JP4814155B2 - Product sales data processing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a merchandise sales data processing apparatus including a reading unit that reads a merchandise code attached to a merchandise.

  Conventionally, a merchandise sales data processing apparatus (for example, a POS terminal) generally has a reading unit (for example, a bar code scanner) that reads a merchandise code attached to a merchandise as a code symbol. The bar code scanner outputs the read product code to the POS terminal. The POS terminal executes product sales data processing including processing for acquiring a unit price corresponding to the product code, processing for obtaining the total amount of the acquired unit price, and the like. Accordingly, a checker who is a store clerk operating the POS terminal performs a product code reading operation using a bar code scanner.

  In the reading operation using the barcode scanner, the time required for the operation varies depending on the proficiency level of the checker.

JP-A-4-290195 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-161849 JP 2000-207647 A

  Information about the early and late reading of each checker is very useful. For example, if a shopper can know each checkout lane, the shopper can select and line up a checkout lane that works faster. However, such information can be recognized only roughly by judging indirectly from the checkout lane congestion and the like.

  Patent Document 1 describes a technique for calculating the number of transactions per unit time. Patent Document 2 describes a technique in which an average checkout processing time per shopper is calculated. In Patent Document 3, when a sensor for detecting a shopper is attached to both the upstream side and the central part of the checkout counter, and the state in which the shopper is detected by both sensors continues for a predetermined time or more, A technique for determining that the degree of congestion is high is described. However, the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 3 do not make it possible to know early and late reading operations of each checker.

  An object of the present invention is to make it possible to know early and late reading operations of each checker.

Merchandise sales data processing apparatus of the present invention includes a reading unit for reading outputs the commodity code attached to the commodity in the form of co Doshinboru, based on the product code outputted from the reading unit, in association with the product code means for obtaining a time of increase and decrease information stored in advance before Symbol reading unit obtains a reading interval commodity code by the reading unit based on a time interval of the product code to be outputted during one transaction from Rutotomoni, the average the acquired fluctuation information means Ru is stored in the storage area executed by the reading interval to increase or decrease the time corresponding to require the average value of the read interval stored in the storage area to read a commodity code Means for obtaining the reading time and storing it in the storage area.

The product sales data processing apparatus of the present invention viewed from another aspect is based on the reading unit that reads and outputs the product code attached to the product in the form of a code symbol, and the product code output from the reading unit. Obtaining the increase / decrease information of the time stored in advance in association with the product code, obtaining the reading interval of the product code by the reading unit based on the time interval of the product code output during one transaction from the reading unit , Increase / decrease of time according to the acquired increase / decrease information is executed in the reading interval and stored in the storage area, and an average value of the reading interval stored in the storage area is average reading time required for reading one product code And a controller that stores the data in the storage area.

  According to the present invention, an average reading time required for reading one commodity code can be obtained. As a result, it becomes possible to know early and late reading operations of each checker.

  An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The merchandise sales data processing apparatus according to the present embodiment is an application example to the POS terminal 201 included in the POS system 101 installed in a store such as a supermarket, a drug store, or a shopping mall.

  FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a POS system 101. The POS system 101 includes a POS terminal 201 disposed in a checkout lane 301 that is a plurality of accounting locations configured in a sales floor, and an external unit that is disposed in a backyard that is also a storage location for product inventory and that manages the POS terminal 201 in an integrated manner. And a store computer 401 which is a host device as a device. The POS terminal 201 and the store computer 401 are connected to each other via a communication cable 111 provided in the store so that data communication is possible. The store computer 401 extracts data from the POS terminal 201 as necessary. Further, the store computer 401 distributes data to the POS terminal 201 as necessary.

  FIG. 2 is an external perspective view showing the checkout lane 301. In the checkout lane 301, a cash register table 311 and a checker table 312 are arranged close to each other. On the cash register 311, the checker 201 is installed at a height that can be easily operated with the POS terminal 201 placed on the drawer 321. On the checker base 312, a stationary scanner device 351 is fixedly installed. A plastic bag, disposable chopsticks, and the like are stored in the lower part of the checker base 312. The shopper puts the merchandise in the shopping cart, brings it into the checkout lane 301, and places the shopping cart on the checkerboard 312.

