JP2023115389A - Store system - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a commodity registration device and a program capable of suppressing an illegal action associated with commodity registration.SOLUTION: The present invention relates to a commodity registration device capable of communicating with a portable scanner device used in a store, and the commodity registration device comprises: first specification means which specifies the location of the scanner device in the store; commodity registration means which registers a commodity read through the scanner device; second specification means which specifies the arrangement location of the commodity registered by the commodity registration means based upon information obtained by associating respective commodities sold in the store with arrangement locations of the commodities in the store; determination means which determines whether a position relation between the location that the first specification means specifies and the arrangement location that the second specification means specifies meets a previously set condition; and notification means which gives notice if it is determined that the condition is not met.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD Embodiments of the present invention relate to a product registration device and a program.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, shopping carts (hereinafter referred to as carts) are used in stores such as supermarkets. A customer makes a purchase by moving in a store while pushing a cart and placing the desired product on the cart or placing it in a provided basket.

In recent years, a cart equipped with a scanner device for reading code symbols such as barcodes has appeared. A customer using such a cart moves in the store while pushing the cart, and registers the product himself/herself by having the scanner device read the code symbol attached to the product he/she wishes to purchase. The customer himself/herself can pay for the product by putting the registered product in the basket and carrying it to the checkout device.

By the way, while the customer is moving around the store while pushing the cart, there is a case where the customer leaves the cart and goes to pick up an item at a location away from the location. In this case, the customer carries the product in his/her hand to the cart and reads the code symbol. There is a possibility of fraudulent acts such as repapering and registering. In addition, since the cart is left unattended without the customer, other customers with malicious intent may take out registered products from the cart or register unintended products.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a product registration device and a program capable of deterring fraudulent acts related to product registration.

A product registration device according to an embodiment is a product registration device capable of communicating with a portable scanner device used in a store, and comprises first specifying means, product registration means, second specifying means, determination A means and an informing means are provided. A first identifying means identifies the location of the scanner device within the store. The commodity registration means registers the commodity read through the scanner device. A second specifying means is a placement position of the product registered by the product registration means based on information that associates each product sold in the store with the placement position of the product in the store. identify. The determining means determines whether or not the positional relationship between the existence position specified by the first specifying means and the arrangement position specified by the second specifying means satisfies a preset condition. . The notification means performs notification when it is determined that the condition is not satisfied.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a store system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a cart according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of a data configuration of a product master according to the first embodiment; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the cart terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a product registration table according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of the functional configuration of the cart terminal according to the first embodiment; FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of product registration processing executed by the cart terminal according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of a hardware configuration of a shop server according to the second embodiment; FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of a product registration table according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of a shop server according to the second embodiment;

An embodiment of a product registration device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

[First Embodiment]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of a store system according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1 , the store system 1 includes a cart 10 , an access point 20 , a beacon terminal 30 and a store server 40 . Here, the access point 20 and the beacon terminal 30 are connected to the store server 40 . Also, the cart 10 is communicably connected to the shop server 40 via the access point 20 .

A cart 10 is an example of a mobile object used in a store such as a supermarket. In this embodiment, the cart 10 is a shopping cart used for carrying products within a store.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the cart 10. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 2, the cart 10 includes a handle 11, a basket placing portion 12, casters 13, a scanner device 14, a cart terminal 15, and the like.

The handle 11 is a part that the customer grips to move the cart 10 . The basket placing portion 12 is a table on which a basket K containing products is placed. Four casters 13 are provided on the cart 10 . By rotating each caster 13 individually, the cart 10 can be pushed by the customer and moved freely in the store.

The scanner device 14 is an example of a portable scanner device. The scanner device 14 is attached to the cart 10 and moves within the store as the cart 10 moves. The scanner device 14 is a device that reads a code symbol (information for specifying a product) such as a bar code attached to a product purchased by a customer. The scanner device 14 reads the code symbol optically or by imaging. The scanner device 14 decodes the read code symbol and extracts the product code included in the code symbol. The scanner device 14 transmits the extracted product code to the cart terminal 15 . Note that the scanner device 14 may be detachably attached to the cart 10 .

The cart terminal 15 is an example of a product registration device. The cart terminal 15 is attached to the cart 10 and moves within the store as the cart 10 moves. The cart terminal 15 has a main body portion 15 a , a display portion 151 and an operation portion 152 . The main body 15a is a thin box-shaped housing having an opening on the side facing the customer who operates the cart 10 . The display unit 151 is a plate-like display device such as a liquid crystal display. The display portion 151 is arranged in the opening of the main body portion 15a. The operation unit 152 is a touch input device (touch panel) superimposed on the surface of the display unit 151 . The cart terminal 15 is realized by, for example, a tablet computer (tablet terminal).

