JP5294332B2 - Customer service system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily shorten the waiting time of customers when adjusting the payment of specific medicine or specific commodity. <P>SOLUTION: A gate 100 is provided on a moving route 500 on which the customers move from a display space 400 where the commodities are displayed to an adjusting machine 200 for calculating the expense of the commodity at a store, reads from the commodity, a flag written in a label attached beforehand to the commodity when the commodity passes through the gate 100, and transmits the read flag to the adjusting machine 200. When the flag transmitted from the gate 100 is effective, the adjusting machine 200 transmits an effective information signal which to the effect to a communication terminal 300 which a clerk of the store possesses. When the effective information signal is transmitted from the adjusting machine 200, the communication terminal 300 displays a screen prompting the store clerk to go to the adjusting machine 200. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2011,JPO&amp;INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a customer service system in a store that sells products.

  When you sell medicines at a drugstore or other store, depending on the type of medicine, you may not be able to sell it without a qualified person (qualified owner) such as a pharmacist or a registered seller. .

  However, not all of the clerk at the store have professional qualifications, and there are many shop clerks who do not have professional qualifications such as part-timers and part-time workers. This is because drugstores not only sell pharmaceuticals but also sell products that can be sold without having a professional qualification, such as food, daily necessities and cosmetics.

  For this reason, only when a specific medicine is sold that cannot be sold without the qualification owner serving the customer, the qualification owner performs a specialized customer service (in the case of a drug, explanation of efficacy and side effects, etc.).

  In recent years, self-service accounting at self-checkout, where customers themselves account for (settlement) merchandise, has increased.

  In such a self-checkout operation, unattended operation in which the store clerk does not serve customers is adopted, and therefore, specific products such as alcohol and tobacco that require age confirmation cannot be accounted for. There are also sales methods that do not require confirmation of store clerk, such as presenting a driver's license and checking the age using the face identification function as methods that can be accounted for even in unattended operation. There are many cases where the age is confirmed by calling.

  In addition, in the above-described case, a technique has been considered in which a customer who visits a store uses an information communication terminal to direct an appropriate store clerk (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-109195 A

  However, the above-mentioned qualified owners must be prepared to visit customers who purchase specific medicines that do not know when to come. Moreover, even if the qualified owner handles only when a customer who purchases a specific medicine visits the store, there is a risk of waiting for the visitor.

  In addition, the clerk of the store where the self-checkout is set up must have a visitor who purchases a specific product such as liquor or cigarette, which does not know when to come. Even if a customer who purchases these specific products calls the store clerk only when the customer visits the store, there is a risk that the customer will be kept waiting.

  Moreover, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, there is a problem that a customer who has visited the store must connect to a predetermined information center using an information communication terminal, which is troublesome.

  An object of this invention is to provide the customer service system which solves the subject mentioned above.

The customer service system of the present invention
From a settlement machine that settles the price of the goods at the store, a gate provided on a route for a customer to move to the settlement machine from the display place where the goods are displayed, and a communication terminal possessed by the store clerk of the store In the customer service system configured,
When the product passes through the gate, the gate reads a flag written on a label attached to the product from the product, and transmits the read flag to the checkout machine.
When the flag transmitted from the gate indicates validity, the settlement machine transmits a valid information signal indicating that to the communication terminal,
When the valid information signal is transmitted from the settlement machine, the communication terminal displays a screen prompting the store clerk to go to the settlement machine.

Also, a payment machine that settles the price of the product at the store, a gate provided on a route along which the customer moves from the display place where the product is displayed to the payment machine, and a communication terminal possessed by the store clerk of the store In the customer service system consisting of
When the product passes through the gate, the gate reads a flag written on a label attached to the product from the product, and indicates that if the read flag indicates validity Sending a valid information signal to the communication terminal;
When the valid information signal is transmitted from the gate, the communication terminal displays a screen prompting the store clerk to go to the checkout machine.

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily reduce the waiting time of customers when paying for a specific medicine or a specific product.

It is a figure which shows an example of a structure of the customer service system of this invention. It is a figure which shows an example of the internal structure of the gate shown in FIG. 1 in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of an internal structure of the account adjusting machine shown in FIG. 1 in 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of an internal structure of the communication terminal shown in FIG. 1 in 1st Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process in 1st Embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a prompt screen displayed on the display unit illustrated in FIG. 4 in the process of step S5 described with reference to the sequence diagram illustrated in FIG. 5. It is a figure which shows an example of the internal structure of the account adjusting machine shown in FIG. 1 in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the correlation memorize | stored in the data table shown in FIG. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process in 2nd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the internal structure of the gate shown in FIG. 1 in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of an internal structure of the communication terminal shown in FIG. 1 in 3rd Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process in 3rd Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of the internal structure of the gate shown in FIG. 1 in 4th Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process in 4th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of an internal structure of the communication terminal shown in FIG. 1 in 5th Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process in 5th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of an internal structure of the communication terminal shown in FIG. 1 in 6th Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process in 6th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of an internal structure of the communication terminal shown in FIG. 1 in 7th Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process in 7th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of an internal structure of the account adjusting machine shown in FIG. 1 in 8th Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process in 8th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of an internal structure of the account adjusting machine shown in FIG. 1 in 9th Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process in 9th Embodiment. It is a figure which shows an example of an internal structure of the account adjusting machine shown in FIG. 1 in 10th Embodiment. It is a sequence diagram for demonstrating the process in 10th Embodiment.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the customer service system of the present invention.

