JP2020205059A - Information terminal and method for controlling same and program - Google Patents

Abstract

To allow efficient monitoring of states of information terminals and an accounting machine.SOLUTION: A monitoring support device includes a first collection unit, a second collection unit, a control unit and an output unit. The first collection unit collects information capable of identifying a state relating to registration from a plurality of information terminals. The second collection unit collects information capable of identifying a state relating to accounting from an accounting machine. The control unit sets a first status indicating a state of the information terminal for each of the plurality of information terminals on the basis of the information collected by the first collection unit, sets a second status indicating a state of the accounting machine on the basis of the information collected by the second collection unit, and generates a monitoring image in which a first state display unit indicating the first status set for each information terminal and a second state display unit indicating the second status are arranged in one screen area. The output unit outputs the monitoring image to an output device.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 33

Description

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a monitoring device, a monitoring support device, and a program for causing a computer to function as the monitoring support device.

Semi-self-type product sales in which the product registration function and accounting function of the POS (Point Of Sales) terminal are divided into a registration machine and an accounting machine, the registration machine is operated by a clerk, and the accounting machine is operated by the customer himself. The system has already been put into practical use. A product sales system that simplifies the product registration operation to the POS terminal by the customer going around the sales floor together with the information terminal having a wireless communication function and registering the data of the product to be purchased on the information terminal is already known. ing.

The introduction of a product sales system is being considered in which the customer himself operates the information terminal to register the purchased product, and the customer himself also accounts for the purchased product using the accounting machine. In order to introduce such a product sales system, a monitoring device for centrally monitoring the status of information terminals and accounting machines is required.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-095026 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-108010

An object to be solved by the embodiment of the present invention is to provide a monitoring device, a monitoring support device, and a program thereof that can efficiently monitor the state of an information terminal and an accounting machine.

In one embodiment, the monitoring support device is a product sales system in which each user of the information terminal operates the information terminal at the sales floor to register the purchased product, and the user accounts for the purchased product with the accounting machine. It is a monitoring support device of. The monitoring support device includes a first collection unit, a second collection unit, a control unit, and an output unit. The first collection unit collects information that can identify the state related to registration from a plurality of information terminals. The second collection unit collects information that can identify the state related to accounting from the accounting machine. The control unit sets a first status indicating the status of the information terminal for each of a plurality of information terminals based on the information collected by the first collection unit, and the status of the accounting machine based on the information collected by the second collection unit. A monitoring image in which a second status indicating is set and a first status display unit indicating the first status set for each information terminal and a second status display unit indicating the second status are arranged in one screen area. To generate. The output unit outputs the surveillance image to the output device.

Overall configuration diagram of the product sales system according to this embodiment. The schematic diagram which shows the layout example of the store which introduced the product sales system. The block diagram which shows the main part circuit composition of the 1st server in the product sales system. The schematic diagram which shows the main data structure of the product data record stored in the product database in the 1st server. The schematic diagram which shows the main data structure of the member data record stored in the member database in the 1st server. The schematic diagram which shows the main data structure of the promotion data record stored in the promotion database in the 1st server. The block diagram which shows the main part circuit composition of the 2nd server in the product sales system. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the information terminal table in the 2nd server. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the registration list described in the information terminal table. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the sales promotion list described in the information terminal table. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the shopping list described in the information terminal table. The schematic diagram which shows the structure of the accounting machine table in the 2nd server. A block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main part of a monitoring terminal in the product sales system. A block diagram showing a circuit configuration of a main part of an information terminal in the product sales system. The perspective view which shows an example of the cart to which the information terminal is attached. A flow chart showing the main information processing procedures executed by the processor of the information terminal. The flow chart which shows the procedure of the login interrupt processing executed by the processor of the 2nd server. The flow chart which shows the procedure of the product registration interrupt processing executed by the processor of the 2nd server. The flow chart which shows the procedure of the product registration interrupt processing executed by the processor of the 2nd server. The flow chart which shows the procedure of the product registration interrupt processing executed by the processor of the 2nd server. The flow chart which shows the procedure of the accounting interrupt processing executed by the processor of the 2nd server. The flow chart which shows the procedure of the accounting request interrupt processing executed by the processor of the 2nd server. The flow chart which shows the procedure of the accounting end interrupt processing executed by the processor of the 2nd server. The flow chart which shows the procedure of the face-to-face accounting interrupt processing executed by the processor of the 2nd server. The flow chart which shows the procedure of the time-out interrupt processing executed by the processor of the 2nd server. The flow chart which shows the procedure of the surveillance image creation process executed by the processor of the 2nd server. The flow chart which shows the procedure of the batch cancel interrupt processing executed by the processor of the 2nd server. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the registered image displayed on the touch panel of the information terminal. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the registered image displayed on the touch panel of the information terminal. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the clerk confirmation image displayed on the touch panel of the information terminal. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the plastic shopping bag confirmation image displayed on the touch panel of the information terminal. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the member barcode image displayed on the touch panel of the information terminal. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the monitoring image displayed on the touch panel of the monitoring terminal. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the accounting machine state display part displayed in the monitoring image. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the terminal state display part displayed in the monitoring image. The schematic diagram which shows another example of the monitoring image displayed on the touch panel of the monitoring terminal. The schematic diagram which shows an example of the batch cancellation confirmation image displayed on the touch panel of the information terminal.

Hereinafter, in the product sales system in which the customer himself operates the information terminal to register the purchased product and the customer himself performs the accounting of the purchased product with the accounting machine, the state of the information terminal and the accounting machine is efficiently maintained. An embodiment of a monitoring device and a monitoring support device that can be monitored will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of a product sales system according to the present embodiment. The product sales system includes a first server 10, a second server 20, a POS terminal 30, an accounting machine 40, an information terminal 50, and a monitoring terminal 60. The first server 10, the second server 20, the POS terminal 30, and the accounting machine 40 are connected to a network 70 such as a LAN (Local Area Network).

The information terminal 50 and the monitoring terminal 60 both include a wireless unit. The access point 80 is connected to the network 70. The information terminal 50 and the monitoring terminal 60 perform wireless communication with the access point 80. The access point 80 relays communication between each device connected to the network 70, that is, the first server 10, the second server 20, the POS terminal 30, the accounting machine 40, and the information terminal 50 and the monitoring terminal 60.

There may be a plurality of POS terminals 30, accounting machines 40, and information terminals 50 in one store. There may be two or more monitoring terminals 60 and access points 80 depending on the size of the store and the like. At least one of the first server 10 and the second server 20 communicates with the customer terminal via the public network. The customer terminal is, for example, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, a personal computer, or the like owned by the customer. The public network is, for example, the Internet. In the present embodiment, the first server 10 connects to the public network as a center saver. The second server 20 communicates with the POS terminal 30 as a store server.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a layout example of a store in which the product sales system is introduced. The shopping cart used by the customer M1 who is a purchaser or a consumer when shopping in the store has an information terminal 50. In the following description, the shopping cart will be referred to as cart C. The customer is a user of the information terminal 50. The information terminal 50 may be possessed by the cart C or may be possessed by the shopping cart. The customer M1 goes around the sales floor together with the cart C and puts the product to be purchased into the cart C. The customer M1 operates the information terminal 50 to register the purchased product. When the registration of the purchased product is completed, the customer M1 goes to the face-to-face cash register G1 or the self-register G2 and settles the commercial transaction by paying the price of the purchased product. After the settlement, the customer M1 packs the bags on the bagger SU as needed.

At the face-to-face cash register G1, the cashier M2, who is a clerk in charge of accounting, registers and setstles the purchased product. The face-to-face cash register G1 has a POS terminal 30. The face-to-face cash register G1 has a scanner. The scanner may be stationary or handheld. The cashier M2 registers the sales data of the purchased products in the POS terminal 30 by scanning the barcodes of the purchased products one by one with the scanner SC. The POS terminal 30 calculates the settlement amount of the registered purchased product. The customer M1 pays the cashier M2 the price equivalent to the settlement amount. The price can be paid by cash, credit card, electronic money, points, gift certificates and other cash vouchers. The POS terminal 30 is an example of a product sales processing device that processes the registration and accounting of purchased products.

In the self-checkout G2, the customer M1 registers and setstles the purchased product. The self-checkout G2 has an accounting machine 40. The second server 20 calculates the settlement amount of the purchased product registered by the customer M1 operating the information terminal 50. The second server 20 notifies the accounting machine 40 of the settlement amount via the network 70. The customer M1 pays the payment amount equivalent to the payment amount to the accounting machine 40 notified of the payment amount. The price can be paid by cash, credit card, electronic money, points, etc.

The attendant counter AT is in the vicinity of the self-registration G2. As described above, in the store of the present embodiment, the customer M1 can operate the information terminal 50 and the accounting machine 40 to consistently perform the process from registration of the purchased product to settlement by the customer himself / herself. However, on the other hand, there may be a situation where a clerk must intervene. For example, a specialized salesperson may have to provide information to a customer M1 who purchases a drug. Since the information of the discount sticker is forgotten to be input to the information terminal 50, it may be registered at the normal price. Alternatively, the information terminal 50 may scan the barcode of the product, but an error may occur and the product cannot be registered. Even in the accounting machine 40, an error such as a coin jam or a receipt paper shortage may occur.

The attendant M3, who is a clerk in charge of customer service, is resident at the attendant counter AT so that such an event can be dealt with promptly. The attendant counter AT has a monitoring terminal 60. The attendant M3 monitors the status of each information terminal 50 and the accounting machine 40 by using the monitoring terminal 60.

Next, the configurations of the first server 10, the second server 20, the information terminal 50, and the monitoring terminal 60 will be described. The POS terminal 30 may be the same as the POS terminal used in a store having an existing face-to-face cash register G1. The accounting machine 40 may be the same as the accounting machine used in the semi-self-type product sales system. The description of the configuration of the POS terminal 30 and the accounting machine 40 will be omitted.

First, the configuration of the first server 10 will be described.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of the first server 10. The first server 10 includes a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, a communication interface 14, a gateway device 15, and a system transmission line 16. The system transmission line 16 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like. The first server 10 connects the processor 11, the main memory 12, the auxiliary storage device 13, the communication interface 14, and the gateway device 15 to the system transmission line 16. The first server 10 constitutes a computer by a processor 11, a main memory 12, an auxiliary storage device 13, and a system transmission line 16 connecting them.

The processor 11 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 11 controls each part in order to realize various functions as the first server 10 according to the operating system and the application program. The processor 11 is, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit).

The main memory 12 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The main memory 12 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 12 stores an operating system and an application program in a non-volatile memory area. The main memory 12 may store data necessary for the processor to execute a process for controlling each part in a non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 12 uses a volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor. For example, the non-volatile memory area is ROM (Read Only Memory). The volatile memory area is RAM (Random Access Memory).

The auxiliary storage device 13 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, an EEPROM (Electric Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), an HDD (Hard Disc Drive), an SSD (Solid State Drive), or the like is used as the auxiliary storage device 13. The auxiliary storage device 13 stores data used by the processor 11 for performing various processes and data created by the processes of the processor 11. The auxiliary storage device 13 may store the above application program.

The communication interface 14 transmits and receives data according to a communication protocol with each unit connected via the network 70. The gateway device 15 connects to a public network.

The first server 10 includes a product database 131, a member database 132, and a sales promotion database 133 in the auxiliary storage device 13.

The product database 131 stores data on each product sold in the store. FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a main data structure of the product data record 131R per product stored in the product database 131. As shown in FIG. 4, the product data record 131R includes items such as a product ID, a product name, a price, a classification name, a link sales promotion ID, and a restriction flag.

The product ID is a unique code set for each product in order to individually identify each product. The product name and price are the name of the product specified by the product ID and the selling price per item.

The classification name is information that identifies the classification to which the product specified by the product ID belongs. For example, the product "apple" has many varieties such as "Fuji", "Jonagold", and "Jonathan", and different product IDs are set for each cultivar. However, the classification name is unified to "apple" for all varieties.

The link sales promotion ID is a code that identifies the sales promotion information associated with the product specified by the product ID. The sales promotion information associated with the product is, for example, information on a campaign that can be participated in by purchasing the product, information on a bargain item for which a discount privilege can be obtained, information on a coupon ticket that can be obtained, and the like. Incidentally, when the sales promotion information is not associated with the product, a Null value is set as the link sales promotion ID. In the present embodiment, one sales promotion information is associated with one product, but two or more sales promotion information may be associated with each other.

The restriction flag is 1-bit information for identifying whether or not the product specified by the product ID is an age-restricted product such as alcoholic beverages, cigarettes, and the like. In the present embodiment, the restriction flag of the product with age restriction is set to "1", and the restriction flag of the product without age restriction is set to "0".