The cart terminal 15 is communicably connected to the scanner device 14 by wire or wirelessly. Based on the code symbol (product code) read by the scanner device 14, the cart terminal 15 acquires product information (product name, price, etc.) related to the product code, and executes sales registration processing. Here, in the sales registration process, based on the product code read by the scanner device 14, the product information (product name, price, etc.) of the product corresponding to the product code is obtained from the product master M1 (see FIG. 3), which will be described later. It means a process of reading out and registering (storing) the product information of the read product in a product registration table T1 (see FIG. 5), which will be described later.

Returning to FIG. 1, the access point 20 is a communication device conforming to communication standards such as wireless LAN. A plurality of access points 20 are provided in the store so as to cover the entire area of the store. The access point 20 relays communication between the cart 10 and the store server 40. FIG.

The beacon terminal 30 is a communication device capable of performing short-range wireless communication such as BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy (registered trademark)). The beacon terminal 30 is provided at each position in the store, and transmits information indicating the installation position of the own terminal as a beacon signal. Here, the data format of the information for position identification transmitted as a beacon signal is not particularly limited, and various formats can be used.

For example, the beacon terminal 30 transmits, as a beacon signal, information representing the positional coordinates within the store where the terminal is placed. Also, for example, the beacon terminal 30 is provided for each sales area in the store, and transmits information that can identify the sales area as a beacon signal. In the latter case, for example, the sales area is each product shelf provided in the store, and the beacon terminal 30 transmits, as a beacon signal, an identifier (such as a shelf number) that can identify the product shelf provided with its own terminal. do.

Also, for example, the beacon terminal 30 may transmit an identifier for identifying its own terminal as a beacon signal. In this case, by separately referring to map information in which the identifier of each beacon terminal 30 is associated with the position on the map within the store corresponding to the installation position of the beacon terminal 30, the position within the store can be specified. can be done.

The store server 40 is installed, for example, in the backyard of the store, and manages data related to products sold in the store. The store server 40 exchanges various data with the cart 10 (cart terminal 15) via the access point 20 connected to its own device. For example, the store server 40 provides the merchandise master M1 for each cart 10 .

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the product master M1. As shown in FIG. 3, the product master M1 stores product information such as the product name (product name), price (unit price), and product classification in association with the product code uniquely assigned to each product. Remember. The product master M1 also stores placement position information indicating the placement position (display position, etc.) in the store where the product is placed, in association with the product code.

Here, the arrangement position information may be information indicating the arrangement position of the product in the store by position coordinates or the like. Also, the arrangement position information may be information (such as a shelf number) that can identify the sales area where the product is sold. In addition, it is preferable that the arrangement position information be in a data format that allows comparison with the position indicated by the beacon signal of the beacon terminal 30 described above.

Further, in the store, a checkout device (not shown) is provided for performing settlement processing for the products registered at the cart terminal 15 of the cart 10 . Specifically, there are two types of payment devices in the store: a payment device (hereinafter referred to as a semi-self payment device) in which the cashier pays the bill, and a payment device in which the customer pays the bill (hereinafter referred to as a self-payment device). accounting device is provided. Any settlement device can acquire product information of each product registered at the cart terminal 15 directly from the cart terminal 15 or via the store server 40, and performs settlement processing based on the acquired product information. Execute.

Next, the configuration of the cart terminal 15 described above will be described. First, the hardware configuration of the cart terminal 15 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the cart terminal 15. As shown in FIG.

As shown in FIG. 4, the cart terminal 15 includes the display section 151 and the operation section 152 described above. The cart terminal 15 also includes a control section 153 , a storage section 154 , a connection section 155 , a communication section 156 and a short-range wireless communication section 157 . These units are connected via a bus 158 such as a data bus and an address bus.

The control unit 153 has a computer configuration such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM. A CPU is an example of a processor. The ROM is a storage medium that stores various programs and data. RAM serves as a workspace for the CPU. The control unit 153 functions when the CPU executes programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit 154 , and controls the operation of the cart terminal 15 in an integrated manner.

The storage unit 154 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 154 stores various programs executable by the control unit 153 (CPU), setting information, and the like.

