JP2019071127A - Information processing device, information processing method and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a technique allowing a clerk or the like to understand a progress of settlement processing executed at a settlement device on the basis of an operation of a customer.SOLUTION: An information processing device 10 performs settlement processing using settlement information of a commodity registered by a commodity registration device. The information processing device 10 includes a display lamp control unit 110 that controls a lighting state of a display lamp device provided in its own device according to a progress of the settlement processing.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 20

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology that allows a store clerk or the like to know the progress of the settlement process performed by the settlement apparatus.

  At a cashier terminal in a store such as a supermarket, (1) a process of registering a product to be settled (such as reading a bar code) and (2) a process of settling a registered product (such as receiving a payment or returning a package) Two processes are performed.

  Then, there is an operation method of separating the function of such a cashier terminal into two devices and performing the processing of (1) and the processing of (2) in different devices. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses sales management in which a registration device used in the process of (1) and an accounting device used in the process of (2) are separately provided. The clerk uses the registration device to register the product. Then, when the registration of the product is completed, the registration device issues a registration receipt. The purchaser takes the registration receipt and moves it to the accounting device, and causes the accounting device to read the registration receipt. Then, since the accounting process can be performed based on the contents of the registration receipt, the purchaser operates the accounting device (for example, inputs a price) to perform accounting.

  In addition, in a system in which the function of the cashier terminal is provided separately in two devices, there are a plurality of accounting devices provided, and there is also an operation method in which a clerk specifies an accounting device operated by a customer . In this case, a registration receipt as described in Patent Document 1 below is not required. The specific flow of such an operation method is as follows. First, the clerk uses the registration device to register the product. Then, the clerk uses the registration device to specify the accounting device operated by the customer to perform the settlement process. In response to the operation of the store clerk, the registration device transmits information necessary for the settlement process to the designated accounting device. Then, the store clerk informs the customer of the accounting apparatus designated as the accounting apparatus operated by the customer via a verbal or customer display or the like. The customer goes to the designated accounting device and operates the accounting device to settle the goods registered by the registration device.

JP, 2013-186495, A

  In the operation method as described above, part of the settlement processing of the processing performed in the cashier terminal is left to the operation on the customer's accounting device (referred to as a settlement device in this specification). Therefore, it is difficult for the clerk to grasp the progress of the settlement process based on the operation of the customer.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a technology that allows a store clerk or the like to know the progress of the settlement process executed by the settlement apparatus based on the operation of the customer.

According to the invention
An information processing apparatus that performs a settlement process using settlement information of a product registered by the product registration apparatus, and according to the progress of the settlement process, the lighting state of the indicator light device provided for the own apparatus There is provided an information processing apparatus comprising indicator light control means for controlling.

According to the invention
The computer is
In accordance with the progress status of the settlement process based on the settlement information in the settlement apparatus performing the settlement process using the settlement information of the product registered in the commodity registration apparatus, the lighting state of the indicator light device provided for the own apparatus An information processing method is provided that includes controlling.

According to the invention
Computer,
In accordance with the progress status of the settlement process based on the settlement information in the settlement apparatus performing the settlement process using the settlement information of the product registered in the commodity registration apparatus, the lighting state of the indicator light device provided for the own apparatus A program is provided to function as indicator light control means for controlling.

  According to the present invention, a store clerk or the like can grasp the progress of the settlement process executed by the settlement apparatus based on the operation of the customer.

  The objects described above, and other objects, features and advantages will become more apparent from the preferred embodiments described below and the following drawings associated therewith.

It is a block diagram which shows notionally the processing composition of the information processing system in a 1st embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows notionally the processing composition of the information processor in a 1st embodiment. It is a figure for demonstrating an example of the flow in which a determination part determines the progress condition of the settlement information in a settlement apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the information which defines the correspondence of the progress of a settlement process, and the lighting condition of an indicator light apparatus. It is a figure which shows notionally the hardware constitutions of each apparatus contained in an information processing system. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of a process of an information processing system in case a server apparatus functions as an information processing apparatus. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of a process of an information processing system in case a server apparatus functions as an information processing apparatus. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of a process of an information processing system in case the settlement apparatus functions as an information processing apparatus. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of a process of an information processing system in case the settlement apparatus functions as an information processing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows notionally the processing composition of the information processor in a 2nd embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the information which the payment | settlement information storage part of a server apparatus memorize | stores. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of a process of an information processing system in case a server apparatus functions as an information processing apparatus. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of a process of an information processing system in case a server apparatus functions as an information processing apparatus. It is a figure which shows an example of the information which the settlement information storage part of each settlement apparatus memorize | stores. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of a process of an information processing system in case a server apparatus functions as an information processing apparatus. It is a sequence diagram which shows the flow of a process of an information processing system in case a server apparatus functions as an information processing apparatus. It is a block diagram which shows notionally the processing composition of the information processor in a 3rd embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the information which defines the correspondence of the progress of a checkout process and the lighting state of an indicator light apparatus, and the correspondence of the continuation time of a progress and a lighting state of a indicator. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the information processing apparatus of 3rd Embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows notionally the processing composition of the information processor in a 4th embodiment. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of the information processing apparatus in 4th Embodiment.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described using the drawings. In all the drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals, and the description will not be repeated.

  In each of the following embodiments, as in Patent Document 1, an operation method in which the settlement apparatus performs the settlement process using information obtained from a specific medium carried by the customer is referred to as "accounts ticket system". . In each of the following embodiments, an operation method in which the commodity registration apparatus or another apparatus itself or a settlement apparatus designated by the operator of the apparatus performs the settlement process is referred to as a “specified system”.

First Embodiment
[Processing configuration]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram conceptually showing the processing configuration of the information processing system 1 in the first embodiment. The information processing system 1 includes a server device 40, a commodity registration device 20, and a settlement device 30, which are communicably connected to each other via a network 50. Further, the settlement device 30 is provided with a display light device 310. However, the configuration of the information processing system 1 is not limited to the example of this figure. For example, the plurality of commodity registration devices 20 and the plurality of settlement devices 30 may be communicably connected to the server device 40.

  The information processing system 1 uses the item registration device 20 and the checkout device 30 to settle the items purchased by the customer. First, using the product registration device 20, a product to be settled is registered. Then, using the settlement apparatus 30, settlement (payment of a price, etc.) of the product registered as a settlement target is performed.

  The commodity registration device 20 is a terminal operated by a store clerk who is in charge of registering a commodity to be settled. The commodity registration apparatus 20 performs registration processing of the commodity to be settled according to the operation of the store clerk, and generates settlement information. The settlement information is information on the settlement processing of the product registered as the settlement target. The settlement information includes an ID (Identifier), an amount, a transaction number, and a total amount of each product registered as a target of the settlement process.

  In the designation method, the commodity registration apparatus 20 outputs the generated settlement information to the server device 40 together with the identification information of the settlement apparatus 30 which performs the settlement process. Further, the commodity registration apparatus 20 may output the identification information of the settlement apparatus 30 to the server apparatus 40 together with the identification information of the settlement information after the transmission of the settlement information. Further, the commodity registration device 20 may directly output the generated settlement information to the settlement device 30.

  In the accounting ticket system, the commodity registration apparatus 20 outputs the generated settlement information to the server device 40 together with identification information for identifying the settlement information. The commodity registration apparatus 20 prints out a one-dimensional code or a two-dimensional code or the like obtained by encoding identification information for identifying adjustment information on a paper medium. Further, the product registration device 20 may acquire identification information for identifying a customer, and may output adjustment information together with the identification information to the server device 40.

  The settlement apparatus 30 is a terminal operated by a customer. The settlement apparatus 30 performs a settlement process of a product registered as a settlement target by the product registration apparatus 20 using the settlement information. Hereinafter, the settlement process means a process performed by the settlement device 30 after the settlement information is transmitted to the settlement device 30 until the settlement of the product included in the settlement information is completed.

  In the case of the designation method, the settlement apparatus 30 acquires the settlement information transmitted from the information processing apparatus 10 or the commodity registration apparatus 20 in accordance with the designation operation in the commodity registration apparatus 20.

  In the case of the accounting ticket system, the settlement apparatus 30 acquires the identification information of the settlement information and the identification information of the customer from the portable medium possessed by the customer, and transmits a request for transmission of the settlement information to the information processing apparatus 10 including the acquired information. And the settlement information specified using the information included in the transmission request is acquired from the information processing apparatus 10. Further, when the medium contains the settlement information itself, the settlement apparatus 30 can directly acquire the settlement information from the medium.

  The indicator light device 310 is a device that visualizes and notifies the progress status of the settlement process and the like in the settlement device 30 by lighting in various lighting states.