The member database 132 stores data on customers who have registered as members such as point members, so-called members. FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the member data record 132R per member stored in the member database 132. As shown in the figure, the member data record 132R includes items such as a member ID, purchase history data, and shopping data. The member ID is a unique code set for each member in order to individually identify each member. The member owns a recording medium on which the member ID is recorded. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic card, a contact type IC (Integrated Circuit) card, a non-contact type IC card, a smartphone, or the like. The purchase history data is data showing the purchase history of when and what the member specified by the member ID purchased.

The shopping data is data of products that the member specified by the member ID plans to shop. The customer can, for example, operate the customer terminal to access the first server 10 via the public network and register the shopping data in his / her member data record 132R. The shopping data includes the name of the product for which shopping is planned. The name may be a product name set in the product data record 131R or a classification name. That is, a customer who plans to purchase the product "apple" regardless of the variety may register the name "apple" as shopping data. On the other hand, for example, a customer who plans to purchase a product "apple" whose product name is "Fuji apple" may register the name "Fuji apple" as shopping data.

The sales promotion database 133 stores sales promotion information related to the above-mentioned campaigns, bargain items, coupons, and the like. FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the main data structure of the sales promotion data record 133R per information stored in the sales promotion database 133. As shown in the figure, the sales promotion data record 133R includes the sales promotion ID and the sales promotion data. The sales promotion ID is a unique code set for each sales promotion information in order to individually identify the sales promotion information. The sales promotion data is image data that specifically represents the sales promotion information.

Next, the configuration of the second server 20 will be described.
FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of the second server 20. Like the first server 10, the second server 20 includes a processor 21, a main memory 22, an auxiliary storage device 23, a communication interface 24, and a system transmission line 25. The system transmission line 25 includes a processor 21, a main memory 22, and a system transmission line 25. The auxiliary storage device 23 and the communication interface 24 are connected. The second server 20 constitutes a computer by a processor 21, a main memory 22, an auxiliary storage device 23, and a system transmission line 25 connecting them. The schematic description of the processor 21, the main memory 22, the auxiliary storage device 23, and the communication interface 24 may be the same as the description for the first server 10.

The second server 20 functions as a monitoring support device that supports monitoring the status of the information terminal 50 and the accounting machine 40 by using the monitoring terminal 60 that functions as a display device. The second server 20 uses a part of the volatile area in the main memory 22 as the information terminal table 221 and the accounting machine table 222 in order to realize the function as the monitoring support device. The information terminal table 221 includes an area for holding various information for each information terminal 50 provided in each cart C.

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the information terminal table 221. The information terminal table 221 includes a terminal ID, a terminal status ST1, a member ID, an accounting machine ID, a first timer T1, a second timer T2, a third timer T3, a counter N, a registration list, a sales promotion list, a shopping list, and an accounting code. It has areas A1 to A13 for describing each information of the rank.

The area A1 is an area for describing a unique terminal ID set for each information terminal 50 in order to individually identify each information terminal 50. In FIG. 8, the terminal IDs are represented as TB1, TB2, TB3, TB4, ... The terminal ID is terminal identification information. The area A2 is an area for describing information indicating the state of the information terminal 50 specified by the corresponding terminal ID, that is, the so-called terminal status ST1. The terminal status ST1 represents "waiting", "registering", "accounting", and "leaving". "Waiting" is the state from the completion of the accounting of the previous customer to the login of the next customer. "Registering" is the state from login to approval of accounting. "Accounting in progress" is the state from the approval of the accounting to the end of the accounting. "Leave" is a state of being left unattended for a certain period of time from the state of "registering".

The area A3 is an area for describing the member ID of the member who has logged in to the information terminal 50. The area A4 is an area for describing the accounting machine ID of the accounting machine 40 that accounts for the goods registered in the information terminal 50. The accounting machine 40 has a unique accounting machine ID to individually identify each accounting machine 40.

The area A5 is an area for describing the value of the first timer T1 for measuring the elapsed time since the login is performed. The area A6 is an area for describing the value of the second timer T2 for measuring the elapsed time since the barcode of the product with the discount sticker is scanned. The area A7 is an area for describing the value of the third timer T3 for measuring the elapsed time from the registration of the last purchased product after login. The area A8 is an area for describing the value of the counter N for counting the number of sales promotion data.

The area A9 is an area for describing the registration list L1 shown in FIG. 9, which lists the information about the products registered in the information terminal 50. The area A10 is an area for describing the sales promotion list L2 shown in FIG. 10, which lists the sales promotion information associated with the products registered in the information terminal 50. The area A11 is an area for describing the shopping list L3 shown in FIG. 11, which lists the shopping data of the members who have logged in to the information terminal 50. The area A12 is an area for describing an accounting code issued for each commercial transaction in order to identify the commercial transaction in which the product is registered on the information terminal 50. The area A13 is an area for describing the order when the state of the information terminal 50 is displayed on the monitoring terminal 60. The accounting code and ranking will be clarified in the explanation below.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the registration list L1. The registration list L1 describes the product ID, the product name, the points, the amount of money, the first flag F1, the second flag F2, and the third flag F3 in the order of a series of numbers. The first flag F1, the second flag F2, and the third flag F3 will be clarified later in the description.

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the sales promotion list L2. The sales promotion list L2 describes the sales promotion ID, the sales promotion data, the product ID, and the fourth flag F4 in the order of a series of numbers. The fourth flag F4 will be clarified later in the description.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view showing an example of the shopping list L3. The shopping list L3 describes the names and the fifth flag F5 in the order of a series of numbers. The fifth flag F5 will be clarified later in the description.

FIG. 12 is a schematic view showing the configuration of the accounting machine table 222. The accounting machine table 222 has areas B1 to B4 for describing each information of the accounting machine ID, the accounting machine status ST2, the first error flag EF1, and the second error flag EF2, respectively.

The area B1 is an area for describing a unique accounting machine ID set for each accounting machine 40 in order to individually identify each accounting machine 40. Area B2 is an area for describing the accounting machine status ST2. The accounting machine status ST2 is information indicating the status of the accounting machine 40 specified by the accounting machine ID. The accounting machine status ST2 represents "idle" and "paying". "Idle" is the state from the completion of the accounting of the previous customer to the start of the accounting of the next customer. "Paying" is the state from the start to the end of the accounting of one customer.

The area B3 is an area for describing the first error flag EF1 indicating whether or not an error has occurred in the printer of the accounting machine 40 with 1-bit information. The accounting machine 40 has a printer for printing a receipt. The accounting machine 40 causes a printer error, for example, when the receipt paper runs out. When a printer error occurs, the first error flag EF1 changes from "0" to "1". After that, when the error is resolved, the first error flag EF1 returns from "1" to "0".

The area B4 is an area for describing the second error flag EF2 which indicates whether or not an error has occurred in the change machine of the accounting machine 40 with 1-bit information. The accounting machine 40 has a change machine for collecting deposits and paying out change. The accounting machine 40 causes a change machine error when, for example, a coin jam occurs. When a change machine error occurs, the second error flag EF2 changes from "0" to "1". After that, when the error is resolved, the second error flag EF2 returns from "1" to "0".

Next, the configurations of the monitoring terminal 60 and the information terminal 50 will be described.
FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of the monitoring terminal 60. The monitoring terminal 60 includes a processor 61, a main memory 62, an auxiliary storage device 63, a wireless unit 64, a touch panel 65, and a system transmission line 66. The system transmission line 66 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like. The monitoring terminal 60 connects the processor 61, the main memory 62, the auxiliary storage device 63, the wireless unit 64, and the touch panel 65 to the system transmission line 66 directly or via a signal input / output circuit. The monitoring terminal 60 constitutes a computer by a processor 61, a main memory 62, an auxiliary storage device 63, and a system transmission line 66 connecting them.

The processor 61 corresponds to the central part of the computer. The processor 61 controls each part in order to realize various functions as the monitoring terminal 60 according to the operating system and the application program. The processor 61 is, for example, a CPU.

The main memory 62 corresponds to the main memory portion of the computer. The main memory 62 includes a non-volatile memory area and a volatile memory area. The main memory 62 stores an operating system and an application program in a non-volatile memory area. The main memory 62 may store data necessary for the processor to execute a process for controlling each part in a non-volatile or volatile memory area. The main memory 62 uses a volatile memory area as a work area where data is appropriately rewritten by the processor. For example, the non-volatile memory area is ROM. The volatile memory area is RAM.

The auxiliary storage device 63 corresponds to the auxiliary storage portion of the computer. For example, EEPROM, HDD, SSD or the like is used as the auxiliary storage device 63. The auxiliary storage device 63 stores data used by the processor 61 to perform various processes and data created by the processes of the processor 61. The auxiliary storage device 63 may store the above application program.

The wireless unit 64 wirelessly transmits or receives data to and from the access point 80 according to a wireless communication protocol.

The touch panel 65 is a device that has both an input device and a display device of the monitoring terminal 60. The monitoring terminal 60 implements a browser for displaying an image on the touch panel 65 based on image data created by a Web server such as the second server 20.

As the monitoring terminal 60, a computer device such as a tablet terminal, a notebook personal computer, or a desktop personal computer can be used.

FIG. 14 is a block diagram showing a main circuit configuration of the information terminal 50. The information terminal 50 includes a processor 51, a main memory 52, an auxiliary storage device 53, a wireless unit 54, a touch panel 55, a scanner 56, a reader 57, and a system transmission line 58. The system transmission line 58 includes an address bus, a data bus, a control signal line, and the like. The information terminal 50 connects the processor 51, the main memory 52, the auxiliary storage device 53, the wireless unit 54, the touch panel 55, the scanner 56, and the reader 57 directly or via a signal input / output circuit to the system transmission line 58. The information terminal 50 constitutes a computer by a processor 51, a main memory 52, an auxiliary storage device 53, and a system transmission line 58 connecting them. The schematic description of the processor 51, the main memory 52, the auxiliary storage device 53, and the wireless unit 54 may be the same as the description for the monitoring terminal 60.

The touch panel 55 is a device that has both an input device and a display device of the information terminal 50. The information terminal 50 implements a browser for displaying an image on the touch panel 55 based on image data created by a Web server such as the second server 20.

The scanner 56 has a camera as an imaging unit. The scanner 56 reads a code symbol such as a barcode or a two-dimensional data code from an image captured by the camera.

The reader 57 reads the member ID recorded on the recording medium. The reader 57 is a magnetic card reader when the recording medium is a magnetic card, and an IC card reader when the recording medium is a contact type IC card. In the case of a recording medium using RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) such as a contactless IC card or a smartphone, an RFID reader is used as the reader 57.

The information terminal 50 electrically connects the scanner 56 and the reader 57 to, for example, the tablet terminal TM shown in FIG. 15 including the processor 51, the main memory 52, the auxiliary storage device 53, the wireless unit 54, and the touch panel 55. Consists of.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing an example of a cart C to which the information terminal 50 is attached. The cart C includes a caster portion C1 for movement, a handle frame portion C2, and a basket receiving portion C3. The caster portion C1 has four wheels for smoothly moving on the floor surface. The handle frame portion C2 includes a pair of vertical frames C21 and C21 erected on the rear wheel side of the caster portion C1 and a handle bar C22 connecting the upper ends of the vertical frames C21 and C21. The basket receiving portion C3 is in front of the middle portion of the handle frame portion C2. In the cart C, a shopping cart BA for accommodating products is placed on the basket receiving portion C3 and the caster portion C1.

The scanner 56 is in the middle of the handlebar C22. The scanner 56 is attached to the handlebar C22 so that the reading window is located forward. The cart C attaches the pole C4 to one of the vertical frames C21. The tip of the pole C4 is located above the handlebar C22. The tablet terminal TM is attached to the tip of the pole C4 so that the screen of the touch panel 55 is positioned rearward. The reader 57 is attached to the tablet terminal TM so that the card slit is located rearward. In FIG. 15, the reader 57 is a magnetic card reader. The battery BT is attached to the lower end side of the handle frame portion C2 over the vertical frames C21 and C21. The battery BT serves as a driving power source for the tablet terminal TM and the scanner 56.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing a main information processing procedure executed by the processor 51 of the information terminal 50. 17 to 27 are flow charts showing main information processing procedures executed by the processor 21 of the second server 20. 28 to 32 and 37 are examples of images displayed on the touch panel 55, which is a display device of the information terminal 50. 33 to 36 are examples of images displayed on the touch panel 65, which is a display device of the monitoring terminal 60. Hereinafter, the main operation of the product sales system according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to each figure. The content of the process described below is an example. As long as similar results can be obtained, the processing procedure and processing content are not particularly limited.

