JP2022138564A - Registration device, information processing device, and program - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide a registration device, an information processing device, and a program capable of enhancing the effect of suppressing fraudulent acts related to discount sales. According to one embodiment, a registration device includes: a scanner for reading product identification information for identifying products and privilege information for product benefits; a camera for imaging an imaging area including a readable area of the scanner; a registration unit for registering transaction information related to a transaction of a product identified by the product identification information based on the product identification information and the privilege information; and a scanner reading the product identification information and then reading the privilege information. and a determination unit that determines whether to validate or invalidate the privilege information based on the image data captured by the camera during the period from the time of the recording to the time of the recording. [Selection drawing] Fig. 8

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present invention relate to a registration device, an information processing device, and a program.

Traditionally, supermarkets and other stores have sold products such as perishables at a discounted price by deducting a certain amount from the list price, or discounted sales by deducting a certain percentage from the list price. It is done. In the following description, discounts and discounts are collectively referred to as "discounts", and discount sales and discount sales are collectively referred to as "discount sales".

When performing discount sales, the store attaches a discount sticker on which a discount amount and the like are printed so that the customer can recognize the discount information. The registration device reads product information (product name, price, etc.) from a bar code or the like attached to the product, and also displays text information such as the printed discount amount and a bar indicating the discount information printed together with the text information. Read discount information from a code or the like. Then, the registration device registers transaction information including the read product information and discount information (hereinafter also referred to as "product registration").

On the other hand, in recent years, against the backdrop of labor shortages, stores have put into practical use registration devices operated by customers who purchase products. As this type of registration device, for example, a device called a self-service POS (Point Of Sales) terminal or a cart POS terminal is known.

A self-service POS terminal is installed at a checkout place of a store, and the customer himself/herself performs operations related to product registration of products brought in by the customer and payment for the product. The cart POS terminal is a shopping cart provided with a scanner and an information terminal, and a customer uses the scanner to register merchandise at a sales floor. Transaction information relating to the transaction of the registered product is transferred to an accounting device that performs accounting processing when the customer pays the price. It is also known that a mobile terminal such as a smart phone owned by a customer is used for product registration in place of the tablet terminal and the scanner.

Since this type of registration device entrusts product registration to the customer, fraudulent acts by the customer may occur regarding discount sales. For example, it is conceivable that the product code of a product that is not subject to discount is read by a scanner, and then the discount sticker attached to another product is read to register the product. In order to suppress such fraud, it has been proposed to prevent fraud by checking the past transaction history of the product when registering the product using a registration device (for example, Patent Document 1).

However, the conventional technology described above does not confirm that a discount sticker is affixed to the product itself purchased by the customer, so the effect of suppressing fraudulent behavior is not sufficient.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a registration device, an information processing device, and a program capable of enhancing the effect of suppressing fraudulent acts related to discount sales.

A registration device according to an embodiment includes a reading unit for reading product identification information for identifying a product and privilege information on product benefits, an imaging unit for imaging an imaging area including a readable area of the reading unit, and a reading unit. a registration unit for registering transaction information relating to transactions of a product identified by the product identification information based on the product identification information and the privilege information; a determination unit that determines whether to validate or invalidate the privilege information based on the imaging data imaged by the imaging unit before reading.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an outline of an accounting system including a registration device of the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of a shopping cart to which the registration device of the first embodiment is attached. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the registration device including the tablet terminal of the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram showing the functional configuration of the tablet terminal according to the first embodiment; FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the upper surface of a product according to the first embodiment, on which a discount sticker is attached. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the lower surface of the product according to the first embodiment, to which the flag seal is attached. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing layout data of the reading area of the scanner and the imaging area of the camera according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a movement trajectory of a product when the determination unit according to the first embodiment determines that discount information is valid. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of a trajectory of product movement when the scanner according to the first embodiment does not read discount information. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a movement trajectory of a product when the determination unit according to the first embodiment determines that discount information is invalid. FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating another example of the movement trajectory of the product when the determination unit according to the first embodiment determines that the discount information is invalid. FIG. 12 is a sequence chart explaining the operation flow of the scanner, camera, and tablet terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the flow of registration processing by the control unit of the tablet terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the flow of determination processing by the control unit of the tablet terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the upper surface of a product according to the second embodiment, on which a discount sticker is attached. FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing the flow of registration processing by the control unit of the tablet terminal according to the second embodiment.

A registration device, an information processing device, and a program according to embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. In addition, this invention is not limited by embodiment described below. For example, in the embodiments described below, an example in which the registration device is composed of an information processing device, a scanner having an imaging function, and a camera (imaging unit) will be described. It may perform functions and operations of the imaging unit. In addition, the registration device may be an information device having a function of reading product information, a function of registering transaction information, and an imaging function. You may

(First embodiment)
A registration device, an information processing device, and a program according to the first embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an accounting system including a registration device. The accounting system 1 of this embodiment is applied to, for example, supermarkets that sell perishables and the like. The checkout system 1 includes a plurality of checkout devices 2 , a store server 3 , and a plurality of shopping carts 10 to which registration devices 20 are attached. The checkout device 2 and the store server 3 are communicably connected to each other via a network such as a LAN (Local Area Network). Each registration device 20 is communicably connected to the checkout device 2 and store server 3 via a wireless LAN or the like.