  FIG. 2 is a block diagram conceptually showing the processing configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 in the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the information processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment includes a display light control unit 110, an acquisition unit 120, and a determination unit 130. In the information processing system 1 shown in FIG. 1, the settlement apparatus 30 or the server apparatus 40 functions as the information processing apparatus 10. When the settlement apparatus 30 functions as the information processing apparatus 10, the display light control unit 110, the acquisition unit 120, and the determination unit 130 are included in the settlement apparatus 30. In addition, when the server device 40 functions as the information processing device 10, the indicator light control unit 110, the acquisition unit 120, and the determination unit 130 are provided in the server device 40.

  The acquisition unit 120 acquires information (first information) indicating that the customer has performed a predetermined operation on the settlement apparatus 30, and information (second information) indicating that the settlement process in the settlement apparatus 30 is completed. Do.

  Here, the “predetermined operation” is an operation that can indicate that the customer has started settlement of goods using the settlement apparatus 30. As a specific example of the predetermined operation, for example, an operation on the display screen of the settlement apparatus 30 (for example, an operation on the screen for selecting the payment method of the payment, a button to start the settlement process displayed on the screen of the settlement apparatus 30) An operation, an operation of touching the screen of the settlement apparatus 30, and the like may be mentioned. Further, in the case of the check voucher system, the “predetermined operation” may be an operation that causes the settlement apparatus 30 to read the portable medium that the customer has. However, the predetermined operation is not limited to those exemplified here.

  For example, when the settlement apparatus 30 functions as the information processing apparatus 10, the acquisition unit 120 of the settlement apparatus 30 can detect and acquire the first information by itself. When the server device 40 functions as the information processing device 10, after the first information is detected by the settlement device 30, a notification indicating that the first information is detected is transmitted from the settlement device 30 to the server device 40. The acquisition unit 120 of the server device 40 can acquire the first information by receiving the notification.

  Further, “settlement processing is completed” means that the customer has finished the operation of putting the price of the item to be settled into the settlement apparatus 30, and the item to be settled has been settled. For example, whether the settlement apparatus 30 has detected the execution of an event such as completion of payment for the item to be settled, pressing of the button for completing the settlement, or output or collection of change or receipt, as to whether the settlement process is completed. It can be judged by whether it is not.

  Therefore, when the settlement apparatus 30 functions as the information processing apparatus 10, the second information is detected and acquired by the acquisition unit 120 of the settlement apparatus 30. When the server device 40 functions as the information processing device 10, after the second information is detected by the settlement device 30, a notification indicating that the second information is detected is transmitted from the settlement device 30 to the server device 40. The second information can be acquired by being received by the acquisition unit 120 of the server device 40.

  The determination unit 130 determines the progress of the settlement process of the settlement apparatus 30 based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit 120. Although the details will be described later with reference to FIG. 3, “determining the progress of the settlement process of the settlement apparatus” means, for example, that the determination unit 130 is assigned by progress as uniquely indicating each progress. It means that the data value is associated with the settlement apparatus 30. The “progress status” here is to receive the settlement information from the state in which the settlement apparatus 30 does not have the settlement information to be processed (that is, to wait until the settlement information is received) and use the settlement information. The progress degree of the process of the settlement apparatus 30 until the completion of the settlement process is shown. Specifically, the progress status includes at least a state where there is no customer who operates the settlement apparatus 30 and that the settlement apparatus 30 can be used, and a state in which the customer operates the settlement apparatus 30. However, the progress is not limited to this. For example, the progress status may include a state where the customer plans to use the settlement apparatus to settle the goods, as described later.

  When the first information is acquired by the acquisition unit 120, the determination unit 130 determines the progress of the settlement process in the settlement apparatus 30 to a state (in-operation state) indicating that the customer is operating the settlement apparatus 30. Do. Here, the “in-operation state” means a state in which the settlement apparatus 30 detects an operation by the customer indicating the start of the settlement process until a customer operation indicating the completion of the settlement process is detected. That is, the "in-operation state" does not only mean that the settlement apparatus 30 is actually being operated by the customer. In addition, when the acquisition unit 120 acquires the second information, the determination unit 130 indicates a state of progress of the settlement process in the settlement apparatus 30 indicating that the settlement process is not performed by the settlement apparatus 30 (empty state Decide on). In other words, the "vacant state" is a state in which the settlement apparatus 30 does not have the settlement information to be processed, and waits or monitors the transmission of the settlement information from the commodity registration apparatus 20 or the server apparatus 40. It can also be said that

  In addition, the acquisition unit 120 further acquires information (third information) indicating that the settlement information has been transmitted to the settlement apparatus 30 or that the settlement information has been received by the settlement apparatus 30, and the determination unit 130 acquires When the third information is acquired by the unit 120, the progress status of the settlement process in the settlement apparatus 30 may be determined as the “sent state”. Here, the “sent state” is a state in which the settlement information is transmitted from the product registration device 20 or the server device 40 to the settlement device 30, and a predetermined operation by the customer is not performed by the settlement device 30 ( That is, the first information is not detected. The information corresponding to the “sent state” is acquired by the acquisition unit 120, and the determination unit 130 accordingly determines the progress of the settlement process in the settlement apparatus 30 to the “sent state”, thereby controlling the indicator light described later. The unit 110 can issue a control instruction to turn on the indicator light device 310 according to the “sent state”. As a result, the store clerk can further understand from the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 that the customer intends to use the settlement device 30 to settle the goods.

  Specifically, when the settlement apparatus 30 functions as the information processing apparatus 10, the acquisition unit 120 of the settlement apparatus 30 detects that the settlement information has been received from the product registration apparatus 20 or the server apparatus 40. When the determination unit 130 of the settlement apparatus 30 detects that the settlement apparatus 30 receives the settlement information, the determination unit 130 determines that the progress status of itself is in the “sent state”. When the server device 40 functions as the information processing device 10, the acquisition unit 120 of the server device 40 detects that the adjustment information has been transmitted to the adjustment device 30. When the determination unit 130 of the server device 40 detects that the adjustment information has been transmitted to the adjustment device 30, the determination unit 130 determines the progress status of the adjustment device 30 as the “sent state”.

  An example of the flow in which the determination unit 130 determines the progress status of the settlement information in the settlement apparatus 30 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining an example of the flow in which the determination unit 130 determines the progress status of the settlement information in the settlement apparatus 30. Information as shown in FIG. 3 is held, for example, in a storage unit (not shown) of the information processing apparatus 10. The table in FIG. 3A is a table that defines the progress status corresponding to each piece of information acquired by the acquisition unit 120. In the example of FIG. 3A, data indicating the "operating state", data indicating the "vacant state", and data indicating the "sent state" for the first information, the second information, and the third information Are associated with each other. Further, the table of FIG. 3B is a table that holds the progress status of the settlement process in each of the settlement apparatuses 30.

  As a specific example, when the acquisition unit 120 detects that the settlement information has been transmitted to a certain settlement apparatus 30 (third information), the determination unit 130 refers to the table of FIG. The data indicating the progress status associated with the settlement apparatus 30 is determined as the data in the “sent state”. Then, the determination unit 130 updates the progress status of the record corresponding to the settlement apparatus 30 of the transmission destination of the settlement information in the table of FIG. 3B using the data of the “transmitted state” that has been determined. Similarly, when the first information and the second information are acquired, data indicating the progress is determined with reference to the table of FIG. 3A, and the information stored in the table of FIG. It will be updated.

  In response to the progress of the settlement process based on the settlement information in the settlement apparatus 30 that performs the settlement process using the settlement information of the product registered by the commodity registration device 20, the indicator light control unit 110 instructs the settlement device 30 to perform the settlement process. The lighting state of the provided indicator light device 310 is controlled. Although the details will be described later with reference to FIG. 4, the information processing apparatus 10 holds the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 corresponding to each progress situation in a storage unit (not shown), and the indicator light control unit 110 determines With reference to the storage unit using the progress status determined by the unit 130, the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 is specified. Then, the indicator light control unit 110 transmits, to the indicator light device 310, an instruction to turn on the indicator light device 310 in the specified lighting state. For example, when the server device 40 functions as the information processing device 10, the indicator light control unit 110 transmits an instruction to the settlement device 30. In addition, when the server device 40 and the indicator light device 310 can directly communicate with each other via the network 50, the indicator light control unit 110 can also directly transmit the control instruction of the lighting state to the indicator light device 310. In addition, when the settlement apparatus 30 functions as the information processing apparatus 10, the indicator light control unit 110 transmits a control instruction of the lighting state to the indicator light device 310 connected by USB (Universal Serial Bus) connection or the like, for example. Do.

  The flow in which the indicator light control unit 110 controls the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 will be described using FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of information defining the correspondence between the progress of the settlement process and the lighting state of the indicator light device 310. As shown in FIG. However, the information defining the correspondence between the progress of the settlement process and the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 is not limited to the example of FIG. In the lighting state of FIG. 4, an instruction for controlling the lighting state may be stored, or information for specifying the instruction for controlling the lighting state may be stored.