First, the operation related to the information terminal 50 will be described.
The processor 51 of the information terminal 50 displays an initial image on the touch panel 55 as Act1 of FIG. The initial image is arbitrary. The processor 51 uses, for example, an image explaining the login procedure as an initial image. The image data of the initial image is received from the second server 20. The processor 21 of the second server 20 distributes the image data of the initial image to the information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "waiting". The information terminal 50 waiting for login displays an initial image on the touch panel 55.

When the customer M1 who is a member visits the store, he / she takes out an empty cart C from the cart storage area. The customer M1 confirms that the initial image is displayed on the touch panel 55 of the information terminal 50 attached to the cart C. After confirmation, the customer M1 logs in. That is, the customer M1 causes the reader 57 to read the data on the recording medium in which the member ID is recorded.

The processor 51 waits for login as Act2. When the data of the recording medium on which the member ID is recorded is read by the reader 57, the processor 51 determines that the login has been performed, and proceeds to YES in Act2. The processor 51 controls the wireless unit 54 so as to transmit a login command to the second server 20 as Act3. The wireless unit 54 wirelessly transmits a login command. The login command includes the member ID read by the reader 57 and the terminal ID of the information terminal 50. The access point 80 receives the login command. The access point 80 transmits a login command to the second server 20 via the network 70.

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that has received the login command via the communication interface 24 starts the login interrupt process shown in the flow chart of FIG. First, the processor 21 detects the terminal ID from the login command as Act21. The processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221 as Act22, and checks the terminal status ST1 associated with the terminal ID detected from the login command. In the following description, the terminal ID detected from the login command is referred to as a login terminal ID.

If the terminal status ST1 is "waiting", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act22. The processor 21 detects the member ID from the login command as Act23. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 as the Act 24 so as to make an authentication inquiry for the member ID of the first server 10. The communication interface 24 transmits an authentication inquiry command. The authentication inquiry command includes a member ID. The first server 10 receives the authentication inquiry command via the network 70.

The processor 11 of the first server 10 detects the member ID from the authentication inquiry command. The processor 11 accesses the member database 132 and reads out the member data record 132R including the member ID. If the member data record 132R of the member ID is not registered in the member database 132, the processor 11 controls the communication interface 14 so as to send a denial response to the second server 20. The communication interface 14 transmits a response signal of a negative response to the second server 20.

When the corresponding member data record 132R can be read from the member database 132, the processor 11 controls the communication interface 14 so as to transmit an approval response to the second server 20. The communication interface 14 transmits a response signal of the approval response to the second server 20. The approval response includes shopping data for member data record 132R.

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that controls the transmission of the authentication inquiry command listens for the response signal from the first server 10 as Act 25. If the response signal of the approval response is received within a certain period of time, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act25. As Act26, the processor 21 confirms whether or not shopping data is included in the approval response.

If the customer M1 who has logged in has registered the shopping data in advance, the shopping data is included in the approval response. If the shopping data is not registered, the shopping data is not included in the approval response. If the approval response includes shopping data, processor 21 proceeds to YES at Act26. The processor 21 creates a shopping list L3 from the shopping data as Act 27. That is, the processor 21 creates a shopping list L3 by adding a series of numbers to the names constituting the shopping data. The processor 21 stores the shopping list L3 in the area A11 associated with the login terminal ID of the information terminal table 221. The processor 21 sets all the fifth flags F5 corresponding to each number of the shopping list L3 as “0” as Act28. If the approval response does not include shopping data, processor 21 proceeds to NO at Act26. The processor 21 does not execute the above-mentioned processes of Act27 and Act28.

The processor 21 creates the registered image P1 shown in FIG. 28 as Act 29. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 as Act 30 so as to transmit an approval response to the information terminal 50 that is the source of the login command. Further, the processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 so as to transmit the image data of the registered image P1 as the Act 31 to the information terminal 50. The communication interface 24 transmits the response signal of the approval response and the image data of the registered image P1 via the network 70. The access point 80 wirelessly transmits a response signal and image data. The information terminal 50 of the login command transmission source receives the response signal and image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80.

The processor 21 that controls the transmission of the response signal and the image data changes the terminal status ST1 associated with the login terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act 32 from "waiting" to "registering". The processor 21 resets the value of the counter N associated with the login terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act 33 to “0”. Further, the processor 21 starts the counting operation of the first timer T1 associated with the login terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act 34.
With the above, the processor 21 ends the login interrupt processing.

If the terminal status ST1 is not "waiting", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act22. If the response from the first server 10 is a negative response, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act25. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 as Act 35 so as to transmit a negative response to the information terminal 50 that is the source of the login command. The communication interface 24 transmits a response signal of a negative response via the network 70. The access point 80 wirelessly transmits the response signal of the negative response. The information terminal 50 of the login command transmission source receives the response signal of the denial response wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80.
The login command is information that can specify the state related to the registration of the information terminal 50. That is, the processor 21 cooperates with the communication interface 24 to form the first collecting unit. The processor 21 has a function of setting the terminal status ST1 as the first status indicating the state of the information terminal 50 for each of the plurality of information terminals 50 based on the information collected by the first collecting unit by the processing of the Act 32.

Returning to the description of FIG.
The processor 51 of the information terminal 50 that controls the transmission of the login command in Act 3 waits for the response signal from the second server 20 as Act 4. When the response signal of the negative response is received via the wireless unit 54, the processor 51 proceeds to NO in Act4. The processor 51 makes the login an error. When the login is an error, the processor 51 displays an error notification image including a confirmation button on the touch panel 55. When the confirmation button is touched, the processor 51 returns the image of the touch panel 55 to the initial image and waits for the next login.

When the processor 51 receives the response signal of the approval response via the wireless unit 54, the processor 51 proceeds to YES in Act4. The registered image P1 is displayed on the touch panel 55 based on the image data received as Act 5 together with the approval response.

FIG. 28 is a schematic view showing an example of the registered image P1. As shown in FIG. 28, the registered image P1 includes a registered list area PA1, a sales promotion list area PA2, a shopping memo area PA3, a touch button BU1 of [product without barcode], and a touch button BU2 of [accounting]. Including.

The registration list area PA1 is located in the central portion of the registration image P1. The registration list area PA1 is an area for displaying the registration list L1 described in the area A9 associated with the login terminal ID of the information terminal table 221. At the stage before the start of product registration, the registration list area PA1 is blank.

The sales promotion list area PA2 is located above the registered image P1. The sales promotion list area PA2 includes a plurality of sales promotion areas along the upper end of the registered image P1. FIG. 28 shows four promotional areas PA21, PA22, PA23, and PA24. Each of the sales promotion areas PA21, PA22, PA23, and PA24 displays the sales promotion information of the sales promotion list L2 described in the area A10 associated with the login terminal ID of the information terminal table 221. The sales promotion area PA21 at the left end of the screen displays the most recently registered sales promotion information in the sales promotion list L2. The sales promotion areas PA22, PA23, and PA24 on the right side of the sales promotion area PA21 when facing the screen sequentially shift the sales promotion information registered before that. At the stage before the start of product registration, the sales promotion list area PA2 is also blank. Sales promotion information that is not linked to the purchased product, such as "Tomorrow is a special sale day", may be displayed in the sales promotion areas PA21, PA22, PA23, and PA24 of the registered image P1 before the start of product registration.

The shopping memo area PA3 is on the left side of the screen of the registered image P1. The shopping memo area PA3 is an area for displaying the shopping list L3 described in the area A11 associated with the login terminal ID of the information terminal table 221. If the customer M1 who has logged in has registered the shopping data in advance, the shopping memo area PA3 displays the information of the shopping list L3 based on the shopping data. If the logged-in customer M1 has not registered the shopping data in advance, the shopping memo area PA3 is blank. Alternatively, the shopping memo area PA3 itself may be omitted from the registered image P1.

The touch button BU1 of [product without barcode] and the touch button BU2 of [accounting] are at the lower part of the registered image P1. Specifically, the touch button BU1 of [Product without barcode] is on the left side of the screen, and the touch button BU2 of [Accounting] is on the right side. The arrangement of the touch button BU1 and the touch button BU2 may be reversed on the left and right.

The touch button BU1 of the [product without barcode] is used when the customer registers the product without the barcode in the information terminal 50. Many products sold in stores have a barcode corresponding to the product ID of the product. Therefore, the customer M1 who performs self-registration using the cart C operates the scanner 56 before putting the purchased product in the shopping cart BA at the sales floor to read the barcode attached to the product. When the barcode is read by the scanner 56, the product ID representing the barcode is input to the information terminal 50. That is, product registration is performed. On the other hand, some products such as fresh food may not have a barcode. If the purchased product does not have a barcode, the customer M1 touches the touch button BU1. Then, the touch button corresponding to the product without the barcode attached to the touch panel 55, the so-called product button, is displayed, and the customer M1 touches the product button corresponding to the purchased product. When the product button is touched, the product ID of the product corresponding to the product button is input to the information terminal 50. That is, product registration is performed.

The [Accounting] touch button BU2 is used when the customer declares the accounting for the purchased product. That is, the customer M1 who has self-registered the purchased product using the cart C touches the touch button BU2 when shifting to the accounting.

Returning to the description of FIG.
In Act5, the processor 51 displaying the registered image P1 on the touch panel 55 confirms whether or not the product has been registered as Act6. If the product is not registered, the processor 51 proceeds to NO in Act6. The processor 51 confirms whether or not the touch button BU2 of [Accounting] is touched as Act7. If the touch button BU2 of [Accounting] is not touched, the processor 51 proceeds to NO in Act7. Processor 51 returns to Act6. Here, the processor 51 waits for the product registration to be performed or the touch button BU2 of [Accounting] to be touched in Act6 and Act7.

When it is confirmed that the product registration has been performed in the standby state of Act6 and Act7, the processor 51 proceeds to YES in Act6. The processor 51 controls the wireless unit 54 so as to transmit the product registration command to the second server 20 as Act8. The wireless unit 54 wirelessly transmits a product registration command. The product registration command includes the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 and the product ID of the registered product. That is, when the barcode of the registered product is read by the scanner 56, the product registration command includes the product ID obtained from the barcode. When a registered product is selected by touching the product button, the product registration command includes the product ID assigned to the product button. The product registration command is received by the access point 80 and sent to the second server 20 via the network 70.

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that has received the product registration command via the communication interface 24 starts the product registration interrupt processing shown in the flow charts of FIGS. 18 to 20. First, the processor 21 detects the product ID from the product registration command as Act 41. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 as the Act 42 so as to inquire the first server 10 for product data. The communication interface 24 transmits a product inquiry command. The product inquiry command includes a product ID. The product inquiry command is transmitted to the first server 10 via the network 70.

The processor 11 of the first server 10 that has received the product inquiry command via the communication interface 14 detects the product ID from the product inquiry command. The processor 11 accesses the product database 131 and reads the product data record 131R including the product ID. When the product data record 131R of the product ID cannot be read from the product database 131, the processor 11 controls the communication interface 14 so as to transmit an abnormal response to the second server 20. The communication interface 14 transmits a response signal of an abnormal response to the second server 20.

When the corresponding product data record 131R can be read from the product database 131, the processor 11 controls the communication interface 14 so as to transmit a normal response to the second server 20. The communication interface 14 transmits a response signal of a normal response to the second server 20. The normal response includes product data such as the product ID, product name, price, classification name, link sales promotion ID, and restriction flag of the product data record 131R.

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that controls the transmission of the product inquiry command waits for the response signal from the first server 10 as Act43. If the response signal of the normal response is received within a certain period of time, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act43. As Act44, the processor 21 adds the product data included in the normal response to the registration list L1 of the information terminal table 221. That is, the processor 21 adds the product ID, the product name, the points, and the amount of money to the registration list L1 of the area A9 associated with the terminal ID included in the product registration command of the information terminal table 221. The product ID and product name are included in the product data. The score is "1". The amount is the price of the product data. In the following description, the terminal ID included in the product registration command is referred to as a registered terminal ID. The processor 21 sets the first to third flags F1 to F3 of the added product data as Act45 to “0”.

The processor 21 determines whether or not the registered product as Act46 is a product with a discount sticker. In the present embodiment, a discount sticker indicating discount information is attached to the product to be discounted, and a discount mark is attached to a part of the barcode. The discount information is, for example, a discount amount or a discount rate. When the bar code image taken by the scanner 56 of the information terminal 50 contains a discount mark, the processor 21 determines that the registered product is a product with a discount sticker. If the registered product is not a product with a discount sticker, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act46. The processor 21 proceeds to the process of Act53.

If the registered product is a product with a discount sticker, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act46. The processor 21 starts the timer counting operation of the second timer T2 associated with the registered terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act 47. The processor 21 confirms whether or not the discount information is received as Act 48. If no discount information has been received, processor 21 proceeds to NO at Act 48. The processor 21 confirms whether or not the second timer T2 has timed out as Act49. For example, the second timer T2 times out when it finishes counting 15 seconds. If the second timer T2 has not timed out, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act49. Processor 21 returns to Act 48. In Act48 and Act49, the processor 21 waits for the discount information to be received or the second timer T2 to time out.