In this configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, a checkout machine 200 for paying the price of the goods at the store, and a gate provided on a moving path 500 where the customer moves from the display place 400 where the goods are displayed to the checkout machine 200 100 and a portable communication terminal 300 possessed by a store clerk. Note that the number of communication terminals 300 is equal to the number of shop assistants, and the number of gates is not limited to one.
(First embodiment)
Below, 1st Embodiment of the customer service system shown in FIG. 1 is described.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the gate 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the gate 100 shown in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment is provided with a reading unit 101 and a communication unit 102. FIG. 2 shows only the components according to this embodiment among the components of the gate 100 shown in FIG.

  The reading unit 101 reads a flag written on a label attached in advance to a product displayed in the display area 400. Specifically, a label (for example, “1” when valid, “0” when invalid) attached to a product and indicating whether it is valid or invalid is written ( IC tag, barcode, two-dimensional code and other information can be written and pasted on products) using a general IC tag reader function, barcode reader function, two-dimensional code reader function, or the like. Alternatively, the reading unit 101 may be provided with a character recognition function, characters and numbers may be written on the label, and the reading unit 101 may read and recognize them. Note that the timing for reading the flag is when the product with the label on which the flag is written passes through the gate 100, and the distance between the reading unit 101 and the label is the flag on which the label is written. When the distance is reached. Generally, reading can be performed by holding the label over the reading unit 101. In addition, the reading unit 101 outputs the read flag to the communication unit 102.

  The communication unit 102 has a communication function with the settlement machine 200 and transmits the flag output from the reading unit 101 to the settlement machine 200. At this time, the format of the transmission signal, the communication protocol, and the like are not particularly defined here.

  FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the checkout machine 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment.

  The settlement machine 200 shown in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment is provided with a flag determination unit 201 and a communication unit 202 as shown in FIG. FIG. 3 shows only the components related to the present embodiment among the components of the settlement machine 200 shown in FIG.

  The flag determination unit 201 receives the flag transmitted from the gate 100 via the communication unit 202, and determines whether the flag indicates validity or invalidity. For example, when the flag is “1”, it is determined that the flag indicates validity, and when the flag is “0”, it is determined that the flag indicates invalidity. As long as it is defined in this system. If the flag determination unit 201 determines that the flag indicates validity, the flag determination unit 201 transmits a valid information signal indicating that to the communication terminal 300 via the communication unit 202. The valid information signal may be any signal as long as it can be recognized by the communication terminal 300 that the flag indicates validity, and the signal format and the like are not specified.

  The communication unit 202 has a communication function between the gate 100 and the communication terminal 300. In particular, since communication with the communication terminal 300 is wireless communication, a wireless communication function is provided.

  FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the communication terminal 300 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the communication terminal 300 shown in FIG. 1 in the first embodiment is provided with a display unit 301 and a communication unit 302. FIG. 4 shows only the components related to the present embodiment among the components of the communication terminal 300 shown in FIG.

  When the display unit 301 receives the valid information signal transmitted from the settlement machine 200 via the communication unit 302, the display unit 301 displays a screen that prompts the store clerk possessing the communication terminal 300 to go to the settlement machine 200. . This prompting screen will be described later.

  The communication unit 302 has a wireless communication function with the settlement machine 200.

  Below, the process in 1st Embodiment is demonstrated.

  FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing in the first embodiment.

  First, when the customer passes the gate 100 with the merchandise displayed in the display area 400, the flag written on the label attached to the merchandise is read by the reading unit 101 of the gate 100 (step S1).

  When the flag is read, the read flag is transmitted from the reading unit 101 to the settlement machine 200 via the communication unit 102 (step S2).

  When the flag transmitted from the reading unit 101 via the communication unit 102 is received by the flag determination unit 201 via the communication unit 202 of the settlement machine 200, the flag indicates validity or invalidity. It is judged by the flag judgment part 201 whether it is a thing (step S3).

  If it is determined that the flag indicates invalidity, the process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the flag indicates validity, an effective information signal indicating that is transmitted from the flag determination unit 201 to the communication terminal 300 via the communication unit 202 (step S4).

  When the valid information signal transmitted from the flag determination unit 201 via the communication unit 202 is received by the communication unit 302 of the communication terminal 300, it is determined that the store clerk possessing the communication terminal 300 goes to the checkout machine 200. A prompting screen is displayed on the display unit 301 (step S5).

  FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an example of a prompt screen displayed on the display unit 301 illustrated in FIG. 4 in the process of step S5 described with reference to the sequence diagram illustrated in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 6, a message prompting the store clerk possessing the communication terminal 300 to go to the checkout machine 200 is displayed on the display unit 301, “I am a visitor. . The screen (message) shown in FIG. 6 is merely an example, and other screens may be used. Further, notification may be made not by display but by voice, vibrator, or the like.

Thereby, the salesclerk who has the communication terminal 300 can move to the checkout machine 200 immediately, and the waiting time of the customer at the checkout machine 200 is shortened.
(Second Embodiment)
The second embodiment of the customer service system shown in FIG. 1 will be described below.