  The indicator light control unit 110 specifies the control instruction of the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 provided for the settlement apparatus 30 using, for example, the information shown in FIG. 4. Specifically, when the determination unit 130 determines that the progress status of the settlement information in a certain settlement apparatus 30 is “the transmitted state”, the indicator light control unit 110 transmits the indication light device 310 of the settlement apparatus 30. Specify a control instruction to turn on (green / blink) the control instruction to be performed. Then, the indicator light control unit 110 transmits a control instruction to set the lighting state to "lighting (green / blinking)" to the settlement apparatus 30. The settlement apparatus 30 lights the indicator light device 310 in the lighting state of "lighting (green / flashing)" in accordance with the received control instruction.

[Hardware configuration]
FIG. 5 is a diagram conceptually showing the hardware configuration of the information processing apparatus 10. As shown in FIG.

  The information processing apparatus 10 included in the information processing system 1 includes a CPU 101, a memory 102, a storage 103, an input / output interface (I / F) 104, a communication module 105, and the like, as shown in FIG. The CPU 101, the memory 102, the storage 103, the input / output I / F 104, and the communication module 105 are connected by a data transmission path for transmitting and receiving data to and from each other.

  The memory 102 is, for example, a memory such as a random access memory (RAM) or a read only memory (ROM). The storage 103 is, for example, a storage device such as a hard disk, a solid state drive (SSD), or a memory card. The storage 103 stores a program module for realizing the function of each processing unit (the indicator light control unit 110, the acquisition unit 120, the determination unit 130) of the information processing apparatus 10 or the function of each apparatus. The CPU 101 implements the functions of each processing unit by executing each of these program modules. For example, when the server device 40 functions as the information processing device 10, the CPU 101 of the server device 40 executes each program module of the indicator light control unit 110, the acquisition unit 120, and the determination unit 130 to display the indicator light control unit. The acquisition unit 120 and the determination unit 130 are realized. When the product registration device 20 functions as the information processing device 10, the CPU 101 of the product registration device 20 controls the display light by executing each program module of the display light control unit 110, the acquisition unit 120, and the determination unit 130. The unit 110, the acquisition unit 120, and the determination unit 130 are realized respectively. When the CPU 101 executes the above modules, the modules may be read out on the memory 102 and then executed or may be executed without being read out on the memory 102.

  The input / output I / F 104 is connected to a display device or an input device (not shown). The display device is a device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD) or a cathode ray tube (CRT) display that displays a screen corresponding to drawing data processed by the CPU 101, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (not shown) or the like. It is. The input device is a device that receives an input by a user operation, and is realized as, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touch sensor, and the like. The display device and the input device may be integrated and realized as a touch panel.

  The communication module 105 is used to transmit and receive data to and from an external device or the like. The server device 40, the commodity registration device 20, and the settlement device 30 are each connected to another device via the communication module 105. Note that there are various methods for connecting the information processing apparatus 10 to an external apparatus via the communication module 105. For example, this connection is a bus connection via a bus line (for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) line) or a network connection via a network line. The network line may be a wireless line or a wired line.

  Further, to the input / output I / F 104 of the commodity registration device 20, various devices (such as a reader such as a bar code reader) necessary for registration processing of the commodity to be settled are connected. Further, to the input / output I / F 104 of the settlement device 30, various devices (such as a money insertion device and a change dispensing device) necessary for the settlement processing are connected. Further, the indicator light device 310 is connected to the input / output I / F 104 of the settlement device 30. The indicator light device 310 has a light emitting unit capable of expressing a plurality of colors such as a plurality of LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes) emitting light in a predetermined color and a full color LED, and the light emitting unit is turned on according to the control signal. It lights up in a state (for example, a desired color, a desired blinking state (flashing / non-flashing), etc.). The indicator light device 310 may be a device that has a light emitting unit of a single color and can switch the lighting state of the light emitting unit. The indicator light device 310 may be provided in the vicinity of the settlement device 30 without being connected to the settlement device 30. In this case, the indicator light device 310 is communicably connected to another device such as the server device 40 or the settlement device 30 via the network 50.

  The hardware configuration of the server device 40, the commodity registration device 20, and the settlement device 30 included in the information processing system 1 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG.

[Operation example]
The flow of processing of the information processing system 1 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 9. 6 and 7 are sequence diagrams showing the flow of processing of the information processing system 1 when the server device 40 functions as the information processing device 10. FIG. 8 and 9 are sequence diagrams showing the flow of processing of the information processing system 1 when the settlement apparatus 30 functions as the information processing apparatus 10. FIG.

Processing when Server Device 40 Functions as Information Processing Device 10
The flow of processing of the information processing system 1 when the server device 40 functions as the information processing device 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

  First, the operator (the clerk in charge of cash register) of the commodity registration apparatus 20 registers the commodity to be settled out using the commodity registration apparatus 20 (S101). Here, the product registration device 20 generates information (settlement information) used for the settlement process of the product registered as the settlement target according to the process of registering the settlement target product. The generated adjustment information is transmitted to the server device 40 (S102).

  The server device 40 transmits the settlement information to the settlement device 30 (S103). Specifically, in the designation method, the server device 40 receives the settlement information and the information indicating the settlement device 30 designated as the transmission destination of the settlement information from the commodity registration device 20 in S102, and indicates the transmission destination. The settlement information is transmitted to the settlement apparatus 30 specified by the information. Further, in the accounting ticket system, after receiving the settlement information in S102, the server device 40 stands by until the transmission request for the settlement information from the settlement device 30 is received. Then, the settlement apparatus 30 reads the information specifying the settlement information from the specific portable medium carried by the customer, and transmits a transmission request for the adjustment information to the server apparatus 40. Then, the server device 40 receives the transmission request of the adjustment information from the adjustment device 30, and transmits the adjustment information corresponding to the transmission request to the adjustment device 30.

  In response to the transmission of the settlement information in S103, the acquisition unit 120 of the server device 40 detects that the settlement information has been transmitted to the settlement device 30 (third information) (S104). Along with this detection, the determination unit 130 of the server device 40 determines the progress status of the settlement process in the settlement apparatus 30 of the transmission destination of the settlement information as the “sent state” (S105). At this time, the determination unit 130 of the server device 40 associates and holds the determined progress status together with the settlement apparatus 30 as the transmission destination of the settlement information. Specifically, the determination unit 130 of the server device 40 uniquely identifies the progress status of “the transmitted state” and the settlement device 30 of the transmission destination of the settlement information (for example, identification unique to each settlement device 30) It holds information (device identification information) such as ID together.

  Then, the indicator light control unit 110 of the server device 40 turns on the indicator light device corresponding to the progress status “sent status” from the storage unit that stores the lighting status of the indicator light device 310 corresponding to each progress status. The state is identified (S106). Then, the indicator light control unit 110 of the server device 40 lights the indicator light device 310 in the specified lighting state (the lighting state indicating the “sent state”) with respect to the settlement apparatus 30 associated with the progress state. An instruction to make it be sent is sent (S107). The settlement apparatus 30 controls the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 based on the instruction received in S107 (S108). As a result, the indicator light device 310 lights up in a lighting state indicating that the settlement apparatus 30 corresponding to the indicator light device 310 is in the “sent state”.

  After receiving the settlement information transmitted in S103, the settlement apparatus 30 performs a settlement process using the settlement information according to the operation of the customer. Here, the settlement apparatus 30 monitors whether a predetermined operation (first information) by the customer has been detected. For example, the settlement apparatus 30 monitors whether an operation such as an operation of pressing a button for determining a payment method or an operation of a customer touching a standby screen displayed when the settlement apparatus 30 is idle is detected. When the settlement apparatus 30 detects a predetermined operation (S109), it generates information indicating that the customer is operating, and notifies the server apparatus 40 together with information (device identification information) uniquely identifying itself (S110). . The acquisition unit 120 of the server device 40 determines the progress status of the settlement process in the settlement device 30 indicated by the device identification information transmitted together with the detection notification in response to the reception of the detection notification in S110 (the in-operation state) S111).

  Then, the indicator light control unit 110 of the server device 40 turns on the indicator light device corresponding to the progress status “in operation” from the storage unit that stores the light status of the indicator light device 310 corresponding to each progress status. The state is identified (S112). Then, the indicator light control unit 110 of the server device 40 turns on the indicator light device 310 in the specified lighting state (the lighting state indicating the “operating state”) for the settlement apparatus 30 associated with the progress state. An instruction to the effect is sent (S113). The settlement apparatus 30 controls the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 based on the instruction received in S113 (S114). Thereby, the indicator light device 310 lights up in a lighting state indicating that the settlement apparatus 30 corresponding to the indicator light device 310 is in the “operation in progress” state.

