JP2019128782A - Accounting system and accounting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To improve a customer efficiency in accounting.SOLUTION: A registration apparatus comprises: accounting identification information output means for outputting accounting identification information which specifies accounting information on a recording medium; and accounting information transmission means for associating the accounting identification information and the accounting information and for transmitting them to an accounting server. The accounting server includes accounting information management means for associating the accounting identification information and accounting information transmitted by the registration apparatus with each other and for storing them in the accounting information storage means. The accounting apparatus is comprised of: reading means that reads the accounting identification information from a recording medium; accounting information reading means that reads accounting information corresponding to the accounting identification information read by the reading unit from the accounting information storage means; accounting means for performing accounting processing using the accounting information read by the accounting information reading means; and an accounting process status management means for writing information indicating that the accounting process corresponding to the accounting identification information has been completed to at least one of the accounting information storage means and the recording medium of the accounting server after the accounting process ends.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

  Embodiments described herein relate generally to an accounting system and an accounting apparatus.

  Conventionally, there is a semi-self type checkout system (accounting system) in which a store clerk performs registration processing of goods with a registration device and accounting (settlement) processing is performed by a customer from an accounting device. In such a semi-self type accounting system, the store clerk visually confirms the "standby" accounting device, that is, the accounting device not being operated by the customer, and performs an operation of designating the transmission destination of the accounting data. When the registration device receives the operation, it transmits accounting data to the destination accounting device, and when the accounting device receives the accounting data, it enters a waiting state for the accounting operation by the corresponding customer.

  In the accounting system as described above, since the clerk must perform an operation to visually search for the accounting device of the data transmission destination and select the corresponding accounting device from the registration device, it becomes a burden on the clerk in the busy time zone There was also a case. In addition, if all the accounting devices connected to the registration device are in use, customers waiting for the queue will be lined up on the accounting device, and there is also a problem that customers who can not be accounted out immediately come out even if the accounting data is transferred. The Thus, there has been a demand for the development of a system that can improve the efficiency of customer making in the semi-self accounting system.

  The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide an accounting system and an accounting apparatus capable of improving the efficiency of customer purchase in accounting processing.

  The accounting system of the embodiment includes a registration device, an accounting server, and an accounting device. The registration apparatus includes accounting identification information output means for outputting accounting identification information for specifying accounting information on a recording medium, and accounting information transmission means for associating the accounting identification information with the accounting information and transmitting the accounting information to the accounting server. And. The accounting server includes accounting information management means for associating the accounting identification information sent by the registration device with the accounting information and storing the information in the accounting information storage means. The accounting apparatus includes: a reading unit that reads the accounting identification information from the recording medium; and an accounting information reading that reads the accounting information corresponding to the accounting identification information read by the reading unit from the accounting information storage unit of the accounting server Means, accounting means for performing accounting processing using the accounting information read by the accounting information reading means, and information indicating that the accounting processing corresponding to the accounting identification information has ended after the accounting processing, Accounting processing status management means for writing to at least one of the accounting information storage means and the recording medium of the accounting server.

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of the overall configuration of an accounting system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the registration device. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a print example of the accounting label issued by the registration device. FIG. 4 is a view showing an example in which the accounting label is attached to the basket. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the accounting apparatus. FIG. 6 is an external view of the accounting apparatus when the basket shown in FIG. 4 is placed on the mounting table. FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration and a functional configuration of the registration apparatus. FIG. 8 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration and a functional configuration of the accounting apparatus. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration and a functional configuration of the accounting server. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration and a functional configuration of the monitoring device. FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing an example of the procedure of the accounting data file update process executed by the registration device and the accounting server. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the accounting data file update process executed by the accounting apparatus and the accounting server. FIG. 13 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure example of the monitoring process executed by the monitoring device and the accounting server.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall configuration of the accounting system 100 according to the embodiment. The accounting system 100 mainly includes a registration device 2 (2a, 2b), an accounting device 3 (3a-3e), a monitoring device 4 (4a, 4b), and an accounting server 6. The registration device 2, the accounting device 3, and the monitoring device 4 are installed in the store accounting area 60, and the accounting server 6 is installed in the backyard of the store. The registration devices 2a and 2b are installed and used on the counters 5a and 5b, respectively. Further, the monitoring device 4 is provided near the exit of the accounting area 60. The monitoring device 4 is a device for monitoring an illegal act in which an unaccounted basket is taken out of the accounting area 60. Note that a packing table for packing the already-checked products from the basket into a shopping bag or an eco bag is provided outside the accounting area 60. These respective devices are connected so as to be capable of mutual data communication via a network NT such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The connection method is not particularly limited, and wired connection or wireless connection may be used.

  Although FIG. 1 shows an example in which two registration devices 2 and five accounting devices 3 are provided in the store's accounting area 60, the number of devices is not limited to this. The number of registration devices 2 may be one or more, and the number of registration devices 3 is not particularly limited as long as it is a plurality of two or more. In addition, the number of monitoring devices 4 may be appropriately determined from the relationship between the store entrance and exit and the accounting area 60 exit. Hereinafter, in the case of describing the respective devices without distinction, the registration devices 2a and 2b are referred to as the registration device 2, and the accounting devices 3a to 3e are referred to as the accounting device 3. Similarly, the monitoring devices 4 a and 4 b are referred to as the monitoring device 4, and the counters 5 a and 5 b are referred to as the counter 5.