When the purchased product has a discount sticker, the customer M1 who is self-registering needs to operate the scanner 56 to read the information on the discount sticker. When the registered product is a product with a discount sticker, the processor 21 may display a guidance instructing the touch panel 55 of the information terminal 50 to read the discount sticker with the scanner 56.

When the discount information is read by the scanner 56 of the information terminal 50, the wireless unit 54 wirelessly transmits the discount information. The discount information is received by the access point 80 and sent to the second server 20 via the network 70.

When the processor 21 of the second server 20 detects that the discount information has been received via the communication interface 24 before the second timer T2 times out, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act48. The processor 21 performs a discount process as Act50. For example, the processor 21 acquires the discount amount based on the discount information, and subtracts the discount amount from the amount of the product data added to the registration list L1 in the process of Act44. The processor 21 stops the second timer T2 as Act51. After that, the processor 21 proceeds to the process of Act53.

When the second timer T2 times out, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act49. As Act52, the processor 21 changes the second flag F2 of the product data added to the registration list L1 in the process of Act44 from "0" to "1". After that, the processor 21 proceeds to the process of Act53. If the customer M1 causes the scanner 56 to read the discount sticker information before the second timer T2 times out, the registered product is discounted by the discount information of the discount sticker and stored in the registration list L1. To. However, when the second timer T2 times out, the registered product is stored in the registration list L1 without being discounted. In other words, the registered product will have a discount sticker reading error. The second flag F2 is "1" for the registered product of the discount sticker reading error.

In Act53, the processor 21 checks the restriction flag of the product data. If the restriction flag is "0", that is, the registered product is an age-free product, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act53. Processor 21 proceeds to Act 61 of FIG.

When the restriction flag is "1", that is, the registered product is an age-restricted product, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act53. As Act54, the processor 21 changes the third flag F3 of the product data added to the registration list L1 in the process of Act44 from "0" to "1". That is, the third flag F3 is "1" for the registered product having an age limit.

The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 as Act 55 so as to transmit the image data of the age confirmation image to the information terminal 50 of the product registration command transmission source. Processor 21 proceeds to Act 61 of FIG. The communication interface 24 transmits image data of the age confirmation image via the network 70. The access point 80 wirelessly transmits this image data. The information terminal 50 of the product registration command transmission source receives the image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80.

On the information terminal 50 that has received the image data of the age confirmation image, the age confirmation image is displayed on the touch panel 55. As for the age confirmation image, for example, a confirmation button is displayed together with the guidance "Is the customer 20 years old or older?", So the customer M1 who has confirmed the age confirmation image touches the confirmation button. Then, the age confirmation image is deleted, and the screen of the touch panel 55 returns to the registered image P1.

If the processor 21 cannot receive the response signal of the normal response within a certain period of time for the transmission of the product inquiry command, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act43. The processor 21 executes the virtual product registration process. For example, the product data record 131R of the registered product may have been deleted from the product database 131. In this case, the processor 21 cannot receive the response signal of the normal response. As a virtual product registration process, the processor 21 adds only the product ID of the registered product to the registration list L1. The product name, points and amount are not added to the registration list L1. The processor 21 sets the first flag F1 of the product data to which only the product ID is added as Act58 to "1", and sets both the second flag F2 and the third flag F3 to "0". Processor 21 proceeds to Act 61 of FIG. The first flag F1 is "1" for the product registered by the virtual product registration process.

In Act 61, the processor 51 creates a registration list image based on the registration list L1 of the area A9 associated with the registration terminal ID of the information terminal table 221. The registration list image is an image displayed in the registration list area PA1 of the registration image P1. That is, as shown in FIG. 28, the registration list image is an image in which the product names, points, and amounts of the product data registered in the registration list L1 are arranged in a list. The sort order is such that the newly registered products are ranked higher, that is, the registered numbers in the registration list L1 are in descending order. The registration number is represented as "No." in FIG. The product data most recently added to the registration list L1 can be identified by making the character color different from other product data or the background color different. The example of FIG. 28 shows a case where the background color is different. A touch button BU3 of [Cancel] is displayed on each product data. The touch button BU3 of [Cancel] is touch-operated by the customer M1 when the purchase of the product of the corresponding product data is canceled in the middle of shopping. When the touch button BU3 of [Cancel] is touch-operated, the points and the amount of the corresponding products in the registration list area PA1 become "0". The [Cancel] touch button BU3 is erased.

The processor 21 confirms whether or not the sales promotion information is set in association with the registered product as Act62. That is, the processor 21 examines the link sales promotion ID included in the product data. When the link sales promotion ID is a null value, the processor 21 determines that the sales promotion information is not set. When the code as the link sales promotion ID is set, the processor 21 determines that the sales promotion information is set. If no promotional information is set, processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act62. The processor 21 proceeds to the process of Act71.

If the promotional information is set, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 62. The processor 21 searches the sales promotion list L2 of the area A10 associated with the registered terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act63. The processor 21 confirms whether or not the link sales promotion ID included in the product data is already registered in the sales promotion list L2.

If the link promotion ID is not registered in the promotion list L2, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act64. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 as Act65 so as to inquire the first server 10 for sales promotion data. The communication interface 24 transmits a sales promotion inquiry command. The promotional inquiry command includes a link promotional ID. The sales promotion inquiry command is transmitted to the first server 10 via the network 70.

The processor 11 of the first server 10 that has received the sales promotion inquiry command via the communication interface 14 detects the link sales promotion ID from the sales promotion inquiry command. The processor 11 accesses the sales promotion database 133 and reads out the sales promotion data record 133R including the link sales promotion ID. When the sales promotion data record 133R of the sales promotion ID is not registered in the sales promotion database 133, the processor 11 controls the communication interface 14 so as to transmit a normal response without promotion to the second server 20. The communication interface 14 transmits a normal response without sales promotion to the second server 20.

When the corresponding sales promotion data record 133R can be read from the sales promotion database 133, the processor 11 controls the communication interface 14 so as to transmit a normal response including the sales promotion data to the second server 20. The communication interface 14 transmits a normal response including sales promotion data to the second server 20.

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that controls the transmission of the sales promotion inquiry command confirms whether or not the normal response including the sales promotion data is received as Act66. Upon receiving a no-promotion normal response, processor 21 proceeds to NO at Act66. The processor 21 proceeds to the process of Act71.

Upon receiving the normal response including the promotional data, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act66. The processor 21 counts up the counter N of the area A8 associated with the registered terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act 67 by "1". The processor 21 adds data to the sales promotion list L2 of the area A10 associated with the registered terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act68. The data includes a product ID of a registered product, a link sales promotion ID associated with the product ID, and sales promotion data in which the link sales promotion ID is set. The data is added to the area with the same number as the counter N.

If the link promotion ID is already registered in the promotion list L2, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act64. The processor 21 shifts the link sales promotion ID as Act69, and the sales promotion data and the product ID registered in the sales promotion list L2 together with the link sales promotion ID to the area having the same number as the counter N.

When the processing of Act68 or Act69 is completed, the processor 21 sets the fourth flag F4 of the area having the same number as the counter N of the sales promotion list L2 to "1" and sets the fourth flag F4 of the other numbered area to "1" as Act70. It is set to 0 ". After that, the processor 21 proceeds to Act71. The fourth flag F4 is "1" for the sales promotion information associated with the newly registered product.

In Act71, the processor 21 confirms whether or not the counter N is counting a value larger than “0”. When the counter N is "0", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act71. Processor 21 proceeds to Act 81 of FIG.

If the counter N is greater than "0", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act71. The processor 21 creates a sales promotion image as Act 72 based on the sales promotion list L2 of the area A10 associated with the registered terminal ID of the information terminal table 221. When the processor 21 finishes creating the promotional image, the processor 21 proceeds to Act 81 of FIG.

The sales promotion image is an image displayed in the sales promotion list area PA2 of the registered image P1. That is, as shown in FIG. 28, the sales promotion image is obtained by arranging the sales promotion information generated from the sales promotion data registered in the sales promotion list L2 in the area PA21, the area PA22, the area PA23, and the area PA24, respectively. Specifically, sales promotion information is displayed for the area PA21, the area PA22, the area PA23, and the area PA24 in order from the one with the largest number in the sales promotion list L2. The sales promotion information generated from the sales promotion data in which the fourth flag F4 is "1", that is, the sales promotion information displayed in the area PA21 can be distinguished from the sales promotion information displayed in the other areas PA22, PA23, and PA24. For example, by making the color of the frame only in the area PA21 the same as the character color of the registered product newly added to the registration list area PA1, it is possible to distinguish it from other sales promotion information.

In Act81, the processor 21 determines whether or not the shopping list L3 is stored in the area A11 associated with the registered terminal ID of the information terminal table 221. If the shopping list L3 is not saved, processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act81. Processor 21 proceeds to Act86.

If the shopping list L3 is stored, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act81. The processor 21 searches the shopping list L3 as Act82. The processor 21 confirms whether or not the registered product as Act83 is included in the shopping list L3. That is, the processor 21 confirms whether or not a name matching the product name or classification name of the registered product exists in the shopping list L3. If no matching name exists, processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act83. Processor 21 proceeds to Act85.

If there is a matching name, processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act83. The processor 21 changes the fifth flag F5 corresponding to the matching name of the shopping list L3 as Act84 from "0" to "1". After that, the processor 21 proceeds to Act85. The fifth flag F5 is “1” for the name of the product for which the product has been registered among the names stored in the shopping list L3.

In Act85, the processor 21 creates a shopping memo image with the information in the shopping list L3. When the processor 21 finishes creating the shopping memo image, the processor 21 proceeds to Act86.

The shopping memo image is an image displayed in the shopping memo area PA3 of the registered image P1. That is, as shown in FIG. 28, the processor 21 forms a shopping memo image by arranging the names registered in the shopping list L3 in order from the top to the bottom of the screen. The processor 21 erases the name in which the fifth flag F5 is "1". For example, the processor 21 erases the name in which the fifth flag F5 is "1" by drawing a strikethrough. Alternatively, the processor 21 erases by making the character density of the name in which the fifth flag F5 is "1" lighter than that of other names.

In Act86, the processor 21 edits the registered image P1. That is, the processor 21 edits the registered image P1 so that the registration list image created in Act61, the sales promotion image created in Act72, and the shopping memo image created in Act85 are displayed in the areas PA1, PA2, and PA3, respectively. To do.

The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 as Act 87 so as to transmit the registered image P1 to the information terminal 50 of the product registration command transmission source. The communication interface 24 transmits the image data of the registered image P1 edited by Act86 via the network 70. The access point 80 wirelessly transmits this image data. Then, the information terminal 50 of the product registration command transmission source receives the image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80.

The processor 21 that controls the transmission of the registered image P1 starts the counting operation of the third timer T3 associated with the registered terminal information ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act88. If the third timer T3 has already started, the processor 21 restarts the third timer T3. With the above, the processor 21 ends the product registration interrupt process.

Returning to the description of FIG.
The processor 51 of the information terminal 50 that controls the transmission of the product registration command in Act 8 returns to Act 5. That is, the processor 51 updates the registered image P1 displayed on the touch panel 55 based on the image data newly received from the second server 20.

The product name, points, and amount of the product self-registered by the customer M1 are added to the registration list area PA1. When the registered product exists in the shopping list L3, the name of the registered product is deleted from the shopping memo area PA3. When the sales promotion information is set in association with the registered product, the sales promotion image based on the sales promotion information is displayed in the sales promotion area PA21 of the sales promotion list area PA2. When other sales promotion information is already displayed in the sales promotion areas PA21 to PA23, the sales promotion information is sequentially shifted to the right side sales promotion areas PA22 to PA24, and the sales promotion information displayed in the sales promotion area PA24 is not displayed. However, if the sales promotion information of the registered product has already been displayed in the sales promotion area PA21, the sales promotion image does not change. When the sales promotion information of the registered product is displayed in the sales promotion area PA22, for example, the sales promotion information is moved to the sales promotion area PA21, and the sales promotion information displayed in the sales promotion area PA22 immediately before is shifted to the sales promotion area PA22. .. The same applies when the sales promotion information of the registered product is displayed in the other sales promotion areas PA23 and PA24.

The processor 51 proceeds to YES in Act 6 every time the product is registered. The processor 51 repeats the processing of Act8 and Act5.

By the way, for the product registered by the virtual product registration process, the first flag F1 is set to "1". For the registered product in which the first flag F1 is "1", the name is "product registration error" as shown in the display example PR1 of FIG. Instead of the points and amount, the guidance "The staff will confirm at the time of accounting" is displayed. The icon IC1 indicating that the product registration is an error is displayed.