  The settlement apparatus 30 monitors whether or not the completion (second information) of the settlement process is detected. The settlement apparatus 30 monitors, for example, whether or not an event such as completion of payment for the item to be settled, pressing of a button for completing the settlement, output or collection of change or receipt is executed, and these events are detected. If so, it is determined that the settlement process has been completed. When the settlement apparatus 30 detects an event indicating the completion of the settlement process (S115), it generates information indicating that the settlement process has been completed, and notifies the server apparatus 40 together with information uniquely identifying itself (apparatus identification information) (S116). In response to the reception of the detection notification in S116, the acquisition unit 120 of the server device 40 determines the progress status of the settlement process in the settlement apparatus 30 indicated by the device identification information transmitted together with the detection notification to be "vacant state" (S117) ).

  Then, from the storage unit that stores the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 corresponding to each progress status, the indicator light control unit 110 of the server device 40 turns on the lighting state of the indicator light device corresponding to the progress status of "vacant state". Are identified (S118). Then, the indicator light control unit 110 of the server device 40 causes the indicator light device 310 to illuminate in the identified lighting state (the lighting state indicating “vacant state”) with respect to the settlement apparatus 30 associated with the progress state. An instruction to the effect is transmitted (S119). The settlement apparatus 30 controls the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 based on the instruction received in S119 (S120). Thereby, the indicator light device 310 lights up in a lighting state indicating that the settlement apparatus 30 corresponding to the indicator light device 310 is in the "vacant state".

<Process in the case where the settlement apparatus 30 functions as the information processing apparatus 10>
The flow of processing of the information processing system 1 when the settlement apparatus 30 functions as the information processing apparatus 10 will be described using FIGS. 8 and 9.

  The processing (processing of S201 and S202) in the commodity registration device 20 is similar to the processing of S101 and S102 of FIG. Further, the process of transmitting the settlement information (the process of S203) is also the same as S103 of FIG.

  In response to the receipt of the settlement information transmitted in S103, the acquisition unit 120 of the settlement apparatus 30 detects information (third information) indicating that the settlement information has been received (S204). Along with this detection, the determination unit 130 of the settlement apparatus 30 determines the progress status of the settlement process in the own apparatus as the “sent state” (S205).

  Then, from the storage unit that stores the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 corresponding to each progress status, the indicator light control unit 110 of the settlement apparatus 30 lights the indicator light device corresponding to the progress status “sent status”. The state is identified (S206). Then, the indicator light control unit 110 of the settlement apparatus 30 controls the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 based on the specified lighting state (the lighting state indicating the “sent state”) (S207). As a result, the indicator light device 310 lights up in a lighting state indicating that the settlement apparatus 30 corresponding to the indicator light device 310 is in the “sent state”.

  Further, after receiving the settlement information transmitted in S103, the settlement apparatus 30 performs a settlement process using the settlement information according to the operation of the customer. Here, the acquisition unit 120 of the settlement apparatus 30 monitors whether a predetermined operation (first information) by a customer has been detected. For example, the acquisition unit 120 of the settlement apparatus 30 monitors whether or not an operation such as an operation of pressing a button for determining a payment method or an operation of a customer touching a standby screen displayed in an idle state is detected. . When the determination unit 130 of the settlement apparatus 30 detects a predetermined operation (S208), the determination unit 130 determines the progress status of the settlement process in the own apparatus as the "in operation state" (S209).

  Then, the indicator light control unit 110 of the settlement apparatus 30 turns on the indicator light device corresponding to the progress status “in operation” from the storage unit that stores the lighting status of the indicator light device 310 corresponding to each progress status. The state is identified (S210). Then, the indicator light control unit 110 of the settlement apparatus 30 controls the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 based on the specified lighting state (lighting state indicating “operation in progress”) (S211). Thereby, the indicator light device 310 lights up in a lighting state indicating that the settlement apparatus 30 corresponding to the indicator light device 310 is in the “operation in progress” state.

  The acquisition unit 120 of the settlement apparatus 30 monitors whether the completion (second information) of the settlement process has been detected. The acquisition unit 120 of the settlement apparatus 30 monitors, for example, whether or not an event such as completion of payment for a product to be settled, depression of a button for completing settlement, payout of change, issuance of a receipt has been executed. If an event is detected, it is determined that the settlement process has been completed. When the acquisition unit 120 of the settlement apparatus 30 detects an event indicating the completion of the settlement process (S212), the acquisition section 120 determines the progress status of the settlement process in the own apparatus as the "vacant state" (S213).

  Then, from the storage unit that stores the lighting state of the display light device 310 corresponding to each progress status, the display light control unit 110 of the settlement apparatus 30 lights the light status of the display light device corresponding to the progress status of "vacant state". Are identified (S214). Then, the indicator light control unit 110 of the settlement apparatus 30 controls the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 based on the specified lighting state (lighting state indicating "vacant state") (S215). Thereby, the indicator light device 310 lights up in a lighting state indicating that the settlement apparatus 30 corresponding to the indicator light device 310 is in the "vacant state".

[Operation and Effect of First Embodiment]
As described above, according to the present embodiment, the progress status of the settlement process in the settlement apparatus 30 is determined by the information processing apparatus 10 (the settlement apparatus 30 or the server apparatus 40). Then, the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 provided for the settlement apparatus 30 is lighted in the lighting state corresponding to the determined progress status. Thereby, according to the present embodiment, even if the store clerk does not go to check the situation to the vicinity of the settlement apparatus 30, the progress of the settlement process in each settlement apparatus 30 is grasped by the lighting state of the indicator light device 310. can do.

Second Embodiment
In the case of the designation method, when new settlement information is transmitted from the commodity registration device 20 to the settlement device 30, there is a possibility that the “empty” settlement device 30 does not exist. For example, when all the settlement devices 30 installed in the store are operated by the customer, there is no "vacant" settlement device 30 at that time.

  Even in such a situation, the commodity registration device 20 transmits the settlement information to any one of the settlement devices 30 in order to smoothly register the next customer's settlement target products, and the current customer Preferably, it is configured to be able to complete the process for In such a case, the transmitted adjustment information is stored in a queue or the like of the destination adjustment apparatus 30 as adjustment information to be processed next. At this time, it can be said that the progress status of the settlement process in the settlement apparatus 30 of the transmission destination is a state in which the settlement information to be processed next has been transmitted.

  Therefore, when the second information is acquired, the determination unit 130 of the present embodiment further determines whether the settlement apparatus 30 has the settlement information to be processed next. If it is determined that the settlement apparatus 30 has the settlement information to be processed next, the determination unit 130 determines the progress of the settlement process in the settlement apparatus 30 as the “sent state”. On the other hand, when it is determined that the settlement apparatus 30 does not have the settlement information to be processed next, the determination unit 130 determines the progress status of the settlement process in the settlement apparatus 30 as “vacant state”. The determination unit 130 of the present embodiment is realized by the CPU 101 executing a program module for realizing the function of the determination unit 130 stored in the storage 103, as in the first embodiment.

[Processing configuration]
FIG. 10 is a block diagram conceptually showing the processing configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 in the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the information processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment further includes a management unit 140 and a settlement information storage unit 142.

  The settlement information storage unit 142 stores, for each settlement information transmitted to the settlement apparatus 30, whether or not the settlement processing using the settlement information is completed. The management unit 140 updates the settlement information storage unit 142 in response to the transmission of the settlement information to the settlement apparatus 30 and the end of the settlement process in the settlement apparatus 30.

<When the Server Device 40 Functions as the Information Processing Device 10>
When the server device 40 functions as the information processing device 10, the settlement information storage unit 142 of the server device 40 holds information as shown in FIG. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of information stored in the adjustment information storage unit 142 of the server device 40. In the example of FIG. 11, the settlement information storage unit 142 of the server device 40 has a settlement information ID uniquely identifying each settlement information, a settlement apparatus ID indicating a transmission destination of the settlement information, and a settlement process using the settlement information. Statuses indicating "completed" or "not completed" are stored in association with one another. However, the information stored in the settlement information storage unit 142 is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 11, the settlement apparatus 30 having "settlement apparatus ID: A" has two pieces of settlement information whose status is "not completed". That is, the settlement apparatus 30, which is "settlement apparatus ID: A", is in a state in which the settlement information to be processed is included in addition to the settlement information currently processed. Therefore, when the settlement process using the first settlement information is completed by the settlement apparatus 30 having “settlement apparatus ID: A”, the determination unit 130 of the server apparatus 40 transmits “progress status of the settlement apparatus 30”. Decided on On the other hand, although the settlement apparatus 30 having "settlement apparatus ID: B" has two settlement information, the status of one of them is "completed" and the status of the other is "not complete". It is. That is, the settlement apparatus 30, which is "settlement apparatus ID: B", is in a state where it has no settlement information to be processed in addition to the settlement information currently processed. Therefore, when the settlement process using the first settlement information is completed by the settlement apparatus 30 having "settlement apparatus ID: B", the determination unit 130 of the server apparatus 40 sets the progress of the settlement apparatus 30 to "empty" Determined as "state".

