JP4265105B2 - Service request prior detection system - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention senses information related to customer service requests in advance at a POS system in a distribution business, mass retailer, convenience store, department store, etc., and guides it to the optimal cashier terminal for smooth settlement and service request handling work. The present invention relates to provision of a POS system.
[0002]
[Prior art]
At a cash register terminal with a POS system, a shopper verbally communicates a service request such as issuing a receipt, pasting a candy paper, credit payment, etc. to the clerk of the cashier terminal, and the clerk of the cashier terminal follows the shopper's service request, He issued receipts, pasted paper paper, and processed credit cards. In addition, the shopper checked the length of the queue lined up at each cash register terminal and determined the cash register terminal to be lined up.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The main services that shoppers request for services at the checkout at a cash register terminal include payment methods other than cash, gift certificates / discount coupons, pasting papers and issuing receipts.
[0004]
However, in the current oral communication, the shop clerk forgets the service request even though the shopper has given the service request first, or the shopper later requests the service. This is unsatisfactory for the shopper, such as redoing the message, and the work efficiency of the clerk also deteriorates. And there was a problem that the queue of the cashier terminal becomes long.
[0005]
In addition, when a shopper selects a cash register terminal, the shopper waits in a queue with a small number of queues, but the shopper in front services payment by credit card, pasting paper, and issuing a receipt. It took time other than the checkout process to make a request or stamped a guarantee, etc., and the short queue did not mean that the checkout could be done quickly.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, in the present invention, a customer terminal carried by a shopper needs a service request that requires trouble at the checkout at the cash register terminal, for example, pasting a candy paper, paying with a credit card, and issuing a receipt. A service request input unit, a display unit, and a store controller communication unit are provided.
[0007]
The store controller includes customer terminal communication means, guidance means, cash register terminal communication means, and customer request data selection means, receives customer service request data, calculates previous service request data, Guide to an appropriate cashier terminal.
[0008]
The cash register terminal is provided with the store controller communication means, the request means, and the display means, thereby fetching the service request data and displaying the contents of the service request to the store clerk of the cash register terminal.
[0009]
As described above, it is possible to sense the customer's service request in advance, guide the customer to the optimum cash register terminal, and provide the optimum waiting time or the optimum service environment.
[0010]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the overall functions of a POS system to which a service request prior detection system is applied.
[0011]
A customer terminal 101, a store controller 102, and a cash register terminal 103 are connected by a wireless LAN or LAN.
[0012]
The customer terminal 101 includes a RAM 110, a CPU 114, a wireless unit 115, a bus 116, an input device 117, and a display device that store three programs of a service request input program 111, a display program 112, and a store controller communication program 113 and an OS. 118.
[0013]
The store controller 102 includes a RAM 120 that stores four programs of the customer terminal communication program 121, the guidance program 122, the cash register terminal communication program 123, the customer request data selection program 124113, and the OS, a wait request file 125, and a wireless unit 126. , CPU 127, bus 128, input device 129-1, and display device 129-2.
[0014]
The cash register terminal 103 includes a RAM 130, a wireless unit 134, a CPU 135, a bus 136, an input device 137, and a display device 138 that store three programs of the store controller communication program 131, the request program 132, and the display program 133 and the OS. Have.
[0015]
An outline of the customer terminal 101 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0016]
The customer terminal 101 includes a display area 201 for displaying a response message for a service request and a regilane to be advanced, and service request input buttons 202 to 209.
[0017]
The "Request for receipt" 202 button of the service request input button is a service request for issuing a receipt at the cash register, the "Credit payment" 203 button is a service request for performing settlement with a credit card, "Product" The “payment of money” 204 button is a service request for payment with a gift certificate, the “need to paste paper” 205 button is a service request for wanting to paste the paper on the product, and the “packaging required” 206 button is a product The service request that the customer wants to wrap the product, the “Toto, packaging is 3 or more” 207 button is the service request that the customer wants to carry out the candy paper or packaging for 3 or more products, “The number of products is 10 or more ”208 button is not a service request, but there is a large number of products, and it is necessary to notify that a certain amount of time is required at the cash register terminal. It is intended.
[0018]
The “residence lane inquiry” 209 button is a button for inquiring to the store controller 102 which of the registration lanes is not apparent and the settlement processing time is early, and transmits the service request data input above. Also serves. As a result, the person who has pressed the “residence lane inquiry” 209 button next to the customer can know which registration lane has the earlier settlement processing time in consideration of the service request data of the customer.
[0019]
The message “Issuing a receipt” on the first line is a contact message that the receipt sent from the store controller 102 can be issued, and the message “Pay by credit card” on the second line. "Is a confirmation display of a service request for" credit card payment ". The message “Proceed to regilane 03” on the third line is an answer / instruction message from the store controller 102 in response to an inquiry to the store controller 102 by the “Resilane inquiry” 209 button.