The checkout device 2 is, for example, a so-called self-service checkout device in which the customer C performs checkout operations by himself/herself. Based on the transaction information received from the registration device 20, the accounting device 2 executes accounting processing related to cashless payment such as cash payment or credit payment. The accounting process is a process for paying the price of the product purchased by the customer C. Note that the checkout device 2 may be a POS terminal operated by a store clerk.

The store server 3 receives from each checkout device 2 product information of products paid for in checkout processing, payment information regarding payment methods, and the like. The shop server 3 also receives sales information indicating the amount of sales for a predetermined period (for example, one day) from each accounting device 2 . The store server 3 centrally manages product information, payment information, sales information, and the like received from each accounting device 2, and performs sales management and the like in one store. In addition, the store server 3 stores a product master in which product codes and product information (product names, prices, etc.) are associated with each other for products handled at the store, and transmits the master data to the registration device 20 as appropriate.

The shopping cart 10 is installed in a sales floor of a store and used for carrying products that a customer C purchases. While pushing the shopping cart 10 and moving it through the sales floor, the customer C registers the products to be purchased with the registration device 20 and stores them in a basket (not shown) placed on the shopping cart 10 .

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the appearance of the shopping cart 10 to which the registration device 20 is attached. The shopping cart 10 includes a handle 11, a basket placement portion 12, and casters 13, and a registration device 20 is attached. The handle 11 is for the customer C to grip and move the shopping cart 10 . The basket placing portion 12 has a two-stage structure, upper and lower, on which baskets for storing products to be purchased by the customer C can be placed. A basket may be provided integrally with the shopping cart 10 . Casters 13 are provided at the four lower corners of the shopping cart 10, respectively. By rotating these casters 13 individually, the shopping cart 10 can move freely within the store. The shopping cart 10 is a mobile body equipped with a registration device 20 .

The registration device 20 registers product transaction information, and includes a tablet terminal 30, a scanner 40 having an image pickup function, and a camera 50 (image pickup unit). The imaging function of the scanner 40 is for performing product registration processing such as reading product identification information, reading flag stickers, and reading discount stickers. The camera 50 captures the movement of the product to be registered by the scanner 40 . The scanner 40 is an example of a reading unit, and the camera 50 is an example of an imaging unit. The transaction information is information necessary for the payment of the product purchased by the customer C, and includes product information (product name, price, etc.) and privilege information (discount amount, etc.). Discount information relating to discounts, such as discount amounts, is an example of privilege information. The privilege information is not limited to discount information, and may be information indicating the provision of specially added points, for example.

The tablet terminal 30 has a display 31 , a touch panel 32 and a card reader 33 . The tablet terminal 30 is an example of an information processing device.

The display 31 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal panel, and functions as a display section for displaying various information. The display 31 displays, for example, product information of products registered as products, operators to be operated by the customer C who is the user, and the like.

The touch panel 32 is provided on the surface of the display 31, and inputs information corresponding to the touched position to the control unit 300 (see FIG. 3) of the tablet terminal 30. It functions as an operation input unit for inputting information. The touch panel 32 inputs, for example, a transaction instruction to the control unit 300 for instructing transmission of transaction information to the transaction device 2 .

The card reader 33 reads a member code from a medium such as a member card of the customer C or a point card. The card reader 33 can also read credit information from the credit card of the customer C when the registration device 20 has a settlement function. The card reader 33 may be a magnetic card reader that reads information from a magnetic card, or an IC card reader that reads information from a card containing an IC chip.

A scanner 40 is provided on the handle 11 of the shopping cart 10 . The scanner 40 has an imaging function and reads product identification information for identifying products. Specifically, the scanner 40 recognizes barcodes in specific areas of the captured image. For example, when a code symbol such as a barcode A (see FIG. 6) attached to a product purchased by a customer C is placed facing the reading window 41, the scanner 40 recognizes the barcode A from the captured image. do. The scanner 40 then decodes the recognized code symbol and reads the product code indicated by the code symbol. A product code is an example of product identification information that identifies a product. Note that the scanner 40 may read the product code by specifying the product by an object recognition method that recognizes the product based on the feature amount of the product such as the color and unevenness.

In addition, the scanner 40 reads privilege information regarding the privilege of the product. For example, the scanner 40 reads the character information printed on the discount sticker B (see FIG. 5) attached to the product by character recognition processing such as OCR (Optical Character Reader), or reads the discount sticker by image recognition processing. Recognize discount amounts or discount rates.

Here, an example of processing for reading privilege information regarding the privilege of the product will be described. First, the scanner 40 reads flag information indicating that a label indicating privilege information is attached to the product. Specifically, the scanner 40 reads the flag information by detecting the flag sticker D (see FIG. 6) attached to the product from the captured image when reading the bar code A of the product. The scanner 40 detects the flag sticker D by performing image processing for detecting a predetermined shape (a double circle in this embodiment) from the captured image. The discount sticker B is an example of a label indicating privilege information, and the information indicated by the flag sticker D is an example of flag information.

The flag sticker D is attached close to the bar code A indicating the product code. As a result, when the customer C brings the bar code A close to the reading window 41 to read the product code, the scanner 40 can recognize not only the bar code A but also the flag sticker D. At this time, the display 31 may display a message prompting the customer to read the discount sticker. When the scanner 40 recognizes the flag sticker D, it subsequently reads the discount sticker. The scanner 40 captures an image including the discount sticker, detects the discount sticker from a specific area of the captured image, and recognizes the discount information.

