JP6821931B2 - Information processing equipment, control methods, and programs - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to information processing devices, control methods, and programs.

Customers who purchase products at stores put the products in containers such as bags and cardboard boxes and take them home. In general, the number of containers to be given to a customer is often determined by a clerk.

Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2 are prior art documents that disclose inventions relating to containers for containing products. Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for determining the type and number of bags to be delivered to a customer based on the cumulative value of the volume values of purchased products.

Patent Document 2 discloses a technique for outputting a pattern of bags in which a purchased product can be placed, based on the size and weight of the purchased product, and the maximum capacity and weight of each bag. Further, in Patent Document 2, the maximum weight per bag is determined based on the age and gender of the customer.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 03-225594 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2008-084157

In Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, the customer can receive the bag necessary for putting the product, but he / she needs to think about how to use the handed bag by himself / herself.

The present invention has been made in view of the above problems. An object of the present invention is to provide a technique for facilitating the work of putting a purchased product in a container.

The information processing apparatus of the present invention includes (1) a quantity calculating means for calculating the number of containers required for containing the plurality of products by using information on a plurality of products to be settled, and (2) the calculation. For each container, there is a support information output means for outputting support information in which the container and the product to be put in the container are associated with each other when the number of items is two or more.

The second information processing apparatus of the present invention has a support information output means that uses information about a plurality of products to be settled to generate support information indicating the order in which the products should be placed in a container.

The third information processing apparatus of the present invention relates to (1) an attribute information generating means for generating attribute information representing a customer's attribute using an image generated by a camera, and (2) a plurality of products to be purchased. Based on the information, a plurality of sets of container types and numbers required to contain the plurality of products are calculated, and a part of the plurality of calculated container types and number sets is calculated based on the attribute information. It has a recommended information output means for generating and outputting the recommended information to be shown. There are a plurality of types of containers having different sizes or shapes.

The first control method of the present invention is performed by a computer. The control method includes (1) a number calculation step of calculating the number of containers required to put the plurality of products using information on a plurality of products to be settled, and (2) the calculated number. When there are two or more, each container has a support information output step for outputting support information in which the container and the product to be put in the container are associated with each other.

The second control method of the present invention is performed by a computer. The control method has a support information output step of generating support information indicating products to be put in the container in the order in which they should be put in the container, using information about a plurality of products to be settled.

The second control method of the present invention is performed by a computer. The control method is based on (1) an attribute information generation step of generating attribute information representing a customer's attribute using an image generated by a camera, and (2) information on a plurality of products to be purchased. A plurality of sets of container types and numbers required to contain a plurality of products are calculated, and based on the attribute information, recommended information indicating a part of the plurality of calculated container types and number sets is generated. It has a recommended information output step to output. There are a plurality of types of containers having different sizes or shapes.

The first program of the present invention causes a computer to execute each step of the first control method of the present invention.

The second program of the present invention causes a computer to perform the steps of the first control method of the present invention.

The third program of the present invention causes a computer to execute each step of the first control method of the present invention.

According to the present invention, there is provided a technique for facilitating the work of putting a purchased product in a container.

It is a block diagram which illustrates the information processing apparatus of Embodiment 1. It is a figure which illustrates the computer for realizing the information processing apparatus. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the process executed by the information processing apparatus of Embodiment 1. It is a figure which illustrates the product information in a table format. It is a figure which illustrates the receipt which contains the support information. It is a figure which illustrates the support information displayed on the display device. FIG. 1 is a first diagram illustrating a receipt including the support information of the second embodiment. FIG. 2 is a second diagram illustrating a receipt including the support information of the second embodiment. It is a block diagram which illustrates the information processing apparatus of Embodiment 3. It is a flowchart which illustrates the flow of the process executed by the information processing apparatus of Embodiment 3. It is a figure which illustrates the condition of the container pattern which is predetermined according to the attribute of a customer. It is a figure which illustrates the goodness-of-fit information. It is a figure which illustrates the recommended information displayed on the display device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In all drawings, similar components are designated by the same reference numerals, and description thereof will be omitted as appropriate. Further, in each block diagram, unless otherwise specified, each block represents a functional unit configuration rather than a hardware unit configuration.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating the information processing apparatus 2000 of the first embodiment. The information processing device 2000 has a number calculation unit 2020 and a support information output unit 2040. The quantity calculation unit 2020 calculates the number of containers required to contain the plurality of products by using the product information regarding the plurality of products to be settled. This container is a container used by a customer who has made a purchase to put in the purchased product and take it home. For example, this container is a plastic bag or a cardboard box.

When the calculated number is 2 or more, the support information output unit 2040 generates support information in which the container and the product to be contained in the container are associated with each container. In other words, the support information indicates which product should be placed in which container.

<Action / effect>
According to the information processing device 2000 of the present embodiment, the number of containers required to store the products to be settled is calculated, and when the number is two or more (a plurality of containers are required to store the products). In the case), support information is generated that associates the container with the product to be put in the container. By looking at this support information, the customer can understand which product should be placed in which container. Therefore, it becomes easy for the customer to pack the purchased product in a container.

Hereinafter, the present embodiment will be described in more detail.