  An outline of an example of an accounting method operation method according to the present embodiment will be described. The operator O, who is a store clerk, operates the registration device 2 to perform registration processing for products purchased by the customer C. The operator O packs products in the order in which the registration process is finished. When registration is completed for all products, the registration device 2 of the present embodiment transmits accounting data used for accounting processing to the accounting server 6. In addition, the registration device 2 prints a code symbol 71 encoded with accounting identification information for identifying accounting data on an accounting label 70 (both see FIG. 3). The operator O applies the accounting label 70 to the basket 80 (see FIG. 4) containing the goods. The customer C has the basket 80 with the accounting label 70 attached thereto, selects the accounting device 3 on which no other customers are lined up or has a small waiting number, and starts accounting processing with the accounting device 3. When the accounting process is started, the accounting apparatus 3 reads the accounting identification information from the code symbol 71 of the accounting label 70, reads accounting data corresponding to the accounting identification information from the accounting server 6, and performs the accounting process.

  Conventionally, when a plurality of accounting devices are connected per registration device and the registration device transmits accounting data to the accounting device connected to the own device, the number of accounting devices that can be designated as the data transmission destination is It is limited to the number of accounting devices connected to the device. On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the accounting data generated by all the registration devices 2 is once aggregated in the accounting server 6, the maximum number of accounting devices as data transmission destinations is the total number of accounting devices in the store. can do. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of customer accounting in the accounting process by increasing the effective number of accounting apparatus used.

  Further, in the present embodiment, since the customer searches for and selects the accounting device 3 that is vacant, the clerk can quickly shift to the next customer registration work, and the customer efficiency in the registration device 2 can be improved. it can. In addition, by sticking the accounting label as described above to the basket, the accounting device 3 can read the accounting data from the accounting server 6 without troublesome customers.

  The configuration of each device and the procedure of accounting will be described in more detail below.

  First, the configuration of the registration device 2 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the registration apparatus. As shown in FIG. 2, the registration device 2 installed on the upper surface of the counter 5 is configured based on a vertical scanner 111 having a reading window 112. The scanner 111 scans a code symbol (for example, a barcode) attached to a product with a laser beam and reads a product code from the code symbol. Note that the scanner 111 may specify a product included in the captured image using a general object recognition technique.

  In addition, the registration apparatus 2 includes an operator display 114 and an operation unit 115 on the scanner 111. The operator display 114 displays the product name and price of the product imaged by the imaging unit of the scanner 111. A touch panel 113 is provided on the surface of the operator display 114. The touch panel 113 and the operation unit 115 are for assisting the input of the product information.

  A printer 116 is provided on the left side of the operator display 114. The printer 116 prints the accounting label 70 (see FIG. 3) according to the present embodiment. A card reader 118 is provided on the right side of the operator display 114. The card reader 118 magnetically reads / writes information from / to a magnetic card such as a point card inserted from the insertion slot 118A. Further, a customer display 117 is provided on the back side of the printer 116 at a position opposite to the display surface of the operator display 114.

  The registration device 2 reads a code such as a barcode or a two-dimensional code attached to the product, and identifies the product based on the product code included in the code. The registration device 2 displays, on the operator display 114, a screen for receiving confirmation of a product identified based on the product code, and input of the number and the like. The registration device 2 then stores the product information such as the product classification, the product code, the product name, and the unit price of the product corresponding to the product code based on the information such as the product code of the received product and the number of the input. It reads from F1 (see FIG. 7) and stores it as sales data in the sales file F2 (see FIG. 7).

  When the registration of all the products is completed, the registration device 2 generates accounting data including the total amount, the number of granted points, and the like, and transmits the accounting data to the accounting server 6 in association with the accounting identification information for specifying the accounting data. Further, the registration device 2 generates a code symbol in which the transaction identification information is encoded, and issues a transaction label 70 (see FIG. 3) on which the code symbol is printed by the printer 116.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a printing example of the accounting label 70 issued by the registration device 2. On the accounting label 70, a code symbol 71 obtained by encoding the accounting identification information is printed. The code symbol 71 may be encoded with information such as the total amount, membership number, date and time of registration processing, identification information of the registration device 2 that performed the registration processing, and identification information of the clerk who performed the registration processing. Good. The operator of the registration apparatus 2 affixes the accounting label 70 issued by the printer 116 to the side surface 81 (both see FIG. 4) of the basket 80 packed with the products for which registration processing has been performed.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example in which the accounting label 70 is attached to the basket 80. The size of the accounting label 70 may be a size corresponding to an imaging range of a camera 303 (see FIG. 5) of the accounting apparatus 3 described later. Also, since the basket 80 with the accounting label 70 attached is a basket that has already been registered and has not yet been settled, that is, an unsettled product, the attendant clerk and the monitoring clerk are unsettled. It is desirable to be able to identify at a glance. As will be described later, since the code symbol 71 is read by the monitoring device 4, the size of the accounting label 70 or the code symbol 71 is, for example, 6 to 8 cm or more, and the code can be read from a position several meters away. It is desirable to be the size.

  The position where the accounting label 70 is affixed to the basket 80 may be a position corresponding to the imaging range of the camera 303 (see FIG. 5) of the accounting apparatus 3 described later. In the example of FIG. 4, an example is shown in which one accounting label 70 is attached substantially at the center of the side surface 81 where the area of the basket 80 is large. The registration device 2 may issue two accounting labels 70 for each transaction, and attach the accounting labels 70 one on each of the front side surface and the back side surface of the basket 80.