The storage unit 154 also stores the product master M1 provided by the store server 40 . The data configuration of the product master M1 stored in the storage unit 154 is the same as that described with reference to FIG. In the present embodiment, the cart terminal 15 locally holds the product master M1. may be

The storage unit 154 also stores a product registration table T1 for registering product codes, product information, etc. of products purchased by a customer in one transaction.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the data structure of the product registration table T1. As shown in FIG. 5, the product registration table T1 stores product information (product name, unit price, product classification, etc.) in association with the product code. The product registration table T1 also holds data items (flags) for storing flag information. The flag information is information added when the position determination unit 1504 (see FIG. 6), which will be described later, determines that a predetermined condition is not satisfied.

Returning to FIG. 4, the connection unit 155 is a connection interface such as a USB (Universal Serial Bus). The cart terminal 15 is communicably connected to the scanner device 14 via the connection section 155 . A code symbol (product code) read by the scanner device 14 is input to the control section 153 via the connection section 155 .

The communication unit 156 is a communication interface capable of communicating with the access point 20 . The communication unit 156 exchanges various data with the store server 40 via the access point 20 . For example, the communication unit 156 receives the merchandise master M1 provided by the store server 40 .

The short-range wireless communication unit 157 is a communication interface for short-range wireless communication capable of communicating with the beacon terminal 30 . The short-range wireless communication unit 157 communicates with the beacon terminals 30 within a communicable range and receives beacon signals transmitted from the beacon terminals 30 .

Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the functional configuration of the cart terminal 15 will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the cart terminal 15. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 6, the cart terminal 15 includes a cart position specifying unit 1501, a product registration unit 1502, a product position specifying unit 1503, a position determination unit 1504, a display control unit 1505, a notification unit 1506, a limit 1507 as functional units. Some or all of these functional units may be a software configuration realized by cooperation with various programs stored in a processor (CPU) and a memory (ROM, storage unit 154), or may be a dedicated circuit or the like. It may be a hardware configuration that is implemented.

The cart position specifying unit 1501 is an example of first specifying means. Based on the beacon signal received by the short-range wireless communication unit 157 , the cart position specifying unit 1501 specifies the position of the cart 10 within the store, that is, the position of the scanner device 14 attached to the cart 10 . Hereinafter, in the present embodiment, the location of the cart 10 in the store will be referred to as the cart position. Further, the cart position is a concept that means the position in the store of the scanner device 14 and the cart terminal 15 attached to the cart 10 .

For example, the cart position specifying unit 1501 specifies the position coordinates and the shelf number indicated by the beacon signal received by the short-range wireless communication unit 157 as the cart position.

Also, for example, when the beacon terminal 30 outputs its own terminal identifier as a beacon signal, the cart position specifying unit 1501 specifies the cart position using map information that defines the arrangement position of each beacon terminal 30 in the store. do. Specifically, the cart position specifying unit 1501 detects the position in the store corresponding to the identifier of the beacon signal from the map information, and specifies the detected position as the cart position.

Note that when the short-range wireless communication unit 157 receives a plurality of beacon signals at once, the cart position specifying unit 1501 determines the position of the cart based on the beacon signal with the highest reception strength (radio field strength) among the received beacon signals. Locate.

The cart position specifying unit 1501 periodically acquires the cart position of the cart 10 moving in the store by performing the above-described specifying process at predetermined time intervals (for example, every 10 seconds).

The product registration unit 1502 is an example of product registration means. The product registration unit 1502 registers the product corresponding to the product code read by the scanner device 14 as a product to be sold (purchased). Specifically, when the product registration unit 1502 receives the product code transmitted from the scanner device 14 via the connection unit 155, the product information associated with the same product code as the product code is transferred from the product master M1. Extract. Then, the product registration unit 1502 associates the product code received from the scanner device 14 with the extracted product information, and stores them in the product registration table T1.

The product position specifying unit 1503 is an example of second specifying means. The product position specifying unit 1503 specifies the arrangement positions of the products registered by the product registration unit 1502 in the store. Specifically, the product position specifying unit 1503 extracts the arrangement position information associated with the same product code as the product code registered by the product registration unit 1502 from the product master M1. The product position specifying unit 1503 then specifies the position indicated by the extracted arrangement position information as the product position.

In this embodiment, the product position specifying unit 1503 specifies the product position of the product registered by the product registration unit 1502, but the product position is specified directly from the product code read by the scanner device 14. It may be in the form

The position determination unit 1504 is an example of determination means. The position determination unit 1504 compares the cart position specified by the cart position specifying unit 1501 and the product position specified by the product position specifying unit 1503, and determines whether the positional relationship between the two positions satisfies a preset condition. determine whether

By the way, while the customer is pushing the cart 10 while moving around the store, there is a case where the customer leaves the cart 10 and goes to pick up an item at a position away from the cart position. In this case, the customer carries the product in his/her hand to the cart 10 and reads the code symbol. There is a possibility of fraudulent acts such as registering by replacing with In addition, since the cart 10 is left unattended without the customer, there is a possibility that other customers with malicious intent may take out registered products from the basket K or register unintended products. be.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, in order to deter the fraudulent act described above, a condition defining that the cart position and the product position are close to each other is set as a condition serving as an index for determination.

