) 314, and a storage unit (first storage unit) 315. These are connected to each other by a bus 320. The appearance of the payment machine 30 is as shown in FIG.

  The CPU 301 controls the operation of the payment machine 30 by reading and executing a program stored in the ROM 302. The ROM 302 stores a program for controlling the operation of the payment machine 30. The RAM 303 stores the product master transmitted from the store controller 10 and information on the operation history as needed. The scanner 304 optically reads a barcode or the like printed on an accounting ticket output from the payment machine 30 or a barcode attached to a product or article.

  The display unit 305 displays an operation procedure and the like for the customer to pay for the price. The display unit 305 also functions as an operation unit by configuring a touch panel. Further, the payment machine 30 according to the present embodiment displays (reproduces) moving image data (imaging data) stored in the storage unit 315 and / or the storage unit (second storage unit) 510 of the storage 50.

  The operation unit 307 has various operation buttons (such as a correction key and a preset key) for operating the payment machine 30. The communication unit 308 communicates with other devices via the LAN 2. In the payment machine 30 of the present embodiment, the communication unit 308 transfers the moving image data stored in the storage unit 315 for a certain period to the storage unit 510 of the storage 50. The communication unit 308 also receives the moving image data for reproducing the moving image data stored in the store controller 10 on the display unit 305 of the payment machine 30.

  The speaker 309 outputs operation sound of the payment machine 30 and various sounds. When the customer pays for the price, the printing unit 310 prints a list of purchased products, the amount of each product, the total amount, the received amount, the fishing amount, and the like on the piece of paper (receipt). ).

  The settlement unit 311 has a bill insertion / discharge port 311a, a coin insertion port 311b, a coin discharge port 311c, a credit card insertion / discharge port 311d, an electronic money reader 311e, and a control unit (not shown) for controlling them. ing. The bill insertion / discharge port 311a, the coin insertion port 311b, and the coin discharge port 311c function as a cash settlement unit. The customer pays in cash through the cash settlement unit such as the bill insertion / discharge port 311a, pays in the credit card through the credit card reader, and pays in electronic money through the electronic money reader. At least one of the payments can be selected.

  The sign pole 312 lights or blinks a plurality of color indicator lights to notify that the customer can execute an operation for paying the price and that some abnormality has occurred. The human sensor 313 detects a customer or the like existing in a predetermined area in front of the payment machine 30.

  The camera 314 images a customer or the like existing in a predetermined area in front of the payment machine 30. That is, the camera 314 images a customer who performs payment processing in the payment machine 30. Data captured by the camera 314 is stored in the storage unit 315 as moving image data.

  The storage unit 315 stores moving image data captured by the camera 314 for a certain period. The predetermined period can be, for example, a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour) or a predetermined number of payment processes (for example, 20 times). The moving image data is stored in the storage unit 315 in a state in which the identification information is associated. An example of the identification information is a unique number using, for example, the recording start time of the moving image data as a key.

  In the payment machine 30 configured as described above, the CPU 301, the ROM 302, and the RAM 303 transfer the moving image data stored in the storage unit 315 for a certain period to the storage unit 510 in the storage 50, and are transferred when the transfer is completed. The moving image data is deleted from the storage unit 315 and functions as a control unit that determines whether or not to accept payment processing based on the free space in the storage area in the storage unit 315.

  When the free space of the storage area in the storage unit 315 is, for example, 20% or more of the total capacity, the control unit sends a permission signal notifying that the data generated in the product registration machine 20 can be collected. It transmits to the commodity registration machine 20. The merchandise registration machine 20 that has received the permission signal transmits the price data to the price payment machine 30 that has transmitted the permission signal. Thereby, the payment machine 30 is in a state in which payment processing can be executed.

  On the other hand, when the free capacity of the storage area in the storage unit 315 is less than 20% of the total capacity, for example, the control unit notifies that the data generated in the commodity registration machine 20 cannot be collected. A rejection signal is transmitted to the product registration device 20. The merchandise registration machine 20 that has received the rejection signal does not transmit the price data to the price payment machine 30 that has transmitted the rejection signal.

  Even if the payment machine 30 has once transmitted a rejection signal to the commodity registration machine 20, the moving image data is transferred to the storage unit 510 of the storage 50, and the free space of the storage area in the storage unit 315 is 20%, for example. When it becomes above, a control part enables taking over of the data produced | generated in the merchandise registration machine 20. FIG. In other words, when the free space of the storage area in the storage unit 315 is less than 20%, for example, the control unit does not make it possible to collect data generated in the product registration machine 20.

  Further, for example, when one hour has elapsed since the moving image data is stored in the storage unit 315, the control unit transfers the moving image data stored in the storage unit 315 to the storage unit 510 in the storage 50, and transfers the transfer when the transfer is completed. The recorded moving image data is deleted from the storage unit 315.