  The POS terminal 201 includes a housing 211 that arranges each part inside or outside thereof. A keyboard 212 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 211. The keyboard 212 includes a numeric keypad with numbers displayed on the upper surface, a temporary tightening key with “subtotal” displayed on the upper surface, and a tightening key with “deposit / current total” displayed on the upper surface. A display 213 having an information display function for a checker who is a user of the POS terminal 201 is disposed above the keyboard 212. A touch panel 214 is provided on the screen of the display 213. A printer cover 215 is provided on the left side of the display 213. A receipt issuing port 216 is formed on the front surface of the printer cover 215. Inside the printer cover 215, a printer 261 (see FIG. 4), which is a receipt printer that prints on receipt paper and issues a receipt, is provided. A card slit 217 is formed on the right side of the keyboard 212. The card slit 217 is used for reading card information by a card reader 262 (see FIG. 4) built in the housing 211. On the back side of the display 213, a customer display 218 is disposed as a display unit that is positioned higher than the display 213 and has an information display function for a shopper who is a user. The customer display 218 is attached to a column 219 protruding from the housing 211. The customer display 218 is rotatable with respect to the column 219. The customer display 218 is a vacuum fluorescent display (fluorescent display tube). It may be a liquid crystal display, an LED display, or an organic EL display. The display for customer 218 can display hiragana, katakana, numbers, kanji, simple figures, etc. by dot matrix display by controlling lighting / non-lighting of each dot.

  A display pole 331 for displaying the state of the POS terminal 201 is connected to the POS terminal 201 on the back of the cash register 311. The display pole 331 has a light emitting portion 332 that selectively emits blue and red light at the tip. Normally, the light emitting unit 332 emits blue light. The POS terminal 201 controls the lighting circuit of the light emitting unit 332 to change the light emission color of the light emitting unit 332 from blue to red.

  The drawer 321 has a drawer 322 for storing coins and banknotes in denominations. The POS terminal 201 drives and controls a drive unit (not shown) built in the drawer 321 to open the drawer 322.

  The scanner device 351 has a vertical lower housing 352 provided with a reading window 354 at the center. A bar code scanner 357 is provided inside the lower housing 352 so as to be positioned at the back of the reading window 354. An upper housing 353 is attached to the upper end of the lower housing 352. The upper housing 353 is provided with an LCD 356 with a touch panel and a keyboard 355. When a product is positioned in a space facing the reading window 354, an LED (not shown) included in the barcode scanner 357 emits light through the reading window 354 and an optical scanning pattern is formed in the space facing the reading window 354. Form. A CCD (not shown) included in the bar code scanner 357 receives reflected light when a bar code attached to a product is irradiated with an optical scanning pattern and converts it into a digital signal. A decoder (not shown) included in the barcode scanner 357 decodes the digital signal converted by the CCD and extracts a product code. In this way, the barcode scanner 357 reads the product code attached to the product as a barcode that is a code symbol. The product code is a code that is assigned to each product and identifies the product. The scanner device 351 outputs the product code read by the barcode scanner 357 to the POS terminal 201. Therefore, the barcode scanner 357 and the scanner device 351 constitute a reading unit that reads and outputs a product code attached to a product in the form of a code symbol.

  A support column 382 is provided at the upstream end of the checker table 312 when shoppers line up. A time indicator 381 as a display unit having an information display function for a shopper who is a user is attached to the tip of the column 382. The time display 381 is rotatable with respect to the support column 382. The time display unit 381 is a vacuum fluorescent display (fluorescent display tube), like the customer display unit 218. It may be a liquid crystal display, an LED display, or an organic EL display. The time display unit 381 can display hiragana, katakana, numbers, kanji, simple figures, etc. by dot matrix display by controlling lighting / non-lighting of each dot.

  A checker who is a store clerk is located at a position facing the scanner device 351, leans against the checker table 312, and puts the products brought in by the shopper into the shopping basket one by one in the reading window 354. Hold it over. When the product code attached to the product is read by the barcode scanner 357, the product is stored in a shopping basket placed in advance on the opposite side across the scanner device 351. In this way, the checker performs the reading operation. When the reading operation is completed, the checker changes its direction on the spot and faces the POS terminal 201 to perform a predetermined operation.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the store computer 401. The store computer 401 includes a control unit 451 that drives and controls each unit. The control unit 451 functions as a work area or the like by storing a CPU 453 that centrally controls each unit, a ROM 453 that preliminarily stores fixed data such as a computer program via a bus line 455, and various data in a rewritable manner. Connected to the RAM 454. Therefore, the control unit 451 constitutes an information processing unit that executes information processing.