  The information stored in the settlement information storage unit 142 of the server device 40 is updated, for example, as follows by the management unit 140 of the server device 40. First, when the acquisition unit 120 of the server device 40 detects the transmission of the settlement information (third information), the management unit 140 of the server device 40 calculates the settlement information ID of the settlement information and the settlement destination of the settlement information. The information having the settlement device ID of the device 30 and the status of “not completed” is generated and stored in the settlement information storage unit 142 of the server device 40. Next, when the notification indicating that the completion (second information) of the settlement process using the settlement information is detected is acquired by the acquisition unit 120 of the server apparatus 40 from the settlement apparatus 30 of the server device 40, the server device 40 is obtained. The management unit 140 updates the status of the settlement information to "Done".

  An operation example of the information processing system 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 and 13. 12 and 13 are sequence diagrams showing the flow of processing of the information processing system 1 when the server device 40 functions as the information processing device 10. In the following description, it is assumed that the server device 40 is connected to two settlement devices 30 (the settlement devices 30A and 30B).

  First, it is assumed that the first registration information to be transmitted to the settlement apparatus 30A is generated in the commodity registration apparatus 20 and transmitted to the server apparatus 40 (S301). Then, the server device 40 transmits the first settlement information received from the commodity registration device 20 to the settlement device 30A (S302). At this time, the acquisition unit 120 of the server device 40 detects transmission (third information) of the adjustment information to the adjustment device 30A. In response to this, the management unit 140 of the server device 40 causes the payment information storage unit 142 to receive the payment information ID indicating the first payment information, the payment device ID indicating the payment device 30A, and the status “incomplete” information. It memorizes (S303). In addition, the determination unit 130 of the server device 40 determines the progress status of the settlement apparatus 30A as the “sent state”, and lights the indicator light device 310 in the lighting state indicating the “sent state” with respect to the settlement device 30B. Send instructions to

  Next, it is assumed that the second settlement information to be transmitted to the settlement device 30B is generated in the commodity registration device 20 and transmitted to the server device 40 (S304). Then, the server device 40 transmits the second settlement information received from the commodity registration device 20 to the settlement device 30B (S305). At this time, the acquisition unit 120 of the server device 40 detects transmission (third information) of the settlement information to the settlement device 30B. In response to this, the management unit 140 of the server device 40 causes the payment information storage unit 142 to receive the payment information ID indicating the second payment information, the payment device ID indicating the payment device 30B, and the status “incomplete” information. It memorizes (S306). Further, the determination unit 130 of the server device 40 determines the progress status of the settlement apparatus 30B to the “sent state”, and lights the indicator light device 310 in the lighting state indicating the “sent state” to the settlement device 30B. Send instructions to

  Furthermore, before the settlement apparatus 30A completes the settlement process using the first settlement information, it is assumed that the third registration information to be transmitted to the settlement apparatus 30A is generated in the commodity registration apparatus 20 and transmitted to the server apparatus 40. (S307). Then, the server device 40 transmits the third settlement information received from the commodity registration device 20 to the settlement device 30A (S308). At this time, the acquisition unit 120 of the server device 40 detects transmission (third information) of the adjustment information to the adjustment device 30A. In response to this, the management unit 140 of the server device 40 causes the payment information storage unit 142 to receive the payment information ID indicating the third payment information, the payment device ID indicating the payment device 30A, and the status “incomplete” information. It memorizes (S309). In this case, the settlement information storage unit 142 is in a state where two pieces of settlement information whose status is “incomplete” are registered. Further, in this case, since the settlement process using the first settlement information is being executed by the settlement apparatus 30A, transmission of the third settlement information affects the progress of the settlement apparatus 30A in the determination unit 130 of the server device 40. It does not update the progress of the settlement apparatus 30A.

  Then, when the completion (second information) of the settlement process using the first settlement information is detected by the settlement apparatus 30A, the settlement apparatus 30A, together with its own settlement apparatus ID and the settlement information ID of the first settlement information , And transmits a detection notification of the second information to the server device 40 (S310). When the acquisition unit 120 of the server device 40 receives this detection notification, the management unit 140 of the server device 40 uses the settlement information ID acquired in S310 to execute the first settlement of accounts stored in the settlement information storage unit 142. The information is specified, and the status is updated from "incomplete" to "completed" (S311). Then, the determination unit 130 of the server device 40 refers to the adjustment information storage unit 142 using the adjustment device ID acquired in S310, and confirms whether the adjustment device 30A has the next adjustment information to be processed. And determine the progress of the settlement apparatus 30A. Here, since the settlement apparatus 30A has the third settlement information as the next settlement information to be processed, the determination unit 130 of the server device 40 has sent the progress status of the settlement apparatus 30A to the “sent state”. (S312). Then, the indicator light control unit 110 of the server device 40 transmits an instruction to light the indicator light device 310 in the lighting state indicating the “sent state” to the settlement device 30A (S313). Based on the instruction received in S313, the settlement apparatus 30 causes the indicator light device 310 to light up in the lighting state indicating the "transmission completed state" (S314).

  Further, when the completion (second information) of the settlement process using the second settlement information is detected by the settlement apparatus 30B, the settlement apparatus 30B, together with its own settlement apparatus ID and the settlement information ID of the second settlement information , And sends a detection notification of the second information to the server device 40 (S315). When the acquisition unit 120 of the server device 40 receives this detection notification, the management unit 140 of the server device 40 uses the settlement information ID acquired in S315 to perform the second settlement of accounts stored in the settlement information storage unit 142. The information is specified, and the status is updated from "incomplete" to "completed" (S316). Then, the determination unit 130 of the server device 40 refers to the adjustment information storage unit 142 using the adjustment device ID acquired in S315, and confirms whether the adjustment device 30B has the next adjustment information to be processed. And determine the progress of the settlement apparatus 30B. Here, since the settlement apparatus 30A does not have the settlement information to be processed next, the determination unit 130 of the server apparatus 40 determines the progress status of the settlement apparatus 30B as the "vacant state" (S317). Then, the indicator light control unit 110 of the server device 40 transmits an instruction to light the indicator light device 310 in the lighting state indicating "vacant state" to the settlement device 30B (S318). The settlement apparatus 30 lights the indicator light device 310 in the lighting state indicating "vacant state" based on the instruction received in S318 (S319).

<When the settlement apparatus 30 functions as the information processing apparatus 10>
When the settlement apparatus 30 functions as the information processing apparatus 10, the settlement information storage unit 142 of each settlement apparatus 30 holds, for example, information as shown in FIG. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the settlement information storage unit 142 of each settlement device 30. As shown in FIG. In the example of FIG. 14, the settlement information storage unit 142 of each settlement apparatus 30 displays a status (“completion” indicating whether or not the settlement process using the settlement information ID uniquely identifying each settlement information and the settlement information is completed. And “incomplete” are stored in association with each other. However, the information stored in the settlement information storage unit 142 is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 14, the settlement apparatus 30 (hereinafter referred to as the settlement apparatus 30A) having "settlement apparatus ID: A" has two pieces of settlement information whose status is "not completed". That is, the settlement apparatus 30A is in a state in which the settlement information to be processed is included in addition to the settlement information currently processed. Therefore, when the settlement process using the first settlement information is completed in the settlement apparatus 30A, the determination unit 130 of the settlement apparatus 30A determines the progress status of itself as "sent". On the other hand, although the settlement apparatus 30 (hereinafter referred to as the settlement apparatus 30B) having “settlement apparatus ID: B” has two pieces of settlement information, one of them has “completed” status. One status is "incomplete". That is, the settlement apparatus 30B does not have the settlement information to be processed other than the settlement information currently processed. Therefore, when the settlement process using the first settlement information is completed in the settlement apparatus 30B, the determination unit 130 of the settlement apparatus 30B determines the progress status of itself as the "vacant state".

  The information stored in the settlement information storage unit 142 of each settlement apparatus 30 is updated, for example, as follows by the management unit 140 of each settlement apparatus 30. First, when the acquisition unit 120 of the server device 40 detects receipt of the adjustment information (third information), the management unit 140 of the adjustment device 30 has the adjustment information ID of the adjustment information and the status of “not completed”. Information is generated and stored in its own settlement information storage unit 142. Next, when the completion (second information) of the settlement process using the adjustment information is detected by the acquisition unit 120 of the server device 40, the management unit 140 of the server device 40 “completes” the status of the adjustment information. Update to

  Another operation example of the information processing system 1 in the present embodiment will be described using FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15 and FIG. 16 are sequence diagrams showing a flow of processing of the information processing system 1 when the server device 40 functions as the information processing device 10. In the following description, it is assumed that the server device 40 is connected to two settlement devices 30 (the settlement devices 30A and 30B).