  In the price payment machine 30, when the price data is acquired by the CPU 301, payment processing becomes possible. When the customer who has entered the predetermined area in front of the payment machine 30 is detected by the human sensor 313, the display unit 305 starts displaying an operation procedure for the customer to pay the payment. At this time, sound output indicating the operation procedure is also started by the speaker 309. When the screen of the display unit 305 is touched by the customer, when any button of the operation unit 307 is pressed by the customer, and the customer who enters the predetermined area in front of the payment machine 30 is captured by the camera 314. At any time, display of the operation procedure may be started by the display unit 305, and output of sound indicating the operation procedure may be started by the speaker 309.

  In accordance with the display on the display unit 305 and the sound output from the speaker 309, the customer operates the price payment machine 30 via the operation unit 307 and the display unit 305 constituting the touch panel to pay the price. Specifically, when the customer causes the scanner 304 to read the barcode printed on the bill issued by the merchandise registration machine 20, a selection screen for selecting a settlement type is displayed on the display unit 305. The customer selects one of the payment types of cash, credit card, and electronic money on the display unit 305, or a plurality of payment types to be used together, and makes payment with the selected payment type in the payment unit 311. When payment is made by the customer, a receipt on which a list of purchased products is printed is issued by the printing unit 310.

[Storage 50]
Next, the storage 50 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 6, the storage 50 includes a CPU 501, a ROM 502, a RAM 503, a communication unit 508, and a storage unit 510. These are connected to each other by a bus 515.

  In the storage 50 according to the present embodiment, the communication unit 508 receives moving image data transmitted from the price payment machine 30. Further, the communication unit 508 transfers the moving image data when the moving image data stored in the storage unit 510 is reproduced on the display unit 305 of the payment machine 30.

[Example of payment machine determination procedure]
Next, an example of a payment machine determination procedure in the POS system 1 described above will be described with reference to FIG. First, when an operation for causing the scanner 204 to read a barcode attached to a product to be purchased by the customer is started, the product registration device 20 causes the store controller 10 to inquire about product information corresponding to the barcode read by the scanner 204. The product name corresponding to the barcode and the sales price are acquired. The merchandise registration process is completed by scanning the bar codes of all the merchandise that the store clerk intends to purchase (step S01).

  The merchandise registration machine 20 generates price data after the registration process is completed (step S02). The merchandise registration machine 20 transmits the price data to the store controller 10 for registration, and makes an inquiry to the price payment machine 30A as to whether or not the price payment processing is possible (step S03). When the price payment machine 30A receives the inquiry, the control unit including the CPU 301, the ROM 302, and the RAM 303 determines whether or not it can be accepted based on the free space of the storage area in the storage unit 315 (step S04). When rejecting acceptance based on the free space in the storage area, the control unit transmits a rejection signal to the commodity registration device 20 (step S05).

  Upon receiving the rejection signal from the price payment machine 30A, the merchandise registration machine 20 makes an inquiry to the other price payment machine 30B as to whether or not the price payment processing is possible (step S06). When the price payment machine 30B receives the inquiry, the control unit including the CPU 301, the ROM 302, and the RAM 303 determines whether or not it can be accepted based on the free space of the storage area in the storage unit 315 (step S07). When permitting acceptance based on the free space in the storage area, the control unit transmits a permission signal to the commodity registration device 20 (step S08).

  Upon receiving the permission signal from the price payment machine 30B, the merchandise registration machine 20 transmits the price data generated in step S02 to the price payment machine 30B that has transmitted the permission signal (step S09). The price payment machine 30B that has acquired the price data can perform price payment processing (step S10). As a result, when the customer pays the price via the settlement unit 311, the payment process is executed. Next, the price payment machine 30 issues a receipt and ends a series of payment processes.

[Function and effect]
In the POS system 1 of the above embodiment, the moving image data stored in the storage unit 315 is transferred to the storage unit 510 of the storage 50 and transferred before the capacity of the storage area of the storage unit 315 in the payment machine 30 is insufficient. The moving image data is deleted from the storage unit 315. Thereby, it is possible to avoid in advance that the storage area of the storage unit 315 is short of capacity. In the POS system 1 of the above embodiment, when the free space of the storage area in the storage unit 315 is less than a predetermined value, acceptance of payment processing is prohibited, and the free space of the storage area in the storage unit 315 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value. In some cases, acceptance of payment processing is permitted. As a result, it is possible to reduce the occurrence of an event that makes it impossible to shoot a moving image of a customer who performs payment processing. As a result, it is possible to reliably store moving image data obtained by capturing an image of a customer who performs payment processing in the payment machine 30.