  The control unit 451 has a keyboard 411, a display 412 as a notification unit having an information notification function for a user, and a mouse 413 as a pointing device through various input / output circuits (not shown) via a bus line 455. It is connected.

  A communication interface 414 is connected to the control unit 451 via a bus line 455. The communication interface 414 enables data communication with the POS terminal 201 via the communication cable 111 (see FIG. 1).

  An HDD 415 is connected to the control unit 451 via a bus line 455. In addition to the average reading time file 421 that stores the average reading time and the average reading time file 431 for each checker, the HDD 415 stores product information (including the unit price of the product, the product name, etc.) in association with the product code. A file (not shown), a reference time table (not shown) that stores a reference time that is a reference value of the average reading time, and a product code that specifies a product that requires a work other than the reading operation of the attached product code A product code table (not shown) to be stored, a computer program for causing the control unit 451 to execute various processes, various application software, and the like are stored. The control unit 451 distributes various files and table data to the POS terminal 201 as needed.

  FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of the POS terminal 201. The POS terminal 201 includes a control unit 251 that drives and controls each unit. The control unit 251 functions as a work area or the like by storing a CPU 252 that centrally controls each unit, a ROM 253 that stores in advance fixed data such as a computer program via a bus line 255, and various data in a rewritable manner. Connected to the RAM 254. Therefore, the control part 251 comprises the information processing part which performs information processing. A part of the RAM 254 is a nonvolatile memory in which stored contents are not lost even when the POS terminal 201 is turned off.

  The control unit 251 has a keyboard 212, a display 213, a touch panel 214, a customer display 218, a printer 261, a card reader 262, a drawer 321, a display pole 331, a scanner device 351, and a time display via a bus line 255. A device 381 is connected via various input / output circuits (not shown).

  A communication interface 263 as a communication unit is connected to the control unit 251 via a bus line 255. The communication interface 263 enables data communication with the store computer 401 via the communication cable 111 (see FIG. 1).

  An HDD 264 is connected to the control unit 251 via a bus line 255. The HDD 264 performs various processes on the product data file 221 that stores product information (including the unit price of the product) in association with the product code, the reference time table 222 that stores the reference time, the product code table 223, and the control unit 251. A computer program to be executed and various application software are stored. Various files, various tables, computer programs, software, and the like stored in the HDD 264 are partially or entirely copied and used when the POS terminal 201 is activated. The product data file 221, the reference time table 222, and the product code table 223 are distributed from the store computer 401 to the POS terminal 201 and stored in the HDD 264.

  Next, details of various files and tables stored in the HDD 264 of the POS terminal 201 or the HDD 415 of the store computer 401 will be described.

  FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating a data configuration of the reference time table 222. In the reference time table 222, the data is distributed from the store computer 401 to the POS terminal 201 and stored in the HDD 264 of the POS terminal 201. The reference time table 222 has a reference time storage area 222a for storing a reference time and a call reference time storage area 222b for storing a call reference time that is a second reference time.

  The reference time stored in the reference time storage area 222a is a time serving as a reference value for the average reading time obtained by the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201. The reference time is obtained by the control unit 451 of the store computer 401 as will be described later.

  The call reference time stored in the call reference time storage area 222b is the control unit 451 of the store computer 401 that stores an arbitrary time input by operating the keyboard 411 of the store computer 401. When the average reading time obtained by the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 reaches the calling reference time, it is determined that the check of the product code is delayed and the checker needs help.

  FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a data configuration of the product code table 223. The product code table 223 is distributed from the store computer 401 to the POS terminal 201 and stored in the HDD 264 of the POS terminal 201. The product code table 223 has a product code storage area 223a for storing product codes and a removal time storage area 223b for storing removal times. The product code storage area 223a and the removal time storage area 223b are associated with each other. Therefore, the product code and the removal time stored in the product code table 223 are associated with each other. The product code and the removal time are those that are stored in the product code table 223 by the control unit 451 of the store computer 401 by arbitrary designation.

  The product code stored in the product code storage area 223a is a product that requires the checker to perform work other than reading work before and after reading the product code attached to the product. Such a product is, for example, tofu that needs to be individually put into a thin plastic bag after the reading operation.

  The removal time stored in the removal time storage area 223b is time increase / decrease information, and is the time required for the checker other than the reading operation for the product specified by the corresponding product code. For example, when the product specified by the product code is tofu, the removal time is the time required to put the tofu in a thin plastic bag.