  The internal configuration of the gate 100 shown in FIG. 1 in this embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, but the reading unit 101 is not limited to the flag written on the label attached in advance to the product, Also read the tag code written in advance. This tag code is given in advance unique to the product, and is product identification information that enables the product to be identified by the tag code. Further, the reading unit 101 transmits the read flag and tag code to the settlement machine 200 via the communication unit 102.

  Further, the internal configuration of the communication terminal 300 shown in FIG. 1 in the present embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the checkout machine 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the second embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the settlement machine 200 shown in FIG. 1 according to the second embodiment includes a flag determination unit 201, a communication unit 202, a search unit 203, and a data table 204. FIG. 7 shows only the components related to the present embodiment among the components of the settlement machine 200 shown in FIG.

  The flag determination unit 201 and the communication unit 202 are the same as those shown in FIG.

  When the flag determination unit 201 determines that the flag transmitted from the gate 100 indicates validity, the search unit 203 is uniquely assigned to the communication terminal based on the tag code transmitted from the gate 100. Communication terminal identification information is retrieved from the data table 204. In addition, the search unit 203 sends a valid information signal indicating that the flag is valid to the communication terminal to which the communication terminal identification information searched from the data table 204 is given via the communication unit 202. To 300.

  The data table 204 stores a flag, a tag code, and communication terminal identification information in association with each other in advance.

  FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of association stored in the data table 204 illustrated in FIG.

  In the data table 204 shown in FIG. 7, as shown in FIG. 8, a tag code, a specific product identification flag, a communication terminal ID that is communication terminal identification information, and information on a customer serviceable clerk are stored in association with each other. ing.

  The tag code is the same as that written on the label attached to each product.

  The specific product identification flag is the same as the flag written on the label attached to each product.

  The communication terminal ID is communication terminal identification information uniquely assigned so that the communication terminal possessed by the store clerk can be identified. The communication terminal ID may be any information that can be used to transmit a signal to the communication terminal.

  The customer serviceable clerk is information on a clerk who can serve each product. This is not essential information, but is one piece of information for the manager who manages the data table 204 to facilitate management.

  For example, the tag code “001”, the specific product identification flag “1”, the communication terminal ID “AAA, BBB, CCC, DDD, EEE”, and the customer serviceable salesperson “all salesclerks” are associated with each other. This is because a product with a label to which the tag code “001” is written has a flag “1”, that is, indicates that it is valid, and the communication terminal identification information is “AAA” and “BBB”. This indicates that a valid information signal should be transmitted to a certain communication terminal, a communication terminal “CCC”, a communication terminal “DDD”, and a communication terminal “EEE”. Further, the tag code “002”, the specific product identification flag “1”, the communication terminal ID “AAA”, and the customer service clerk “specific qualification owner A” are associated with each other. This is because a product with a label to which the tag code “002” is written has a flag “1”, that is, indicates that it is valid, and a valid information signal is sent to a communication terminal whose communication terminal identification information is “AAA”. Indicates what should be sent. Further, the tag code “003”, the specific product identification flag “1”, the communication terminal ID “BBB”, and the customer service clerk “specific qualification owner B” are associated with each other. This is because a product with a label to which the tag code “003” is written has a flag “1”, that is, indicates that it is valid, and a valid information signal is sent to a communication terminal whose communication terminal identification information is “BBB”. Indicates what should be sent. Further, the tag code “004”, the specific product identification flag “1”, the communication terminal ID “AAA, BBB, CCC, DDD, EEE”, and the customer serviceable salesperson “all salesclerks” are associated with each other. This is because a product with a label to which the tag code “004” is written has a flag “1”, that is, indicates that it is valid, and the communication terminal identification information is “AAA” and the communication terminal “BBB”. This indicates that a valid information signal should be transmitted to a certain communication terminal, a communication terminal “CCC”, a communication terminal “DDD”, and a communication terminal “EEE”. Further, the tag code “005”, the specific product identification flag “0”, and the communication terminal ID “not notify” are associated with each other. This indicates that there is no communication terminal to which a valid information signal should be transmitted because the product with the label with the tag code “005” attached has the flag “0”, that is, indicates invalidity. . In addition, here, there are five store clerk, and the communication terminal to which the communication terminal identification information “AAA” is assigned is owned by the specific qualification owner A among the store clerk, and “BBB” The communication terminal to which the communication terminal identification information is given is possessed by the specific qualification owner B among the clerk, and the three clerks who do not own the qualification are the communication terminals of “CCC”, “DDD” and “EEE”, respectively. It shows that he has a communication terminal to which identification information is assigned.

  The processing in the second embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 9 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing in the second embodiment.

  First, when the customer passes the gate 100 with the merchandise displayed at the display hall 400, the flag and the tag code written on the label attached to the merchandise are read by the reading unit 101 of the gate 100 (step) S11).

  When the flag and tag code are read by the reading unit 101, the read flag and tag code are transmitted from the reading unit 101 to the settlement machine 200 via the communication unit 102 (step S12).

  If the flag and tag code transmitted from the reading unit 101 via the communication unit 102 are received by the flag determination unit 201 via the communication unit 202 of the settlement machine 200, whether the flag indicates validity. The flag determination unit 201 determines whether the flag indicates invalidity (step S13).