Note that processing for reading barcodes imaged by the imaging function of scanner 40 (including decoding of barcode symbols; hereinafter also referred to as barcode recognition processing), processing for reading flag stickers (hereinafter also referred to as flag sticker recognition processing), and / Alternatively, the process of reading the discount sticker (hereinafter also referred to as the discount sticker recognition process) may be performed by the control unit 300 of the tablet terminal 30 . In this case, the reading unit that executes the barcode recognition process, the flag sticker recognition process, and/or the discount sticker recognition process is configured including the control part 300 .

By the way, the discount sticker B is attached to the upper surface of the product so that the customer C can easily recognize it. Therefore, it is necessary to read the product code separately from the discount information for the product having the bar code A attached to a surface other than the top surface of the product. In this case, a fraudulent act such as reading discount information of a product different from the product whose product code is read is likely to occur, and the registration device 20 of this embodiment suppresses the fraudulent act. is.

In the following description, reading the product code from the barcode A by the scanner 40 means “reading the barcode A”, reading flag information from the flag sticker D means “reading the flag sticker D”, and the discount sticker B Reading the discount information from is sometimes referred to as "reading the discount sticker B". Also, the range in which the scanner 40 can read the product code and discount information is called a reading area.

The camera 50 constitutes an imaging unit and images an imaging area including the reading area of the scanner 40 . In other words, the camera 50 can capture the action of the customer C registering the product in the reading area. The camera 50 captures an image of the imaging area at predetermined intervals (for example, 20 times/second) from when the scanner 40 reads the product code until it reads the discount information, and sequentially transfers the imaged data (frame images) to the tablet terminal 30. Send to

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the hardware configuration of the registration device 20. As shown in FIG. As described above, registration device 20 includes tablet terminal 30 , scanner 40 , and camera 50 . The tablet terminal 30 includes a control section 300 , a memory section 310 , a display 31 , a touch panel 32 , a card reader 33 and a communication section 320 . Control unit 300, memory unit 310, display 31, touch panel 32, card reader 33, and communication unit 320 are connected to each other via bus 330 or the like.

The control unit 300 is configured by a computer having a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 301 , a ROM (Read Only Memory) 302 and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 303 . CPU 301 , ROM 302 and RAM 303 are interconnected via bus 330 .

A CPU 301 controls the overall operation of the tablet terminal 30 . The ROM 302 stores various programs such as programs used to drive the CPU 301 and various data. The RAM 303 has an imaging data storage unit 304 and a transaction information storage unit 305 . The captured image data storage unit 304 is an area for storing captured image data captured by the camera 50, in which frame images continuously received from the camera 50 are stored in time series. The transaction information storage unit 305 is an area for storing transaction information based on product codes and discount information read by the scanner 40 . A RAM 303 is used as a work area for the CPU 301 and develops various programs and data stored in the ROM 302 and memory unit 310 . The control unit 300 executes various control processes of the tablet terminal 30 by the CPU 301 operating according to the control program stored in the ROM 302 and the memory unit 310 and developed in the RAM 303 .

The memory unit 310 is composed of a storage medium such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or flash memory, and maintains stored contents even when the power is turned off. Memory unit 310 stores control program 311 and product master 312 .

The control program 311 has a function of registering products based on the product code and discount information read by the scanner 40, and validating or invalidating the discount information read by the scanner 40 based on the imaging data captured by the camera 50. It is a program or the like for realizing a function of determining whether to

The product master 312 is a master file that stores information on products handled by the store. Each piece of data registered in the product master 312 is associated with a product code, product name, price, and the like. Since the products handled in the store change daily, the product master 312 is appropriately updated by the store server 3 connected via the communication unit 320 .

The configurations and functions of the display 31, touch panel 32, and card reader 33 are as described above. Communication unit 320 is an interface for communicating with scanner 40 , camera 50 , and store server 3 . The control unit 300 is connected to each device of the scanner 40, the camera 50, and the store server 3 via the communication unit 320, so that information (data) can be transmitted/received to/from each device. Note that the scanner 40 and the camera 50 are also connected so as to be able to communicate with each other.

Next, the functional configuration of the control unit 300 of the tablet terminal 30 will be described. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the control unit 300 of the tablet terminal 30. As shown in FIG. The control unit 300 operates according to the control programs stored in the ROM 302 and the memory unit 310 by the CPU 301 to operate the first input unit 3001, the second input unit 3002, the storage unit 3003, the image processing unit 3004, the determination unit 3005 , a registration unit 3006 , a notification unit 3007 and an output unit 3008 . Note that each of these functions may be configured by hardware such as a dedicated circuit.

A first input unit 3001 receives product identification information and privilege information from the scanner 40 that reads product identification information for identifying products and benefit information related to product benefits. Specifically, the product code read by the scanner 40 from the bar code A attached to the product is input to the first input unit 3001 . Discount information read by the scanner 40 from the discount sticker B attached to the product is input to the first input unit 3001 . Further, flag information read from the flag sticker D by the scanner 40 and various information associated with the operation of the touch panel 32 by the customer C are input.