<Example of hardware configuration of information processing device 2000>
Each functional component of the information processing apparatus 2000 may be realized by hardware (eg, a hard-wired electronic circuit) that realizes each functional component, or a combination of hardware and software (eg, example). It may be realized by a combination of an electronic circuit and a program that controls it). Hereinafter, a case where each functional component of the information processing apparatus 2000 is realized by a combination of hardware and software will be further described.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a calculator 1000 for realizing the information processing apparatus 2000. The computer 1000 is various computers. For example, the computer 1000 is a personal computer (PC), a server machine, a tablet terminal, a smartphone, or the like. The computer 1000 may be a dedicated computer designed to realize the information processing device 2000, or may be a general-purpose computer. For example, the computer 1000 is a cash register terminal (hereinafter, product registration device) used for processing to register a product as a payment target, or a cash register terminal (hereinafter, payment) used for payment processing (payment, etc.) of a product registered as a payment target. It is realized as a checkout device).

The cashier terminal in the store where the information processing device 2000 of the present embodiment is used may be an integrated product registration device and a checkout device, or may be a separate device. In the former case, the process of registering the product as the settlement target and the settlement process of the product registered as the settlement target (payment of the price, etc.) are performed at the same place. In this case, the operation of the cash register terminal may be performed by a clerk or a customer. The form in which the customer operates the cashier terminal is called a self-type.

When the product registration device and the settlement device are separate bodies, the process of registering the product as the settlement target and the settlement process of the product registered as the settlement target are performed at different places. In this case, for example, the operation of the product registration device is performed by the store clerk, and the operation of the payment device is performed by the customer. The form in which the product registration device and the settlement device are operated in this way is called a semi-self type or the like.

The computer 1000 has a bus 1020, a processor 1040, a memory 1060, a storage 1080, an input / output interface 1100, and a network interface 1120. The bus 1020 is a data transmission line for the processor 1040, the memory 1060, the storage 1080, the input / output interface 1100, and the network interface 1120 to transmit and receive data to and from each other. The processor 1040 is an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The memory 1060 is a memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory) or ROM (Read Only Memory). The storage 1080 is a storage device such as a hard disk, an SSD (Solid State Drive), or a memory card. The storage 1080 may be a memory such as RAM or ROM.

The input / output interface 1100 is an interface for connecting the computer 1000 and the input / output device. For example, an input device such as a keyboard and a mouse and an output device such as a display device are connected to the input / output interface 1100.

The network interface 1120 is an interface for connecting the computer 1000 to another device via a communication line.

The storage 1080 stores a program module that realizes each function of the information processing apparatus 2000. The processor 1040 reads each of these program modules into the memory 1060 and executes them to realize each function corresponding to the program module.

The hardware configuration of the computer 1000 is not limited to the configuration shown in FIG. 2, and various other configurations may be adopted. For example, the method of connecting the processors 1040 and the like to each other is not limited to the bus connection. Further, for example, each program module may be stored in the memory 1060. In this case, the computer 1000 does not have to include the storage 1080.

<Processing flow>
FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing executed by the information processing apparatus 2000 of the first embodiment. The quantity calculation unit 2020 acquires product information regarding the product to be settled (S102). The number calculation unit 2020 calculates the number of containers required to put the product to be settled by using the product information (S104). When the calculated number of containers is 2 or more (S106: YES), the support information output unit 2040 generates support information (S108). When the calculated number of containers is not 2 or more (S106: NO), the process of FIG. 3 ends.

<Product information acquisition method: S102>
The quantity calculation unit 2020 acquires product information about the product to be settled (S102). The product information provides information about the product that is used to determine the number of containers needed to hold the product.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating product information in a table format. The table of FIG. 4 is called product information 500. The product information 500 has four columns: product ID 502, purchase quantity 504, weight 506, and size 508. The product ID 502 indicates a product identifier (ID: Identifier). The number of purchased items 504 indicates the number of items to be purchased. The weight 506 indicates the weight of the product. Size 508 indicates the size (width, depth and height) of the product. For example, the size of the product with the ID I0001 is "width 5 cm, depth 10 cm, height 0.5 cm".

There are various methods for the quantity calculation unit 2020 to acquire product information. For example, the quantity calculation unit 2020 first acquires settlement information indicating a list of products registered as settlement targets. In the settlement information, for example, the ID of each product registered as the target of the settlement processing and the number of purchased items of each product are shown. The settlement information is generated by a product registration device or the like that performs a process of registering a product as a settlement target. The quantity calculation unit 2020 acquires the settlement information from the product registration device that generated the settlement information and the storage device that stores the settlement information. When the information processing device 2000 is realized as a product registration device, the information processing device 2000 uses the settlement information generated by itself.

The quantity calculation unit 2020 that has acquired the settlement information searches the product database in which the information about the product is stored using the product ID shown in the settlement information as a search key, and acquires information such as the weight and size of the product. .. Then, the quantity calculation unit 2020 generates product information using the product ID and the number of purchased products shown in the settlement information, and the weight and size of the product acquired from the product database. By doing so, the number calculation unit 2020 acquires the product information.

The method for the number calculation unit 2020 to acquire the product information is not limited to the above-mentioned method. For example, the number calculation unit 2020 may acquire the product information generated by another device from the device or a storage device in which the product information is stored by the device. Furthermore, the method of generating product information is not limited to the above-mentioned example.

<Calculation method of the number of containers: S104>
The number calculation unit 2020 calculates the number of containers required to put the product to be settled by using the product information (S104). The number calculation unit 2020 calculates the minimum value of the number of containers required to put the product, and sets the minimum value as the number of containers required to put the product to be settled. Specifically, the number calculation unit 2020 calculates the solution of the combination optimization problem that minimizes the number of containers required to put the product, and puts the calculated solution into the product to be settled. The required number of containers. More specifically, the quantity calculation unit 2020 is necessary to put all the products based on the number of purchased products, the weight of each product, the size of each product, the size of the container and the load capacity. Calculate the solution of the combinatorial optimization problem that calculates the minimum number of containers. Information indicating the size of the container and the load capacity may be preset in the number calculation unit 2020, or may be stored in a storage device accessible from the number calculation unit 2020.