  If it is determined that the flag indicates invalidity, the process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the flag is valid, the communication terminal searches the data table 204 by the search unit 203 based on the tag code transmitted from the reading unit 101 via the communication unit 102. (Step S14). For example, when the tag code transmitted from the reading unit 101 via the communication unit 102 is “002”, the communication terminal ID “AAA” associated with the tag code “002” in the data table 204. Is searched.

  For example, if the communication terminal 300 is a communication terminal to which the communication terminal ID “AAA” is assigned, a valid information signal is transmitted from the search unit 203 to the communication terminal 300 via the communication unit 202 (step S15).

  When the valid information signal transmitted from the communication unit 202 is received by the communication unit 302 of the communication terminal 300, a prompting screen that prompts the store clerk possessing the communication terminal 300 to go to the checkout machine 200 is displayed on the display unit 301. Is displayed (step S16). This prompting screen may be the same as that described in the first embodiment.

Thereby, the salesclerk who has the communication terminal 300 can move to the checkout machine 200 immediately, and the waiting time of the customer at the checkout machine 200 is shortened.
(Third embodiment)
Below, 3rd Embodiment of the customer service system shown in FIG. 1 is described.

  FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the gate 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 10, the gate 100 shown in FIG. 1 according to the third embodiment is provided with a reading unit 101, a flag determination unit 103, and a communication unit 102. FIG. 10 shows only the constituent elements according to this embodiment among the constituent elements of the gate 100 shown in FIG.

  The reading unit 101 and the communication unit 102 are the same as those shown in FIG.

  The flag determination unit 103 determines whether the flag read by the reading unit 101 is valid or invalid. The method for determining whether the flag is valid or invalid is the same as the determination method in the flag determining unit 201 shown in FIG. When the flag determination unit 103 determines that the flag indicates validity, the flag determination unit 103 transmits a valid information signal indicating that to the communication terminal 300 via the communication unit 102.

  FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the communication terminal 300 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the third embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 11, the communication terminal 300 shown in FIG. 1 according to the third embodiment is provided with a display unit 301 and a communication unit 302. FIG. 11 shows only the components related to this embodiment among the components of the communication terminal 300 shown in FIG.

  The operations of the display unit 301 and the communication unit 302 are basically the same as those shown in FIG. 4 except that the communication destination of the communication unit 302 is the gate 100. That is, the valid information signal is transmitted from the settlement machine 200 in the first embodiment, whereas it is transmitted from the gate 100 in the third embodiment.

  The processing in the third embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 12 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing in the third embodiment.

  First, when the customer passes the gate 100 with the merchandise displayed in the display area 400, the flag written on the label attached to the merchandise is read by the reading unit 101 of the gate 100 (step S21).

  When the flag is read by the reading unit 101, the flag determining unit 103 determines whether the read flag indicates valid or invalid (step S22).

  If it is determined that the flag indicates invalidity, the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the flag indicates validity, an effective information signal indicating that is transmitted from the flag determination unit 103 to the communication terminal 300 via the communication unit 102 (step S23).

  When the valid information signal transmitted from the flag determination unit 103 via the communication unit 102 is received by the communication unit 302 of the communication terminal 300, it is determined that the store clerk who owns the communication terminal 300 goes to the checkout machine 200. A prompting screen is displayed on the display unit 301 (step S24). This prompting screen may be the same as that described in the first embodiment.

Thereby, the salesclerk who has the communication terminal 300 can move to the checkout machine 200 immediately, and the waiting time of the customer at the checkout machine 200 is shortened.
(Fourth embodiment)
Below, 4th Embodiment of the customer service system shown in FIG. 1 is described.

  FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the gate 100 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the fourth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 13, the gate 100 shown in FIG. 1 in the fourth embodiment is provided with a reading unit 101, a flag determining unit 103, a communication unit 102, a search unit 104, and a data table 105. It has been. FIG. 13 shows only the components according to this embodiment among the components of the gate 100 shown in FIG.

  In addition to the operation of the reading unit 101 illustrated in FIG. 10, the reading unit 101 also reads a tag code written on a label attached to a product in advance.

  The flag determination unit 103 is the same as that shown in FIG.

  When the flag determining unit 103 determines that the flag read by the reading unit 101 indicates that the flag is valid, the search unit 104 is a communication terminal assigned uniquely to the communication terminal based on the tag code read by the reading unit 101 The identification information is searched from the data table 105. In addition, the search unit 104 transmits a valid information signal indicating that the flag is valid to the communication terminal to which the communication terminal identification information retrieved from the data table 105 is assigned via the communication unit 102. To 300.

  The data table 105 stores a flag, a tag code, and communication terminal identification information in association with each other in advance. The structure of the data table 105 is the same as that of the data table 204 shown in FIG.

  Further, the internal configuration of the communication terminal 300 shown in FIG. 1 in the present embodiment is the same as that in the first embodiment.

  The processing in the fourth embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 14 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing in the fourth embodiment.

  First, when the customer passes the gate 100 with the merchandise displayed at the display hall 400, the flag and the tag code written on the label attached to the merchandise are read by the reading unit 101 of the gate 100 (step) S31).

  When the flag and the tag code are read by the reading unit 101, the flag determining unit 103 determines whether the read flag indicates valid or invalid (step S32).

  If it is determined that the flag indicates invalidity, the process ends.