  Such a product code table 223 may be provided as a part of the product data file 221. In this case, the product code table 223 stores a removal time as time increase / decrease information in association with the product code.

  FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a data configuration of the average reading time file 421. The average reading time file 421 is stored in the HDD 415 of the store computer 401. The average reading time file 421 has an identification number storage area 421a for storing identification numbers and an average reading time storage area 421b for storing average reading times. The identification number storage area 421a and the average reading time storage area 421b are associated with each other. Therefore, the average reading time is stored in association with the identification number.

  The identification number stored in the identification number storage area 421a is a number for identifying a plurality of POS terminals 201 included in the POS system 101.

  The average reading time stored in the average reading time storage area 421b is the data transmitted from each POS terminal 201. The control unit 451 of the store computer 401 receives the average reading time data and stores it in the average reading time file 421.

  In such a configuration, the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 executes various processes according to the computer program stored in the HDD 264. For example, the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 starts timing in response to an input of a product code output from the scanner device 351. In addition, the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 stops the started timing in response to the input of the product code output from the scanner device 351. Further, the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 acquires the unit price corresponding to the product code output from the scanner device 351 from the product data file 221. Then, next, the flow of the process of one transaction which the control part 251 of the POS terminal 201 performs is demonstrated.

  FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing of one transaction. If there is an input of a product code (Y in step S101), the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 determines whether or not the timing has already been started (step S102). If the timing has been started (Y in step S102), the timing is stopped (step S103).

  On the other hand, in the case of the input of the first product code in one transaction and the time measurement has not started (N in Step S102), the POS terminal 201 is not executed without stopping the time measurement in Step S103. The control unit 251 starts timing (step S121). Then, the product data file 221 is searched to acquire the unit price corresponding to the product code, and the acquired unit price is temporarily stored in the RAM 254 (step S122). Next, the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 generates display data for displaying the unit price stored in the RAM 254, outputs the display data to the customer display 218, and displays information according to the display data for the customer display. It is displayed on 218 (step S123). A driver (not shown) lights up each dot and performs display according to display data. Then, the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 waits for input of the next product code (step S101).

  The control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 that has stopped counting in step S103 determines whether or not the removal time corresponding to the input product code is stored in the product code table 223 (step S104). Here, the product code table 223 is searched, and if the same product code as the input product code is stored, the removal time stored in association with the product code is acquired from the product code table 223. If the removal time is not stored, that is, if the same product code is not stored in the product code table 223 (Y in step S104), the time from the start to the stop of the timing is stored in the RAM 254 as the product code reading interval. (Step S105). On the other hand, if the removal time is stored, that is, if the same product code is stored in the product code table 223 (N in step S104), the acquired removal time is subtracted from the time from the start to the stop. The time is stored in the RAM 254 as the product code reading interval (step S106).

  Next, the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 starts measuring time (step S107). Then, the product data file 221 is searched to acquire the unit price corresponding to the product code, and the acquired unit price is temporarily stored in the RAM 254 (step S108).

  Next, the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 obtains the average value of the reading intervals stored in the RAM 254 as the average reading time required for reading one product code and stores it in the RAM 254 (step S109). For example, when only one reading interval (for example, 1.4 seconds) is stored in the RAM 254, this reading interval (1.4 seconds) is obtained as the average reading time. Further, when one reading interval (for example, 1.4 seconds) is stored in the RAM 254 and another reading interval (for example, 1.6 seconds) is stored, both of these times are stored. The average reading time (1.5 seconds) is obtained as the average reading time.

  Next, the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 generates display data for comparison information in which the average reading time stored in the RAM 254 and the reference time stored in the reference time table 222 are compared (step S110). . The contrast information is, for example, 1% to 40% (fast), 41% to 80% (somewhat fast), 81% to 120% (normal), 121% to 160% (average reading time with respect to the reference time) Slightly slow), and evaluated in 5 stages of 161% or more (slow). The display on the customer display 218 and the time display 381 includes a simple graphic display and a character display. For example, when the average reading time is 1.5 seconds and the reference time is 5.0 seconds, that is, when the average reading time is 30% with respect to the reference time, the customer display 218 and the time display 381 In addition to the character string “scanning speed”, five square figures and the character string “fast” are displayed. Display data capable of displaying such contrast information is generated (step S110).