The second flag F2 is set to "1" for the registered product of the discount sticker reading error. For the registered product in which the second flag F2 is "1", the name is "discount seal error" as shown in the display example PR2 of FIG. Instead of the points and amount, the guidance "The staff will confirm at the time of accounting" is displayed. The icon IC2 indicating the discount seal error is displayed.

For registered products with age restrictions, the third flag F3 is "1". As shown in the display example PR3 of FIG. 29, the icon IC3 indicating that the product is an age-restricted product is displayed for the registered product in which the third flag F3 is “1”.

For the product for which cancellation is instructed by the touch operation of the touch button BU3 of [Cancel], the points and the amount of money need not be set to "0" in the registration list area PA1. As shown in the display example PR4 of FIG. 29, a strikethrough line may be displayed on the product name, the number of points, and the price, and the touch button BU3 of [Cancel] may be erased. As shown in FIG. 29, the order of error items such as “product registration error” and “discount seal error” may be changed so as to be located at the upper level of the registration list area PA1. Error items such as "product registration error" and "discount seal error" are newly registered without changing the order so that they can be used as a reference for the customer M1 who searches for the product corresponding to the error in the shopping cart BA. You may leave the order in which the higher the products are. To make it easier to understand the line positions of error items such as "product registration error" and "discount seal error", set the background color of the position corresponding to the error item line on the scroll bar at the right end of FIG. 29 to those error items. It may be different from the background color of the position that does not correspond to.

Returning to the description of FIG.
When the touch button BU2 of [Accounting] is input in the standby state of Act6 and Act7, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act7. The processor 21 controls the wireless unit 54 so as to transmit an accounting command to the second server 20 as Act9. The wireless unit 54 wirelessly transmits accounting commands. The accounting command includes the terminal ID of the information terminal 50.

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that has received the accounting command via the communication interface 24 starts the accounting interrupt process shown in the flow chart of FIG. First, the processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221 with the terminal ID included in the accounting command as Act101. In the following description, the terminal ID included in the accounting command is referred to as an accounting terminal ID. The processor 21 confirms whether or not the data in which the first flag F1 is set to "1" exists in the registration list L1 in the area A9 associated with the accounting terminal ID.

If there is no data in which the first flag F1 is set to "1", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act101. The processor 21 confirms whether or not the data in which the second flag F2 is set to "1" exists in the registration list L1 as Act102.

If there is no data in which the second flag F2 is set to "1", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act 102. The processor 21 controls the communication interface as Act 103 so as to transmit an approval response to the information terminal 50 that is the source of the accounting command. Further, the processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 so as to transmit the image data of the plastic shopping bag confirmation image P3 shown in FIG. 31 as Act 104 to the information terminal 50. The communication interface 24 transmits the response signal of the approval response and the image data of the shopping bag confirmation image P3 via the network 70. The access point 80 wirelessly transmits a response signal and image data. The information terminal 50 of the accounting command transmission source receives the response signal and image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80.

In Act101, when the registration list L1 contains data in which the first flag F1 is set to “1”, the processor 21 proceeds to YES and proceeds to the process of Act111. In Act 102, even when there is data in which the second flag F2 is set to “1”, the processor 21 proceeds to YES and proceeds to the process of Act 111. The processor 21 controls the communication interface as Act111 so as to transmit a denial response to the information terminal 50 that is the source of the accounting command. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 so as to transmit the image data of the clerk confirmation image P2 shown in FIG. 30 as Act 112 to the information terminal 50. The communication interface 24 transmits the response signal of the negative response and the image data of the clerk confirmation image P2 via the network 70. The access point 80 wirelessly transmits a response signal and image data. The information terminal 50 of the login command transmission source receives the response signal and image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80.
The accounting command is information that can specify the state related to the registration of the information terminal 50. That is, the processor 21 cooperates with the communication interface 24 to form the first collecting unit. The processor 21 has a function of setting the terminal status ST1 as the first status indicating the state of the information terminal 50 for each of the plurality of information terminals 50 based on the information collected by the first collecting unit by the processing of the Act 110.

Returning to the description of FIG.
The processor 51 of the information terminal 50 that controls the transmission of the accounting command in Act9 waits for the response signal from the second server 20 as Act10. When the response signal of the negative response is received via the wireless unit 64, the processor 51 proceeds to NO in Act10. The processor 51 causes the touch panel 55 to display the clerk confirmation image P2 based on the image data received together with the response signal as Act11.

FIG. 30 is a schematic view showing an example of displaying one of the staff confirmation images P2. As shown in FIG. 30, the clerk confirmation image P2 includes a [Yes] touch button BU4 together with a guidance GA1 for notifying that the clerk needs to confirm because there is an error in the self-registered product. The customer M1 who confirmed the staff confirmation image P2 goes to the attendant counter AT and offers to the attendant M3.

Upon receiving the offer from the customer M1, the attendant M3 performs an operation for deleting the data of the product in which the first flag F1 is "1" or the second flag F2 is "1" from the registration list L1. This operation may be performed from the monitoring terminal 60 or the information terminal 50. Alternatively, it may be performed from the accounting machine 40, or another computer device may be connected to the network 70.

If the data of the product in which the first flag F1 is "1" or the second flag F2 is "1" is deleted from the registration list L1, the customer M1 touches the [Yes] touch button BU4.

The processor 51 that controls the display of the clerk confirmation image P2 waits for the confirmation operation to be performed as Act12. If the processor 51 detects that the touch button BU4 of [Yes], which is a confirmation operation, has been touch-operated, the process proceeds to YES in Act12. Processor 51 returns to Act5. That is, the processor 51 returns the screen of the touch panel 55 to the registered image P1.

After confirming that the screen of the touch panel 55 has returned to the registered image P1, the customer M1 touches the touch button BU2 of [Accounting] again. Then, the processor 21 of the second server 20 becomes NO at Act101 and NO at Act102 in FIG. 21, so that the processes of Act103 and Act104 are executed. As a result, the information terminal 50 receives the response signal of the approval response and the image data of the shopping bag confirmation image P3.

Upon receiving the response signal of the approval response via the radio unit 54, the processor 51 proceeds to YES in Act10. The processor 51 causes the touch panel 55 to display the plastic shopping bag confirmation image P3 based on the image data received together with the response signal as Act 13.

FIG. 31 is a schematic view showing a display example of the plastic shopping bag confirmation image P3. As shown in FIG. 31, the plastic shopping bag confirmation image P3 includes a [Yes] touch button BU5 and a [No] touch button BU6 together with a guidance GA2 inquiring whether to purchase a plastic shopping bag. The customer M1 who has confirmed the plastic shopping bag confirmation image P3 touches the touch button BU5 when purchasing the plastic shopping bag, goes to the attendant counter AT, and receives the plastic shopping bag. If the customer M1 does not purchase the plastic shopping bag, the customer M1 touches the touch button BU6 and does not receive the plastic shopping bag.

The processor 51 controls the wireless unit 54 so as to transmit the plastic shopping bag information to the second server 20 as Act 14. The wireless unit 54 wirelessly transmits the plastic shopping bag information. The plastic shopping bag information is information indicating the purchase of a plastic shopping bag when the touch button BU5 of [Yes] is touch-operated in the plastic shopping bag confirmation image P3, and when the touch button BU6 of [No] is touch-operated. Is information indicating non-purchase of plastic shopping bags.

In Act 104 of FIG. 21, the processor 21 of the second server 20 that controls the transmission of the plastic shopping bag confirmation image P3 waits for the plastic shopping bag information as Act 105. When the plastic shopping bag information indicating the purchase of the plastic shopping bag is received, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act105. The processor 21 adds the sales data of the plastic shopping bag as Act106 to the registration list L1. When the plastic shopping bag information indicating the non-purchase of the plastic shopping bag is received, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act105. The processor 21 skips the processing of Act106.

If the price of the plastic shopping bag is constant, the sales data of the plastic shopping bag may be set in advance. If the price of the plastic shopping bag differs depending on the size or the like, the scanner 56 scans the bar code of the plastic shopping bag when receiving the plastic shopping bag. When the bar code of the plastic shopping bag is scanned, the sales data of the plastic shopping bag is added to the registration list L1 in the same procedure as the normal product registration.

The processor 21 issues a new accounting code as Act107. The accounting code is unique, for example, a combination of a date and a series of transaction numbers, and does not overlap with other accounting codes. The processor 21 stores the membership code in the area A12 associated with the accounting terminal ID of the information terminal table 221.

The processor 21 converts the accounting code into a barcode as Act 108 and creates the accounting barcode image P4 shown in FIG. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 as Act 109 so as to transmit the accounting barcode image P4 to the information terminal 50 that is the source of the accounting command. The communication interface 24 transmits the image data of the accounting barcode image P4 via the network 70. The access point 80 wirelessly transmits this image data. The information terminal 50 of the accounting command transmission source receives the image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80.

The processor 21 that controls the transmission of the image data of the accounting barcode image P4 changes the terminal status ST1 associated with the accounting terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 from "registering" to "accounting" as Act110. In this way, when the processing of the Act 110 is completed or the processing of the Act 112 described above is completed, the processor 21 stops the counting operation of the third timer T3 associated with the accounting terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as the Act 113. With the above, the processor 21 ends the accounting interrupt process.

Returning to the description of FIG.
In Act 14, the processor 51 of the information terminal 50 that has transmitted the plastic shopping bag information waits for the accounting barcode image P4 as Act 15. Upon receiving the image data of the accounting barcode image P4 via the wireless unit 54, the processor 51 proceeds to YES in Act15. The processor 51 causes the touch panel 55 to display the accounting barcode image P4 as Act 16 based on the image data. With the above, the processor 51 ends the processing after login.

FIG. 32 is a schematic diagram showing a display example of the accounting barcode image P4. As shown in FIG. 32, the accounting barcode image P4 includes a barcode BC representing the accounting code. The customer M1 who has confirmed the accounting barcode image P4 proceeds to a vacant accounting machine 40 of the self-checkout G2, and reads and operates the barcode BC of the accounting barcode image P4 with a scanner connected to the accounting machine 40.

When the bar code BC is read by the scanner of the accounting machine 40, the accounting machine 40 issues an accounting request command including the accounting code obtained from the barcode BC and the accounting machine ID unique to the accounting machine via the network 70. 2 Send to server 20.

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that has received the accounting request command starts the accounting request interrupt processing of FIG. First, the processor 21 detects the accounting code included in the accounting request command as Act121. The processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221 as Act 122, and checks the terminal status ST1 associated with the terminal ID in which the same accounting code is stored in the area A12. In the following description, the terminal ID in which the same accounting code is stored in the area A12 is referred to as an accounting request terminal ID. When the terminal status ST1 is other than "accounting", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act122. The processor 21 terminates this interrupt processing as an error.

When the terminal status ST1 is "accounting", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act122. The processor 21 stores the accounting machine ID included in the accounting request command in the area A4 associated with the accounting request terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act123. The processor 21 controls to transmit the registration list L1 stored in the area A9 associated with the accounting request terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act124 to the accounting machine 40 of the accounting request command transmission source. Further, the processor 21 searches the accounting machine table 222 as Act 125, and sets the accounting machine status ST2 corresponding to the accounting machine ID included in the accounting request command to "paying". With the above, the processor 21 ends the accounting request interrupt processing.

The communication interface 24 transmits the data of the registration list L1 to the accounting machine 40 via the network 70. The accounting machine 40 can execute accounting processing based on the data in the registration list L1. The customer M1 pays the accounting machine 40 the price of the settlement amount calculated based on the data of the registration list L1. When the accounting process is completed, the accounting machine 40 transmits an accounting end command including an accounting code and an accounting machine ID similar to the accounting request command to the second server 20 via the network 70.

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that has received the checkout end command starts the checkout end interrupt process of FIG. 23. First, the processor 21 detects the accounting code included in the accounting end command as Act131. The processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221 as Act 132, and checks the terminal status ST1 associated with the terminal ID in which the same accounting code is stored in the area A12. In the following description, the terminal ID in which the same accounting code is stored in the area A12 is referred to as an accounting end terminal ID. When the terminal status ST1 is other than "accounting", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act132. The processor 21 terminates this interrupt processing as an error.

When the terminal status ST1 is "accounting", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act 132. The processor 21 searches the accounting machine table 222 as Act133, and sets the accounting machine status ST2 corresponding to the accounting machine ID included in the accounting end command to "idle". The processor 21 searches the shopping list L3 of the area A11 associated with the accounting end terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act134. The processor 21 determines whether or not there is data in which the fifth flag is set to “1” as Act135. If there is data in the shopping list L3 with the fifth flag set to "1", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act135. The processor 21 edits the shopping list L3 as Act136. That is, the processor 21 deletes the data in which the fifth flag F5 is set from the shopping list L3. If there is no data in the shopping list L3 for which the fifth flag is set to "1", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act135. The processor 21 does not execute the process of Act136.