For example, when the cart position and product position are represented as position coordinates or positions on a map, the condition is set such that the distance between the two positions is equal to or less than a threshold value (2 m or less). In this case, the position determination unit 1504 determines that the condition is satisfied when the separation distance between the cart position and the product position is equal to or less than the threshold. Accordingly, the position determination unit 1504 can determine whether or not the cart position and the product position are close to each other. Therefore, the position determination unit 1504 can determine whether or not there is a possibility that the above-described fraudulent act related to product registration will occur.

Further, for example, when the cart position and the product position are represented by a sales area such as a shelf number, the conditions may be set so that the cart position and the product position belong to the same area. In this case, the position determination unit 1504 determines that the condition is satisfied when the sales areas to which the cart position and the product position belong are the same area. Accordingly, the position determination unit 1504 can determine whether or not the cart position and the product position are close to each other. Therefore, the position determination unit 1504 can determine whether or not there is a possibility that the above-described fraudulent act related to product registration will occur.

In addition, even if the cart position and the product position are apparently close to each other, if there is a case where the positional relationship should be excluded from the viewpoint of the layout in the store, the condition for excluding such a case exists. Can be set additionally.

For example, when the cart position and the product position are opposed to each other with the product shelf interposed therebetween, the distance between the two positions is close, but from the viewpoint of the sales area, the two positions are different sales areas. In such a case, for example, the above-described case can be eliminated by additionally setting a condition that defines belonging to the same area as the above-described separation distance threshold value. As a result, it is possible to determine whether or not there is a close positional relationship under the condition that matches the layout in the store, so it is possible to improve the convenience of condition setting.

When the position determination unit 1504 determines that the positional relationship between the cart position and the product position does not satisfy the preset condition, it adds flag information to the product information of the corresponding product stored in the product registration table T1. . As a result, when a product located away from the cart 10 is registered by the product registration unit 1502, flag information is added to the product information of the product.

The display control unit 1505 causes the display unit 151 to display various screens. For example, the display control unit 1505 causes the display unit 151 to display product information of products registered in the product registration unit 1502 . In addition, the display control unit 1505 causes the display unit 151 to display various operators related to the operation of the cart terminal 15 . For example, the display control unit 1505 causes the display unit 151 to display an operator (hereinafter referred to as a registration completion button) for instructing completion of product registration.

The product registration unit 1502 described above stops registering new product information in the product registration table T1 upon receiving the operation of the registration completion button. Then, for example, the product registration unit 1502 transmits the product information for one transaction registered in the product registration table T1 to the settlement device of the settlement destination in response to a request from the settlement device.

It should be noted that the transmission method to the settlement device is not particularly limited. For example, the control unit 153 may transmit product information for one transaction to the settlement device by communicating with the settlement device via the short-range wireless communication unit 157 . Further, the control unit 153 may transmit the product information for one transaction to the settlement device of the settlement destination via the access point 20 or the store server 40 .

Notification unit 1506 is an example of notification means. The notification unit 1506 performs notification when the position determination unit 1504 determines that the conditions are not satisfied. Specifically, the notification unit 1506 causes the display unit 151 to display the notification screen in cooperation with the display control unit 1505 .

For example, when the position determination unit 1504 determines that the condition is not satisfied, the notification unit 1506 causes the display unit 151 to display a message notifying that a product located away from the cart 10 has been registered. Further, for example, when the position determination unit 1504 determines that the condition is not satisfied, the notification unit 1506 sends a message warning that the customer has left the cart 10, or confirms whether the registered product matches the product placed in the basket K. may be displayed on the display unit 151 .

In this way, when the position determination unit 1504 determines that the conditions are not satisfied, that is, when there is a possibility of the fraudulent act described above, the notification unit 1506 warns or confirms the customer of the cart 10. Display a prompt message. As a result, the notification unit 1506 can make the customer of the cart 10 aware that the product located away from the cart 10 has been registered and confirm the product in the basket K. Therefore, the reporting unit 1506 can deter fraudulent acts related to product registration, such as replacement of code symbols and removal of products by other customers.