By finding the solution of the above optimization problem, the minimum number of containers required to put the product to be settled and the correspondence relationship between the container and the product (which product is put in which container) can be obtained. For the algorithm for finding the solution of the optimization problem, for example, various algorithms for solving the bin packing problem can be used.

When there are a plurality of types of containers, the number calculation unit 2020 calculates the solution of the optimization problem by further considering the size and load capacity of each container. As an algorithm for solving this optimization problem, an algorithm for solving a bin packing problem of a pattern having a plurality of types of bins can be used.

Here, the method for calculating the number of containers required for the number calculation unit 2020 to put the product to be settled is not necessarily limited to the method for calculating the solution of the combinatorial optimization problem.

<About support information: S106>
The support information output unit 2040 generates and outputs support information (S106). Here, as described above, in the process of calculating the number of containers by the number calculation unit 2020, the correspondence relationship between the container and the product to be put in the container is determined. Therefore, the support information output unit 2040 outputs support information indicating the correspondence relationship between the container determined in this way and the product to be put in the container.

There are various methods for the support information output unit 2040 to output support information. The method of outputting support information will be illustrated below.

<< Case using receipt >>
The support information output unit 2040 outputs a receipt including the support information. FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a receipt including support information. In FIG. 5, the receipt 10 shows a product list 12 showing a list of purchased products. Here, in the receipt 10, the product list 12 is divided into a plurality of groups 14. Group 14 is a collection of goods that should be placed in the same container.

In the example of FIG. 5, the product list 12 divided into a plurality of groups 14 in this way represents the support information. By looking at the product list 12 in which one group 14 is associated with one container, the user can grasp which container each product should be put in.

Here, in the example of FIG. 5, it is assumed that there are a plurality of types of containers, and information indicating the types of containers to be used is included in the group 14. In this example, it is assumed that the container is a bag, and there are two types of bags, a large bag (large bag) and a small bag (small bag). When there is only one type of container provided at the store, the support information output unit 2040 does not have to include the type of container in the group 14.

The receipt 10 may be a paper medium receipt or an electronic receipt displayed on the display device. In the former case, the support information output unit 2040 causes the receipt printer that outputs the receipt of the paper medium to output the receipt including the support information.

On the other hand, in the case of an electronic receipt, the support information output unit 2040 outputs an electronic receipt including the support information so that the user can view it. For example, the support information output unit 2040 transmits the electronic receipt to a server that provides a service that allows the electronic receipt to be viewed. The user browses this electronic receipt by accessing this service using a mobile terminal or the like. It should be noted that existing technology can be used as a method of transmitting information provided to the user to a server that provides a service that can be used by the user.

Further, for example, the support information output unit 2040 transmits an electronic receipt to the user's mobile terminal. The method in which the support information output unit 2040 transmits the electronic receipt to the user's mobile terminal is arbitrary. For example, the support information output unit 2040 transmits an electronic receipt to the e-mail address shown in the member information of the user. In this case, the information processing device 2000 acquires the member information of the user. For example, the member information of the user can be acquired based on the member ID read from the member card that the user gives to the clerk at the time of accounting. In this case, the information processing device 2000 acquires the user's member ID together with the above-mentioned settlement information from the product registration device or the like.

<< Case using display device >>
The support information output unit 2040 causes the display device to display the support information. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating support information displayed on the display device. The product list 32 is shown on the display device 30. The product list 32 is divided into a plurality of groups 34 as in the product list 12 of FIG. Group 34 is a collection of goods that should be placed in the same container.

In the example of FIG. 6, the product list 32 divided into a plurality of groups 34 in this way represents the support information. By looking at the product list 32 in which one group 34 is associated with one container, the user can grasp which container each product should be put in.

The place where the display device 30 is installed is arbitrary. For example, the display device 30 is installed at or near the product registration device or the checkout device. In this case, the product list 32 is displayed at the timing when the registration of the product to be settled is completed (the timing when the operation of the product registration device is completed), the timing when the settlement of the product is completed (the timing when the operation of the settlement device is completed), and the like. Is displayed.

Further, for example, the display device 30 may be installed on a bagger used for the work of putting a product in a container. In this case, the product list 32 is displayed at the timing when the customer works on the bagger. The process of displaying the product list 32 on the display device 30 at this timing is performed by, for example, a clerk operating the product registration device. For example, the clerk asks the customer which bagger to use, and controls the product registration device so as to transmit support information to the display device 30 installed on the bagger used by the customer.

Further, for example, the display device 30 placed on the bagger may read the support information from the receipt and display it. In this case, for example, the support information output unit 2040 outputs a code (for example, a QR code (registered trademark)) in which the support information is encoded to the receipt. Further, a reader for reading the above code is connected to the display device 30 provided on the bagger. The customer has the reader read the code shown on the receipt. As a result, the support information (product list 32) is displayed on the display device 30. According to this method, the degree of freedom when the customer selects the bagger is increased as compared with the method of transmitting the support information from the product registration device to the display device 30.

The receipt on which the above code is displayed may or may not include support information as shown in FIG. When the receipt includes the support information, the customer can see the support information by looking at the receipt without using the display device 30. However, since the display device 30 can display the support information larger than the receipt, the user can more easily put the product in the container by displaying the support information displayed on the receipt on the display device 30 as well. You will be able to do it.