  Next, the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 generates display data for displaying the unit price and average reading time stored in the RAM 254. The control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 outputs display data of unit price, average reading time, and comparison information to the customer display 218 and the time display 381, and displays information according to the display data for the customer display. 218 and the time indicator 381 are displayed (step S111). In the customer display 218 and the time display 381, a driver (not shown) lights each dot to execute display according to display data.

  Then, the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 again waits for input of a product code (step S101).

  If the product code is not input (N in step S101) and a temporary fastening instruction is given by pressing the temporary fastening key displayed as "subtotal" on the keyboard 212 (Y in step S112), POS The control unit 251 of the terminal 201 obtains the total unit price stored in the RAM 254 (step S113). Next, the numeric keypad of the keyboard 212 is pressed, and the deposit amount from the shopper is input to the control unit 251 (step S114). Then, if a tightening instruction is given by pressing the tightening key displayed as “deposit / cash” on the keyboard 212 (Y in step S115), the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 is input. The difference between the deposit amount and the calculated total amount is obtained as a change amount. Further, the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 controls the driving unit (not shown) of the drawer 321 to open the drawer 322 and generates print data including the unit price, total amount, deposit amount, change amount, and the like. Then, it outputs to the printer 261 and prints and issues a receipt corresponding to the print data (step S116). Further, the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 generates journal data including unit price, total amount, deposit amount, change amount, etc. for each transaction and stores it in a journal file (not shown). Then, the RAM 254 is cleared (step S117), and one transaction process is completed.

  In the present embodiment, the average reading time is obtained and displayed during processing of one transaction, but may be obtained by the control unit 251 after one transaction. Moreover, you may make it the control part 251 obtain | require according to arbitrary setting time.

  FIG. 9 is a front view showing the customer display 218. The customer display 218 includes a unit price display area 218a for displaying the unit price, a comparison information display area 218b for displaying the comparison information, and an average reading time display area 218c for displaying the average reading time. The unit price display area 218a is arranged at the top of the display area of the customer display 218, the average reading time display area 218c is arranged at the bottom of the display area of the customer display 218, and the comparison information display area 218b is The unit price display area 218a and the average reading time display area 218c are arranged in the middle. The unit price “100 (yen)” is displayed in the unit price display area 218a together with the corresponding product name “bitter chocolate”. The average reading time “1.5 (seconds)” is displayed in the average reading time display area 218c together with the unit “second / item”. The contrast information includes five square figures and a character string “fast”, and is displayed in the contrast information display area 218b together with the character string “scanning speed”.

  By such display on the customer display 218, the shopper can know the average reading time. Thus, the shopper can make a determination as to whether each checker's reading operation is early or late, and based on this determination, the shopper can select a checkout lane 301 to be lined up for payment.

  FIG. 10 is a front view showing the time indicator 381. The time display unit 381 includes an identification number display area 381a for displaying the identification number of the POS terminal 201, a comparison information display area 381b for displaying comparison information, and an average reading time display area 381c for displaying average reading time. . The identification number display area 381a is arranged at the top of the display area of the time display unit 381, and the average reading time display area 381c is arranged at the bottom of the display area of the time display unit 381, and the comparison information display area 381b. Is arranged between the identification number display area 381a and the average reading time display area 381c. The identification number “Register No. 2” for identifying the POS terminal 201 is displayed in the identification number display area 381a. The average reading time “1.5 (seconds)” is displayed in the average reading time display area 381c together with the unit “second / item”. The contrast information includes five square figures and a character string “fast”, and is displayed in the contrast information display area 381b together with the character string “scanning speed”.

  By such display on the time indicator 381, the shopper can know the average reading time for each checkout lane 301. Since the time indicator 381 is arranged on the upstream side of the checker base 312 with respect to the customer indicator 218, the checkout lane 301 is congested and the customer indicator 218 is difficult to see. The shopper can know the average reading time by the time display 381.

  Here, a case where the average reading time is obtained for each checker will be described. First, the checker specific average reading time file 431 stored in the HDD 415 of the store computer 401 will be described.

  FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a data structure of the average read time file 431 for each checker. The checker specific average reading time file 431 is stored in the HDD 415 of the store computer 401. The checker-by-checker average reading time file 431 has a checker number storage area 431a for storing checker numbers and an average reading time storage area 431b for storing average reading times. The checker number storage area 431a and the average reading time storage area 431b are associated with each other. Therefore, the average reading time is stored in association with the checker number.

  The checker number stored in the checker number storage area 431a is a unique number for each checker operating the POS terminal 201.