Note that the notification destination of the notification unit 1506 is not limited to the customer, and may be configured to notify the store clerk in the store. For example, when the position determination unit 1504 determines that the conditions are not satisfied, the notification unit 1506 transmits notification information to the semi-self-type payment device, thereby notifying the cashier operating the semi-self-type payment device. good. In this case, the notification information for the store clerk includes, for example, a message notifying that a product located away from the cart 10 has been registered, an identifier that can identify the cart 10 (cart identifier), and a semi-self-type checkout device. It is preferable to include a message or the like instructing to guide to

As a result, the notification unit 1506 can notify a store clerk such as a cashier that there is a possibility of fraudulent activity with regard to product registration performed in the cart 10, so that it is possible to call attention. Therefore, the notification unit 1506 can deter fraudulent acts related to product registration.

Limiter 1507 is an example of a limiter. A restriction unit 1507 restricts the settlement method for the product registered in the product registration unit 1502 when the position determination unit 1504 determines that the condition is not satisfied.

Specifically, when there is a product to which flag information is added among the products for one transaction registered in the product registration table T1, the restricting unit 1507 suppresses the use of the self-service checkout device, Restrict the payment method for products so that only single checkout devices can be used.

Here, the restriction method is not particularly limited, and various methods can be adopted. As an example, the restriction unit 1507 permits transmission of product information registered in the product registration table T1 only to the semi-self-type checkout device, and suppresses transmission to the self-service checkout device. Such a restriction method can be realized by restricting access based on the transmission destination address of the semi-self-type payment device and the self-service payment device.

In addition, the restriction unit 1507 cooperates with the display control unit 1505 to cause the display unit 151 to display a screen associated with the restriction on the settlement method described above. For example, if there is a product to which flag information has been added among the products for one transaction registered in the product registration table T1, the restriction unit 1507 outputs a message instructing the settlement to be performed by the semi-self-type settlement device. Displayed on the display unit 151 . Also, for example, the restriction unit 1507 causes the display unit 151 to display a message notifying that the self-service payment device cannot be used.

In this way, when the position determining unit 1504 determines that the conditions are not satisfied, that is, when there is a possibility of the fraudulent act described above, the restriction unit 1507 instructs the semi-self-type checkout device for the cashier to set the checkout method. Restrict. As a result, the restricting unit 1507 can make the cashier confirm the fraudulent activity, thereby deterring fraudulent activity related to product registration.

Next, an operation example of the cart terminal 15 will be described with reference to FIG. Here, FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of product registration processing executed by the cart terminal 15. As shown in FIG. As a premise of this processing, it is assumed that the cart position is specified by the cart position specifying unit 1501 in the background.

First, the product registration unit 1502 waits until the product code is input from the scanner device 14 (step S11; No→step S19; No). When the product registration unit 1502 receives the input of the product code from the scanner device 14 (step S11; Yes), it registers the product information of the product corresponding to the input product code in the product registration table T1 (step S12). Next, the display control unit 1505 causes the display unit 151 to display the product information of the product registered in step S12 (step S13).

Subsequently, the product position specifying unit 1503 specifies the arrangement position (product position) in the store of the product registered in step S12 (step S14). Next, the position determination unit 1504 compares the product arrangement position identified in step S14 with the cart position of its own cart 10 (step S15), and determines whether the positional relationship between the two positions satisfies a predetermined condition. (Step S16). Here, if it is determined that the condition is satisfied (step S16; Yes), the position determination unit 1504 moves to step S19.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S14 that the conditions are not satisfied (step S16; No), the position determination unit 1504 adds flag information to the product information of the product registered in step S12 (step S17). Next, the notification unit 1506 causes the display unit 151 to display a screen (notification screen) for notifying that the product located away from the cart 10 has been registered (step S18), and proceeds to step S19.

Subsequently, the product registration unit 1502 determines whether or not the registration completion button has been operated (step S19). Here, if the registration completion button is not operated (step S19; No), the process returns to step S11.

When the registration completion button is operated (step S19; Yes), the product registration unit 1502 stops registering new product information in the product registration table T1. Next, the restricting unit 1507 determines whether or not the product information registered in the product registration table T1 has flag information added thereto (step S20).

If there is no product information flagged in the product registration table T1 (step S20; No), the restriction unit 1507 sets the destination of the product information registered in the product registration table T1 to the semi-self type. Both the settlement device and the self-service settlement device are permitted, and this processing ends.