If the receipt contains support information, a camera that outputs the captured image to the display device 30 may be installed on the circer stand. By placing the receipt in the imaging range of the camera, the user can display the support information included in the receipt on the display device 30. In this case, it is preferable that the receipt is enlarged and displayed on the display device 30. Also, when using a camera, it is not necessary to output a code representing support information on the receipt.

[Embodiment 2]
The configuration of the information processing apparatus 2000 of the second embodiment is represented by, for example, FIG. 1 as in the information processing apparatus 2000 of the first embodiment. Except for the points described below, the information processing apparatus 2000 of the second embodiment has the same functions as the information processing apparatus 2000 of the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment, the support information indicates "which product should be put in which container" and "in what order the products should be put in the container" for each container. This allows the user to know in what order the goods should be placed in the container. Therefore, the user can easily put the product in the container.

As described in the first embodiment, the support information output unit 2040 determines the order of the products to be put in the container for each container for the support information in which the container and the product to be put in the container are associated with each other. For example, the support information output unit 2040 sorts a plurality of products to be put in a certain container in descending order of weight. By doing so, the support information output unit 2040 generates support information indicating that the heavy goods should be put into the container in order from each container.

Further, for example, the support information output unit 2040 sorts a plurality of products to be put in a certain container in descending order of volume. By doing so, the support information output unit 2040 generates support information indicating that the products should be put into the container in order from the largest volume for each container.

<How to output support information>
Similar to the method described in the first embodiment, the support information output unit 2040 outputs the support information by, for example, outputting the receipt 10 including the support information or outputting the support information to the display device 30. ..

FIG. 7 is a first diagram illustrating a receipt 10 including the support information of the second embodiment. In FIG. 7, the receipt 10 shows the product list 12 as in the receipt 10 of the first embodiment, and the product list 12 includes a plurality of groups 14. Further, in FIG. 7, the order in which the products should be placed in the container is numerically indicated next to the name of each product included in the group 14. The user may put the products in the container corresponding to the group 14 in order from the product having the smallest ranking value.

FIG. 8 is a second diagram illustrating the receipt 10 including the support information of the second embodiment. In FIG. 8, in Group 14, the products are shown in the order in which they should be placed in the container. The user may put the products in the container corresponding to the group 14 in order from the products shown above.

The method of displaying the order in which the products are put into the container shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is the same as the case where the support information is displayed on the display device 30.

<Hardware configuration>
The hardware configuration of the computer that realizes the information processing apparatus 2000 of the second embodiment is represented by, for example, FIG. 2 as in the first embodiment. However, the storage 1080 of the computer 1000 that realizes the information processing device 2000 of the present embodiment further stores a program module that realizes the function of the information processing device 2000 of the present embodiment.

<Action / effect>
According to the information processing apparatus 2000 of the present embodiment, the customer is provided with support information indicating in what order the products should be placed in the container. By doing so, the user can understand which product should be placed in which container and in what order the products should be placed in the container. Therefore, it becomes easier for the user to put the product in the container.

<Modification example>
When the number of containers to be delivered to the customer is always one, the information processing apparatus 2000 does not have to have the number calculation unit 2020. In this case, the support information output unit 2040 generates information indicating in what order a plurality of products should be placed in one container. In this modification, the support information output unit 2040 has a function of acquiring the product information possessed by the number calculation unit 2020.

For example, the support information output unit 2040 outputs a receipt 10 including a product list 12 showing products in the order in which they should be put in one container to a receipt printer, or a product list showing products in the order in which they should be put in one container. 32 is displayed on the display device 30. For example, in FIGS. 7 and 8, the receipt 10 has only one group 14.

[Embodiment 3]
FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the information processing apparatus 2000 of the third embodiment. Except for the points described below, the information processing apparatus 2000 of the third embodiment has the same functions as the information processing apparatus 2000 of the first embodiment or the second embodiment.

Based on the product information, the number calculation unit 2020 of the present embodiment calculates a plurality of sets of the types of containers required to put the products to be settled and the number of containers of each type (hereinafter, container patterns).

The information processing device 2000 of the present embodiment has an attribute information generation unit 2060 and a recommended information output unit 2080. The attribute information generation unit 2060 uses the image generated by the camera 20 (hereinafter, captured image) to generate information representing the customer's attributes (hereinafter, attribute information). The recommended information output unit 2080 generates and outputs information (hereinafter, recommended information) indicating a part of a plurality of container patterns based on the attribute information.

Here, in the present embodiment, there are a plurality of types of containers in which the products are placed, which are different in size or shape from each other. Further, the camera 20 that generates the captured image is used as a cash register terminal (product registration device) used for processing to register a product as a payment target or a cash register terminal (payment device) used for a payment process of a product registered as a payment target. Provided.

<Processing flow>
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating a flow of processing executed by the information processing apparatus 2000 of the third embodiment. The number calculation unit 2020 calculates a plurality of container patterns using the product information (S202). The attribute information generation unit 2060 acquires the captured image (S204). The attribute information generation unit 2060 generates attribute information based on the captured image (S206). The recommended information output unit 2080 generates and outputs recommended information (S208).