In the second input section 3002, the imaging data of the camera 50 for imaging the imaging area including the readable area of the scanner 40, which is imaged after the scanner 40 reads the commodity identification information and before it reads the privilege information. The captured image data is input. Specifically, in the second input unit 3002, an image captured from the camera 50 that captures an imaging area including the readable area of the scanner 40 until the discount information is read after the product code is read by the scanner 40 is displayed. Data is entered. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing layout data of the reading area SA of the scanner 40 and the imaging area CA of the camera 50. As shown in FIG. Layout data is stored in the memory unit 310 . The imaging area CA of the camera 50 is set to a range including the reading area SA of the scanner 40 . Therefore, the camera 50 can take an image of the product whose product code, flag information, and discount information have been read by the scanner 40 . Note that the reading area SA of the scanner 40 and the imaging area CA of the camera 50 may be set in the same area.

When a product code is input to the first input unit 3001 , the storage unit 3003 stores the product code in the RAM 303 . Also, the storage unit 3003 stores the imaging data in the imaging data storage unit 304 . Specifically, the storage unit 3003 stores the frame images input to the second input unit 3002 in time series in the captured data storage unit 304 .

The image processing unit 3004 performs image processing on the imaged data stored in the imaged data storage unit 304, and generates a movement locus in the imaging area CA of the product whose product code, flag information, and discount information are read by the scanner 40. do. The image processing unit 3004 calculates the outline and the barycentric position of the product image located in the reading area SA from the frame image when the scanner 40 reads the product code. General image processing technology is used to calculate the outline of the product image and the position of the center of gravity. The image processing unit 3004 also calculates the barycentric positions of the products for each frame image until the scanner 40 reads the discount information, and plots these barycentric positions on the layout data to generate movement trajectory data. It should be noted that it is also possible to generate the movement locus data based on the outline of the product or the like.

For example, as in the products shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, when the bar code A and the flag sticker D and the discount sticker B are attached to different surfaces, the customer C sends the scanner 40 with the barcode A and the flag sticker. After the sticker D is read, the product is rotated and the discount sticker B is read. In such a case, although the contour of the product image changes as the product rotates, the image processing unit 3004 also calculates the position of the center of gravity of the product image, so it is possible to generate the movement trajectory of the product.

A determination unit 3005 determines whether to validate or invalidate the privilege information input to the first input unit 3001 based on the imaging data input to the second input unit 3002 . Specifically, the determination unit 3005 validates or invalidates the discount information input to the first input unit 3001 based on the movement trajectory data generated by the image processing unit 3004 and indicating the movement trajectory of the product. Determine whether to

More specifically, in this embodiment, the determination unit 3005 determines that the discount information is valid when the following conditions (1) and (2) are satisfied. (1) During the period from when the scanner 40 reads the product code of the product until it reads the discount information (hereinafter also referred to as "determination target period"), the movement locus of the product is within the imaging area CA. (2) When the scanner 40 reads the discount information, no product other than the product concerned is positioned within the reading area SA. If at least one of the above conditions (1) or (2) is not satisfied, the determination unit 3005 determines that there is a possibility that the product for which the product code is read and the product for which the discount information is read are not the same. The discount information is determined to be invalid.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a movement trajectory of a product when the determination unit 3005 determines that discount information is valid. 8 to 11, product M indicates a product whose product code is read by the scanner 40. FIG. t=0 indicates the position of the product M when the scanner 40 reads the product code and flag information, and t=10 indicates the position of the product M when the scanner 40 reads the discount information. Also, t=1 to t=9 show the position of the product M from t=0 to t=10 in chronological order. When the movement locus of the product M is shown in FIG. 8, the above conditions (1) and (2) are satisfied, so the determining unit 3005 determines that the discount information is valid.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the trajectory of the product when the scanner 40 does not read the discount information. When the movement locus of the product M is shown in FIG. 9, after the product code and flag information are read by the scanner 40 at t=0, the discount information is not read and the determination target period cannot be specified. 3005 does not determine that the discount information is valid. In this case, it is considered that the customer C put the product M in the basket without having the discount information read. If the scanner 40 has not read the flag information, the registration unit 3006 performs product registration assuming that the product for which the scanner 40 has read the product code is not a discounted product. The details of product registration will be described later.

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a movement trajectory of a product when the determination unit 3005 determines that discount information is invalid. When the movement trajectory of the product M is shown in FIG. 10, although the movement trajectory of the product M is within the imaging area CA during the determination target period, the product M is at time t=10 when the scanner 40 reads the discount information. Since another product m different from that is located within the reading area SA, the determination unit 3005 invalidates the discount information. This is to prevent the discount information of another product m from being read as the transaction information of the product M.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing another example of the movement trajectory of the product when the determination unit 3005 determines that the discount information is invalid. In the example of FIG. 11, as in the example of FIG. 10, at time t=10 when the scanner 40 reads the discount information, another product m different from the product M is positioned within the reading area SA. invalidates the discount information.

In addition to or instead of the condition (2), the determination unit 3005 has a condition that a plurality of commodities are not recognized in the imaging area CA at time t=10 when the scanner 40 reads the discount information. may be set. When the scanner 40 recognizes a plurality of products in the imaging area CA at the time t=10 when the discount information is read, the discount information of the product different from the product whose product code is read by the scanner 40 is read. This is because it is recognized as possible.