[0020]
Next, the guidance process of the store controller 102 when the “residence lane inquiry” 209 button from the customer terminal 101 is pressed will be described with reference to FIG.
[0021]
In step 401, “residence lane inquiry” data from the customer terminal 101 is received. Next, in step 402, the cashier waiting coefficient of the corresponding customer is calculated. The cashier waiting coefficient is expressed by the following equation.
[0022]
Cash waiting coefficient = a × “Receipt is required” + b × “Credit payment” + c × “Gift certificate payment” + d × “Need to put paper on paper” + e × “Necessary packaging” + f × “Two or more packaging” + g × “10 or more products”
The coefficients a, b, c, d, e, f, and g need to be adjusted depending on the system environment, but may be considered to be 1 here. Each "" is calculated as 1 when each service request button is pressed, and 0 when not pressed.
[0023]
FIG. 6 shows the wait request file 125. The waiting request file 125 records and saves customer request contents for each cash register terminal and customer identification number. The waiting request file 125 includes “residence lane number”, “customer identification number”, “request 1”, “request 2”, “request 3”, “request 4”, “request 5”, “request 6”, “request 7”. ”And“ Register wait coefficient ”.
[0024]
“Residence lane number” represents a number for identifying a registration terminal. The “customer identification number” for identifying the customer is a number for identifying the customer individually recorded in the customer terminal 101, and is represented by a unique 7-digit number for each customer terminal. “Request 1” indicates whether the “Receipt Required” 202 button of the customer terminal 101 is pressed, “Request 2” indicates whether the “Credit Payment” 203 button of the customer terminal 101 is pressed, “Request 3” indicates whether the “Gift Certificate” 204 button on the customer terminal 101 is pressed, and “Request 4” indicates whether the “Need to paste paper” 205 button on the customer terminal 101 is pressed. , “Request 5” indicates whether the “packaging required” 206 button on the customer terminal is pressed, and “Request 6” indicates whether the “207 Dust and packaging is 3 or more” 207 button on the customer terminal 101 is pressed. "Request 7" indicates whether the "Product number is 10 or more" 208 button of the customer terminal is pressed. It is 1 when each button is pressed, and 0 when each button is not pressed. “Checkout wait coefficient” is the checkout coefficient of the corresponding customer calculated in step 402.
[0025]
In step 403, the total waiting coefficient for each register lane at the current time is calculated from the waiting request file 125.
[0026]
In step 404, the registration lane having the smallest total registration waiting coefficient is determined as the optimum registration lane. This is a registration lane number that the customer may end the cash register earliest.
[0027]
However, in step 405, if a request is assigned to only a specific registration lane, if there is such a request, the specific registration lane having the smallest total registration wait coefficient is determined as the optimum registration lane. I will decide.
[0028]
Finally, in step 406, the lane number data is wirelessly transmitted to the customer, and the service request data of the customer is additionally written at the end of the same lane number data in the waiting request file 125, thereby completing the process.
[0029]
In addition to this, as a method of guiding to an optimal registration lane, a method of guiding to a specific registration lane when the registration waiting coefficient is a certain value or less can be considered.
[0030]
As for the canceling method, a cancel button may be attached to the customer terminal to cancel the above process. In the case of from a cash register terminal, it may be possible to cancel by specifying a customer identification number.
[0031]
Next, customer request data selection processing in the store controller 102 when there is a telegram requesting service request data from the cash register terminal 103 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0032]
In step 501, a message requesting service request data is received from the cashier terminal 103. Next, in step 502, the first record (service request data) of the same registration lane number that has been entered the oldest in the waiting request file 125 of the corresponding cash register terminal is extracted and transmitted to the corresponding cash register terminal.
[0033]
If there is no file, a message to that effect is transmitted. Alternatively, even if there is no record in the waiting request file 125 of the corresponding cash register terminal 103 but there is a waiting record in the other cash register terminal 103, the message requested from the cash register terminal 103 to the other cash register terminal 103 is One record in the waiting request file 125 may be moved. In this case, from the corresponding cash register terminal 103, it is possible to specify which cash register terminal 103 wait request file 125 is to be fetched, or from the store controller 102 to present and select which cash register terminal 103 is to wait from the wait request file 125. Yes.
[0034]
In the last step 503, the original data of the retrieved record (service request data) is deleted from the waiting request file 125 of the corresponding cash register terminal 103.
[0035]
Next, an example of requesting and processing service request data at the cash register terminal 103 will be described with reference to FIG.
[0036]
In step 301, the store controller 102 is requested to transmit the service request data of the customer to be processed next time. This may be automatically performed when the previous customer checkout process is completed.