<Method of calculating container pattern: S202>
The number calculation unit 2020 calculates the container pattern using the product information (S202). The method in which the number calculation unit 2020 calculates the container pattern is arbitrary. For example, the number calculation unit 2020 executes the algorithm described in the first embodiment to calculate the solution of the combinatorial optimization problem for obtaining the minimum value of the number of containers that can contain all the products. When this algorithm is an algorithm that searches for a solution by trial and error, there are multiple combinations (container patterns) of the types of containers that can hold all products and the number of containers of each type in the process until the solution is obtained. It is calculated. Therefore, the number calculation unit 2020 executes the algorithm for finding the solution of the combinatorial optimization problem in this way, and sets a plurality of container patterns calculated in the process of finding the solution as the calculation result.

<Acquisition method of captured image: S204>
The attribute information generation unit 2060 acquires the captured image generated by the camera 20 (S204). The method by which the attribute information generation unit 2060 acquires the captured image is arbitrary. For example, the attribute information generation unit 2060 acquires a captured image from the camera 20. In this case, the information processing device 2000 and the camera 20 are communicably connected.

Further, when the camera 20 stores the captured image in an external storage device, the attribute information generation unit 2060 acquires the captured image from this storage device. In this case, the information processing device 2000 is communicably connected to the storage device.

The camera 20 may be a camera that generates a still image or a camera that generates a moving image. The camera 20 may automatically (for example, periodically) take an image, or may take an image according to an operation by a store clerk or a customer.

The timing of capturing the customer (generating the captured image) using the camera 20 is arbitrary. For example, when the camera 20 is provided in the product registration device, the camera 20 has an arbitrary timing between the start and the end of the process of registering the product as a settlement target (for example, the bar code of the first product by the clerk). The customer is imaged at the timing when the reader reads the image) to generate the captured image. Further, for example, when the camera 20 is provided in the checkout device, the camera 20 is an arbitrary timing between the timing when the customer starts operating the checkout device and the time when the recommended information is presented to the customer (for example, the customer). At the timing when the customer first touches the touch panel of the payment device), the customer is imaged and an captured image is generated.

<About attribute information>
The attribute information is information indicating the attributes of the customer. For example, the attribute information indicates the age group of the customer, the gender of the customer, the physique of the customer, the number of customers, and the like. The attribute information generation unit 2060 generates this information by analyzing the image of the customer in the captured image.

The age group of the customer indicated by the attribute information may be the estimated age of the customer, or may be information roughly indicating the age of the customer. In the latter case, for example, this information is information indicating an age group by an approximate number such as teens or twenties, or information indicating an age group by classification such as children, adults or the elderly.

The physique of the customer indicated by the attribute information indicates the good physique of the customer. For example, the information indicating the physique of the customer is the information indicating the estimated height of the customer. Further, for example, the information indicating the customer's physique is information that ranks the goodness of the customer's physique at a plurality of levels, such as "large body shape, average body shape, and small body shape".

The method of ranking the goodness of a customer at multiple levels is arbitrary. For example, the attribute information generation unit 2060 calculates the estimated height of the customer by analyzing the image of the customer in the captured image. Then, the attribute information generation unit 2060 sets the customer's physique as "large" when the estimated height is equal to or greater than the first predetermined value (example: 180 cm), and the estimated height is less than the first predetermined value and the second predetermined value (160). If it is cm) or more, the customer's physique is defined as "average", and if the estimated height is less than the second predetermined value, the customer's physique is defined as "small". These predetermined values may be preset in the attribute information generation unit 2060, or may be stored in a storage device accessible from the attribute information generation unit 2060.

The number of customers indicated by the attribute information is information indicating the number of customers included in the group when a plurality of customers form one group (for example, a family).

<Method of generating attribute information: S206>
The attribute information generation unit 2060 generates attribute information using the captured image (S206). Here, existing techniques can be used for the technique of detecting a person from an image and the technique of determining the age group, gender, and estimated height of the person detected from the image.

When a plurality of people are shown in the captured image, the attribute information generation unit 2060 identifies a customer (hereinafter, a target customer) for which the attribute information is generated. Here, the target customer is the customer to whom the recommendation information and the support information are provided. More specifically, when the information processing device 2000 is provided in the product registration device or the checkout device, the target customer is the product registration device or the checkout device provided with the information processing device 2000 for which the attribute information is to be generated. A customer who uses the device. Other people in the captured image include customers who come to shop with the target customer, and customers who use a cashier terminal other than the product registration device or checkout device that is trying to generate attribute information. And so on.

The method by which the attribute information generation unit 2060 identifies the target customer is arbitrary. For example, the attribute information generation unit 2060 sets the person who appears the largest in the captured image, or the person whose position in the captured image is closest to the center of the captured image, as the target customer.

The number of customers can be calculated based on the number of people in the captured image. For example, the attribute information generation unit 2060 treats the total number of people in the captured image as the number of customers. Further, for example, the attribute information generation unit 2060 may count only the persons whose size in the captured image is equal to or larger than a predetermined value, and use that number as the number of customers. By doing this, a person who is likely not to be accompanied by the target customer, such as a person who appears away from the target customer (for example, a customer using another cash register terminal), can be seen from the target customer group. Be excluded.

<Recommended information generation method: S208>
The recommendation information output unit 2080 generates recommended information indicating a part of a plurality of container patterns based on the attribute information, and outputs the generated recommended information (S208). There are various methods for the recommendation information output unit 2080 to generate recommended information based on the attribute information. The method of generating recommended information will be illustrated below.

<< Method of generating recommended information 1 >>
The recommended information output unit 2080 calculates the condition of the container pattern to be included in the recommended information (hereinafter referred to as the recommended condition) based on the attribute information, and generates the recommended information including the container pattern that matches the condition. Therefore, the conditions of the container pattern recommended to the customer of the attribute are determined in advance in association with the attribute of the customer.

FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating the conditions of the container pattern that are predetermined according to the attributes of the customer. The table of FIG. 11 is called a condition table 600. The condition table 600 has three columns: attribute 602, size 604, and weight 606. Attribute 602 represents the attribute of the customer.

The size 604 represents the condition of the size of the container corresponding to the attribute. In the example of FIG. 11, it is assumed that there are three types of containers prepared in the store: a large container (large), a medium-sized container (medium), and a small container (small). For example, the size 604 indicating "medium" means the condition that "the size of the container is medium or less (either small or medium)".

When the customer is a child or an elderly person, the customer is a woman, or the customer's physique is small, it is considered that the large size of the container makes it difficult for the customer to hold the container. Therefore, the size 604 corresponding to these attributes is preferably set to small or medium.

The weight 606 indicates the total weight of the products that can be put in one bag. For example, the weight 606 indicating "2 kg" means the condition that "the total weight of the products contained in each bag included in the container pattern is 2 kg or less".

If the customer is a child or an elderly person, the customer is a woman, or the customer's physique is small, rather than reducing the number of containers and increasing the total weight of the products contained in each container. It is considered preferable to increase the number of containers and reduce the total weight of the products contained in each container. Therefore, the weight 606 corresponding to these attributes is preferably set to a small value (for example, a value smaller than the load capacity of the bag). If the load capacity of the bag and the value indicated by the weight 606 are different, the total weight of the products to be put in the bag needs to be the smaller of these.

Further, when the attribute information includes the number of customers, the recommended information output unit 2080 also calculates a condition regarding the relationship between the number of containers and the number of customers. For example, this condition is expressed by the following mathematical formula (1). Where n _b is the number of containers and n _c is the number of customers. According to the condition shown by the mathematical formula (1), the number of containers held by each customer is 2 or less. Therefore, the customer only has to hold one container with one hand.

The condition for the number of containers may be determined for each type of container. For example, when the container is a cardboard box or the like that must be held by both hands, the number of containers is preferably less than or equal to the number of customers.

The recommended information output unit 2080 acquires the conditions corresponding to each attribute shown in the attribute information generated by the attribute information generation unit 2060, and makes it a recommended condition that all the conditions are satisfied. For example, when the attribute information indicates "age 70s, female, petite", size 604 corresponding to "attribute 602 = 60 years old or older" and weight 606, and size 604 corresponding to "attribute 602 = female". And the weight 606, and the size 604 and the weight 606 corresponding to "attribute 602 = petite" are all satisfied as a recommended condition. When the attribute information includes the number of customers, the recommended information output unit 2080 also includes the condition determined by the relationship between the number of containers and the number of customers described above in the recommended condition.

The number calculation unit 2020 may execute an algorithm for calculating the solution of the combinatorial optimization problem in which the above-mentioned recommended condition is added as a constraint condition. In this case, all the container patterns calculated by the number calculation unit 2020 satisfy the recommended conditions. Therefore, the recommended information output unit 2080 generates recommended information indicating each container pattern calculated by the number calculation unit 2020. In this case, the attribute information generation unit 2060 generates the attribute information before the number calculation unit 2020 calculates the container pattern. Then, the number calculation unit 2020 calculates the container pattern using this attribute information.

<< Method of generating recommended information 2 >>
The recommendation information output unit 2080 calculates the recommendation level of each container pattern based on the attribute information. Then, the recommended information output unit 2080 generates recommended information based on the calculated recommendation level. For example, the recommended information output unit 2080 ranks the container patterns in descending order of the calculated recommendation level, and generates recommended information indicating the container patterns whose ranking is equal to or higher than a predetermined value. Further, for example, the recommended information output unit 2080 generates recommended information including a container pattern having a recommendation degree of a predetermined value or more.

There are various methods in which the recommended information output unit 2080 calculates the recommended degree of the container pattern based on the attribute information. For example, for each type of container, goodness-of-fit information indicating the goodness of fit to the attribute is prepared in advance. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating goodness-of-fit information. In FIG. 12, the types of bags include a large container (large container), a medium-sized container (medium container), a small container (small container), and a container for holding a flat object (for example, a lunch box) (flat). There are four types of containers).

In FIG. 12, goodness-of-fit information is prepared for the age group, gender, and physique for each type of container. For example, the degree of suitability of a large container for a customer under the age of 10 is 1. In addition, the degree of suitability of the large container for women is 3. Furthermore, the degree of suitability of a large container for a small customer is 1.

Further, when the number of customers is indicated in the attribute information, the recommended information output unit 2080 also calculates the goodness of fit for the relationship between the number of containers and the number of customers. For example, the recommended information output unit 2080 calculates the goodness of fit regarding the number of containers by the following mathematical formula (2). Where x is the goodness of fit for the number of containers, n _b is the number of containers, and n _c is the number of customers.

In the case where the condition (a) is satisfied, there is no customer who must hold at least one container for each customer and hold two or more containers with one hand. Therefore, the goodness of fit of the case satisfying the condition (a) is the highest.

In the case where the condition (b) is satisfied, there is no customer who must hold two or more containers with one hand, but one or more customers do not hold the container. Therefore, the goodness of fit of the case satisfying the condition (b) is lower than the goodness of fit of the case satisfying the condition (a).

In the case with condition (c), at least one customer must hold two or more containers in one hand. Therefore, the goodness of fit of the case of condition (c) is the lowest.