After that, the processor 21 controls to transmit the member data to the first server 10 as Act137. The member data includes the member ID of the area A3 associated with the accounting end terminal ID of the information terminal table 221, the registration list L1 of the area A9, and the shopping list L3 of the area A11.

The processor 11 of the first server 10 that has received the accounting data adds the data of the registration list L1 included in the accounting data to the purchase history data of the member database 132 specified by the member ID included in the accounting data. The processor 11 changes the shopping data of the member database 132 to the data of the shopping list L3 included in the accounting data.

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that controls the transmission of the accounting data initializes the information associated with the accounting end terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act138. That is, the processor 21 includes a member ID of the area A3, an accounting machine ID of the area A4, a registration list L1 of the area A9, a sales promotion list L2 of the area A10, a shopping list L3 of the area A11, and an accounting code of the area A12. To clear. The processor 21 resets the values of the first timer T1 in the area A5, the second timer T2 in the area A6, and the third timer T3 in the area A9 to “0”. Further, the processor 21 resets the value of the counter N in the area A8 to “0”.

After that, the processor 21 changes the status ST1 associated with the accounting end terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act 139 from "accounting" to "waiting". With the above, the processor 21 ends the accounting end interrupt process.
The accounting request command and the accounting end command are information that can identify the state related to the accounting of the accounting machine 40. That is, the processor 21 cooperates with the communication interface 24 to form the second collecting unit. The processor 21 has a function of setting the accounting machine status ST2 as the second status indicating the state of the accounting machine 40 based on the information collected by the second collecting unit by the processing of Act 125 and Act 139.

By the way, the customer M1 who has performed self-registration by operating the information terminal 50 provided in the cart C can also complete the checkout at the face-to-face cash register G1. When the checkout is performed at the face-to-face cash register G1, the cashier M2 inputs the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 into the POS terminal 30. For example, the information terminal 50 is attached with a barcode indicating a terminal ID. The cashier M2 inputs the terminal ID by scanning the barcode with a scanner. Alternatively, the information terminal 50 is attached with an RFID tag that wirelessly transmits the terminal ID. The cashier M2 inputs the terminal ID by reading the data of the RFID tag with the RFID reader connected to the POS terminal 30.

When the terminal ID is input, the face-to-face accounting command is transmitted from the POS terminal 30 to the second server 20 via the network 70. The face-to-face accounting command includes the terminal ID input by the POS terminal 30.

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that has received the face-to-face accounting command starts the face-to-face accounting interrupt processing of FIG. 24. First, the processor 21 detects the terminal ID included in the face-to-face accounting command as Act141. The processor 21 examines the terminal status ST1 associated with the terminal ID included in the face-to-face accounting command of the information terminal table 221 as Act 142. In the following description, the terminal ID included in the face-to-face accounting command of the information terminal table 221 is referred to as a face-to-face terminal ID. When the terminal status ST1 is "waiting", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act142. The processor 21 ends the face-to-face accounting interrupt processing.

When the terminal status ST1 is other than "waiting", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act142. The processor 21 initializes the information associated with the face-to-face terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act143 as described above. After that, the processor 21 changes the terminal status ST1 associated with the face-to-face terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 to "waiting" as Act 144. With the above, the processor 21 ends the face-to-face accounting interrupt processing.

When the terminal status ST1 is "waiting", it means that the customer M1 has not logged in to the information terminal 50. That is, the customer M1 has completed the accounting at the face-to-face cash register G1 without performing self-registration. In this case, even if the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 is input in the POS terminal 30, the processor 21 of the second server 20 does not execute the processes of Act 143 and Act 144.

When the terminal status ST1 is, for example, "registering", it means that the customer M1 who has logged in to the information terminal 50 has completed the checkout at the face-to-face cash register G1. In this case, the member ID is described in the area A3 associated with the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 in the information terminal table 221. When the customer M1 has registered the shopping data, the shopping list L3 is stored in the area A11. When the customer M1 self-registers, the registration list L1 and the sales promotion list L2 are stored in the area A9 and the area A10, respectively. The information terminal 50 cannot be used unless these areas are initialized and the terminal status ST1 is returned to "standby". By executing the processes of Act 143 and Act 144, the processor 21 can return the information terminal 50 used by the customer M1 who has switched from self-registration to the face-to-face cash register G1 to a usable state.

By the way, at the time of accounting at the face-to-face cash register G1, the clerk M2 may forget to input the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 into the POS terminal 30. If you forget to enter the terminal ID, the data related to the information terminal 50 remains in the information terminal table 221 even after the accounting is completed. The terminal status ST associated with the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 is "registering". Therefore, since the next customer cannot log in to the information terminal 50, the cart C is left unattended.

The third timer T3 restarts every time the processor 21 of the second server 20 executes the product registration interrupt process. When the processor 21 executes the accounting interrupt process, the third timer T3 is stopped. In other words, after the processor 21 executes the product registration interrupt process in response to the product registration command, if the state in which the next product registration command or accounting command is not received from the information terminal 50 from which the product registration command is transmitted continues, The third timer T3 corresponding to the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 continues to count up.

FIG. 25 is a flow chart showing a procedure of timer monitoring processing executed by the processor 21 of the second server 20. The processor 21 starts this timer monitoring process, for example, at 1-minute intervals. That is, the processor 21 confirms the time counting time of the third timer T3 as Act 151. The processor 21 determines the presence or absence of the first threshold time TM1, which is preset as Act152, for example, the third timer T3 which clocks 5 minutes. If the clock time of the third timer T3 associated with all terminal IDs is less than the first threshold time TM1, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act152. The processor 21 ends the timer monitoring process.

If the time counting time of at least one third timer T3 is equal to or greater than the first threshold time TM1, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act152. The processor 21 examines the terminal status ST1 corresponding to the third timer T3 that clocks the first threshold time TM1 as Act153. When the terminal status ST1 is "registering", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act153. The processor 21 changes its terminal status ST1 from "registering" to "leaving" as Act154. When the terminal status ST1 is other than "registering", the processor 21 advances to NO in Act153. The processor 21 does not execute the process of Act 154. With the above, the processor 21 ends the timer monitoring process.

In this way, the information terminal 50 provided in the abandoned cart C is managed with the terminal status ST1 as "abandoned" in the information terminal table 221. A member ID is described in the area A3 of the information terminal table 221 in which the terminal status ST1 is associated with the terminal ID of "left". When the customer has registered the shopping data, the shopping list L3 is stored in the area A11. When the customer performs self-registration, the registration list L1 and the sales promotion list L2 are stored in the domain A9 and the domain A10, respectively. As described above, the information terminal 50 cannot be used unless these areas are initialized and the terminal status ST1 is returned to "standby".

By the way, in this embodiment, the data of the information terminal table 221 regarding the information terminal 50 provided in the abandoned cart C can be initialized by remote control from the monitoring terminal 60. Next, the operation related to the monitoring terminal 60 will be described.

FIG. 33 is an example of the monitoring image P11 displayed on the touch panel 65, which is the display device of the monitoring terminal 60. This example is the case where the number of accounting machines 40 is three.

In the monitoring image P11, a total of 15 status display units (T1) to (T15) are arranged in a matrix of 5 rows × 3 columns. The three status display units (T1) to (T3) from the first row to the third row of the first column are accounting machine status display units Ta that display the status of the accounting machine 40. The status display units (T4) and (T5) in the 4th and 5th rows of the 1st column and the status display units (T6) to (T15) in the 2nd and 3rd columns display the status of the information terminal 50. It is a terminal state display unit Tb to display.

As an example, the status display units (T1) to (T15) have the same shape, size, background color, and the like. Regarding this point, for example, the accounting machine state display unit Ta and the terminal state display unit Tb may be differentiated by differentiating at least a part of the shape, size, background color, and the like.

In addition, the surveillance image P11 includes a [operating] touch button BU11, a [standby] touch button BU12, a [all units] touch button BU13, a surveillance image layout button BU14, and a detailed image layout button. BU15 and the like are arranged. The arrangement and number of the state display units of the monitoring image P11 shown in FIG. 33 are merely examples. Needless to say, it can be changed as appropriate depending on the screen size of the touch panel 65, the number of accounting machines 40 and the number of information terminals 50, and the like.

FIG. 34 is an example of the accounting machine status display unit Ta. The accounting machine status display unit Ta includes a first area Ta1 on the left side facing the screen and a second area Ta2 on the right side facing the screen. The first area Ta1 displays the accounting machine ID of the accounting machine 40. In FIG. 34, the accounting machine ID is “Q1”. In FIG. 33, the accounting machine IDs are “Q1”, “Q2”, and “Q3”. The second area Ta2 displays the state of the accounting machine 40. Specifically, the second area Ta2 displays the state of whether the accounting machine 40 is [idle] before accounting processing or [paying] in which accounting processing is being performed. The display of such a state is based on the accounting machine status ST2 in the accounting machine table 222. Incidentally, FIG. 34 shows that the accounting machine 40 is [idle].

The second area Ta2 displays a mark MC1 that lights up when an error occurs in the printer in the accounting machine 40 and a mark MC2 that lights up when an error occurs in the change machine. When the first error flag EF1 of the accounting machine table 222 becomes "1", the mark MC1 lights up. When the second error flag EF2 of the accounting machine table 222 becomes “1”, the mark MC2 lights up.

[A] to [E] in FIG. 35 are examples of the terminal status display unit Tb. The terminal status display unit Tb includes a first area Tb1 on the left side facing the screen and a second area Tb2 on the right side facing the screen. The second area Tb2 displays the state of the information terminal 50. Specifically, the second area Tb2 displays the state of whether the information terminal 50 is [waiting], [registering], [accounting], or [leaving]. .. The display of such a state is based on the terminal status ST1 of the information terminal table 221. Incidentally, the terminal status display unit Tb shown in [A] of FIG. 35 indicates that the information terminal 50 is [waiting]. The terminal status display unit Tb shown in [B] and [C] of FIG. 35 indicates that the information terminal 50 is [registering]. The terminal status display unit Tb shown in [D] of FIG. 35 indicates that the information terminal 50 is [Accounting]. The terminal status display unit Tb shown in [E] of FIG. 35 indicates that the information terminal 50 is [left].

The second area Tb2 includes a mark MC3 that lights up when a product with a "product registration error" is registered in the registration list L1 and a mark MC4 that lights up when a product with a "discount seal error" is registered. , The mark MC5 that lights up when a product with an age limit is registered is displayed. When the data in which the first flag F1 is "1" exists in the registration list L1, the mark MC3 lights up. When the data in which the second flag F2 is "1" exists in the registration list L1, the mark MC4 lights up. When the data in which the third flag F3 is "1" exists in the registration list L1, the mark MC5 lights up.

The first area Tb1 is an area in which the state of the information terminal 50 can be identified by a color or the like. In the normal state where no error or the like has occurred in [Waiting], [Registering], or [Accounting], the background color of the first region Tb1 is, for example, blue. In the example of FIG. 35, the background color of the first region Tb1 of the terminal status display unit Tb shown in [A] and [D] is blue. In the case of [Accounting], the first area Tb1 displays the accounting machine ID of the accounting machine 40 performing the accounting process. In the example of FIG. 35, the accounting machine ID is displayed in the first area Tb1 of the terminal status display unit Tb shown in [D]. In [Registering], when it is necessary to call attention to the staff because a product with an age limit is registered, the background color of the first region Tb1 is set to a color that calls attention, for example, yellow. In the example of FIG. 35, the background color of the first region Tb1 of the terminal status display unit Tb shown in [B] is yellow. In [Registering], when the intervention of a staff member is required for accounting due to "product registration error", "discount seal error", etc., the first area Tb1 uses the background color as the background color, for example, red. And. In the example of FIG. 35, the background color of the first region Tb1 of the terminal status display unit Tb shown in [C] is red. In the case of [Leave], the background color of the first region Tb1 is set to a color for notifying another warning, for example, black. The second region Tb2 displays a mark MC6 indicating that it is in a neglected state. In the example of FIG. 35, the background color of the first region Tb1 of the terminal state display unit Tb shown in [E] is black, and the mark MC6 is displayed in the second region Tb2.

FIG. 26 is a flow chart showing a procedure of the surveillance image creation process executed by the processor 21 of the second server 20. The processor 21 starts this monitoring image creation process at intervals of, for example, 10 seconds. First, the processor 21 selects the information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "accounting" from the information terminal table 221 as Act161. The processor 21 sets the order from the first place to the a place in descending order of the count value of the first timer T1 with respect to the information terminal 50 selected as Act 162, and describes the order in the area A13 of the information terminal table 221. The a rank is a rank corresponding to the number of information terminals 50 "under accounting". If the information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "accounting" does not exist, the processor 21 does not execute the process of Act162.