Returning to FIG. 4, the functional configuration of the control unit 300 will be described. Based on the product identification information and privilege information read by the scanner 40, the registration unit 3006 registers transaction information related to the transaction of the product identified by the product identification information. Specifically, the registration unit 3006 acquires the product information such as the product name and price associated with the product code input to the first input unit 3001 from the product master 312 . Note that when a product code is input to the first input unit 3001, the registration unit 3006 outputs a product information inquiry based on the product code to the store server 3 storing the product master. You may make it acquire product information from. In this case, the memory unit 310 does not need to store the product master 312 . Then, the registration unit 3006 registers in the transaction information storage unit 305 transaction information in which the acquired product information and the discount information input to the first input unit 3001 are associated with each other. If no discount information is input to the first input section 3001, the registration section 3006 registers the product information in the transaction information storage section 305 as transaction information. Registration of transaction information in the transaction information storage unit 305 by the registration unit 3006 is called product registration.

Note that the transaction information may include the discounted amount calculated based on the discount information. The calculation of the discounted amount may be performed by the tablet terminal 30 or may be performed by the store server 3 . When executed by the store server 3, the tablet terminal 30 transmits a code including a product code and discount information to the store server 3, and the store server 3 decodes the code and calculates the discounted price. The tablet terminal 30 acquires the discounted amount calculated by the store server 3 and stores it in the transaction information storage unit 305 .

If the determination unit 3005 determines that the privilege information of the product identified by the product identification information read by the scanner 40 is invalid, the registration unit 3006 does not register the transaction information of the product. Specifically, when the determination unit 3005 determines that the discount information corresponding to the product code input to the first input unit 3001 is invalid, the registration unit 3006 registers the product identified by the product code. do not

Furthermore, if the scanner 40 does not read the flag information, the registration unit 3006 registers the transaction information as if the product identified by the product identification information does not have a privilege. Specifically, when flag information is not input together with a product code in the first input unit 3001, the registration unit 3006 determines that the product identified by the product code is not a discount product, and Perform product registration based on As shown in FIG. 6, this function of the registration unit 3006 is set when discount sales are performed by attaching a flag sticker D close to the bar code A attached to the product to be sold at a discount. .

On the other hand, in the operation of performing discount sales without using the flag sticker D, if the scanner 40 does not read the privilege information within a predetermined time after reading the product identification information, the registration unit 3006 does not read the product identification information. Register the transaction information assuming that the product identified by the information does not have any benefits. Specifically, if the discount information is not input to the first input unit 3001 even after a predetermined time has passed since the product code was input to the first input unit 3001, the registration unit 3006 applies the discount to the product. Determine that the product is not the target product and register the product based on the product code. In other words, in the operation without using the flag sticker D, depending on whether or not the discount information is input to the first input section 3001 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the product code was input to the first input section 3001, Determine whether or not the product is a discounted product.

When the determination unit 3005 determines that the discount information input to the first input unit 3001 is invalid, the notification unit 3007 notifies the customer C to re-register the product. For example, the notification unit 3007 displays on the display 31 a message prompting the user to perform product registration again. The notification by the notification unit 3007 may be by voice. The notification unit 3007 similarly issues a notification prompting redoing product registration when discount information is not input to the first input unit 3001 even though the flag information is input to the first input unit 3001 .

The output unit 3008 outputs transaction information for one transaction stored in the transaction information storage unit 305 to the accounting device 2 when a transaction instruction is input from the touch panel 32 to the first input unit 3001 . The accounting device 2 that has received the transaction information can execute accounting processing.

The operation of the registration device 20 based on the above configuration will be described. FIG. 12 is a sequence chart explaining the operation flow of the scanner 40, camera 50, and tablet terminal 30. As shown in FIG. The sequence chart of FIG. 12 shows the operation when the product code, flag information, and discount information are read by the scanner 40 and the determination unit 3005 determines that the discount information is valid.

The customer C pushes the shopping cart 10 to move in the sales floor and brings the bar code A and the flag sticker D attached to the product to be purchased close to the scanner 40 . The scanner 40 reads the product code from the bar code A and the flag information from the flag sticker D (S1). The scanner 40 outputs the read product code and flag information to the tablet terminal 30 (S2), and outputs an imaging start instruction to the camera 50 (S3).

The tablet terminal 30 associates the received product code with the flag information and stores them in the RAM 303 (S4). In other words, the tablet terminal 30 stores in the RAM 303 information indicating that the product code of the discount target product has been input. The camera 50 images the imaging area CA at predetermined intervals (for example, 20 times/second) (S5), and sequentially transmits the imaging data (frame images) to the tablet terminal 30 (S6). The tablet terminal 30 stores the received frame images in time series in the imaging data storage unit 304 (S7).

When the scanner 40 reads the discount information from the discount sticker B (S8), it outputs an imaging stop instruction to the camera 50 (S9) and outputs the discount information to the tablet terminal 30 (S10). The camera 50 that has received the imaging stop instruction stops imaging (S11).

Upon receiving the discount information, the tablet terminal 30 executes determination processing based on the frame images stored in time series in the captured data storage unit 304 (S12). The transaction information associated with the information and the discount information is registered in the transaction information storage unit 305, and product registration is executed (S13). Next, when an accounting instruction is input (S14), the tablet terminal 30 outputs transaction information for one transaction to the accounting device 2 (S15). Thereby, the customer C can pay for the product using the checkout device 2 .