The goodness of fit regarding the number of containers may be determined for each type of container. For example, if the container must be held by both hands, such as a cardboard box, the suitability of the case where each customer has one container is the highest, and the suitability of the case where there is a customer who does not have the container is next. Highest, and the least fit for cases where there are customers who must have more than one container.

The method of calculating the recommendation level for a certain container pattern is as follows, for example. First, the recommended information output unit 2080 acquires the goodness of fit of each attribute for each container included in the container pattern. For example, if the customer is a "small woman over 60 years old" and the container pattern includes a large container, the goodness of fit of "1, 3, 1" is acquired for the large container. Further, the recommended information output unit 2080 calculates the goodness of fit according to the number of containers included in the container pattern and the number of customers. Then, the recommended information output unit 2080 obtains all the goodness of fit acquired for each container included in the container pattern, the number of containers, and the statistical value of the goodness of fit calculated according to the number of customers (for example, the average value of these). calculate. Then, the recommended information output unit 2080 uses this statistical value as the recommended degree of the container pattern.

<Output method of recommended information>
The recommended information output unit 2080 outputs recommended information so that the customer can view it. Specifically, the recommended information output unit 2080 outputs recommended information to a display device that can be viewed by the customer. When the recommended information is provided to the customer at the timing when the customer is using the product registration device, the recommended information output unit 2080 causes the product registration device or a display device provided in the vicinity thereof to output the recommended information. On the other hand, when the recommended information is provided to the customer at the timing when the customer is using the settlement device, the recommendation information output unit 2080 causes the settlement device or a display device provided in the vicinity thereof to output the recommended information.

FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating recommended information displayed on the display device. The container pattern 36 indicates a container pattern included in the recommended information. For example, the container pattern 36-1 represents a container pattern of one large container and one medium container.

<How to use recommended information>
The customer chooses one of the container patterns shown in the recommendations. For example, when the display device on which the recommended information is displayed is provided with a touch panel, the customer selects the container pattern by touching one of the container patterns. For example, in FIG. 13, each container pattern 36 is displayed as a button that can be pressed, and the customer is made to press any button. Also, for example, the customer may verbally inform the clerk of the container pattern to be selected.

The customer is offered each container included in the selected container pattern. For example, a clerk hands each container included in the container pattern to the customer. Further, for example, a device for automatically discharging each container included in the selected container pattern (hereinafter referred to as a container providing device) may be provided in the store. The information processing device 2000 transmits the selected container pattern to the container providing device. The container providing device discharges each container included in the acquired container pattern.

<< Providing support information according to the selected container pattern >>
The support information output unit 2040 of the present embodiment may generate support information according to the selected container pattern and output the support information. Here, similarly to the calculation of the number of containers in the first embodiment, when the container pattern is calculated by the number calculation unit 2020, the association between each container included in the container pattern and the product is required. Therefore, the support information output unit 2040 generates support information indicating the correspondence between the container and the product, which is obtained by the number calculation unit 2020 for the selected container pattern.

Further, the support information output unit 2040 may generate support information indicating the container packing order described in the second embodiment for the container pattern.

<Hardware configuration>
The hardware configuration of the computer that realizes the information processing apparatus 2000 of the third embodiment is represented by, for example, FIG. 2 as in the first embodiment. However, the storage 1080 of the computer 1000 that realizes the information processing device 2000 of the present embodiment further stores a program module that realizes the function of the information processing device 2000 of the present embodiment.

<Action / effect>
According to the present embodiment, a plurality of container patterns, which are a set of the types and numbers of containers required to store the products to be settled, are calculated, and a part of the plurality of container patterns is shown based on the attributes of the customer. Recommendation information is provided to the customer. Therefore, since the customer can easily grasp the container pattern suitable for use, the customer can easily select the combination of the type and the number of containers to be used.

Further, the support information output unit 2040 outputs support information for the container pattern selected by the customer, so that the customer can easily grasp which product should be put in each container included in the selected container pattern. be able to.

<Modification example>
The information processing device 2000 of the present embodiment may output only recommended information without outputting support information. In this case, the information processing device 2000 does not have to have the support information output unit 2040.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to the drawings, these are examples of the present invention, and a combination of the above embodiments or various configurations other than the above can be adopted.