  The average reading time stored in the average reading time storage area 431b is the data transmitted from each POS terminal 201. The control unit 451 of the store computer 401 receives the average reading time data and stores the average reading time data in the checker-specific average reading time file 431.

  FIG. 12 is a flowchart illustrating another example of the processing flow of one transaction. The control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 waits for input of a checker number (step S151). The checker number is input by an operation on the keyboard 212 or the touch panel 214. The checker number is input by a handy type code scanner (not shown) connected to the POS terminal 201. In this case, each checker is wearing a name tag. On this name tag, its own checker number is printed in the form of a code symbol such as a barcode. The checker causes the code scanner to read the checker number of the name tag worn by the checker. The read checker number is input to the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201. If there is an input of the checker number (Y in step S151), the process waits for the input of a product code (step S161).

  The processing after step S161 in the flowchart of FIG. 12 is the same as the processing described based on the flowchart of FIG. That is, the processing of steps S161 to S177 in the flowchart of FIG. 12 corresponds to the processing of steps S101 to S117 in the flowchart of FIG. 8, and the processing of steps S181 to S183 in the flowchart of FIG. This corresponds to the processing of S123.

  Then, the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 transmits and outputs the obtained latest average reading time data to the store computer 401 as the processing ends. At this time, the checker number input in step S151 is assigned and data is transmitted. The control unit 451 of the store computer 401 that has received the data of the average reading time given the checker number stores the average reading time in the average reading time file 431 for each checker corresponding to the checker number.

  Next, a calling process that is periodically executed by the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 according to the computer program stored in the HDD 264 will be described.

  FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the flow of the calling process. The control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 determines whether or not the obtained latest average read time has reached the call reference time stored in the reference time table 222 during execution of the processing described with reference to FIG. (Step S201). If the average reading time has not reached the call reference time (N in step S201), the processing is finished as it is. On the other hand, if the average reading time has reached the call reference time (Y in Step S201), the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 generates a predetermined call signal and transmits it to the store computer 401 (Step S201). S202). Here, when receiving the call signal transmitted from the POS terminal 201, the control unit 451 of the store computer 401 generates call screen display data as call information including information for calling the store clerk. The calling screen is displayed on the display 213 according to the display data. As an example, the call screen is a screen including a character string “Please go to the checkout lane of No. 2 for help”. And the control part 251 of the POS terminal 201 controls the lighting circuit of the light emission part 332 provided in the front-end | tip part of the display pole 331, and changes the luminescent color of the light emission part 332 from blue to red (step S203).

  In this way, it is periodically determined whether or not the average reading time has reached a pre-designated call reference time, and if so, a call signal is transmitted to the backyard store computer 401. Therefore, the store clerk waiting in the backyard can immediately go to the corresponding checkout lane 301 to help. Moreover, since the light emission part 332 of the display pole 331 changes the light emission color, the store clerk who circulates in the store can sense the situation of the checkout lane 301 from a relatively long distance and can help.

  Next, a process in which the control unit 451 of the store computer 401 obtains the reference time based on the average reading time obtained by the control units 251 of the plurality of POS terminals 201 will be described.

  FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing for obtaining the reference time. The control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 transmits and outputs the obtained latest average reading time data to the store computer 401, for example, at the end of a day of work (step S301). When the control unit 451 of the store computer 401 receives the data of the average reading time transmitted from the POS terminal 201 (Y in step S302), the control unit 451 stores the received average reading time in the average reading time file 421 (step S303). ). At this time, the average reading time is stored in association with the identification number of the POS terminal 201 that is the transmission source. The control unit 451 of the store computer 401 receives average reading time data from all the POS terminals 201 and stores it in the average reading time file 421. Then, the control unit 451 of the store computer 401 obtains the average of the average reading times stored in the average reading time file 421 as a new reference time, and overwrites the reference time stored in the reference time table with the reference time (step). S304). The data of the reference time table is distributed and stored in each POS terminal 201.

  The reference time may be obtained from the average reading time for each checker. In that case, the control unit 451 of the store computer 401 obtains the average of the average reading time stored in the checker-specific average reading time file 431 as a new reference time, and overwrites the reference time stored in the reference time table. Let The data of the reference time table is distributed and stored in each POS terminal 201.

  Here, the processing executed by the control unit 451 of the store computer 401 may be executed by the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201. In this case, the average reading time file 421 and the average reading time file by checker 431 are stored in the HDD 264 of the POS terminal 201.