  On the other hand, if it is determined that the flag indicates validity, the communication terminal is searched from the data table 105 by the search unit 104 based on the tag code read by the reading unit 101 (step S33). . This search method is the same as in the second embodiment.

  For example, if the communication terminal ID “AAA” is searched and the communication terminal 300 is a communication terminal to which the communication terminal ID “AAA” is assigned, an effective information signal is transmitted from the search unit 104 to the communication terminal 300 via the communication unit 102. Is transmitted (step S34).

  When the valid information signal transmitted from the communication unit 102 is received by the communication unit 302 of the communication terminal 300, a prompting screen that prompts the store clerk possessing the communication terminal 300 to go to the checkout machine 200 is displayed on the display unit 301. (Step S35). This prompting screen may be the same as that described in the first embodiment.

Thereby, the salesclerk who has the communication terminal 300 can move to the checkout machine 200 immediately, and the waiting time of the customer at the checkout machine 200 is shortened.
(Fifth embodiment)
Hereinafter, a fifth embodiment of the customer service system shown in FIG. 1 will be described. In the fifth embodiment, in the first to fourth embodiments, after the prompt screen is displayed on the display unit 301 of the communication terminal 300, the clerk possessing the communication terminal 300 has moved to the checkout machine 200. The operation of the subsequent communication terminal 300 is realized.

  FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the communication terminal 300 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the fifth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 15, the communication terminal 300 shown in FIG. 1 according to the fifth embodiment includes a display unit 301, a communication unit 302, a reading unit 303, a flag determination unit 304, and a notification unit 305. Is provided. FIG. 15 shows only the components related to this embodiment among the components of the communication terminal 300 shown in FIG.

  The display unit 301 and the communication unit 302 are the same as those shown in FIG.

  The reading unit 303 reads a flag written on a label attached to a product in advance. Further, the reading unit 303 outputs the read flag to the flag determination unit 304. Note that the operation of the reading unit 303 is the same as the operation of the reading unit 101 of the gate 100 shown in FIG.

  The flag determination unit 304 determines whether the flag output from the reading unit 303 is valid or invalid. The method for determining whether the flag is valid or invalid is the same as the determination method in the flag determining unit 103 of the gate 100 shown in FIG. Further, when the flag determination unit 304 determines that the flag indicates validity, the flag determination unit 304 outputs a valid information signal indicating the fact to the notification unit 305.

  The notification unit 305 performs a predetermined notification when a valid information signal is output from the flag determination unit 304. This predetermined notification is not limited as long as the store clerk possessing the communication terminal 300 can recognize the fact, and for example, the notification is performed by voice output, screen display, document output, or a vibrator. There may be.

  The processing in the fifth embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 16 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing in the fifth embodiment.

  First, the flag written on the label attached to the product is read by the reading unit 303 of the communication terminal 300 possessed by the store clerk who has moved to the checkout machine 200 (step S41).

  When the flag is read by the reading unit 303, the flag determining unit 304 determines whether the read flag indicates valid or invalid (step S42).

  If it is determined that the flag indicates invalidity, the process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the flag indicates validity, a valid information signal indicating that is output from the flag determination unit 304 to the notification unit 305, and a predetermined notification is performed by the notification unit 305 ( Step S43).

Thereby, after the salesclerk who has the communication terminal 300 moves to the checkout machine 200, the specific product can be recognized using the communication terminal 300.
(Sixth embodiment)
Hereinafter, a sixth embodiment of the customer service system shown in FIG. 1 will be described. In the sixth embodiment, as in the fifth embodiment, in the first to fourth embodiments, after the prompt screen is displayed on the display unit 301 of the communication terminal 300, the communication terminal 300 is held. It becomes a form which implement | achieves operation | movement of the communication terminal 300 after a salesclerk moves to the checkout machine 200. FIG.

  FIG. 17 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the communication terminal 300 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the sixth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 17, the communication terminal 300 shown in FIG. 1 according to the sixth embodiment is provided with a display unit 301, a communication unit 302, a reading unit 303, and a notification unit 305. FIG. 17 shows only the components related to the present embodiment among the components of the communication terminal 300 shown in FIG.

  The display unit 301 and the communication unit 302 are the same as those shown in FIG.

  The reading unit 303 reads a flag and a tag code written on a label attached to a product in advance. The reading unit 303 transmits the read flag and tag code to the settlement machine 200 via the communication unit 302.

  When the notification unit 305 is instructed to perform a predetermined notification from the settlement machine 200, the notification unit 305 performs the predetermined notification.

  The internal configuration of the checkout machine 200 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG.

  The processing in the sixth embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 18 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing in the sixth embodiment.

  First, the flag and tag code written on the label attached to the product are read by the reading unit 303 of the communication terminal 300 possessed by the store clerk who has moved to the checkout machine 200 (step S51).

  When the flag and the tag code are read by the reading unit 303, the read flag and tag code are transmitted from the reading unit 303 to the settlement machine 200 via the communication unit 302 (step S52).

  When the flag transmitted from the reading unit 303 via the communication unit 302 is received by the settlement machine 200, the settlement machine 200 determines whether the flag indicates validity or invalidity. (Step S53).

  If it is determined that the flag indicates invalidity, the process ends.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the flag indicates validity, the settlement machine 200 instructs the communication terminal 300 to perform a predetermined notification (step S54).