  Next, the configuration of the accounting apparatus 3 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the accounting apparatus 3. As shown in FIG. 5, the accounting apparatus 3 includes a first housing 301 and a second housing 302.

  The first housing 301 includes a scanner 317 and a change machine 320. The scanner 317 has a structure similar to that of the scanner 111 (see FIG. 7), and is used for additional registration of a product that you forgot to buy or for reading a code such as a coupon. The change machine 320 includes a bill insertion slot 321, a bill dispensing opening 322, a coin insertion slot 323, and a coin dispensing unit 324. The change machine 320 stores the bills inserted into the bill insertion slot 321 in a bill storage unit (not shown). Further, the change machine 320 stores the coins inserted into the coin insertion slot 323 in a coin storage unit (not shown). Then, the change machine 320 dispenses the change of the bill to the bill outlet 322 in response to the change dispensing request from the control unit 340 (see FIG. 8). Further, in response to the change dispensing request from the control unit 340, the change machine 320 dispenses the change of the coin to the coin dispensing unit 324.

  The second housing 302 is provided on the upper surface 301 a of the first housing 301, and includes a display 315, a card reader 318, and a printer 319. The display 315 is attached above the second housing 302 and is configured by a liquid crystal panel having a touch panel 316 on the surface. The card reader 318 reads and writes information on a credit card, a membership card, etc. inserted from the card insertion slot 318a. The printer 319 prints a receipt according to the control of the control unit 50 and issues it from the receipt issuance port 319a.

  In addition, the accounting apparatus 3 includes a columnar display pole 325 erected on the rear side of the upper surface 301 a of the first housing 301. The display pole 325 has a light emitting portion 326 which selectively emits blue or red light at the upper tip. The light emitting unit 326 changes the color according to the processing status in the accounting device 3 and emits light to alert the store clerk. In addition, the processing condition to be lighted, the light emission color, and the light emission pattern can be set appropriately. Since the light emitting unit 326 is provided at the upper end of the display pole 325 having a height, the light emitting unit 326 is easily noticeable not only by the operator of the registration device 2 but also by other store clerks. Since it is easy to confirm the light emission from the position of the registration device 2, it is easy for the customer standing in front of the registration device 2 to visually confirm.

  In addition, the display pole 325 includes an information display unit 327 below the light emitting unit 326. The information display unit 327 is formed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and displays image information and text information. The information display unit 327 is fixedly installed with the display surface facing in the same direction as the indicator 315. The information display unit 327 displays, for example, the contents of an error that has occurred in the accounting apparatus 3 and the like.

  On the side surface 301b of the first housing 301, a mounting table 329 for mounting the basket 80 is provided. A hooking portion for hooking the hand scanner 328 is provided on the front side surface of the mounting table 329. Similar to the scanner 317, the hand scanner 328 is used for additional registration of forgotten products and reading codes such as coupons.

  The accounting apparatus 3 of the present embodiment includes a camera 303 for imaging the code symbol 71 of the accounting label 70 inside the first housing 301. As shown in FIG. 5, a reading window 304 for the camera 303 is provided on the side surface 301 b of the first housing 301. Next, the positional relationship between the imaging region of the camera 303 and the position of the reading window 304 and the accounting label 70 attached to the car 80 will be described with reference to FIG.

  FIG. 6 is an external view of the accounting apparatus 3 when the basket 80 shown in FIG. 4 is placed on the mounting table 329. As shown in FIG. The camera 303 is installed through a reading window 304 so that the code symbol 71 (see FIG. 4) of the cage 80 placed on the mounting table 329 can be imaged.

  Here, the cage 80 is placed on the mounting table 329 such that the longitudinal direction of the cage 80 is the depth direction of the mounting table 329. By placing the basket 80 in this way, the size of the accounting apparatus 3 in the width direction is reduced. Then, as described above with reference to FIG. 4, the accounting label 70 is attached to the approximate center of the side surface 81 (see FIG. 4) having the larger area in the basket 80.

  Therefore, after the basket 80 on which the accounting label 70 is attached in advance is placed on the mounting table 329, the position of the camera 303 or the attachment position of the accounting label 70 is confirmed while confirming the captured image of the camera 303. It is good to adjust the In the present embodiment, the camera 303 and the reading window 304 are arranged on the side surface 301b of the first housing 301 through such an adjustment process. Accordingly, when the customer places the basket 80 on the mounting table 329, the code symbol 71 of the accounting label 70 can be put in the imaging region of the camera 303 without the customer being particularly conscious.

  As a general procedure of the accounting process, the customer takes the basket 80 from the counter 5 of the registration device 2 and moves it to the vacant accounting device 3 and places the basket 80 on the mounting table 329 of the accounting device 3. When the camera 303 detects the code symbol 71 in the imaging area, the accounting apparatus 3 reads the accounting identification information from the code symbol 71 and inquires the accounting server 6 for the corresponding accounting data. Then, the accounting apparatus 3 displays information such as the total amount on the display 315 based on the accounting data read from the accounting server 6 and starts accounting processing. The customer operates the accounting apparatus 3 to perform accounting processing for paying the price of the goods by cash, credit card, electronic money or the like.

  After the accounting process is completed, the customer peels off the accounting label 70 from the basket 80 and puts it in a collection box installed in the accounting area 60. By collecting the accounting label 70 after use in this way, the accounting label 70 used by another person is prevented from being misused.