If there is product information to which flag information is added in the product registration table T1 (step S18; Yes), the restricting unit 1507 disables the self-service checkout device (step S21). Next, the restriction unit 1507 causes the display unit 151 to display a screen prompting the use of the semi-self-type settlement device (step S22), and ends this processing.

As described above, the cart terminal 15 identifies the cart position of the cart 10 (scanner device 14) in the store, registers the product read through the scanner device 14, and identifies the product position of the registered product. It is determined whether or not the positional relationship between the specified cart position and the product position satisfies a predetermined condition, and if the condition is not satisfied, a notification is given.

As a result, the cart terminal 15 can prompt the customer or store clerk of the cart 10 to pay attention or confirm when there is a possibility of the fraudulent act described above, thereby deterring fraudulent acts related to product registration. be able to.

[Second embodiment]
In the above-described first embodiment, a mode in which the cart terminal 15 is used as a product registration device has been described. In this embodiment, a form in which the store server 40 is used as a product registration device will be described. In addition, the same code|symbol is provided about the component similar to embodiment mentioned above, and description is abbreviate|omitted.

First, the cart terminal 15 of this embodiment will be described. The cart terminal 15 is used while attached to the cart 10 as in the first embodiment. Further, the cart terminal 15 of this embodiment functions as an interface between the scanner device 14 and the store server 40 . That is, the store server 40 is communicably connected to the scanner device 14 via the cart terminal 15 .

Specifically, the cart terminal 15 transmits (transfers) the code symbol (product code) read by the scanner device 14 to the store server 40 . The cart terminal 15 also transmits a beacon signal obtained via the short-range wireless communication unit 157 to the store server 40 . When transmitting various data to the store server 40, the cart terminal 15 transmits (transfers) an identifier (hereinafter referred to as a cart identifier) for identifying its own cart 10 (cart terminal 15).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the store server 40. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 8 , the store server 40 includes a control section 41 , a storage section 42 and a communication section 43 . These units are connected via a bus 44 such as a data bus and an address bus.

The control unit 41 has a computer configuration such as a CPU, ROM, and RAM. A CPU is an example of a processor. The ROM is a storage medium that stores various programs and data. RAM serves as a workspace for the CPU. The control unit 41 functions when the CPU executes programs stored in the ROM or the storage unit 42 , and controls operations of the store server 40 in an integrated manner.

The storage unit 42 is a storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. The storage unit 42 stores various programs executable by the control unit 41 (CPU), setting information, and the like. Further, the storage unit 42 stores the product master M1 described above. The storage unit 42 also stores a product registration table T2.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of the data configuration of the product registration table T2. As shown in FIG. 9, the product registration table T2 has data items for holding cart identifiers in addition to the data items of the product registration table T1 described with reference to FIG. Specifically, the product registration table T2 stores and manages product codes, product information and flags for each cart identifier.

Returning to FIG. 8 , the communication unit 43 is a communication interface capable of communicating with the access point 20 . The communication unit 43 exchanges various data with each cart terminal 15 via the access point 20 .

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the store server 40. As shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 10, the store server 40 includes a cart position specifying unit 401, a product registration unit 402, a product position specifying unit 403, a position determination unit 404, a display control unit 405, a notification unit 406, a limit 407 as functional units. Some or all of these functional units may be a software configuration realized by cooperation with various programs stored in a processor (CPU) and a memory (ROM, storage unit 42), or may be a dedicated circuit or the like. It may be a hardware configuration that is implemented.

The cart position specifying unit 401 is an example of first specifying means, and is a functional unit corresponding to the cart position specifying unit 1501 described above. The cart position specifying unit 401 specifies the location (cart position) of each cart 10 (scanner device 14 ) in the store based on the beacon signal transmitted from the cart terminal 15 of each cart 10 . Further, the cart position specifying unit 401 stores the specified cart position of each cart 10 in association with the cart identifier in a RAM or the like, and updates the held cart position each time the specified cart position changes.

The product registration unit 402 is an example of product registration means, and is a functional unit corresponding to the product registration unit 1502 described above. Based on the product code transmitted from the cart terminal 15 of each cart 10, the product registration unit 402 registers the product corresponding to the product code as a product to be sold (purchased) in the product registration table T2. Specifically, upon receiving the product code read by the scanner device 14 of each cart 10 via the communication unit 43, the product registration unit 402 registers the product information associated with the same product code as the product code. Extract from the product master M1. Then, the product registration unit 402 stores the product code received from each cart 10 and the extracted product information in the product registration table T2 in association with the cart identifier that identifies the cart 10 as the transmission source.