  First, it is assumed that the first settlement information to be transmitted to the settlement apparatus 30A is generated in the commodity registration apparatus 20 and transmitted to the server apparatus 40 (S401). Then, the server device 40 transmits the first settlement information received from the commodity registration device 20 to the settlement device 30A (S402). Then, the acquisition unit 120 of the settlement apparatus 30A detects the reception (third information) of the first settlement information. In response to this, the management unit 140 of the settlement apparatus 30A stores the settlement information ID indicating the first settlement information and the information of the status “incomplete” in the settlement information storage unit 142 of the settlement apparatus 30A (S403). Further, the determination unit 130 of the settlement apparatus 30A determines the progress status of itself as the “sent state”, and lights the indicator light device 310 provided for the own device in the lighting state indicating the “sent state”. .

  Next, it is assumed that the second settlement information to be transmitted to the settlement device 30B is generated in the commodity registration device 20 and transmitted to the server device 40 (S404). Then, the server device 40 transmits the second settlement information received from the commodity registration device 20 to the settlement device 30B (S405). Then, the acquisition unit 120 of the settlement apparatus 30B detects the reception (third information) of the second settlement information. In response to this, the management unit 140 of the settlement apparatus 30B stores the settlement information ID indicating the second settlement information and the information of the status “incomplete” in the settlement information storage unit 142 of the settlement apparatus 30B (S406). In addition, the determination unit 130 of the settlement apparatus 30B determines the progress status of itself as the “sent state”, and lights the indicator light device 310 provided for the own device in the lighting state indicating the “sent state”. .

  Furthermore, before the settlement apparatus 30A completes the settlement process using the first settlement information, it is assumed that the third registration information to be transmitted to the settlement apparatus 30A is generated in the commodity registration apparatus 20 and transmitted to the server apparatus 40. (S407). Then, the server device 40 transmits the third settlement information received from the commodity registration device 20 to the settlement device 30A (S408). Then, the acquisition unit 120 of the settlement apparatus 30A detects the reception (third information) of the third settlement information. In response to this, the management unit 140 of the settlement apparatus 30A stores the settlement information ID indicating the third settlement information and the information of the status “incomplete” in the settlement information storage unit 142 of the settlement apparatus 30A (S409). In this case, the settlement information storage unit 142 is in a state where two pieces of settlement information whose status is “incomplete” are registered. Further, in this case, since the settlement process using the first settlement information is being executed, the determination unit 130 of the settlement apparatus 30A determines that the reception of the third settlement information does not affect the progress situation of itself. And does not update the progress of the settlement apparatus 30A.

  When the completion (second information) of the settlement process using the first settlement information is detected by the settlement apparatus 30A (S410), the management unit 140 of the settlement apparatus 30A determines the settlement information ID of the first settlement information. The status of the first settlement information is updated from "incomplete" to "completion" with reference to the settlement information storage unit 142 using (S411). Then, the determination unit 130 of the settlement apparatus 30A refers to the settlement information storage unit 142 to confirm whether or not it has the settlement information to be processed next, and determines its own progress status. Here, since the settlement apparatus 30A has the third settlement information as the next settlement information to be processed, the determination unit 130 of the settlement apparatus 30A determines the progress status of itself as the “sent state”. (S412). Then, the indicator light control unit 110 of the settlement apparatus 30A lights the indicator light device 310 provided for the own device in the lighting state indicating the “sent state” (S413).

  When the completion (second information) of the settlement process using the second settlement information is detected by the settlement apparatus 30B (S414), the management unit 140 of the settlement apparatus 30B determines the settlement information ID of the second settlement information. The status of the second settlement information is updated from “incomplete” to “completion” with reference to the settlement information storage unit 142 using (S 415). Then, the determination unit 130 of the settlement apparatus 30B refers to the settlement information storage unit 142 to confirm whether or not it has the settlement information to be processed next, and determines its own progress status. Here, since the settlement apparatus 30B does not have the settlement information to be processed next, the determination unit 130 of the settlement apparatus 30B determines the progress status of itself as the "vacant state" (S416). Then, the indicator light control unit 110 of the settlement apparatus 30B lights the indicator light device 310 provided for the own device in a lighting state indicating "vacant state" (S417).

[Operation and Effect of Second Embodiment]
As described above, in the present embodiment, when the settlement process is completed in a certain settlement apparatus 30, it is further determined whether the settlement apparatus 30 has the next settlement information to be processed. Then, when the settlement apparatus 30 has the next settlement information to be processed, the progress status of the settlement apparatus 30 is determined to be "sent", and the settlement apparatus 30 should next process the settlement. If there is no information, the progress status of the settlement apparatus 30 is determined to be "vacant". According to the present embodiment, when the commodity registration apparatus 20 transmits new settlement information to the settlement apparatus 30, even if the settlement apparatus 30 in the "vacant state" does not exist in the settlement information, any one of the settlement apparatuses 30 In the operation that can be transmitted, the progress status of the settlement process of each settlement apparatus 30 can be appropriately determined.

Third Embodiment
[Processing configuration]
FIG. 17 is a block diagram conceptually showing the processing configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 in the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 17, the information processing apparatus 10 of the present embodiment further includes a duration management unit 150. The example of FIG. 17 exemplifies the configuration based on the configuration of the first embodiment, but the information processing apparatus 10 of this embodiment may further include the configuration described in the second embodiment. The duration management unit 150 is realized by the CPU 101 executing the program modules of the duration management unit 150 stored in the storage 103, as in the first embodiment.

  The duration management unit 150 manages the duration of the progress of the settlement process. The duration management unit 150 obtains, for example, the system time as the current time at a predetermined interval, and the difference value between the current time and the time when the acquisition unit 120 acquires each information (first to third information). The duration of each state can be managed by calculating. However, the method of managing the duration of the duration management unit 150 is not limited to this example.

  The indicator light control unit 110 of the present embodiment is provided for the settlement apparatus to which the settlement information is transmitted, based on the progress status determined by the determination unit 130 and the duration time managed by the duration management unit 150. Control the lighting state of the displayed indicator device.

  The information processing apparatus 10 holds, for example, information indicating the correspondence between the combination of the progress status and the duration and the lighting state as shown in FIG. Based on the combination of the determined progress status and the duration time managed by the duration management unit 150, the control instruction of the indicator light device 310 is determined. FIG. 18 is a diagram showing an example of information defining the correspondence between the progress of the settlement process and the lighting state of the indicator light device 310, and the correspondence between the duration of the progress and the lighting state of the indicator light 310; It is. However, the information used by the indicator control section 110 of the present embodiment is not limited to the example shown in FIG.

  In the example of FIG. 18, the lighting state corresponding to each progress status is “off” when the progress status is “vacant status”, “light (yellow)” when the progress status is “sent status”, and the progress status When is the "operation in progress", it is defined as "light (green)", and when the progress status is in the "ring in progress", it is defined as "light (full color)". The state of progress “in-calling state” means, for example, a state in which an operation for calling a store clerk in the settlement apparatus 30 is performed. The acquisition unit 120 detects a call operation of a store clerk or receives a notification indicating that a call operation of a store clerk has been detected from another device, and accordingly, the determination unit 130 determines the progress status as the “in-calling state”. Do. In this case, for example, in the table of FIG. 3A, the information on which the call operation from the store clerk has been executed is further registered as “fourth information”, and the fourth information of the settlement apparatus 30 where the acquisition unit 120 is located In response to acquiring the, the determination unit 130 determines and updates the progress status of the settlement apparatus 30 to the “in-calling state”.

  In the example of FIG. 18, the lighting state corresponding to the duration is “non-flashing” when the duration is 0 to 59 [s] and “slow flashing” when the duration is 60 to 119 [s]. When the duration time is 120 [s] or more, it is defined as "fast blink". However, this is an example, and the lighting state corresponding to the duration and the duration is not limited to the example of this figure.

[Operation example]
An operation example of the information processing system 1 in the present embodiment will be described using FIG. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the process flow of the information processing apparatus 10 of the third embodiment. Note that the processing described below is repeatedly executed by the acquisition unit 120 until certain information is acquired and other information is acquired.

  First, in accordance with acquisition of new information by the acquisition unit 120, the management unit 140 determines whether the progress status has been updated by the determination unit 130 (S501). Here, when the progress status is not updated (S501: NO), the management unit 140 stands by until the progress status is updated. On the other hand, when the progress status is updated (S501: YES), the management unit 140 starts management processing of the duration of the progress status (S502). Then, the indicator light control unit 110 specifies the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 based on the progress status determined by the determination unit 130 and the duration of the progress status managed by the duration manager 150. (S503). For example, it is assumed that the information processing apparatus 10 holds the information shown in FIG. 18 and the elapsed time after the progress status is updated to the “sent state” is 60 [s]. In this case, the indicator light control unit 110 specifies the lighting state as "yellow (slow blink)" using the information shown in FIG. Then, the indicator control unit 110 determines whether it is necessary to change the current lighting state of the indicator device 310 (S504). The indicator light control unit 110 holds, for example, the lighting state corresponding to the instruction transmitted to each settlement apparatus 30, and displays the lighting state according to whether the lighting state of the instruction of S503 is the same or not. Whether it is necessary to change the lighting state of the light device 310 can be determined. When it is not necessary to change the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 (S504: NO), the indicator light control unit 110 does not transmit an instruction to control the lighting state, and the above-described process is repeated. On the other hand, when it is necessary to change the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 (S504: YES), the indicator light control unit 110 outputs a control instruction to light the indicator light device 310 in the lighting state specified in S503 (S505). ).