  Further, as a possible fraudulent act, there may be a case where another person misuses the accounting label 70 for which accounting processing has been completed once, regardless of the presence or absence of the collection box. This may be the case when the accounting label 70 that has been forgotten to be removed is removed from the collection box or removed from the collected basket 80 for abuse.

  Assuming such a situation, the accounting apparatus 3 of the present embodiment writes information indicating that the accounting process has ended normally in at least one of the storage means of the accounting server 6 and the recording medium after the end of the accounting process. As a result, when the code symbol 71 is read from the accounting label 70 that has been accounted for due to fraud and an inquiry is made for accounting data, it is found that the accounting corresponding to the code symbol 71 has already been completed. And fraud can be prevented by error output.

  Next, the hardware configuration and the functional configuration of the registration device 2 will be described.

  FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration and the functional configuration of the registration device 2. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the registration device 2 includes a control unit 150. The control unit 150 includes a central processing unit (CPU) that executes control processing, a read only memory (ROM) as a storage medium, and a random access memory (RAM) (all not shown). The ROM stores various programs executed by the CPU and various data. The RAM temporarily stores data and programs when the CPU executes various programs.

  The control unit 150 includes a scanner 111, a touch panel 113, an operation unit 115 such as a keyboard, a printer 116, and a customer display device 117 via an I / O (Input / Output) device control unit 139 and a bus 138. , A card reader 118 and an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) 136. The control unit 150 performs data communication with the accounting server 6 connected via the network NT (see FIG. 1) via the communication I / F (interface) 140.

  The operation unit 115 includes operation keys such as a current key 1151 and a confirmation key 1152. The current total key 1151 is an operation key for accepting an instruction to close one transaction and shift to a payment process (accounting process) for the transaction, and is an operation key for updating the total amount. The confirmation key 1152 is an operation key used when the total amount is confirmed by inputting information such as customer segments. The registration device 2 executes printing of the accounting label 70 and transmission of accounting data using the operation of the confirmation key 1152 as a trigger. Note that the above-described operation keys may be displayed on the operator display 114 and accept the selection operation via the touch panel 113.

  The HDD 136 stores a program 137 executed by the CPU of the control unit 150, a PLU file F1, and a sales file F2. The PLU file F1 stores a product code uniquely assigned to each product in association with product information regarding the product such as the product name, price, and product classification. Further, if the registration device 2 is configured to identify a product by general object recognition (object recognition), the PLU file F1 further stores a feature amount or a reference image of each product. The feature amount is data such as a hue read from a standard image of a product and a surface unevenness state. The sales file F2 is a file for storing sales data registered by the registration device 2.

  Next, the program 137 executed by the registration device 2 will be described.

  Note that the program 137 executed by the registration apparatus 2 of the present embodiment is provided by being preinstalled in the HDD 136 or the like. The program 137 executed by the registration device 2 of the present embodiment is a file in an installable or executable format, such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk), or the like. It may be configured to be provided by being recorded on a computer readable recording medium.

  Further, the program 137 executed by the registration device 2 of the present embodiment may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. Further, the program 137 executed by the registration apparatus 2 of the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the program 137 has a module configuration including a display control unit 151, an input reception unit 152, a registration unit 153, a data communication unit 154, a code symbol generation unit 155, and a print control unit 156. The CPU (processor) of the control unit 150 reads the program 137 from the HDD 136 and loads the above units onto the main storage device. As a result, the above-described units are generated on the main storage device.

  The display control unit 151 generates display data to be output to the operator display 114 and the customer display 117, and controls display processing in these displays. For example, the display control unit 151 displays a registration screen for performing product registration processing on the operator display 114. In addition, when the enter key 1152 is operated, the display control unit 151 displays a message such as “Please move to the accounting apparatus to perform accounting” on the customer display 117.

  The input receiving unit 152 receives various inputs from the scanner 111, the touch panel 113, the operation unit 115, and the card reader 118.

  When the product code or the name of the product for sale is input via the scanner 111 and the touch panel 113, the registration unit 153 reads the product information of the product from the PLU file F1. And if the instruction | indication which complete | finishes one transaction is input via the current total key 1151, the registration part 153 will complete | finish the registration process of the goods in the said transaction, and will calculate the total amount concerning the said transaction. Then, the registration unit 153 includes accounting information used for accounting processing including product information of all the products registered in the transaction, total amount of the transaction, identification information of the registration device 2, and clerk information for specifying the clerk in charge. Generate data (accounting information). In addition, the registration unit 153 issues an accounting number as accounting identification information for specifying accounting data when generating new accounting data.

  The data communication unit 154 controls data communication with the accounting server 6 connected via the communication I / F 140. The data communication unit 154 (accounting information transmission unit) transmits the accounting data generated by the registration unit 153 and the accounting number in association with each other to the accounting server 6.

  The code symbol generation unit 155 generates a code symbol including the accounting number issued by the registration unit 153.

  The print control unit 156 controls the printer 116 to print out the code symbol generated by the code symbol generation unit 155 on a label sheet, and issues an accounting label 70 (see FIG. 3). That is, the print control unit 156 functions as an example of an accounting identification information output unit that outputs accounting identification information that specifies accounting data on a recording medium.

  Next, the hardware configuration and the functional configuration of the accounting apparatus 3 will be described.

  FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration and a functional configuration of the accounting apparatus 3. The accounting apparatus 3 includes a control unit 340 having a computer configuration including a CPU, ROM and RAM (not shown) as storage media, and the like. The ROM stores various programs executed by the CPU and various data. The RAM temporarily stores data and programs when the CPU executes various programs.