[0037]
In the next step 302, service request data is transmitted from the store controller 102, and is acquired and displayed. At this time, all of the customer identification numbers of the customers who have designated the cash register terminal may be acquired, and the customer identification numbers may be displayed on a display set near the cash register terminal so that the customer can confirm.
[0038]
In step 303, it is determined whether or not there is a request other than cash payment in the service request data. If it is cash payment, go to Step 308.
[0039]
If it is not cash payment, in step 304, it is determined whether or not it is credit payment. If it is a credit payment, in step 305, the credit operation screen is transferred and processed, and the process proceeds to step 308.
[0040]
If it is not a credit payment, in step 306, it is determined whether or not the gift certificate is processed. If it is payment for a gift certificate, the process proceeds to the gift certificate operation screen in step 307, and the process proceeds to step 308.
[0041]
If the gift certificate is not paid, the process proceeds to step 308. If there is another non-cash payment method, it may be added as an additional process here.
[0042]
Next, in step 308, a determination is made as to whether or not there is a packaging request in the service request data.
[0043]
If there is a packaging request, an instruction to perform packaging is displayed on the cash register terminal in step 309, and after completion is confirmed, the process proceeds to step 310.
[0044]
If there is no packaging request, the process proceeds to step 310.
[0045]
Next, in step 310, a comparison determination is made as to whether or not there is a request for paper in the service request data.
[0046]
If there is a request for the candy paper, an instruction to paste the candy paper is displayed on the cash register terminal in step 311, and after completion is confirmed, the process proceeds to step 312.
[0047]
If there is no packaging request, the process proceeds to step 312.
[0048]
Next, in step 312, a comparison is made as to whether or not there is a receipt creation request in the service request data.
[0049]
If there is a receipt creation request, an instruction to create a receipt is displayed on the cashier terminal in step 311. After completion is confirmed, the process ends.
[0050]
If there is no packaging request, the process ends.
[0051]
(Supplementary note 1) Service request input means for inputting service request data, which is information related to a service requested by a customer at the time of payment;
A customer terminal having a transmission means for wirelessly transmitting the service request data;
[0052]
(Supplementary note 2) Service request input means for inputting service request data, which is information related to a service requested by a customer during checkout;
Transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting the service request data;
Receiving means for wirelessly receiving service request data transmitted from the store controller;
A customer terminal having display means for confirming received data from the store controller;
[0053]
(Supplementary Note 3) Receiving means for wirelessly receiving service request data, which is information related to a service requested by a customer during checkout;
Guidance means that combines the service request data of other customers already received from other customer terminals, calculates the expected service request response time and waiting time of each cash register terminal, determines the cash register terminal, and guides the customer When,
Transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting the identification name of the decision cash register terminal to the customer terminal;
In response to a request for service request data from a cash register terminal, customer request data selecting means for selecting data from service request data stored in the guiding means;
A service request prior sensing system, comprising: a transmission means for transmitting the selection data.
[0054]
(Supplementary Note 4) The customer terminal includes service request input means for inputting service request data, which is information related to a service requested by a customer at the time of payment,
Display means for confirming the input;
Transmission means for wirelessly transmitting the service request data,
The cash register terminal comprises a display means for displaying the service request data transmitted by the customer terminal.
[0055]
(Supplementary Note 5) A service request prior sensing method using a customer terminal carried by a customer,
The cash register terminal is a requesting process for requesting the store controller to acquire service request data, which is information related to a service requested by the customer at the time of payment sent by the customer terminal,
A receiving process for receiving data transmitted by the store controller;
A display process for displaying the received data;
The store controller wirelessly receives service request data transmitted by the customer terminal,
Guidance process that combines the service request data of other customers already received from other customer terminals, calculates the expected service request response time and waiting time of each cash register terminal, determines the cash register terminal, and guides the customer When,
A transmission step of wirelessly transmitting the identification name of the decision cash register terminal to the customer terminal;
In response to a request for service request data from a cash register terminal, a customer request data selection step for selecting data from the service request data stored in the guidance step;
A service request prior sensing method comprising: a transmission step of transmitting the selection data.
[0056]
(Appendix 6) A customer terminal carried by the customer, a cash register terminal operated by the store clerk, and a store controller are provided.
The customer terminal includes service request input means for inputting service request data that is information related to the service;
Transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting the service request data;
Receiving means for wirelessly receiving service request data from the store controller;
Display means for confirming the contents,
The cash register terminal is a request means for requesting the store controller to obtain service request data transmitted by the customer terminal,
Receiving means for receiving data transmitted by the store controller;
Display means for displaying the received data;
The store controller includes a receiving means for wirelessly receiving data transmitted by the customer terminal,
Combining with data of other customers already received from other customer terminals, calculating the expected service request response time and waiting time of each cash register terminal, determining cash register terminals, and guiding means for guiding customers,
Transmitting means for wirelessly transmitting the identification name of the decision cash register terminal to the customer terminal;
In response to a request for service request data from a cash register terminal, customer request data selection means for selecting data from service request data stored in the guiding means;
A service request prior sensing system, comprising: transmission means for transmitting the selection data.