Next, registration processing executed by the control unit 300 of the tablet terminal 30 will be described. FIG. 13 is a flow chart showing the flow of registration processing by the control unit 300 of the tablet terminal 30. As shown in FIG.

First, the control unit 300 determines whether or not a product code has been input to the first input unit 3001 (S21). In other words, the controller 300 determines whether or not the scanner 40 has read the product code from the bar code A attached to the product.

When a product code is input to first input section 3001 (Y of S21), control section 300 determines whether or not flag information is input to first input section 3001 (S22). In other words, the controller 300 determines whether or not the scanner 40 has read the flag information from the flag sticker D attached to the product.

When the flag information is input to the first input section 3001 (Y of S22), the storage section 3003 stores the input product code in the RAM 303 (S23). Subsequently, the control unit 300 determines whether imaging data has been input to the second input unit 3002 (S24), and if not (N of S24), the process returns to S24. When imaging data is input to the second input unit 3002 (Y in S24), the storage unit 3003 stores the input imaging data in the imaging data storage unit 304 (S25).

Next, the control unit 300 determines whether or not discount information has been input to the first input unit 3001 (S26). In other words, the controller 300 determines whether or not the scanner 40 has read the discount information from the discount sticker B attached to the product.

When discount information is input to the first input unit 3001 (Y in S26), the image processing unit 3004 stores the image data stored in the image data storage unit 304, that is, a plurality of frame images during the determination target period. Based on (S27), movement locus data indicating the locus of movement of the product whose product code is read by the scanner 40 is generated. Next, the determination unit 3005 executes determination processing based on the generated movement trajectory data (S28). The determination process is a process of determining whether the discount information input to the first input unit 3001 is valid or invalid. Details of the determination process will be described later.

As a result of the determination process, the control unit 300 determines whether or not the discount information input to the first input unit 3001 is valid (S29). If it is determined that the discount information is valid (Y of S29), the registration unit 3006 registers the product (S30). That is, the registration unit 3006 associates the product information acquired from the product master 312 based on the product code input to the first input unit 3001 with the discount information input to the first input unit 3001. The obtained transaction information is registered in the transaction information storage unit 305 .

If flag information is not input in the process of S22 (N of S22), the control unit 300 skips the processes of S23 to S29 and proceeds to the process of S30. If the flag information is not input, the registration unit 3006 determines that the product for which the product code is input is not a discount product, and registers the product. In this case, the registration unit 3006 registers the product information acquired from the product master 312 based on the input product code in the transaction information storage unit 305 as transaction information. That is, transaction information does not include discount information.

Subsequently, the control unit 300 determines whether or not a checkout instruction has been input to the first input unit 3001 (S31), and if not (N in S31), returns to the processing of S21 and inputs the next product code. wait until When the accounting instruction is input (Y of S31), the output unit 3008 outputs the transaction information stored in the transaction information storage unit 305 to the accounting device 2 (S32).

If no discount information is input to the first input unit 3001 in the process of S26 (N of S26), the control unit 300 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the product code was input to the first input unit 3001. It is determined whether or not (S33). After a predetermined period of time has elapsed (Y in S33), the notification unit 3007 determines that the customer C has placed the product in the basket without reading the discount information, and displays an error message on the display 31 (S34). The error message that is displayed is a message that urges re-registration of the product, such as "The discount information could not be read. Please re-register the product." Subsequently, the control unit 300 shifts to the process of S31. Moreover, when it determines with discount information being invalid by S29 (N of S29), the control part 300 transfers to the process of S34. In this case, since there is a possibility that the entered discount information is based on fraudulent activity, the notification unit 3007 displays an error message to prompt the user to redo product registration.

Following the output of the transaction information by the output unit 3008, the storage unit 3003 erases the frame images stored in the captured data storage unit 304 and the transaction information stored in the transaction information storage unit 305 (S35). Then, the control unit 300 ends the registration process.

Next, a determination process for determining whether the discount information input to the first input unit 3001 is valid or invalid will be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of determination processing by the control unit 300 of the tablet terminal 30. As shown in FIG.

The determination unit 3005 acquires movement locus data generated by the image processing unit 3004 (S41). Subsequently, the determination unit 3005 determines whether or not the movement trajectory of the product indicated by the movement trajectory data is within the imaging area CA (S42). It is determined to be invalid (S43), and the determination process ends. For example, in the movement trajectory shown in FIG. 9, when the product M leaves the imaging area CA and then returns to the reading area SA and the discount information is read, the determination unit 3005 invalidates the discount information. This is because the product M whose product code has been read by the scanner 40 has temporarily left the imaging area CA, so it is suspected that the product for which the discount information has been read is different from the product for which the product code has been read.

If the movement trajectory of the product indicated by the movement trajectory data is within the imaging area CA (Y in S42), the determination unit 3005 determines that another product is within the reading area SA at time t=10 when the discount information is read. (S44), and if there is another product in the reading area SA (N in S44), the process proceeds to S43. For example, when it is determined that the movement trajectory of the product is in the states shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the determination unit 3005 invalidates the discount information. If the other product is not within the reading area (Y in S44), the determination unit 3005 determines that the discount information is valid (S45), and terminates the determination process. For example, when it is determined that the movement trajectory of the product is in the state shown in FIG. 8, the determining unit 3005 validates the discount information. In this embodiment, whether or not there is another product within the reading area SA is determined using the contour and the center of gravity of the product recognized within the imaging area CA and within the reading area SA.