  The control unit 340 includes a display unit 315, a touch panel 316, a scanner 317, a card reader 318, a printer 319, a change machine 320, a light emitting unit 326, an information display unit 327, a hand, via the I / O device control unit 314 and the bus 312. The scanner 328, the camera 303, and the HDD 305 are connected. The control unit 340 performs data communication with the accounting server 6 connected via the network NT via the communication I / F 313.

  The card reader 318 reads information from a credit card or membership card inserted from the card insertion slot 318a. The printer 319 prints a receipt after payment and issues it from the receipt issuing port 319a. The change machine 320 performs a deposit process of a bill inserted into the bill insertion slot 321 or a coin inserted into the coin insertion slot 323. Further, the change machine 320 pays out change from the banknote dispensing port 322 or the coin dispensing unit 324 in accordance with the dispensing instruction from the control unit 340.

  The HDD 305 stores a program 3051 executed by the control unit 340 and a transaction file F3. The transaction file F3 is a data file for storing data (transaction data) related to the accounting processing executed by the accounting apparatus 3 based on the accounting data received from the accounting server 6.

  Next, the program 3051 executed by the accounting apparatus 3 will be described.

  Note that the program 3051 executed by the accounting apparatus 3 of this embodiment is provided by being incorporated in the HDD 305 in advance. The program 3051 executed by the accounting apparatus 3 of the present embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format and a computer readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, and a DVD. You may comprise so that it may record and provide.

  Furthermore, the program 3051 executed by the accounting apparatus 3 of the present embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the program 3051 executed by the accounting apparatus 3 of the present embodiment may be configured to be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the program 3051 has a module configuration including a display control unit 341, an input receiving unit 342, an image capturing unit 343, a code reading unit 344, a data communication unit 345, an accounting processing unit 346, and an error output unit 347. It has become. The CPU (processor) of the control unit 340 reads the program 3051 from the HDD 305 and loads the above units onto the main storage device. As a result, the above-described units are generated on the main storage device.

  The display control unit 341 controls display operations in the display unit 315 and the information display unit 327.

  The input receiving unit 342 receives various inputs from the touch panel 316, the scanner 317, the card reader 318, the change machine 320, the hand scanner 328, and the like.

  The image capture unit 343 captures the image captured by the camera 303 onto the work memory of the control unit 41. Frame images are sequentially captured on the work memory according to the imaging rate of the camera 303.

  The code reading unit 344 detects a code symbol from the captured image captured by the image capturing unit 343 and reads information included in the code symbol. Specifically, the code reading unit 344 reads the transaction number from the code symbol 71 of the transaction label 70 attached to the basket 80. That is, the code reading unit 344 functions as an example of a reading unit that reads the accounting identification information.

  The data communication unit 345 controls data communication with the accounting server 6 connected via the communication I / F 313 and the network NT.

  The accounting processing unit 346 (accounting information reading means) inquires of the accounting server 6 about the accounting number read by the code reading unit 344 from the code symbol 71, and receives accounting data corresponding to the accounting number from the accounting data file 672 of the accounting server 6. Read Then, the accounting processing unit 346 (accounting means) performs accounting processing by the settlement method selected by the customer via the touch panel 316 for the total amount included in the read accounting data. That is, in the case of cash settlement, the change machine 320 is controlled to count the amount of money deposited from the coin insertion slot 323 or the bill insertion slot 321, and after calculating the fishing, the money for change is the coin dispensing portion 324 Alternatively, the money is withdrawn from the banknote outlet 322. If it is a credit settlement, the card information is read from the card reader 318 and transmitted to the settlement server together with the settlement amount to perform settlement processing.

  In addition, the accounting processor 346 (accounting status management means) outputs information indicating that the accounting processing corresponding to the accounting number is ended to the accounting data file 672 of the accounting server 6 after the end of the accounting processing. As an example of the information indicating that the accounting process has ended, it is assumed that a flag indicating the end of the accounting process is set in the accounting data file 672, and if the flag value is 0 as the initial value, the accounting process is unaccounted and the flag value If is 1, it may be assumed that the accounting process has already ended.

  If the flag value corresponding to the accounting number read by the code reading unit 344 in the accounting data file 672 is 1, the error output unit 347 (error output unit) outputs an error, assuming that the accounting process has already ended. Do the processing. In the error output process, the error output unit 347 turns on the light emitting unit 326 in red, displays information notifying an error occurrence on the information display unit 327, and notifies an attendant clerk or the like of the error occurrence. Further, the error output unit 347 displays and outputs a warning message indicating that the read accounting label 70 has already been used on the display 315.

  The error output destination is not limited to the above, and the error output unit 347 outputs the accounting number and error information to the accounting server 6 and identifies the output accounting device 3 on the display 66 of the accounting server 6. Information, accounting number, and error status may be displayed and output. The accounting server 6 may record the error status in the accounting data file 672 based on the received error information.

  Next, the hardware configuration and functional configuration of the accounting server 6 will be described.

  FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration and a functional configuration of the accounting server 6. The accounting server 6 includes a control unit 61 having a computer configuration including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. An operation unit 65 such as a keyboard, a display 66, and an HDD 67 are connected to the control unit 61 via a bus 62 and an I / O device control unit 64. The control unit 61 performs data communication with the registration device 2, the accounting device 3, and the monitoring device 4 via the communication I / F 63 and the network NT.