The processor 21 selects the information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "registered" from the information terminal table 221 as Act163. The processor 21 calculates the remaining points of the shopping list L3 for each information terminal 50 selected as Act 164. The remaining points are the numbers obtained by excluding the names whose fifth flag F5 is "1" from the number of names registered in the shopping list L3. If the shopping list L3 is not saved, the remaining points are set to a specified value, for example, "100". The processor 21 sets the rank from the a-rank + 1-rank to the a-rank + b-rank with respect to the information terminal 50 selected as the Act 165 in ascending order of the remaining points, and describes the rank in the area A13 of the information terminal table 221. The b-rank is a rank corresponding to the number of "registered" information terminals 50. The processor 21 determines whether or not there is an information terminal 50 having the same remaining points as Act166. If at least two or more customers who have not registered shopping data in advance are logged in, there are a plurality of information terminals 50 having a remaining score of "100". If there are information terminals 50 having the same remaining points, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act166. The processor 21 sets the order as Act167 in descending order of the count value of the first timer T1. If the information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "registered" does not exist, the processor 21 does not execute the processes of Act 164 to Act 167.

The processor 21 selects the information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "left" from the information terminal table 221 as Act168. The processor 21 sets the order from a + b + 1 to a + b + c in the order of the terminal IDs set in the information terminal table 221 with respect to the information terminal 50 selected as Act165, and sets the order from the a + b + c position to the area A13 of the information terminal table 221. Describe the order in. The cth place is a rank corresponding to the number of "leaving" information terminals 50. If there is no information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "left", the processor 21 does not execute the process of Act169.

The processor 21 selects the information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "waiting" from the information terminal table 221 as Act170. The processor 21 sets the order of the information terminal 50 selected as Act171 from a + b + c + 1 to a + b + c + d in the order of the terminal IDs set in the information terminal table 221 and sets the order of the information terminal table 221. The order is described in the area A13. The dth place is a rank corresponding to the number of "waiting" information terminals 50. If there is no information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "waiting", the processor 21 does not execute the process of Act171.

The processor 21 generates the monitoring image P11 as Act172 based on the data of the information terminal table 221 and the accounting machine table 222. That is, the processor 21 creates an accounting machine status display unit Ta for each accounting machine 40 based on the accounting machine ID of the accounting machine table 222, the accounting machine status ST2, the first error flag EF1 and the second error flag EF2. The processor 21 arranges the accounting machine status display unit Ta of each accounting machine 40 in the status display unit (T1), the status display unit (T2), and the status display unit (T3) of the monitoring image P11.

The processor 21 creates a terminal status display unit Tb for each information terminal 50 based on the terminal ID of the information terminal table 221, the terminal status ST1, and the first to third flags F1 to F3 of the registration list L1. The processor 21 selects the terminal status display unit Tb of each information terminal 50 having a rank of 1st to 12th, and arranges the terminal status display unit (T4) to the status display unit (T15) in order from the 1st place.

When the monitoring image P11 is created, the processor 21 controls the communication interface 24, which is a communication unit, so as to transmit the monitoring image P11 to the monitoring terminal 60 as Act173. The communication interface 24 transmits the image data of the surveillance image P11 via the network 70. The access point 80 wirelessly transmits this image data. The monitoring terminal 60 receives the image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80. The touch panel 65 of the monitoring terminal 60 displays the monitoring image P11 shown in FIG. 33.
The processor 21 has a terminal status display unit Tb as a first status display unit and a terminal status display unit Tb as a first status display unit that indicates the terminal status ST1 as the first status set for each information terminal 50 in one screen area by the processing of Act 161 to Act 172. It has a function of generating a monitoring image in which the accounting machine status display unit Ta as the second status display unit indicating the accounting machine status ST2 as one status is arranged.
Specifically, the processor 21 estimates the time required for the user of the information terminal 50 to reach the checkout for each of the plurality of information terminals 50 by the processing of Act 164 to Act 167 and Act 172. For the terminal status display unit Tb as the first status display unit, a monitoring image is generated in which the required time is arranged in ascending order from the top. In Act164 and Act165, it is estimated that the smaller the number of remaining points in the shopping list L3, the shorter the time required for the user of the information terminal 50 to reach the checkout. In Act166 and Act167, it is estimated that the elapsed time from the start of registration of the purchased product, that is, the required time is shorter in the order of the time of the first timer T1 which is the timekeeping part.
The processor 21 functions as an output unit that outputs a surveillance image to an output device in cooperation with the communication interface 24 by the processing of Act173. The output device is a monitoring terminal 60 that functions as a display device in this embodiment.

When the [operating] touch button BU11 of the surveillance image P11 is touch-operated, the processor 21 executes a surveillance image creation process that omits the processes of Act161 and Act162 of FIG. 26 and the processes of Act170 and Act171. The monitoring image P11 is narrowed down to only the terminal status display unit Tb indicating the status of the information terminal 50 of [accounting], [registering], or [leaving]. When the touch button BU12 of [Standby] is touch-operated, the processor 21 executes a monitoring image creation process in which the processes of Act161 to Act169 of FIG. 26 are omitted. The monitoring image P11 is narrowed down to only the terminal status display unit Tb indicating the status of the [standby] information terminal 50.

By the way, as shown in FIG. 33, the monitoring image P11 includes a page feed touch button BU16. The accounting machine status display unit Ta and the terminal status display unit Tb are touch buttons.

As shown in FIG. 26, after controlling the transmission of the monitoring image, the processor 21 of the second server 20 confirms whether or not the page feed touch button BU16 is touch-operated as Act174. If the touch button BU16 is not touch-operated, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act174. The processor 21 confirms whether or not the accounting machine status display unit Ta or the terminal status display unit Tb has been touch-operated as Act175. When the accounting machine status display unit Ta or the terminal status display unit Tb is not touch-operated, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act174. The processor 21 confirms whether or not the timer interrupt signal is detected as Act176. If the timer interrupt signal is not detected, the processor 21 returns to Act174. That is, the processor 21 waits for the page feed touch button BU16 to be touch-operated, the accounting machine status display unit Ta or the terminal status display unit Tb to be touch-operated, or the timer interrupt signal to be detected.

When the timer interrupt signal is detected, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act176. The processor 21 executes the process from Act161 again.

When the page feed touch button BU16 is touch-operated, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act174. Processor 21 returns to Act172. That is, the processor 21 recreates the monitoring image P11. For example, the processor 21 creates a monitoring image P11 in which the status display units (T1) to (T15) are terminal status display units Tb having ranks 13 to 27. When the attendant M3 touches the page feed touch button BU16, the terminal status display units Tb2 having ranks 13 to 27 are displayed on the status display units (T1) to (T15).
The processor 21 also has a function of generating a monitoring image in which only the terminal status display unit as the first status display unit is arranged in ascending order of required time in one screen area.

The pattern of the monitoring image P11 created by the processor 21 when the page feed touch button BU16 is operated is not limited to the above. For example, the status display units (T1) to (T3) in which the accounting machine status display unit Ta is arranged are fixed, and the ranks are from 13th to 24th with respect to the remaining status display units (T4) to (T15). The monitoring image P11 in which the terminal status display unit Tb2 of the above is arranged may be created.

When the accounting machine status display unit Ta or the terminal status display unit Tb is touch-operated, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act175. The processor 21 acquires the registration list L1 as Act177. For example, when the accounting machine status display unit Ta of the accounting machine 40 whose status is [Paying] is touch-operated, the processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221 and the accounting machine ID of the accounting machine 40 is described in the area A4. The registration list L1 associated with the terminal ID is acquired. When the terminal status display unit Tb of the information terminal 50 whose status is [registered] is touch-operated, the processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221 and acquires the registration list L1 associated with the terminal ID of the information terminal 50. To do.

After acquiring the registration list L1, the processor 21 returns to Act172 and recreates the monitoring image P11. Specifically, the processor 21 is a detailed image showing the contents of the touch-operated accounting machine status display unit Ta or terminal status display unit Tb and the registration list L1 acquired by the processing of Act177, for example, a product name, points, amount of money, and the like. A monitoring image P11 including and is created. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 so as to transmit the monitoring image P11 to the monitoring terminal 60 as Act173.

By touching, for example, the accounting machine status display unit Ta, the attendant M3 confirms the information of the purchased product of the customer M1 who is accounting on the accounting machine 40 whose status is displayed on the accounting machine status display unit Ta. be able to. The attendant M3, for example, touches the terminal status display unit Tb in which the mark MC5 is lit and the first area Tb1 is yellow to obtain information on the purchased product of the customer M1 who is purchasing the product with an age limit. You can check. For example, the attendant M3 causes a "product registration error" or a "discount seal error" by touching the terminal status display unit Tb in which the mark MC3 or the mark MC4 is lit and the first area Tb1 is red. Information on the purchased product of the customer M1 can be confirmed.

When the transmission of the monitoring image P11 including the detailed image is controlled in the Act 173, the processor 21 ignores the timer interrupt in the Act 176. For example, in response to detecting that the layout button BU14 for the surveillance image is touched, the processor 21 returns to the process of Act161.

FIG. 36 is an example of the monitoring image P11 when the terminal state display unit Tb showing the [left] state is touch-operated. As shown in FIG. 36, the monitoring image P11 shows the touch-operated state display unit Tb and the product name, points, amount of money, etc. of the product registered in the information terminal 50 whose state is displayed on the state display unit Tb. The detailed image P111 of the above and the touch button BU17 of [Batch Cancel] are included. When the terminal status display unit Tb indicating the status of [Registering] is touch-operated, the detailed image P111 is displayed, but the touch button BU17 of [Batch cancellation] is not displayed.

As described above, the information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is managed as "left" cannot be used unless the information in the information terminal table 221 is initialized. When the attendant M3 finds the terminal status display unit Tb shown in [E] of FIG. 35, the attendant M3 touch-operates the terminal status display unit Tb. When the terminal status display unit Tb is touch-operated, the monitoring image P11 of FIG. 36 is displayed. The attendant M3 touch-operates the touch button BU17 of [Batch cancellation].

When the processor 61 of the monitoring terminal 60 detects that the touch button BU17 of [Batch cancellation] is touched, the processor 61 controls the wireless unit 64 so as to send a batch cancellation command to the second server 20. The wireless unit 64 wirelessly transmits a batch cancel command. The batch cancel command includes the terminal ID of the information terminal 50 assigned to the touch-operated terminal status display unit Tb. The batch cancel command is received by the access point 80 and sent to the second server 20 via the network 70.

The processor 21 of the second server 20 that has received the batch cancel command via the communication interface 24 starts the batch cancel interrupt process shown in the flow chart of FIG. 27. First, the processor 21 detects the terminal ID as Act181 from the batch cancel command. The processor 21 searches the information terminal table 221 as Act182, and checks the terminal status ST1 associated with the terminal ID detected from the batch cancel command. In the following description, the terminal ID detected from the batch cancel command will be referred to as a cancel terminal ID. If the terminal status ST1 is other than "Leave", the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act182. The processor 21 ends the batch cancel interrupt process.

If the terminal status ST1 is "Leave", the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act182. The processor 21 determines whether or not the third timer T3 associated with the cancellation terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 as Act 183 has passed a second threshold time TM2, for example, 15 minutes, which is longer than the first threshold time TM1. To confirm. When the third timer T3 has passed the second threshold time TM2, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act183. The processor 21 proceeds to the process of Act186.

If the third timer T3 has not reached the second threshold time TM2, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act183. The processor 21 controls the communication interface 24 so as to transmit the image data of the cancellation confirmation image P12 shown in FIG. 37 to the monitoring terminal 60. The communication interface 24 transmits the image data of the cancellation confirmation image P12 via the network 70. The access point 80 wirelessly transmits this image data. The monitoring terminal 60 receives the image data wirelessly transmitted from the access point 80. The monitoring terminal 60 displays the cancellation confirmation image P12 on the touch panel 65.

FIG. 37 is a schematic view showing a display example of the cancellation confirmation image P12. As shown in FIG. 37, the cancellation confirmation image P12 includes a [Yes] touch button BU21 and a [No] touch button BU22 together with a guidance GA3 inquiring whether or not batch cancellation may be performed. The attendant M3 who confirmed the cancellation confirmation image P12 reconfirms whether or not the batch cancellation is permitted. When permitting batch cancellation, the attendant M3 touch-operates the touch button BU21. When canceling the batch cancellation, the attendant M3 touch-operates the touch button BU22.

The processor 21 that controls the image data transmission of the cancellation confirmation image P12 waits for an instruction input as to whether or not batch cancellation may be performed as Act185. When it is detected that the touch button BU22 of [No] of the cancellation confirmation image P12 is touch-operated, the processor 21 proceeds to NO in Act185. The processor 21 ends this batch cancel interrupt process.