  When the settlement machine 200 instructs to perform a predetermined notification, the notification unit 305 performs a predetermined notification (step S55). This notification is the same as described above.

Thereby, after the salesclerk who has the communication terminal 300 moves to the checkout machine 200, the specific product can be recognized using the communication terminal 300.
(Seventh embodiment)
The seventh embodiment of the customer service system shown in FIG. 1 will be described below. In the seventh embodiment, in the fifth embodiment, the operation of the communication terminal 300 after performing a predetermined notification in the communication terminal 300 is realized.

  FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the communication terminal 300 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the seventh embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 19, the communication terminal 300 shown in FIG. 1 in the seventh embodiment includes a display unit 301, a communication unit 302, a reading unit 303, a flag determination unit 304, a notification unit 305, An output unit 306 and a rewriting unit 307 are provided. FIG. 19 shows only the components related to this embodiment among the components of the communication terminal 300 shown in FIG.

  The display unit 301, the communication unit 302, the reading unit 303, and the flag determination unit 304 are the same as those shown in FIG.

  After notifying the predetermined notification described above, the notification unit 305 notifies the output unit 306 accordingly.

  When the notification unit 305 notifies that the predetermined notification has been made, the output unit 306 outputs a predetermined document. The predetermined document is, for example, an explanatory document about medicines whose provision of information is stipulated by the Pharmaceutical Affairs Law, and serves as confirmation that the clerk explained the specific product. Further, instead of the output unit 306 outputting the document, the output unit 306 transmits information that causes the other device such as the checkout machine 200 to output the document, and the transmission destination device outputs the document. good. Further, when outputting the document, the output unit 306 notifies the rewriting unit 307 to that effect.

  When notified from the output unit 306 that the document has been output, the rewriting unit 307 rewrites the flag written on the label attached to the product from valid to invalid. This rewriting method is the same as the reading method, and can be realized, for example, by rewriting the flag written in the IC tag using the reader / writer function.

  The internal configuration of the checkout machine 200 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG.

  The processing in the seventh embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 20 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing in the seventh embodiment.

  First, when a predetermined notification is given by the notification unit 305, a predetermined document is output from the output unit 306 (step S61).

When a predetermined document is output from the output unit 306, the flag written on the label attached to the product is rewritten from the valid one to the invalid one by the rewrite unit 307 (step S62).
(Eighth embodiment)
The eighth embodiment of the customer service system shown in FIG. 1 will be described below. In the eighth embodiment, in the sixth embodiment, the operation of the checkout machine 200 after instructing the communication terminal 300 to perform a predetermined notification is realized.

  FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the checkout machine 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the eighth embodiment.

  In the settlement machine 200 shown in FIG. 1 in the eighth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 21, a flag determination unit 201, a communication unit 202, a search unit 203, a data table 204, an input unit 205, An output unit 206 and a rewriting unit 207 are provided. FIG. 21 shows only the components related to the present embodiment among the components of the settlement machine 200 shown in FIG.

  The flag determination unit 201, the communication unit 202, the search unit 203, and the data table 204 are the same as those shown in FIG.

  The input unit 205 receives an input from the outside of the checkout machine 200. The input unit 205 may be any unit that can input information to the checkout machine 200. Examples of the input unit 205 include a key, a button, a switch, a touch panel, and a microphone. When the input unit 205 receives a predetermined input from the outside, the input unit 205 outputs a message to that effect to the output unit 206.

  When the output unit 206 is notified from the input unit 205 that the input has been received, the output unit 206 outputs the document described above. At this time, when the tag code of the product is transmitted from the communication terminal 300, the output document corresponds to the tag code. Further, when outputting the document, the output unit 206 notifies the rewriting unit 207 of the fact.

  When notified from the output unit 206 that the document has been output, the rewriting unit 207 rewrites the flag written on the label attached to the product from valid to invalid. This rewriting method is the same as in the seventh embodiment. When the output unit 206 notifies that the document has been output, the rewriting unit 207 rewrites the flag of the product in the data table 204 from the one indicating validity to the one indicating invalidity.

  The internal configuration of the communication terminal 300 is the same as that shown in FIG.

  The processing in the eighth embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 22 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing in the eighth embodiment.

  First, it is determined whether or not a predetermined input has been made to the input unit 205 (step S71).

  When it is determined that there is a predetermined input in the input unit 205, a predetermined document is output from the output unit 306 (step S72). This document corresponds to the tag code transmitted from the communication terminal 300 in the process of step S52 described with reference to FIG.

When a predetermined document is output from the output unit 306, the flag written on the label attached to the product is rewritten from the one indicating validity to the one indicating invalidity by the rewriting unit 207 (step S73). Further, the flag of the product in the data table 204 is rewritten from the one indicating validity to the one indicating invalidity by the rewriting unit 207.
(Ninth embodiment)
The ninth embodiment of the customer service system shown in FIG. 1 will be described below. In the ninth embodiment, an operation is realized in the case where an item such as liquor or cigarette, which requires confirmation of the age of a customer who purchases the item, is settled by the settlement machine 200 having a self-checkout function.