According to the first embodiment, the registration device 20 invalidates the discount information when it is suspected that the product for which the product code is read by the scanner 40 and the product for which the discount information is read are not the same, and registers the product. Instead, the customer C is urged to redo product registration. As a result, even if the registration device 20 is operated by the customer C, fraudulent acts by the customer C regarding discount sales can be suppressed.

(Second embodiment)
Next, a second embodiment will be described. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the flag seal D is not used. Duplicate descriptions of the same points as those of the first embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing the upper surface of the discounted product of the present embodiment on which the discount sticker B is attached. The flag sticker D is not attached to the product to be discounted, but the discount sticker is attached. FIG. 15 shows an example in which the bar code A and the discount sticker B are attached on the same surface. There are also products that are provided in

Registration processing executed by the control unit 300 of the tablet terminal 30 will be described. FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing the flow of registration processing by the control unit 300 of the tablet terminal 30. As shown in FIG.

First, the control unit 300 determines whether a product code has been input to the first input unit 3001 (S51), and if not (N in S51), returns to the processing of S51 and waits. In other words, the controller 300 determines whether or not the scanner 40 has read the product code from the bar code A attached to the product.

When a product code is input to the first input unit 3001 (Y of S51), the storage unit 3003 stores the input product code in the RAM 303 (S52). Subsequently, the control unit 300 determines whether imaging data has been input to the second input unit 3002 (S53), and if not (N in S53), the process returns to S53. When imaging data is input to the second input unit 3002 (Y in S53), the storage unit 3003 stores the input imaging data in the imaging data storage unit 304 (S54).

Next, the control unit 300 determines whether or not discount information has been input to the first input unit 3001 (S55). In other words, the controller 300 determines whether or not the scanner 40 has read the discount information from the discount sticker B attached to the product.

When discount information is input to the first input unit 3001 (Y in S55), the image processing unit 3004 stores the image data stored in the image data storage unit 304, that is, a plurality of frame images during the determination target period. Based on (S56), movement locus data indicating the locus of movement of the product whose product code is read by the scanner 40 is generated. Next, the determination unit 3005 executes determination processing based on the generated trajectory data (S57). The determination processing is the same as in the first embodiment.

As a result of the determination process, the control unit 300 determines whether or not the discount information input to the first input unit 3001 is valid (S58). If it is determined that the discount information is valid (Y of S58), the registration unit 3006 performs product registration (S59). That is, the registration unit 3006 associates the product information acquired from the product master 312 based on the product code input to the first input unit 3001 with the discount information input to the first input unit 3001. The obtained transaction information is registered in the transaction information storage unit 305 .

Subsequently, the control unit 300 determines whether or not a checkout instruction has been input to the first input unit 3001 (S60), and if not (N in S60), returns to the processing of S51 and inputs the next product code. wait until When the accounting instruction is input (Y of S60), the output unit 3008 outputs the transaction information stored in the transaction information storage unit 305 to the accounting device 2 (S61).

If no discount information is input to the first input unit 3001 in the process of S55 (N of S55), the control unit 300 determines whether a predetermined time has elapsed since the product code was input to the first input unit 3001. It is determined whether or not (S62). After the predetermined time has passed (Y of S62), the control section 300 proceeds to the process of S59. That is, if the discount information is not input to the first input unit 3001 even after a predetermined time has passed since the product code was input to the first input unit 3001, the registration unit 3006 registers the product identified by the product code. determines that the product is not a discounted product and registers the product. Note that the predetermined time in this embodiment may be the same time as the predetermined time in the first embodiment, or may be different. If the predetermined time has not passed (N of S62), the control section 300 proceeds to the process of S53.

Further, if the discount information is invalid in the processing of S58 (N of S58), the notification unit 3007 displays an error message because there is a possibility that the input discount information is based on fraudulent activity. Then, the user is urged to redo product registration (S63). Then, the control unit 300 skips the processing of S59 and proceeds to S60.

Following the output of the transaction information by the output unit 3008, the storage unit 3003 erases the frame images stored in the captured data storage unit 304 and the transaction information stored in the transaction information storage unit 305 (S64). Then, the control unit 300 ends the registration process.

According to the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, even if the registration device 20 is operated by the customer C, it is possible to suppress fraudulent acts by the customer C regarding discount sales. In addition, if the discount information is not input even after a predetermined time has passed since the product code was read by the scanner 40, the product is registered as not being the discount target product. As a result, discount sales can be performed without using flag stickers.

As described above, the registration device 20 of the above-described embodiment includes the scanner 40 for reading product identification information for identifying products and privilege information on product benefits, and the camera for imaging the imaging area CA including the readable area SA of the scanner 40. 50, a registration unit 3006 for registering transaction information relating to the transaction of the product identified by the product identification information based on the product identification information and the privilege information read by the scanner 40, and the scanner 40 reading the product identification information. and a determination unit 3005 for determining whether to validate or invalidate the privilege information based on the imaging data captured by the camera 50 after reading until the privilege information is read.