The product position specifying unit 403 is an example of second specifying means, and is a functional unit corresponding to the product position specifying unit 1503 described above. The product position specifying unit 403 specifies the arrangement positions of the products registered by the product registration unit 402 in the store. Specifically, the product position specifying unit 403 extracts the arrangement position information associated with the same product code as the product code registered by the product registration unit 402 from the product master M1. Then, the product position specifying unit 403 specifies the position indicated by the extracted arrangement position information as the product position.

In this embodiment, the product position specifying unit 403 specifies the product position of the product registered in the product registration unit 402, but the product position is specified directly from the product code transmitted from each cart 10. It may be in the form

The position determination unit 404 is an example of determination means, and is a functional unit corresponding to the position determination unit 1504 described above. The position determining unit 404 compares the cart position specified by the cart position specifying unit 401 and the product position specified by the product position specifying unit 403 for each cart 10 (cart identifier), and determines the positional relationship between the two positions. It is determined whether or not a preset condition is satisfied.

When the position determination unit 404 determines that the positional relationship between the cart position and the product position does not satisfy the preset conditions, the position determination unit 404 adds flag information to the corresponding cart identifier and product information of the product stored in the product registration table T2. Add As a result, when a product located away from the cart 10 is registered by the product registration unit 402, the flag information is added to the product information of the cart 10 and the product.

A display control unit 405 is a functional unit corresponding to the display control unit 1505 described above. The display control unit 405 causes the display unit 151 of each cart 10 (cart terminal 15) to display various screens. For example, the display control unit 405 causes the display unit 151 of the corresponding cart 10 to display the product information of the product registered by the product registration unit 402 . Further, the display control unit 405 causes the display unit 151 of each cart 10 to display various operators related to the operation of the cart terminal 15 .

In this embodiment, the screens displayed on the display unit 151 of each cart 10 are controlled by the display control unit 405 in an integrated manner, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the display control unit 405 may cooperate with the display control unit 1505 of each cart terminal 15 so that the display control unit 1505 performs screen display.

The notification unit 406 is an example of notification means, and is a functional unit corresponding to the notification unit 1506 described above. The notification unit 406 performs notification when the position determination unit 404 determines that the conditions are not satisfied. Specifically, the notification unit 406 cooperates with the display control unit 405 to display the notification screen on the display unit 151 of the corresponding cart 10 .

Further, when the position determination unit 1504 determines that the conditions are not satisfied, the notification unit 406 notifies the cashier operating the semi-self-type payment device by transmitting notification information to the semi-self-type payment device. In this case, the notification information directed to the store clerk includes, for example, a message notifying that a product located away from the cart 10 has been registered, information that can identify the cart 10 (cart identifier), and a semi-self-type checkout device. It is preferable to include a message or the like instructing to guide to

The restriction unit 407 is an example of restriction means, and is a functional unit corresponding to the restriction unit 1507 described above. The restriction unit 407 restricts the settlement method of the product registered in the product registration unit 402 when the position determination unit 404 determines that the condition is not satisfied.

Specifically, when there is a product to which flag information is added among the products for one transaction registered in the product registration table T2, the restricting unit 407 suppresses the use of the self-service checkout device, Restrict the payment method for products so that only single checkout devices can be used. Note that the restriction unit 407 determines whether or not flag information is present for each cart 10 (cart identifier).

In the configuration of the shop server 40 described above, the product registration processing executed by the shop server 40 is the same as the flowchart shown in FIG. However, it is assumed that the product registration processing executed by the store server 40 is performed in parallel or in parallel for each cart 10 (cart identifier).

As described above, since the store server 40 has the same functions as the cart terminal 15 described above, the same effects as those of the first embodiment described above can be obtained. Therefore, the store server 40 can prevent fraudulent acts related to product registration in each cart 10 . In addition, since the store server 40 can comprehensively manage the product registration operations performed in each cart 10, the functions and load of the cart terminal 15 can be suppressed, and the operation cost can be reduced. .

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. 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.

For example, in the above-described embodiments, the scanner device 14 that reads code symbols attached to products has been described as an example of the scanner device. However, the scanner device is not limited to this, and may read, for example, a wireless tag attached to a product.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, a configuration has been described in which product registration is permitted even if the position determination unit 1504 (position determination unit 404) determines that the product does not satisfy the conditions. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the product registration of products that do not satisfy the conditions may be disallowed. In this case, for example, when the position determination unit 1504 (position determination unit 404) determines that the condition is not satisfied, it controls the product registration unit 1502 (product registration unit 402) to suppress registration of the corresponding product.