  The HDD 67 stores a program 671 executed by the control unit 61 and an accounting data file 672. The accounting data file 672 (accounting information storage means) is a data file that stores the accounting number received from the registration device 2 and accounting data in association with each other.

  Next, the program 671 executed by the accounting server 6 will be described.

  Note that the program 671 executed by the accounting server 6 of this embodiment is provided by being incorporated in the HDD 67 in advance. The program 671 executed by the accounting server 6 of the present embodiment is a computer readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD, etc., in an installable format or an executable format file. You may comprise so that it may record and provide.

  Furthermore, the program 671 executed by the accounting server 6 of the present embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the program 671 executed by the accounting server 6 of the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  As shown in FIG. 9, the program 671 has a module configuration including a communication control unit 611 and an accounting data management unit 612. The CPU (processor) of the control unit 61 reads the program 671 from the HDD 67 and loads the above-described units onto the main storage device. As a result, the above-described units are generated on the main storage device.

  The communication control unit 611 controls data communication with the registration device 2, the accounting device 3, and the monitoring device 4 connected via the communication I / F 63 and the network NT.

  The accounting data management unit 612 functions as accounting information management means for associating the accounting number and accounting data transmitted by the registration apparatus 2 and storing them in the accounting data file 672.

  Next, the hardware configuration and the functional configuration of the monitoring device 4 will be described.

  FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing a hardware configuration and a functional configuration of the monitoring device 4. The monitoring device 4 includes a control unit 41 having a computer configuration including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. Further, a camera 45, a warning light 46 and a speaker 47 are connected to the control unit 41 via the bus 42 and the I / O device control unit 44. The control unit 41 performs data communication with the accounting server 6 via the communication I / F 43 and the network NT.

  Next, a program executed by the monitoring device 4 will be described.

  The program executed by the monitoring device 4 of the present embodiment is provided by being incorporated in advance in the ROM of the control unit 41. The program executed by the monitoring apparatus 4 of the present embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD. You may comprise so that it may record and provide.

  Furthermore, the program executed by the monitoring device 4 of the present embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the program executed by the monitoring device 4 of the present embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the program executed by the monitoring device 4 has a module configuration including an image capturing unit 411, a code reading unit 412, a transaction status inquiry unit 413, and an error output unit 414. The CPU (processor) of the control unit 41 reads the program from the ROM and loads the above units onto the main storage device. As a result, the above-described units are generated on the main storage device.

  The image capture unit 411 captures an image captured by the camera 45 onto the work memory of the control unit 41. Frame images are sequentially captured on the work memory according to the imaging rate of the camera 45.

  The code reading unit 412 detects a code symbol from the captured image captured by the image capturing unit 411, and reads information included in the code symbol. Specifically, the code reading unit 412 reads the accounting number from the code symbol 71 of the accounting label 70 attached to the basket 80. That is, the code reading unit 412 functions as an example of a reading unit that reads accounting identification information.

  The accounting status inquiry unit 413 inquires of the accounting server 6 about the flag value corresponding to the accounting number read by the code reading unit 412 and inquires about the accounting status, that is, whether or not the accounting process has already been completed.

  The error output unit 414 (error output means) detects fraudulent activity and outputs an error when the basket 80 containing unaccounted goods is taken out of the accounting area 60 (see FIG. 1). That is, if the flag value corresponding to the accounting number read by the code reading unit 412 is 0 in the accounting data file 672, the error output unit 414 performs error output processing, assuming that the accounting processing has not ended yet. . In the error output process, the error output unit 414 turns on the warning light 46 to notify the attendant or the like of the error occurrence. In addition, the error output unit 414 controls the speaker 47 and outputs a warning message that the read accounting label 70 has already been used by voice.

  The error output unit 414 may notify the accounting server 6 of the accounting number in which the error has occurred, and the accounting server 6 may record the error content of the accounting number in the accounting data file 672.

  Next, an operation example of the accounting system 100 will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the accounting data file update process executed by the registration device 2 and the accounting server 6.

  The registration device 2 performs product registration processing (step S1). That is, the display control unit 151 displays the registration screen on the operator display 114. The input receiving unit 152 receives an input of a product code via the scanner 111 or the touch panel 113. The registration unit 153 reads product information corresponding to the product code from the PLU file F1 and calculates a subtotal amount.

  When the operation of the current key 1151 of the operation unit 115 is accepted (step S2: Yes), the registration unit 153 calculates the total amount of money for the transaction, and the display control unit 151 displays the total amount for the operator display 114, the customer. Is displayed on the display 117 (step S3). While the operation of the current total key 1151 is not accepted (step S2: No), the process returns to step S1 to continue product registration. When the input accepting unit 152 accepts the operation of the confirmation key 1152 (step S4: Yes), the registration unit 153 generates sales data including product information, total amount, etc. of the sales product and registers it in the sales file F2 (step S5). ). If step S4 is No, the process returns to step S1.

  In addition, the registration unit 153 generates accounting data including product information of all the products registered in the transaction, the total amount of the transaction, identification information of the registration device 2, store clerk information for specifying the store clerk, and the like ( Step S6). Further, the registration unit 153 issues an accounting number for identifying the accounting data (step S7). The data communication unit 154 associates the transaction number with the transaction data and transmits it to the transaction server 6 (step S8).