  When the reference time is obtained based on the average reading time file 421 stored in the HDD 264 of the POS terminal 201, the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 receives, for example, one day from another POS terminal 201 included in the POS system 101. At the end of the operation, the latest average reading time data obtained for each is received. The control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 that has received the average reading time data stores the average reading time in the average reading time file 421, and calculates the reference time from the average value of the average reading times stored in the average reading time file 421. Ask. Then, the reference time table 222 is overwritten and the reference time table 222 is distributed to other POS terminals 201 and the like.

  When obtaining the reference time based on the average read time file by checker 431 stored in the HDD 264 of the POS terminal 201, the control unit 251 of the POS terminal 201 obtains the latest information obtained upon completion of one transaction process. The average reading time is stored in the checker-specific average reading time file 431 in correspondence with the input checker number, and the reference time is determined from the average value of the average reading times stored in the checker-specific average reading time file 431. Ask. Then, the reference time table 222 is overwritten and the reference time table 222 is distributed to other POS terminals 201 and the like.

  In this way, the average reading time for each POS terminal 201 is stored in the average reading time file 421 or the average reading time file 431 for each checker, and the average time of the average reading time is used as a new reference time. Since it is overwritten and stored in 222, the average of the average reading time of checkers at work can be adopted as the reference time, and a time that is reasonable for the checker can be adopted as the reference time. In addition, since the work for updating the reference time stored in the reference time table 222 is not required, the troublesome work for the store is reduced.

It is a system configuration figure showing a POS system. It is an external appearance perspective view which shows a checkout lane. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a store computer. It is a block diagram which shows the hardware constitutions of a POS terminal. It is a schematic diagram which shows the data structure of a reference | standard time table. It is a schematic diagram which shows the data structure of a goods code table. It is a schematic diagram which shows the data structure of an average reading time file. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a process of one transaction. It is a front view which shows a display for customers. It is a front view which shows the indicator for time. It is a schematic diagram which shows the data structure of the average reading time file according to checker. It is a flowchart which shows another example of the flow of processing of one transaction. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of a calling process. It is a flowchart which shows the flow of the process which calculates | requires reference | standard time.

Explanation of symbols

  201: POS terminal (product sales data processing device), 218 ... display for customer (display unit), 251 ... control unit (information processing unit), 254 ... RAM (storage area), 263 ... communication interface (communication unit), 351 ... Scanner device (reading unit), 357 ... Bar code scanner (reading unit), 381 ... Display for time (display unit), 401 ... Store computer (external device), 412 ... Display device (notification unit)

Claims (5)

A reading unit for reading outputs the commodity code attached to the commodity in the form of co Doshinboru,
Means for acquiring time increase / decrease information stored in advance in association with the product code based on the product code output from the reading unit;
Before SL Rutotomoni determined reading distance commodity code by the reading unit based on a time interval of the product code output in one transaction from the reading unit, the reading interval changes in time according to the acquired increased or decreased Information Means for executing and storing in the storage area;
And means for storing in the storage area determined as an average reading time required for the average value of the read interval stored before term memory area for reading a commodity code,
A product sales data processing apparatus comprising:   A display unit having an information display function;
  Means for causing the display unit to display an information display indicating an average reading time stored in the storage area;
The merchandise sales data processing apparatus according to claim 1.   Means for displaying, on the display unit, comparison information in which the average reading time stored in the storage area is compared with a reference time stored in advance.
The merchandise sales data processing apparatus according to claim 2.   A communication unit that realizes data communication with an external device having a notification unit having an information notification function;
  Means for determining whether or not the average reading time stored in the storage area has reached a second reference time stored in advance;
  When the average reading time stored in the storage area has reached the second reference time, information for calling a store clerk to the notification unit to the external device via the communication unit is included. Means for transmitting a call signal for informing the call information;
A merchandise sales data processing apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3.   A reading unit that reads and outputs a product code attached to the product in the form of a code symbol;
  Based on the product code output from the reading unit, the time increase / decrease information stored in advance in association with the product code is acquired, and the time interval of the product code output from the reading unit during one transaction is acquired. Based on the reading interval of the product code by the reading unit, the increase / decrease of time according to the acquired increase / decrease information is executed in the reading interval and stored in the storage area, and the reading interval stored in the storage area A control unit for obtaining an average value as an average reading time required for reading one product code and storing the average value in the storage area;
A product sales data processing apparatus comprising:

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