[Operation and Effect of Third Embodiment]
As described above, in the present embodiment, the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 is controlled according to the progress and the duration of the progress. Thereby, the store clerk can grasp the progress of the settlement process in each settlement device 30 in more detail by the lighting state of the indicator light device 310.

Fourth Embodiment
In the present embodiment, an information processing apparatus 10 having a minimum configuration that can obtain the effects of the present invention will be described.

[Processing configuration]
FIG. 20 is a block diagram conceptually showing the processing configuration of the information processing apparatus 10 in the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 20, the information processing apparatus 10 in the fourth embodiment has a display light control unit 110. The indicator light control unit 110 of the present embodiment is the same as the first to third embodiments. The indicator light control unit 110 of the present embodiment is realized by the CPU 101 executing a program module for realizing the function of the indicator light control unit 110 stored in the storage 103 as in the first embodiment.
[Operation example]
An operation example of the information processing apparatus 10 according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing the process flow of the information processing apparatus 10 in the fourth embodiment.

<When the Server Device 40 Functions as the Information Processing Device 10>
The display light control unit 110 acquires information indicating the progress status of the settlement apparatus 30 together with the information specifying the settlement apparatus 30 (S601). Then, the indicator light control unit 110 specifies a lighting state corresponding to the progress status indicated by the information acquired in S601 (S602). For example, the server device 40 holds a storage unit for storing the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 corresponding to each progress status, and the indicator light control unit 110 specifies the lighting state with reference to the storage unit. . Then, the indicator light control unit 110 transmits an instruction to light the indicator light device 310 in the lighting state identified in S602 to the settlement device 30 identified by the information identifying the settlement device 30 acquired in S601, The lighting state of the indicator light device 310 is controlled (S603).

<When the settlement apparatus 30 functions as the information processing apparatus 10>
The indicator control unit 110 acquires information indicating the progress of the device (S601). For example, the indicator light control unit 110 is information (third information) indicating that the settlement information has been received from the product registration device 20 or the server device 40, and information indicating that the customer has performed a predetermined operation on the settlement device 30. (First information) and information (second information) indicating completion of the settlement process are acquired. Then, the indicator light control unit 110 specifies a lighting state corresponding to the progress status indicated by the information acquired in S601 (S602). For example, the settlement apparatus 30 holds a storage unit that stores the lighting state of the indicator light device 310 corresponding to each progress status, and the indicator light control unit 110 specifies the lighting state with reference to the storage unit. . Then, the indication light control unit 110 transmits an instruction to turn on the indication light device 310 provided for the own device in the lighting state specified in S602, and controls the lighting state of the indication light device 310 ( S603).

[Operation and Effect of Fourth Embodiment]
As mentioned above, according to this embodiment, according to the progress condition of the settlement process in the settlement apparatus 30, the lighting state of the indicator light apparatus 310 provided with respect to the settlement apparatus 30 is controlled. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the store clerk can grasp the progress of the settlement process in each settlement device 30 from the lighting state of the indicator light device 310.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are merely examples of the present invention, and various configurations other than the above can also be adopted.

  In addition, although a plurality of steps (processes) are described in order in the sequence diagrams and flowcharts used in the above description, the execution order of the steps performed in each embodiment is not limited to the described order. In each embodiment, the order of the illustrated steps can be changed within the scope of the content. Moreover, the above-mentioned each embodiment can be combined within the range in which the contents do not contradict each other.