  Then, the code symbol generation unit 155 of the registration device 2 generates a code symbol including the accounting number (step S9). The print control unit 156 controls the printer 116 to print the code symbol generated in step S9 and issue the accounting label 70 (step S10). The operator affixes the accounting label 70 to the basket 80 (see FIG. 4) containing the registered goods, and tells the customer to carry out the accounting process with the accounting device 3. The registration device 2 shifts to the product registration for the next customer (step S1).

  In the accounting server 6, the communication control unit 611 receives the accounting number and accounting data transmitted by the registration device 2 in step S8 (step S11). The accounting data management unit 612 associates the accounting number received in step S11 with the accounting data, and stores it in the accounting data file 672. Accordingly, the accounting data management unit 612 updates the accounting data file 672 (step S12).

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of the procedure of the accounting data file update process executed by the accounting apparatus 3 and the accounting server 6.

  The customer carries the basket 80 with the accounting label 70 attached thereto, moves to the vacant accounting apparatus 3, and places the basket 80 on the mounting table 329 of the accounting apparatus 3. In the accounting apparatus 3, the image capture unit 343 captures a captured image of the camera 303. While the code symbol is not detected in the captured image (step S21: No), the process returns to step S21 and the code symbol detection process is continued.

  When a code symbol is detected in the captured image (step S21: Yes), the code reading unit 344 decodes the code symbol and reads information. When the accounting number is read from the code symbol (step S22: Yes), the accounting number is transmitted to the accounting server 6 to inquire accounting data (step S23). If the information read from the code symbol is information other than the accounting number (step S22: No), the process returns to step S21 to continue detecting the code symbol.

  The accounting data management unit 612 of the accounting server 6 reads the accounting data corresponding to the accounting number inquired from the accounting device 3 and the flag value indicating the presence / absence of accounting from the accounting data file 672, and sends it to the inquiring accounting device 3. A transmission response is made (step S31).

  If the flag value is 1 (step S24: No), the accounting processor 346 of the accounting apparatus 3 does. It is determined that the accounting has already been taken, and that the appropriate accounting label 70 has not been read. The error output unit 347 turns on the light emitting unit 326 in the warning mode, displays the error content on the information display unit 327, and outputs an error (step S25).

  On the other hand, if the flag value is 0 (step S24: Yes), the relevant accounting is unaccounted, and the appropriate accounting label 70 is read. In this case, the display control unit 341 of the accounting apparatus 3 displays the total amount on the display 315 based on the accounting data received from the accounting server 6. Further, the accounting processing unit 346 performs accounting processing by the settlement method selected by the customer from the operation unit 115 (step S26). If the accounting process ends normally (step S27: Yes), the accounting processing unit 346 generates receipt data based on the accounting data, prints the receipt by the printer 319, and issues it from the receipt issuing port 319a (step S28). . Further, the accounting processor 346 notifies the accounting server 6 of information indicating that the accounting process corresponding to the accounting number is completed (step S29). In response to the notification, the accounting data management unit 612 of the accounting server 6 changes the flag value corresponding to the accounting number of the accounting data file 672 to 1, and updates the accounting data file 672 (step S32).

  On the other hand, if the accounting process does not end even after a predetermined time (step S27: No), the error output unit 347 turns on the light emitting unit 326 in the caution mode, displays the error content on the information display unit 327, and outputs an error. (Step S30).

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of a monitoring process performed by the monitoring device 4 and the accounting server 6.

  The customer who has finished the accounting process passes between the gates of the monitoring device 4 when leaving the accounting area 60 and moving to the packing space. The image capture unit 411 of the monitoring device 4 captures a captured image of the camera 45. While the code symbol is not detected in the captured image (step S41: No), the process returns to step S41 and the code symbol detection process is continued.

  When a code symbol is detected in the captured image (step S41: Yes), the code reading unit 412 decodes the code symbol and reads information. When the accounting number is read from the code symbol (step S42: Yes), the accounting status inquiry unit 413 sends the accounting number to the accounting server 6 to inquire about the accounting status (step S43). If the information read from the code symbol is information other than the accounting number (step S42: No), the process returns to step S41 to continue detecting the code symbol.

  The accounting data management unit 612 of the accounting server 6 reads the flag value of the inquired accounting number from the accounting data file 672 and sends a response to the inquiry source monitoring device 4 (step S51). If the flag value is 1, the accounting status inquiry unit 413 of the monitoring device 4 assumes that the product in the basket 80 has been paid, that is, the accounting process has been completed normally (step S44: Yes), and outputs an error. Then, the process returns to step S41 and continues the monitoring process. On the other hand, if the flag value is 0, the error output unit 414 determines that the product in the basket 80 has not been paid (step S44: No), and performs error output processing (step S45). That is, the error output unit 414 turns on the warning lamp 46 and outputs a warning message or a warning sound from the speaker 47.

(Other modes)
In the above example, the registration apparatus 2 prints the code symbol 71 including the accounting number on the accounting label 70 and uses the accounting label 70 as a recording medium that records and holds the accounting identification information. Accounting identification information may be recorded and held on a recording medium. For example, a recording medium such as an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) tag may be used. In this case, an RFID tag is attached to the basket 80, and the registration apparatus 2 writes an accounting number in the RFID tag of the basket 80 via short-range wireless communication using an RFID reader / writer.

  The accounting apparatus 3 is provided with an RFID reader / writer at a position corresponding to the position of the RFID tag of the cage 80 placed on the mounting table 329 on the mounting table 329 or the side surface 301 b of the first housing 301. deep. When the basket 80 is placed on the mounting table 329 and the RFID reader / writer reads the accounting number from the RFID tag (another example of the reading means), the accounting device 3 inquires the accounting server 6 about the accounting number and You can read the data (other examples of accounting information reading means).