Note that in this case, the notification unit 1506 (notification unit 406), for example, informs that the product cannot be registered because it is located away from the cart 10, or that the cart 10 is urged to move to the position where the product is placed. is displayed on the display unit 151. As a result, it is possible to deter fraudulent acts such as replacement of the code symbols described above.

Further, in the above embodiment, the scanner device 14 mounted on a shopping cart is described as an example of a portable scanner device. However, the scanner device 14 may be an imaging device or the like provided in a portable communication terminal such as a smart phone or a tablet terminal. Further, such a communication terminal may have functions similar to those of the cart terminal 15 .

The programs executed by the cart terminal 15 and store server 40 of the above-described embodiment are files in an installable format or an executable format on a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, a DVD (Digital It is recorded on a computer-readable recording medium such as Versatile Disc) and provided.

Alternatively, the programs executed by the cart terminal 15 and store server 40 of the above-described embodiment may be stored in a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and provided by being downloaded via the network. good. Further, the programs executed by the cart terminal 15 and the store server 40 of the above embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

Further, the programs executed by the cart terminal 15 and the store server 40 of the above-described embodiment may be configured to be pre-installed in a ROM or the like and provided.

1 store system 10 cart 14 scanner device 15 cart terminal 20 access point 30 beacon terminal 40 store server 1501 cart position specifying unit 1502 product registration unit 1503 product position specifying unit 1504 position determination unit 1505 display control unit 1506 notification unit 1507 restriction unit 401 cart Position specifying unit 402 Product registration unit 403 Product position specifying unit 404 Position determination unit 405 Display control unit 406 Notification unit 407 Limitation unit

Japanese Patent No. 5670536

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a store system .

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a store system capable of deterring fraudulent acts related to product registration.

of the embodimentThe store systemCommunicate with portable scanner devices used in storesa communication means for performing display control, a display control means for performing display control of the display unit,first identifying means for identifying the location of the scanner device in the store; product registration means for registering products read through the scanner device; products sold in the store; a second specifying means for specifying the arrangement position of the product registered by the product registration means based on information associated with the arrangement position of the product in the store; and the first specifying means. determining means for determining whether or not the positional relationship between the presence position determined and the arrangement position specified by the second specifying means satisfies a preset condition; and a notification means for notifying whenoperated by the customerProduct registration devicea first checkout device that acquires product information of products registered in the product registration device and performs settlement processing based on the product information in response to an operation by a store clerk; and products registered in the product registration device. and a second checkout device that acquires product information and performs settlement processing based on the product information in accordance with customer operation, and the display control means determines that the condition is not satisfied. and causing the display unit to display a message instructing the first checkout device to settle the account, and the notifying means notifying the first checkout device of the notification information when it is determined that the condition is not satisfied. Send.

Claims (6)

A product registration device capable of communicating with a portable scanner device used in a store,
a first identifying means for identifying the location of the scanner device within the store;
product registration means for registering products read through the scanner device;
a second specification for specifying the placement position of the product registered by the product registration means based on information in which each product sold in the store and the placement position of the product in the store are associated with each other; means and
a determining means for determining whether or not the positional relationship between the existence position specified by the first specifying means and the arrangement position specified by the second specifying means satisfies a preset condition;
a notifying means for notifying when it is determined that the condition is not satisfied;
A product registration device comprising: When the separation distance between the existence position specified by the first specifying means and the arrangement position specified by the second specifying means exceeds the threshold set as the condition 2. The commodity registration device according to claim 1, wherein the commodity registration device determines that the condition is not satisfied. The determining means determines a sales area to which each of the existing position specified by the first specifying means and the arrangement position specified by the second specifying means belongs among a plurality of sales areas existing in the store. 3. The commodity registration device according to claim 1, wherein when areas do not satisfy the same area condition, it is determined that the condition is not satisfied. 4. The product registration device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising limiting means for limiting a settlement method for the product registered by said product registration means when it is determined that said condition is not satisfied. 5. The product registration device according to claim 1, wherein said product registration device is attached to a moving body used in said store together with said scanner device. The computer of the product registration device that can communicate with the portable scanner device used in the store,
a first identifying means for identifying the location of the scanner device within the store;
product registration means for registering products read through the scanner device;
a second specification for specifying the placement position of the product registered by the product registration means based on information in which each product sold in the store and the placement position of the product in the store are associated with each other; means and
a determining means for determining whether or not the positional relationship between the existence position specified by the first specifying means and the arrangement position specified by the second specifying means satisfies a preset condition;
a notifying means for notifying when it is determined that the condition is not satisfied;
program to function as

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