  FIG. 23 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the settlement machine 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the ninth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 21, the settlement machine 200 shown in FIG. 1 in the ninth embodiment includes a flag determination unit 201, a communication unit 202, a search unit 203, a data table 204, a rewrite unit 207, A card reading unit 208 and an age determination unit 209 are provided. FIG. 23 shows only the components related to the present embodiment among the components of the settlement machine 200 shown in FIG.

  The flag determination unit 201, the communication unit 202, the search unit 203, and the data table 204 are the same as those shown in FIG.

  The card reading unit 208 reads age recognition information that can be used to recognize the age of the customer written in advance on a card possessed by the customer who purchases the product. This card is a card that also serves as an identification card given to an individual customer such as a driver's license, passport or health insurance card, and has age recognition information written in advance. In recent years, driver's licenses and health insurance cards have been made into IC cards with ICs, and various information is electronically written on them. Of the personal information in the written information, information that can recognize the age is used. In order to read personal information from a driver's license or the like converted into an IC card, it may be necessary to input a personal identification number or the like, but such input is not considered here. Alternatively, the card reader 208 may be provided with a character recognition function to read characters and numbers written on a card such as a driver's license, passport or health insurance card. At this time, when the customer who purchases the product holds the card over the checkout machine 200, the card reading unit 208 reads the age recognition information from the card, so in the checkout machine 200 where the customer holds the card. It is preferable to indicate whether it should be (closer). Further, the card reading unit 208 outputs the read age recognition information to the age determination unit 209.

  Based on the age recognition information output from the card reading unit 208, the age determination unit 209 determines whether it is an age at which a product can be purchased. For example, according to the current law, the age at which liquor and tobacco can be purchased is 20 years or older, so if the age recognized based on the age recognition information is 20 years or older, it is determined that the purchase is possible. In addition, when the age determination unit 209 determines that the product can be purchased, the age determination unit 209 outputs the fact to the rewriting unit 207.

  When the rewriting unit 207 is notified from the age determination unit 209 that it is determined that the purchase is possible, the rewriting unit 207 rewrites the flag written on the label attached to the product from the one indicating validity to the one indicating invalidity. This rewriting method is the same as in the seventh embodiment. At that time, the rewriting unit 207 rewrites the flag of the product in the data table 204 from one indicating validity to one indicating invalidity.

  The processing in the ninth embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 24 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing in the ninth embodiment.

  First, age recognition information is read by the card reading unit 208 from a card possessed by a customer who purchases a product (step S81).

  Subsequently, based on the age recognition information read by the card reading unit 208, the age determination unit 209 determines whether or not it is an age at which a product can be purchased (step S82).

When it is determined by the age determination unit 209 that the product can be purchased, the flag written on the label attached to the product is rewritten from the valid one to the invalid one by the rewrite unit 207 (step S83). ). Further, the flag of the product in the data table 204 is rewritten from the one indicating validity to the one indicating invalidity by the rewriting unit 207.
(Tenth embodiment)
The tenth embodiment of the customer service system shown in FIG. 1 will be described below. In the tenth embodiment, in the seventh to ninth embodiments, the operation of the checkout machine 200 after the flag written on the label attached to the product is rewritten is realized. In this embodiment, the checkout machine 200 reads the flag written on the label attached to the product, and does not perform checkout when the read flag indicates validity.

  FIG. 25 is a diagram illustrating an example of an internal configuration of the settlement machine 200 illustrated in FIG. 1 according to the tenth embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 25, the settlement machine 200 shown in FIG. 1 according to the tenth embodiment is provided with a flag determination unit 201, a communication unit 202, a reading unit 208, and a settlement unit 210. FIG. 25 shows only the components related to this embodiment among the components of the settlement machine 200 shown in FIG.

  The reading unit 208 performs the same operation as the reading unit 303 of the communication terminal 300 illustrated in FIG.

  The flag determination unit 201 performs the same operation as the flag determination unit 304 of the communication terminal 300 illustrated in FIG.

  The communication unit 202 is the same as the communication unit 202 shown in FIG.

  When the flag determination unit 201 determines that the flag read by the reading unit 208 indicates validity, the payment unit 210 does not perform payment for the product. In addition, when the flag determination unit 201 determines that the flag read by the reading unit 208 indicates invalidity, the payment unit 210 performs payment for the product.

  The processing in the tenth embodiment will be described below.

  FIG. 26 is a sequence diagram for explaining the processing in the tenth embodiment.

  First, the flag written on the label attached to the product is read by the reading unit 208 (step S91).

  Subsequently, the flag determination unit 201 determines whether the flag read by the reading unit 208 indicates validity or invalidity (step S92).

  If the flag determination unit 201 determines that the flag read by the reading unit 208 is valid, the settlement unit 210 settles the price for the product (step S93).

  On the other hand, when the flag determination unit 201 determines that the flag read by the reading unit 208 indicates invalidity, the payment of the product in the settlement unit 210 is not performed.

  As a result, only when the store clerk explains the specific product for which the flag is valid and outputs the confirmation, or confirms that the customer purchasing the product is older than the specified age Can be settled.