Hereinafter, an example of a reference form is added.
1.
An information processing apparatus that performs a settlement process using settlement information of a product registered by the product registration apparatus, and according to the progress of the settlement process, the lighting state of the indicator light device provided for the own apparatus An information processing apparatus comprising: indicator light control means for controlling.
2.
Acquisition means for acquiring first information indicating that the customer has performed a predetermined operation on the own apparatus, and second information indicating that the settlement process has been completed;
And a determination unit configured to determine the progress of the settlement process based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit.
The determining means is
When the first information is acquired, the progress status is determined to be an operating state by the customer,
When the second information is acquired, the progress status is determined to be free,
The indicator light control means turns on the indicator light device in lighting states different from each other between the operating state and the idle state.
1. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
3.
The acquisition means acquires, as the first information, information indicating that a customer operation on a screen displayed on the device has been performed, or information indicating that a portable medium has been read.
2. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
4.
The acquisition means further acquires third information indicating that the settlement information has been received,
When the third information is acquired, the determination means determines the progress status as a state in which the settlement information has been transmitted to the own device.
The indicator light control means turns on the indicator light device in lighting states different from one another for each of the operating state, the idle state, and the transmitted state.
2. Or 3. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
5.
The determining means is
When the second information is acquired, it is further determined whether or not the own apparatus has the adjustment information to be processed next,
If it is determined that the own device does not have the settlement information to be processed next, the progress status is determined to be the empty state,
When it is determined that the own apparatus has the settlement information to be processed next, the progress status is determined to be the transmitted state.
4. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
6.
The system further comprises a duration management means for managing the duration of the progress of the settlement process,
The indicator light control means controls the lighting state of the indicator light device based on the progress status and the duration time managed by the duration time management means.
1. To 5. The information processing apparatus according to any one of the above.
7.
The computer is
In accordance with the progress status of the settlement process based on the settlement information in the settlement apparatus performing the settlement process using the settlement information of the product registered in the commodity registration apparatus, the lighting state of the indicator light device provided for the own apparatus An information processing method that includes controlling.
8.
The computer
Acquiring first information indicating that the customer has performed a predetermined operation on the own apparatus, and second information indicating that the settlement process has been completed,
When the first information is acquired, the progress status is determined to be an operating state by the customer,
When the second information is acquired, the progress status is determined to be free,
Lighting the indicator light device in lighting states different between the operating state and the idle state;
7. further including The information processing method described in.
9.
The computer
As the first information, information indicating that a customer operation on a screen displayed on the own device has been performed or information indicating that a portable medium has been read is acquired.
Further including 8. The information processing method described in.
10.
The computer
Further acquiring third information indicating that the adjustment information has been received,
When the third information is acquired, the progress status is determined to be a state in which the settlement information has been sent to the own device,
Lighting the indicator light device in lighting states different from one another for each of the operating state, the idle state, and the transmitted state;
Further including 8. Or 9. The information processing method described in.
11.
The computer
When the second information is acquired, it is further determined whether or not the own apparatus has the adjustment information to be processed next,
If it is determined that the own device does not have the settlement information to be processed next, the progress status is determined to be the empty state,
When it is determined that the own apparatus has the settlement information to be processed next, the progress status is determined to be the transmitted state.
10. further including The information processing method described in.
12.
The computer
Managing the duration of the progress of the settlement process,
The lighting state of the indicator light device is controlled based on the progress status and the managed duration time.
7. further including To 11. The information processing method according to any one of the above.
13.
Computer,
In accordance with the progress status of the settlement process based on the settlement information in the settlement apparatus performing the settlement process using the settlement information of the product registered in the commodity registration apparatus, the lighting state of the indicator light device provided for the own apparatus Program for functioning as indicator light control means to control.
14.
The computer,
Acquisition means for acquiring first information indicating that the customer has performed a predetermined operation on the own apparatus, and second information indicating that the settlement process has been completed;
A determination unit configured to determine the progress of the settlement process based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit;
A determination unit configured to determine the progress status as being operated by a customer when the first information is acquired, and determine the progress status as an idle state when the second information is acquired;
The indicator light control means for lighting the indicator light device in lighting states different from each other between the operating state and the idle state,
To make it function further as The program described in.
15.
The computer,
The acquisition means for acquiring, as the first information, information indicating that a customer operation on a screen displayed on the own device has been performed, or information indicating that a portable medium has been read;
To function as The program described in.
16.
The computer,
The acquisition unit further acquiring third information indicating that the settlement information has been received;
The determination means for determining the progress status as a state in which the settlement information has been transmitted to the own device when the third information is acquired;
The indicator light control means for lighting the indicator light device in lighting states different from one another for each of the operating state, the vacant state, and the transmitted state;
To function as Or 15. The program described in.
17.
The computer,
When the second information is acquired, it is further determined whether or not the own apparatus has the adjustment information to be processed next,
If it is determined that the own device does not have the settlement information to be processed next, the progress status is determined to be the empty state,
The determining unit that determines the progress status to the transmitted state when it is determined that the own apparatus has the adjustment information to be processed next;
To function as The program described in.
18.
The computer,
A duration management means for managing the duration of the progress of the settlement process,
The indicator light control means for controlling the lighting state of the indicator light device based on the progress situation and the duration time managed by the duration time management means,
13. to function as To 17. The program described in any one.
19.
The lighting condition of the indicator light device provided for the settlement apparatus according to the progress of the settlement process based on the settlement information in the settlement apparatus performing the settlement process using the settlement information of the product registered by the commodity registration apparatus An information processing apparatus comprising: indicator light control means for controlling
20.
Acquisition means for acquiring first information indicating that a customer has performed a predetermined operation on the settlement apparatus, and second information indicating that the settlement process has been completed;
And a determination unit configured to determine the progress of the settlement process of the settlement apparatus based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit.
The determining means is
When the first information is acquired, the progress status is determined to be the operating state of the settlement apparatus by the customer,
When the second information is acquired, the progress status is determined to be an idle state of the settlement apparatus,
The indicator light control means turns on the indicator light device in lighting states different from each other between the operating state and the idle state.
19. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
21.
The acquisition means acquires, as the first information, information indicating that an operation has been performed or information indicating that a portable medium has been read.
20. The information processing apparatus according to 20.
22.
The acquisition unit further acquires third information indicating that the settlement information has been transmitted to the settlement apparatus.
When the third information is acquired, the determination means determines the progress status as a state in which the settlement information has been sent to the settlement apparatus.
The indicator light control means turns on the indicator light device in lighting states different from one another for each of the operating state, the idle state, and the transmitted state.
20. Or the information processing apparatus according to 21.
23.
The determining means is
When the second information is acquired, it is further determined whether the settlement apparatus has the settlement information to be processed next,
If it is determined that the settlement apparatus does not have the settlement information to be processed next, the progress status is determined to be the vacant state,
If it is determined that the settlement apparatus has the settlement information to be processed next, the progress status is determined to be the transmitted state.
22. The information processing apparatus according to claim 1.
24.
The system further comprises a duration management means for managing the duration of the progress of the settlement process,
The indicator light control means determines the lighting state of the indicator light device provided for the settlement apparatus to which the settlement information has been transmitted, based on the progress status and the duration time managed by the duration management means. Control,
19. To 23. The information processing apparatus according to any one of the above.
25.
The computer is
The lighting condition of the indicator light device provided for the settlement apparatus according to the progress of the settlement process based on the settlement information in the settlement apparatus performing the settlement process using the settlement information of the product registered by the commodity registration apparatus An information processing method that includes controlling the
26.
The computer
Acquiring first information indicating that a customer has performed a predetermined operation on the settlement apparatus, and second information indicating that the settlement process has been completed,
When the first information is acquired, the progress status is determined to be the operating state of the settlement apparatus by the customer,
When the second information is acquired, the progress status is determined to be an idle state of the settlement apparatus,
Lighting the indicator light device in lighting states different between the operating state and the idle state;
Further including 25. The information processing method described in.
27.
The computer
As the first information, information indicating that an operation has been performed or information indicating that a portable medium has been read is acquired.
26 further including. The information processing method described in.
28.
The computer
Further acquiring third information indicating that the settlement information has been transmitted to the settlement apparatus,
When the third information is acquired, the progress status is determined to be a state in which the settlement information has been sent to the settlement apparatus,
Lighting the indicator light device in lighting states different from one another for each of the operating state, the idle state, and the transmitted state;
26 further including. 27. The information processing method according to 27.
29.
The computer
When the second information is acquired, it is further determined whether the settlement apparatus has the settlement information to be processed next,
If it is determined that the settlement apparatus does not have the settlement information to be processed next, the progress status is determined to be the vacant state,
If it is determined that the settlement apparatus has the settlement information to be processed next, the progress status is determined to be the transmitted state.
Further including 28. The information processing method described in.
30.
The computer
Managing the duration of the progress of the settlement process,
The lighting state of the indicator light device provided for the settlement apparatus to which the settlement information has been transmitted is controlled based on the progress status and the managed duration time.
Further including 25. To 29. The information processing apparatus according to any one of the above.
31.
Computer,
The lighting condition of the indicator light device provided for the settlement apparatus according to the progress of the settlement process based on the settlement information in the settlement apparatus performing the settlement process using the settlement information of the product registered by the commodity registration apparatus Program for functioning as indicator light control means to control.
32.
The computer,
Acquisition means for acquiring first information indicating that the customer has performed a predetermined operation on the settlement apparatus, and second information indicating that the settlement process has been completed;
When the first information is acquired, the progress status is determined to be the operating state of the settlement apparatus by the customer, and when the second information is acquired, the progress status is the vacant state of the settlement apparatus Decision means to decide,
The indicator light control means for lighting the indicator light device in lighting states different from each other between the operating state and the idle state,
31 to make it function further as The program described in.
33.
The computer,
The acquisition means for acquiring, as the first information, information indicating that an operation has been performed or information indicating that a portable medium has been read;
32. for further functioning as The program described in.
34.
The computer,
The acquisition unit further acquiring third information indicating that the settlement information has been transmitted to the settlement apparatus;
The determining means for determining the progress status as the transmitted state of the settlement information to the settlement apparatus when the third information is acquired;
The indicator light control means for lighting the indicator light device in lighting states different from one another for each of the operating state, the vacant state, and the transmitted state;
32. for further functioning as Or the program described in 33.
35.
The computer,
When the second information is acquired, it is further determined whether the settlement apparatus has the settlement information to be processed next,
If it is determined that the settlement apparatus does not have the settlement information to be processed next, the progress status is determined to be the vacant state,
The determining means for determining the progress status to the transmitted state when it is determined that the settlement apparatus has the settlement information to be processed next;
34 to function as The program described in.
36.
The computer,
A duration management means for managing the duration of the progress of the settlement process,
The indicator light control means for controlling the lighting state of the indicator light device provided for the settlement apparatus to which the settlement information has been transmitted, based on the progress status and the continuation time managed by the continuation time management means ,
31 to function as To 35. The program described in any one.

  This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-39635 filed on February 27, 2015, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein.

Claims (8)

It is an information processing device which performs settlement processing of goods registered with goods registration device, and it is an indicator light which controls lighting condition of an indicator light device provided to a self-device based on each progress state of the settlement processing concerned. Equipped with control means,
The indicator light control means further controls the lighting state of the indicator light device according to the progress state based on the progress state of the settlement process and the continuation time by state measured according to the progress state of the settlement process. Do,
Information processing device. Acquisition means for acquiring first information indicating that the customer has performed a predetermined operation on the own apparatus, and second information indicating that the settlement process has been completed;
And a determination unit configured to determine the progress of the settlement process based on the information acquired by the acquisition unit.
The determining means is
When the first information is acquired, the progress status is determined to be an operating status by the customer,
When the second information is acquired, the progress status is determined to be an idle status,
The indicator light control means turns on the indicator light device in lighting states different from each other between the operating state and the idle state.
An information processing apparatus according to claim 1. The acquisition means acquires, as the first information, information indicating that a customer operation on a screen displayed on the device has been performed, or information indicating that a portable medium has been read.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2. The acquisition means further acquires third information indicating that adjustment information used in the adjustment process has been received,
When the third information is acquired, the determination means determines the progress state as a state in which the adjustment information has been transmitted to the own device.
The indicator light control means turns on the indicator light device in lighting states different from one another for each of the operating state, the idle state, and the transmitted state.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 2. The determining means is
When the second information is acquired, it is further determined whether or not the own apparatus has the adjustment information to be processed next,
If it is determined that the own device does not have the settlement information to be processed next, the progress state is determined to be the empty state,
When it is determined that the own apparatus has the settlement information to be processed next, the progress state is determined to be the transmitted state.
The information processing apparatus according to claim 4. It further comprises a duration management means for managing the duration by state.
The information processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5. The computer is
Based on each progress status of the settlement process based on the settlement information in the settlement apparatus performing the settlement process of the product registered in the product registration apparatus, the lighting state of the indicator light device provided for the own apparatus is controlled, and further An information processing method including controlling the lighting state of the indicator light device according to the progressing state based on the progressing state of the settlement process and the state-by-state duration measured according to the progressing state of the settlement process. Computer,
Based on each progress status of the settlement process based on the settlement information in the settlement apparatus performing the settlement process of the product registered in the product registration apparatus, the lighting state of the indicator light device provided for the own apparatus is controlled, and further And functioning as a display light control means for controlling the lighting state of the display light device according to the progress state based on the progress state of the settlement process and the continuation time by state measured according to the progress state of the settlement process. Program for

Images