When it is detected that the touch button BU22 of [Yes] of the cancellation confirmation image P12 is touch-operated, the processor 21 proceeds to YES in Act185. The processor 21 proceeds to the process of Act186.

In Act186, the processor 21 initializes the information associated with the cancel terminal ID in the information terminal table 221. That is, the processor 21 includes a member ID of the area A3, an accounting machine ID of the area A4, a registration list L1 of the area A9, a sales promotion list L2 of the area A10, a shopping list L3 of the area A11, and an accounting code of the area A12. To clear. The processor 21 resets the values of the first timer T1 in the area A5, the second timer T2 in the area A6, and the third timer T3 in the area A9 to “0”. Further, the processor 21 resets the value of the counter N in the area A8 to “0”.

After that, the processor 21 changes the status ST1 associated with the cancellation terminal ID of the information terminal table 221 from "leaving" to "waiting" as Act187. With the above, the processor 21 ends the batch cancel interrupt process.

When the batch cancel interrupt process is executed, the data in the information terminal table 221 related to the information terminal 50 whose terminal status ST1 is "left" is initialized. The information terminal 50 in which the data in the information terminal table 221 is initialized can be used as a terminal for self-registration.

As described in detail above, according to the present embodiment, the accounting indicating the state of each operating accounting machine 40, for example, "idle" or "paying" in one screen area of the touch panel 65 included in the monitoring terminal 60. Monitoring in which the machine status display unit Ta and the terminal status display unit Tb indicating the status of the operating information terminal 50, for example, "waiting", "registering", "accounting", or "leaving" are arranged in a matrix. A second server 20 for displaying the image P11 can be provided. The attendant M3, who is a staff member of the attendant counter AT in which the monitoring terminal 60 is installed, can efficiently monitor the status of each operating accounting machine 40 and the information terminal 50 from the monitoring image P11.

According to the present embodiment, the accounting machine status display unit Ta can confirm the status of the printer error, the change machine error, and the like occurring in each accounting machine 40 from the screen of the monitoring terminal 60. Similarly, the terminal status display unit Tb can confirm the status such as the product registration error and the discount sticker error occurring in each information terminal 50 and the purchase of the age-restricted product from the screen of the monitoring terminal 60. ..

According to the present embodiment, with respect to the monitoring image P11, the terminal status display unit Tb has a short estimated time required for the customer who is the user of the information terminal 50 whose status is displayed on the display unit Tb to reach the checkout. They are arranged in order and arranged on the monitoring image P11. From the monitoring image P11, the attendant M3 can accurately grasp the state of the information terminal 50 used by the customer who will soon come to the checkout. As a result, for example, a "product registration error" or a "discount seal error" has occurred, and it can be predicted that a customer who needs the intervention of the attendant M3 will come soon, so that the work efficiency can be improved.

In the terminal status display unit Tb of the information terminal 50 that requires the intervention of the attendant M3, the color of the first region Tb1 is the color that notifies the warning. Attendant M3 can easily predict the arrival of guests in need of intervention. The color of the first region Tb1 is also a color that calls attention to the terminal status display unit Tb of the information terminal 50 used by the customer who has purchased the product for which the age limit needs to be confirmed. The attendant M3 can efficiently confirm the age.

According to the present embodiment, when the attendant M3 touches the page feed button BU16, the status display unit displayed on the monitoring image P11 is only the terminal status display unit Tb. The arrangement order of the terminal status display unit Tb is the order in which the estimated time required for accounting is short. Even when many information terminals 50 are in operation, the attendant M3 can accurately grasp the state of each information terminal 50 with a simple operation.

According to the present embodiment, the information terminal table 221 is provided with the area A5 as the first counter T1 for each terminal ID of the information terminal 50, and the user logs in to the information terminal 50 specified by the terminal ID. I try to keep track of the elapsed time since then. Based on the elapsed time of the first counter T1, the time required for the customer who is the user of the information terminal 50 to reach the checkout is estimated. With a simple configuration, it is possible to estimate the time required for a customer to reach the checkout.

According to the present embodiment, the time required for the customer to reach the checkout is estimated from the number of products remaining in the shopping list for each customer. The time required for the customer to reach the checkout can be estimated with high reliability.

According to the present embodiment, by providing the second server 20 and the monitoring terminal 60 for displaying the monitoring image generated by the second server 20, the state of the information terminal 50 and the accounting machine 40 is made efficient. It is possible to provide a monitoring device that can be monitored well.

Although the embodiments of the monitoring device and the monitoring support device capable of efficiently monitoring the states of the information terminal 50 and the accounting machine 40 have been described above, the embodiments are not limited to this.

In the above embodiment, the monitoring image output device is the touch panel 65 of the monitoring terminal 60, but the output device is not limited to this. For example, it may be displayed on the display provided in the second server 20. That is, a monitoring device that integrates the function as the second server 20 and the function as the monitoring terminal 60 may be configured.

The method of estimating the time required for the user of the information terminal 50 to reach the checkout is not limited to the method of the above embodiment. For example, by using a positioning system using beacons or by using PDR (Pedestrian Dead Reckoning) technology, the flow line in the sales floor of the information terminal 50 can be tracked and estimated based on this flow line. Good.

In the above embodiment, the state of the information terminal 50 is set to "waiting", "registering", "accounting" and "leaving", and the state of the accounting machine 40 is set to "idle" and "paying". The state of the information terminal 50 and the accounting machine 40 is not limited to this, and can be appropriately changed depending on the status setting.

In the above embodiment, the case where the information terminal 50 is provided in the cart C is illustrated. In this regard, the information terminal 50 does not necessarily have to be provided in the cart C. The customer himself may carry the information terminal 50 around the sales floor and operate the information terminal 50 as appropriate to register the purchased product.

The transfer of the second server 20 and the monitoring terminal 60 is generally performed in a state where the program is stored in the ROM. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the program may be transferred without being stored in the ROM. In this case, a program or the like individually transferred to the second server 20 and the monitoring terminal 60 is written to the writable storage device provided in the second server 20 and the monitoring terminal 60 according to an operation by the user or the like. May be good. The transfer of the program or the like can be performed by recording on a removable recording medium or by communicating via the network 70. The recording medium may be in any form as long as it can store a program such as a CD-ROM or a memory card and the device can read it.

In addition, although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

10 ... 1st server, 20 ... 2nd server, 30 ... POS terminal, 40 ... accounting machine, 50 ... information terminal, 60 ... monitoring terminal, 70 ... network, 80 ... access point, 11,21,51,61 ... processor , 12, 22, 52, 62 ... Main memory, 13, 23, 53, 63 ... Auxiliary storage device, 14, 24 ... Communication interface, 54, 64 ... Wireless unit, 55, 65 ... Touch panel, 56 ... Scanner, 57 ... Reader, 131 ... Product database, 132 ... Member database, 133 ... Sales promotion database, 221 ... Information terminal table, 222 ... Accounting machine table, C ... Cart, L1 ... Registration list, L2 ... Sales promotion list, L3 ... Shopping list, P1 ... Registration image, P2 ... Staff confirmation image, P3 ... Cash register bag confirmation image, P4 ... Accounting barcode image, P11 ... Monitoring image, Ta ... Accounting machine status display unit, Tb ... Terminal status display unit.

In one embodiment, the program has a function of accepting the registration of the purchased product on the computer of the information terminal in which the customer registers the purchased product at the sales floor, and the information when the purchased product is an age-restricted product. It realizes a function of notifying the display device of the terminal, a function of accepting the cancellation of the notification, and a function of accepting the cancellation of the notification, stopping the notification, and then receiving the accounting instruction of the purchased product.

In addition, although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and modifications thereof are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.
The problems to be solved by the invention at the time of filing the application of the present application and the inventions described in the claims are described below.
An object is to provide a monitoring device, a monitoring support device, and a program thereof that can efficiently monitor the status of an information terminal and an accounting machine.
[1] A monitoring support device for a product sales system in which each user of an information terminal operates the information terminal at the sales floor to register purchased products, and the user accounts for the purchased products with an accounting machine. The first collection unit collects information that can identify the state related to the registration from the plurality of information terminals, and the second collection unit collects information that can identify the state related to the accounting from the accounting machine. Based on the collection unit and the information collected by the first collection unit, a first status indicating the state of the information terminal is set for each of the plurality of information terminals, and the information collected by the second collection unit is used as a base. A second status indicating the status of the accounting machine is set in, and a first status display unit indicating the first status and a second status indicating the second status set for each information terminal are set in one screen area. A monitoring support device including a control unit that generates a monitoring image in which a status display unit is arranged, and an output unit that outputs the monitoring image to an output device.
[2] The control unit estimates the time required for the user of the information terminal to reach the checkout for each of the plurality of information terminals, and the first state display unit is arranged in ascending order from the top. The monitoring support device according to Appendix [1], which generates the monitoring image.
[3] The monitoring support device according to Appendix [2], wherein the control unit further generates a monitoring image in which only the first status display unit is arranged in ascending order of required time in a single screen area.
[4] Each of the information terminals is further provided with a time measuring unit for measuring the elapsed time from the start of registration of the purchased product, and the control unit estimates that the required time is shorter in the order of the longer elapsed time. The monitoring support device according to the appendix [2] or [3].
[5] When the control unit detects that one of the first status display units arranged in the monitoring image is selected, the first status indicated by the first status display unit is set. The monitoring support device according to any one of the appendices [1] to [4], which generates a detailed image showing the information of the product registered in the information terminal, and the output unit outputs the detailed image. ..
[6] A monitor including the monitoring support device according to any one of the appendices [1] to [5] and a display device for displaying the monitoring image output from the output unit of the monitoring support device. apparatus.
[7] A monitoring support device for a product sales system in which each user of an information terminal operates the information terminal at the sales floor to register a purchased product, and the user accounts for the purchased product with an accounting machine. A function of setting a first status indicating the state of the information terminal for each of the plurality of information terminals based on the information that can identify the state related to the registration collected from the plurality of information terminals on the computer that controls the above. A function to set a second status indicating the state of the accounting machine based on information that can identify the state related to the accounting collected from the accounting machine, the first status set for each information terminal in one screen area. A function of generating a surveillance image in which a first status display unit indicating the above and a second status display unit indicating the second status are arranged, and a function of controlling the monitoring image to be displayed on a display device. A program to realize.

Claims (7)

It is a monitoring support device for a product sales system in which each user of an information terminal operates the information terminal at the sales floor to register purchased products, and the user accounts for the purchased products with an accounting machine. ,
A first collection unit that collects information that can identify the state related to the registration from the plurality of information terminals.
A second collection unit that collects information that can identify the state related to the accounting from the accounting machine.
Based on the information collected by the first collecting unit, a first status indicating the state of the information terminal is set for each of the plurality of information terminals, and the accounting machine is based on the information collected by the second collecting unit. A second status indicating the state of is set, and a first status display unit indicating the first status and a second status display unit indicating the second status set for each information terminal are set in one screen area. A control unit that generates a surveillance image with
An output unit that outputs the monitoring image to the output device,
A monitoring support device equipped with. The control unit estimates the time required for the user of the information terminal to reach the accounting for each of the plurality of information terminals, and the monitoring unit arranges the first status display unit from the top in ascending order of the required time. The monitoring support device according to claim 1, which generates an image. The monitoring support device according to claim 2, wherein the control unit further generates a monitoring image in which only the first state display unit is arranged in ascending order of required time in a single screen area. Each of the information terminals is further provided with a timekeeping unit for measuring the elapsed time from the start of registration of purchased products.
The monitoring support device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the control unit estimates that the required time is shorter in descending order of elapsed time. When the control unit detects that one of the first status display units arranged in the monitoring image is selected, the first status indicated by the first status display unit is set. Generates a detailed image showing product information registered on the information terminal,
The monitoring support device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the output unit outputs the detailed image. The monitoring support device according to any one of claims 1 to 5.
A display device that displays the monitoring image output from the output unit of the monitoring support device, and
A monitoring device equipped with. Each user of the information terminal operates the information terminal at the sales floor to register the purchased product, and controls the monitoring support device of the product sales system so that the user accounts for the purchased product with the accounting machine. On the computer
A function of setting a first status indicating the state of the information terminal for each of the plurality of information terminals based on information that can identify the state related to the registration collected from the plurality of information terminals.
A function of setting a second status indicating the state of the accounting machine based on the information collected from the accounting machine that can identify the state related to the accounting.
A function of generating a monitoring image in which a first status display unit indicating the first status and a second status display unit indicating the second status set for each information terminal are arranged in one screen area, and ,
A function that controls the monitoring image to be displayed on the display device,
A program to realize.