[0057]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, since various service requests such as shopper's credit payment and receipt issuance service request can be known in advance, the work efficiency of the cashier terminal clerk is improved.
[0058]
In addition, since cash register terminals can be operated in conjunction with various service requests, the clerk's cash register terminals can be operated more reliably, and shoppers will not forget to say anything, so they can receive legitimate services. Become.
[0059]
Since it is possible to guide to an appropriate cash register terminal so that the waiting time is uniform, the shopper can receive a fair service.
[0060]
Furthermore, by collecting customers who purchase only a small number of small items at a specific cash register terminal, or by collecting shoppers who make payments other than cash at a specific cash register terminal, it becomes possible for part-time workers and new store clerk to be in charge of the specific cash register terminal. It is possible to produce unexpected effects on both shoppers and shop assistants.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of a service request prior sensing system.
FIG. 2 is an image diagram of a customer terminal.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of request processing at a cash register terminal.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart of guidance processing in a store controller.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart of customer request data selection processing in a store controller.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a wait request file.
[Explanation of symbols]
101 Customer terminal 102 Store controller 103 Cash register terminal

Claims (5)

A store controller having a table that stores a register wait coefficient, which is data representing the length of the customer's checkout process, and data for identifying a checkout terminal assigned with the customer's checkout process, and a customer carries A service request prior sensing method in a system in which a customer terminal and a cash register terminal are connected to a network,
  The customer terminal accepting input of service request data, which is data related to a service requested by a customer during checkout;
The customer terminal sending the service request data to the store controller;
  The store controller calculates a cashier waiting coefficient total by summing up the cashier waiting coefficient of each customer read from the table for each cashier terminal associated with the cashier waiting coefficient,
  The store controller determining the cash register terminal having the smallest calculated cash register waiting coefficient as an optimal cash register;
  The store controller sending data identifying the determined optimum cash register to the customer terminal that sent the service request data;
  The customer terminal receiving data identifying the transmitted optimal cash register and displaying it on a display device;
  The store controller sending the service request data to a cashier terminal corresponding to the determined optimum cash register;
  The cash register terminal corresponding to the optimum cash register receives the transmitted service request data, and depending on the service at the time of settlement requested in the service request data, an operation screen for processing the service or the Displaying a screen for instructing the service;
A service request prior sensing method comprising: The service request data includes presence / absence of one or more requests of receipt issuance, credit payment, gift certificate payment, candy paper pasting, and packaging.
The service request prior sensing method according to claim 1, wherein: In the step where the cashier terminal corresponding to the optimum cashier displays the screen, an operation for processing the service when the service at the time of settlement requested in the service request data is credit payment or gift certificate payment The service request prior sensing method according to claim 2, wherein a screen is displayed . In the step of calculating the cashier waiting coefficient, the store controller calculates the cashier waiting coefficient by multiplying and adding each of the services at the time of payment requested in the service request data received from the customer terminal and a predetermined coefficient. Calculate
The store controller associating the calculated cash register waiting coefficient with the determined optimum cash register in the table;
The service request prior sensing method according to claim 1 , further comprising : A store controller having a table that stores a register wait coefficient, which is data representing the length of the customer's checkout process, and data for identifying a checkout terminal assigned with the customer's checkout process, and a customer carries A service request pre-sensing system in which a customer terminal and a cash register terminal are connected to a network ,
Means for accepting input of service request data which is data related to a service requested by a customer at the time of payment by the customer terminal ;
Means for the customer terminal to send the service request data to the store controller ;
Means for calculating a cashier waiting coefficient total by summing up the cashier waiting coefficient of each customer read from the table for each cashier terminal associated with the cashier waiting coefficient;
Means for the store controller to determine the cash register terminal having the smallest calculated cash register waiting coefficient as the optimum cash register;
Means for transmitting data for identifying the optimum cash register determined by the store controller to a customer terminal that has transmitted the service request data;
Means for receiving the data for identifying the transmitted optimum cash register and displaying it on a display device by the customer terminal;
Means for the store controller to send the service request data to a cashier terminal corresponding to the determined optimum cashier;
The cash register terminal corresponding to the optimum cash register receives the transmitted service request data, and depending on the service at the time of settlement requested in the service request data, an operation screen for processing the service or the Means for displaying a screen for instructing a service;
Service request pre-sensing system according to claim Rukoto equipped with.

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