  The processing of the gate 100, the settlement machine 200, and the communication terminal 300 described above may be performed by logic circuits produced according to the purpose. In addition, a program describing each processing content as a procedure is recorded on a recording medium readable by the gate 100, the settlement machine 200, and the communication terminal 300, and the program recorded on the recording medium is recorded on the gate 100, the settlement machine 200. Alternatively, the communication terminal 300 may be read and executed. The recording medium readable by the gate 100, the payment machine 200, and the communication terminal 300 includes a transfer medium such as a floppy disk (registered trademark), a magneto-optical disk, a DVD, and a CD, as well as the gate 100 and the payment machine 200. Also, it refers to a memory such as a ROM and a RAM, an HDD, and the like built in each communication terminal 300. The program recorded on the recording medium is read by each CPU (not shown) in the gate 100, the payment machine 200, and the communication terminal 300, and the same processing as described above is performed under the control of the CPU. Here, the CPU operates as a computer that executes a program read from a recording medium on which the program is recorded.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 Gate 101,208,303 Reading part 102,202,302 Communication part 103,201,304 Flag judgment part 104,203 Search part 105,204 Data table 200 Settlement machine 205 Input part 206,306 Output part 207,307 Rewriting part 208 Card reader 209 Age determination unit 210 Settlement unit 300 Communication terminal 301 Display unit 305 Notification unit 400 Display place 500 Travel route

Claims (8)

A payment machine that settles the price of the goods at the store, a gate provided on the route of the customer moving from the display hall where the goods are displayed to the payment machine, and a communication terminal possessed by the store clerk of the store In the customer service system consisting of
When the product passes through the gate, the gate includes a flag written on a label attached to the product and a tag code written on the label that can identify the product. Read from the product, send the read flag and tag code to the settlement machine,
The settlement machine has a data table that stores the flag, the tag code, and communication terminal identification information assigned to the communication terminal in association with each other, and the flag transmitted from the gate indicates validity If it is, the effective information signal indicating that is transmitted to the communication terminal to which the communication terminal identification information associated with the tag code transmitted from the gate in the data table is given ,
The said communication terminal displays the prompt screen which urges | urges the said store clerk to go to the said payment machine, when the said effective information signal is transmitted from the said payment machine. A payment machine that settles the price of the goods at the store, a gate provided on the route of the customer moving from the display hall where the goods are displayed to the payment machine, and a communication terminal possessed by the store clerk of the store In the customer service system consisting of
When the product passes through the gate, the gate reads a flag written on a label attached to the product from the product, and transmits the read flag to the checkout machine.
When the flag transmitted from the gate indicates validity, the settlement machine transmits a valid information signal indicating that to the communication terminal,
When the valid information signal is transmitted from the settlement machine, the communication terminal displays a prompt screen for prompting the store clerk to go to the settlement machine, and after displaying the prompt screen, the flag is displayed. A customer service system that reads from the product and, when the read flag indicates validity, provides a predetermined notification to a store clerk possessing the communication terminal. A payment machine that settles the price of the goods at the store, a gate provided on the route of the customer moving from the display hall where the goods are displayed to the payment machine, and a communication terminal possessed by the store clerk of the store In the customer service system consisting of
The gate includes a flag written on a label attached to the product in advance, a tag code written in advance on the label that can identify the product, and communication terminal identification information given to the communication terminal. has a data table in association with each other, when the product passes through the gate, reads said tag code and the flag from the product, if the read flag is indicative of the effectiveness, that effect Is transmitted to a communication terminal to which communication terminal identification information associated with the read tag code in the data table is given ,
The communication system displays a screen prompting the store clerk to go to the checkout machine when the valid information signal is transmitted from the gate. A payment machine that settles the price of the goods at the store, a gate provided on the route of the customer moving from the display hall where the goods are displayed to the payment machine, and a communication terminal possessed by the store clerk of the store In customer service system consisting of
When the product passes through the gate, the gate reads a flag written on a label attached to the product from the product, and indicates that if the read flag indicates validity Sending a valid information signal to the communication terminal;
When the valid information signal is transmitted from the gate, the communication terminal displays a prompt screen for prompting the store clerk to go to the checkout machine, and after displaying the prompt screen, the flag is displayed. A customer service system, which reads from a product and, when the read flag indicates validity, provides a predetermined notification to a clerk possessing the communication terminal. In the customer service system according to claim 1 or claim 3 ,
The communication terminal, after displaying the prompt screen, reads the flag and the tag code from the product, transmits the read flag and tag code to the settlement machine, and possesses the communication terminal If the settlement machine is instructed to perform a predetermined notification to the store clerk, perform the predetermined notification,
When the flag transmitted from the communication terminal indicates validity, the settlement machine instructs the communication terminal to give a predetermined notification to a store clerk who owns the communication terminal. A special customer service system. In the customer service system according to claim 2 or claim 4 ,
The communication terminal outputs the predetermined document after performing the predetermined notification, and then rewrites the flag indicating validity given to the product to indicate invalidity. The customer service system according to claim 5 ,
When the settlement machine receives a predetermined input after instructing the communication terminal to perform a predetermined notification to a store clerk possessing the communication terminal, the tag code transmitted from the communication terminal A predetermined document corresponding to the output is output, and then the flag associated with the tag code transmitted from the communication terminal in the data table is rewritten to indicate invalidity, and the validity given to the product is confirmed. A customer service system that rewrites a flag to indicate invalidity. In the customer service system according to claim 6 or 7 ,
The customer service system, wherein the payment machine reads the flag from the product and performs payment for the product only when the flag indicates invalidity.

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