  When the RFID tag is used as described above, the accounting apparatus 3 may include an RFID reader / writer, and may write information indicating that the accounting process has been normally completed to the RFID tag after the accounting process is completed (accounting process status management). Other examples of means). That is, the accounting apparatus 3 (accounting status management means) uses the accounting data file 672 of the accounting server 6 and the recording medium to indicate that the accounting processing corresponding to the accounting identification information is completed after the accounting processing is completed. Writing may be performed on at least one of (for example, an RFID tag).

  Then, if the information indicating that the accounting process is completed is written in the RFID tag, the accounting device 3 assumes that the contents of the basket to which the RFID tag is attached has already been accounted for and outputs an error. Good.

  In addition, the monitoring device 4 includes an RFID reader, and it is assumed that an unaccounted item is illegally taken out from the accounting area 60 when an RFID tag to which information indicating that the accounting process has been normally completed is detected. Error output may be performed.

-Another configuration example of the accounting apparatus Assuming that the configuration of the accounting apparatus 3 described above including the first housing 301 and the second housing 302 is referred to as a main body, the main body is a display 315; An insertion slot for payment media (such as banknotes, coins or credit cards), and an issue outlet for receipts. Note that the configuration of the accounting apparatus 3 of the present embodiment is not limited by the external configuration of the accounting apparatus 3 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5. Further, the configuration of the accounting device 3 according to the present embodiment is not limited at all by the type of payment medium. Moreover, although the mounting table 329 on which the product for which the registration process has been performed by the registration device 2 is provided on the side (side) of the main body, the mounting table is separate from the accounting device 3. The account number may be read from the recording medium attached to the basket on the table.

  In addition, although the reading window 304 of the camera 303 is provided on the side surface portion of the main body, that is, the side surface 301b, as an imaging unit that images the article on the mounting table 329, the installation location of the camera 303 is not limited thereto. As another example, in a configuration in which the camera is separate from the accounting apparatus 3, the accounting number may be read from a code symbol included in a captured image of the camera.

  As described above, according to the above-described embodiment, it is possible to provide an accounting system and an accounting apparatus capable of improving the efficiency of customer purchase in accounting processing.

  Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and the gist of the invention, and are included in the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

2 Registration Device 3 Accounting Device 4 Monitoring Device 6 Accounting Server 70 Accounting Label 71 Code Symbol 80 Basket 100 Accounting System 301 First Case 301b Side 303 Camera 304 Reading Window 329 Mounting Table 672 Accounting Data File

Japanese Patent No. 578149

Claims (6)

A registration device, an accounting server, and an accounting device;
The registration device
Accounting identification information output means for outputting accounting identification information for identifying accounting information on a recording medium;
Accounting information transmitting means for correlating the accounting identification information and the accounting information and transmitting it to the accounting server;
The accounting server
It comprises accounting information management means for correlating the accounting identification information sent by the registration device with the accounting information and storing it in accounting information storage means.
The accounting device
Reading means for reading the accounting identification information from the recording medium;
Accounting information reading means for reading the accounting information corresponding to the accounting identification information read by the reading means from the accounting information storage means of the accounting server;
Accounting means for performing accounting processing using the accounting information read by the accounting information reading means;
Accounting processing status management means for writing information indicating that accounting processing corresponding to the accounting identification information has ended after completion of the accounting processing into at least one of the accounting information storage means and the recording medium of the accounting server; ,
Accounting system equipped with. The accounting identification information output means of the registration device prints out a code symbol including the accounting identification information on a label,
The accounting system according to claim 1, wherein the reading unit of the accounting apparatus reads the accounting identification information from a code symbol printed on the label. The accounting device
An error output means for outputting an error if the accounting process corresponding to the accounting identification information read by the reading means has already been completed based on at least one of the accounting information storage means and the recording medium. The accounting system according to claim 1 or 2. The accounting system further comprises a monitoring device, the monitoring device comprising
Reading means for reading the accounting identification information from the recording medium;
An error output means for outputting an error if the accounting process corresponding to the accounting identification information read by the reading means is not completed based on at least one of the accounting information storage means and the recording medium; The accounting system according to any one of claims 1 to 3. The accounting identification information output unit of the registration device writes the accounting identification information to an RFID tag by near field communication.
The reading unit of the accounting apparatus reads the accounting identification information from the RFID tag,
The accounting process status management means of the accounting apparatus writes information indicating that the accounting process is completed to the RFID tag after the accounting process ends,
The error output unit of the monitoring apparatus outputs an error when the accounting identification information is read from the RFID tag but the information indicating that the accounting process is completed can not be read by the RFID tag. Accounting system described in. A main body including a display, a settlement medium insertion slot, and a receipt issuing slot;
A mounting table which is provided on the side of the main body and on which a product for which registration processing has been performed by the registration device is placed;
Imaging means provided on the side surface of the main body, and imaging the article on the mounting table,
Reading means for reading accounting identification information for specifying an accounting process from code symbols included in a captured image captured by the imaging means;
Accounting information reading means that reads accounting information corresponding to the accounting identification information read by the reading means from an accounting server that stores accounting identification information and accounting information in association with each other;
Accounting means for performing accounting processing using the accounting information read by the accounting information reading means;
Accounting device equipped with

Images