  In the POS system 1 of the above embodiment, since the identification information is associated with the moving image data stored in the storage unit 315, the moving image data is separately transferred from the storage unit 315 to the storage unit 510 in the storage 50. Even if it exists, the relevant moving image data can be easily extracted. Thereby, for example, a series of moving image data can be continuously displayed (reproduced).

  In the POS system 1 of the above embodiment, the payment machine 30 can display (reproduce) the moving image data stored in the storage unit 510 in the storage unit 315 or the storage 50 on the display unit 305, so that the moving image data can be easily confirmed. be able to.

[Modification]
Although one embodiment has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention.

  In the above embodiment, the storage unit to which the moving image data is transferred from the storage unit 315 of the payment machine 30 has been described as an example of being stored in the storage unit 510 of the storage 50 on the network. It is not limited. For example, the moving image data may be transferred to the storage unit of the store controller 10 instead of providing the storage 50 on the network.

  Moreover, it is good also as a structure which provides the reserve memory | storage part different from the memory | storage part 315 in the price payment machine 30, and transfers moving image data to the said memory | storage part. Further, in this case, the moving image data stored in the storage unit 315 of one price payment machine 30A (30) may be transferred to the preliminary storage unit of another price payment machine 30B (30). With this configuration, it is possible to transfer the moving image data or reproduce the moving image data even when the one payment machine 30A breaks down.

  In the above-described embodiment or modification, an example is given in which when a predetermined time (for example, 1 hour) has elapsed since being stored in the storage unit 315 in the payment machine 30, the transfer is performed to a storage unit different from the storage unit 315. Although described, it is not limited to this. For example, the moving image data may be transferred to a storage unit different from the storage unit 315 based on the free capacity of the storage unit 315 (for example, when the free capacity falls below 20% of the total capacity).

  In the above-described embodiment or modification, the price data generated by the merchandise registration machine 20 is stored by the merchandise registration machine 20, but the price data may be stored by the store controller 10. In the above embodiment or modification, the merchandise registration machine 20 generates the price data. However, the store controller 10 price data may be generated based on the merchandise registration process executed by the merchandise registration machine 20. . In this case, the store controller 10 may inquire price payment processing to each price payment machine 30, and the store controller 10 may transmit the price data.

  In the above-described embodiment or modification, the price payment machine 30 receives an example in which price data is transmitted from the commodity registration machine 20 or the store controller 10 (when a signal that can be accepted in an inquiry for price payment processing is transmitted). However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, when the payment machine 30 determines that payment processing can be accepted based on the free space of the storage area in the storage unit 315 of the own machine, the price stored in the commodity registration machine 20 or the store controller 10 The configuration may be such that data is acquired by itself.

  In the above-described embodiment or modification, in the above-described embodiment or modification, moving image data has been described as an example of imaging data. However, the present invention is not limited to this, for example, still image data or audio data. Also good.

  Various embodiments and modifications described above may be combined in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... POS system, 10 ... Store controller, 20 ... Merchandise registration machine, 30, 30A, 30B ... Price payment machine, 50 ... Storage, 301 ... CPU (control part), 302 ... ROM (control part), 303 ... RAM ( Control unit), 305 ... display unit, 308 ... communication unit, 314 ... camera (imaging unit), 315 ... storage unit (first storage unit), 508 ... communication unit, 510 ... storage unit (second storage unit).

Claims (6)

A product registration machine that performs product registration processing;
A payment machine that performs payment processing based on the price data generated by the execution of the registration process,
The payment machine is
An imaging unit for imaging a customer who performs payment processing in the payment machine;
A first storage unit that stores imaging data captured by the imaging unit;
The imaging data stored in the first storage unit for a certain period is transferred to a second storage unit that is capable of storing the imaging data and is different from the first storage unit, and when the transfer is completed, the transferred imaging data And a control unit that determines whether or not to accept the payment process based on the free space of the storage area in the first storage unit. The product registration machine is operated by a store clerk,
The POS system according to claim 1, wherein the payment machine is operated by a customer. A plurality of the payment machines are provided,
The product registration machine, when generating the price data, inquires whether the payment process can be accepted for the price payment machine of one of the price payment machines,
The one price payment machine, upon receiving the inquiry from the commodity registration machine, decides whether or not to accept the payment process, and accepts the price data if the decision is possible, In some cases, we refuse to accept the price data,
The payment machine can accept the payment process for another payment machine different from the one payment machine when the payment data is rejected from the one payment machine. The POS system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an inquiry is made as to whether or not.   The POS system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit receives the payment process when the free space in the first storage unit is a predetermined value or more.   The POS system according to claim 1, wherein identification information is associated with the imaging data.   The POS system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the payment machine further includes a display unit that displays the imaging data stored in the first storage unit and / or the second storage unit.

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