As a result, the registration device 20 invalidates the discount information when it is suspected that the product for which the product code is read by the scanner 40 and the product for which the discount information is read are not the same. The effect of suppressing fraud can be enhanced.

Further, in the registration device 20 of the above embodiment, when the determination unit 3005 determines that the privilege information of the product identified by the product identification information read by the scanner 40 is invalid, the registration unit 3006 determines that the transaction information of the product is invalid. Do not register.

As a result, the registration device 20 can further enhance the effect of suppressing fraudulent acts by the customer C regarding discount sales.

Further, in the registration device 20 of the above embodiment, the scanner 40 can read flag information indicating that a label indicating privilege information is attached to the product, and the registration unit 3006 allows the scanner 40 to read the flag information. If it is not read, the transaction information is registered as if the product identified by the product identification information does not have a privilege.

As a result, when discount sales are performed using the flag sticker D, the registration device 20 can distinguish and recognize discounted products and non-discounted products. Therefore, the registration device 20 can correctly register the product.

Further, in the registration device 20 of the above-described embodiment, if the registration unit 3006 does not read the privilege information within a predetermined time after the scanner 40 reads the product identification information, the product identified by the product identification information Register the transaction information as if there is no privilege.

As a result, when discount sales are performed without using the flag sticker D, the registration device 20 can distinguish between discounted products and non-discounted products. Therefore, the registration device 20 can correctly register the product.

In the above embodiment, the control program executed by each device of the tablet terminal 30, the scanner 40, and the camera 50 is configured to be recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM and provided. may Further, the control program executed by each device of the above embodiments may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and may be provided by being downloaded via the network. It may be configured to be provided via a network such as the Internet.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. For example, as described above, it is possible to use a single imaging device for both the imaging function of the scanner 40 and the function of the camera 50 (imaging unit). In other words, it is possible to image the imaging area CA with one camera and set the reading area SA for recognizing the bar code, the flag sticker, and the discount sticker in the imaging area CA. Furthermore, by installing an application program for product registration on a smartphone or tablet terminal having a camera function, the smartphone or tablet terminal can be used as a registration device, a scanner, and a camera.

Also, this embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, replacements, and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

20 registration device 30 tablet terminal (information processing device)
40 scanner (reading unit)
50 camera (imaging unit)
3001 first input unit 3002 second input unit 3005 determination unit 3006 registration unit

JP 2016-177419 A

Claims (7)

a reading unit that reads product identification information for identifying products and benefit information related to product benefits;
an imaging unit configured to capture an image of an imaging area including the readable area of the reading unit;
a registration unit for registering transaction information relating to a transaction of a product identified by the product identification information based on the product identification information and the privilege information read by the reading unit;
a determination unit that determines whether to validate or invalidate the privilege information based on the imaging data captured by the imaging unit after the reading unit reads the product identification information until the privilege information is read; ,
A registration device comprising: The registration unit does not register the transaction information of the product when the determination unit determines that the privilege information of the product identified by the product identification information read by the reading unit is invalid.
The registration device according to claim 1. The reading unit is capable of reading flag information indicating that a label indicating privilege information is attached to the product,
When the reading unit does not read the flag information, the registration unit registers the transaction information as if the product identified by the product identification information does not have a privilege.
3. A registration device according to claim 1 or claim 2. When the reading unit does not read the privilege information even after a predetermined time has passed since the reading unit read the product identification information, the registration unit determines that the product identified by the product identification information does not have the privilege, and reads the transaction information. sign up,
3. A registration device according to claim 1 or claim 2. a first input unit for inputting the product identification information and the privilege information from a reading unit that reads the product identification information for identifying the product and the privilege information regarding the privilege of the product;
a registration unit for registering transaction information related to a transaction of a product identified by the product identification information based on the product identification information and the privilege information input to the first input unit;
imaging data of an imaging unit for imaging an imaging area including a readable area of the reading unit, the imaging data captured after the reading unit reads the product identification information and before reading the privilege information; a second input unit for input;
a determination unit that determines whether to validate or invalidate privilege information input to the first input unit based on the imaging data input to the second input unit;
Information processing device. for controlling, by a computer, a registration device provided with a reading unit for reading product identification information for identifying products and privilege information on product benefits; and an imaging unit for imaging an imaging area including a readable area of the reading unit a program,
said computer,
a registration unit that registers transaction information related to a transaction of a product identified by the product identification information based on the product identification information and the privilege information read by the reading unit;
a determination unit that determines whether to validate or invalidate the privilege information based on the imaging data captured by the imaging unit after the reading unit reads the product identification information until the privilege information is read; ,
A program that works as A program for processing an information processing device by a computer,
said computer,
a first input unit for inputting the product identification information and the privilege information from a reading unit that reads the product identification information for identifying the product and the privilege information regarding the privilege of the product;
a registration unit for registering transaction information related to a transaction of a product identified by the product identification information based on the product identification information and the privilege information input to the first input unit;
imaging data of an imaging unit for imaging an imaging area including a readable area of the reading unit, the imaging data captured after the reading unit reads the product identification information and before reading the privilege information; a second input unit for input;
a determination unit that determines whether to validate or invalidate privilege information input to the first input unit based on the imaging data input to the second input unit;
A program that works as

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