Hereinafter, an example of the reference form will be added.
1. 1. A quantity calculation means for calculating the number of containers required to store the plurality of products by using information on a plurality of products to be settled.
When the calculated number is 2 or more, the support information output means for outputting the support information in which the container and the product to be put in the container are associated with each container is used.
Information processing device with.
2. 2. The support information output means outputs a receipt containing the support information. The information processing device described in.
3. 3. The support information output means prints and outputs the receipt. The information processing device described in.
4. The support information indicates the order of products to be put in the container for each container. To 3. The information processing device according to any one.
5. There are multiple types of containers that differ in size or shape from each other.
The number calculation means calculates a plurality of sets of container types and numbers necessary for containing the plurality of products.
Attribute information generation means that generates attribute information that represents customer attributes using images generated by the camera,
Based on the attribute information, the recommended information output means for generating and outputting the recommended information indicating a part of the set of the plurality of calculated container types and numbers, and
Have,
The camera is provided in the product registration device used for the process of registering the product as the settlement target or the settlement device used for the settlement process of the product registered as the settlement target. To 4. The information processing device according to any one.
6. An information processing device having a support information output means for generating support information indicating the order in which products should be placed in a container by using information on a plurality of products to be settled.
7. Attribute information generation means that generates attribute information that represents customer attributes using images generated by the camera,
Based on the information about the plurality of products to be purchased, a plurality of sets of the types and the number of containers required to put the plurality of products are calculated, and based on the attribute information, the plurality of calculated container types and the number of containers are calculated. Recommended information output means that generates and outputs recommended information that indicates a part of the number set,
Have,
An information processing device in which the container includes a plurality of types of containers having different sizes or shapes.
8. A control method performed by a computer
A quantity calculation step for calculating the number of containers required to store the plurality of products using information on a plurality of products to be settled, and a number calculation step.
When the calculated number is 2 or more, the support information output step for outputting the support information in which the container and the product to be put in the container are associated with each container is used.
Control method having.
9. The support information output step outputs a receipt containing the support information. The control method described in.
10. In the support information output step, the receipt is printed and output. The control method described in.
11. The support information indicates the order of products to be put in the container for each container. To 10. The control method according to any one.
12. There are multiple types of containers that differ in size or shape from each other.
In the number calculation step, a plurality of sets of container types and numbers required for containing the plurality of products are calculated.
An attribute information generation step that generates attribute information that represents a customer's attributes using an image generated by a camera, and
Based on the attribute information, a recommended information output step for generating and outputting recommended information indicating a part of the set of the plurality of calculated container types and numbers, and
Have,
The camera is provided in the product registration device used for the process of registering the product as the settlement target or the settlement device used for the settlement process of the product registered as the settlement target. To 11. The control method according to any one.
13. A control method executed by a computer, the control method having a support information output step of generating support information indicating the products to be put in the container in the order in which they should be put in the container, using information about a plurality of products to be settled. ..
14. A control method performed by a computer
An attribute information generation step that generates attribute information that represents a customer's attributes using an image generated by a camera, and
Based on the information about the plurality of products to be purchased, a plurality of sets of the types and the number of containers required to put the plurality of products are calculated, and based on the attribute information, the plurality of calculated container types and the number of containers are calculated. A recommended information output step that generates and outputs recommended information that indicates a part of the number set, and
Have,
A control method in which the container includes a plurality of types of containers having different sizes or shapes.
15. 8. To 12. A program that causes a computer to execute each step of the control method described in any one of them.
16. 13. A program that causes a computer to perform the steps of the control method described in.
17. 14. A program that causes a computer to execute each step of the control method described in.

10 Receipt 12 Product list 14 Group 20 Camera 30 Display device 32 Product list 34 Group 36 Container pattern 500 Product information 502 Product ID
504 Number of purchases 506 Weight 508 Size 600 Condition table 602 Attribute 604 Size 606 Weight 1000 Computer 1020 Bus 1040 Processor 1060 Memory 1080 Storage 1100 Input / output interface 1120 Network interface 2000 Information processing device 2020 Number calculation unit 2040 Support information output unit 2060 Attributes Information generation unit 2080 Recommended information output unit

Claims (10)

A quantity calculation means for calculating the number of containers required to store the plurality of products by using information on a plurality of products to be settled.
When the calculated number is 2 or more, the support information output means for outputting the support information in which the container and the product to be put in the container are associated with each container is used.
Have,
The support information output means outputs a receipt including the support information, and outputs the receipt .
The support information output means divides the plurality of products into a plurality of groups and divides the plurality of products into a plurality of groups.
The support information indicates a container corresponding to the group for each group.
The support information output means is an information processing device that indicates the amount of money of the product included in the group for each group on the receipt . The information processing device according to claim 1, wherein the support information indicates the order of products to be put in the container for each container. There are multiple types of containers that differ in size or shape from each other.
The number calculation means calculates a plurality of sets of container types and numbers necessary for containing the plurality of products.
Attribute information generation means that generates attribute information that represents customer attributes using images generated by the camera,
Based on the attribute information, the recommended information output means for generating and outputting the recommended information indicating a part of the set of the plurality of calculated container types and numbers, and
Have,
The information processing device according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the camera is provided in a product registration device used for a process of registering a product as a settlement target or a settlement device used for a settlement process of a product registered as a settlement target. Attribute information generation means that generates attribute information that represents customer attributes using images generated by the camera,
Based on the information about the plurality of products to be purchased, a plurality of sets of the types and the number of containers required to put the plurality of products are calculated, and based on the attribute information, the plurality of calculated container types and the number of containers are calculated. Recommended information output means that generates and outputs recommended information that indicates a part of the number set,
Have,
The container includes a plurality of types of containers having different sizes or shapes.
An information processing device including at least one of the customer's physique and the number of customers. A control method performed by a computer
A quantity calculation step for calculating the number of containers required to store the plurality of products using information on a plurality of products to be settled, and a number calculation step.
When the calculated number is 2 or more, the support information output step for outputting the support information in which the container and the product to be put in the container are associated with each container is used.
Have,
In the support information output step, a receipt containing the support information is output .
In the support information output step, the plurality of products are divided into a plurality of groups.
The support information indicates a container corresponding to the group for each group.
A control method for indicating the amount of money of the product included in the group for each group in the receipt in the support information output step . A control method executed by a computer that uses information about a plurality of products to be settled to generate support information indicating the products to be put in the container in the order in which they should be put in the container, and outputs a receipt containing the support information. a support information output step to possess,
In the support information output step, the plurality of products are divided into a plurality of groups.
The support information indicates a container corresponding to the group for each group.
A control method for showing the amount of goods included in the group for each group in the receipt in the support information output step . A control method performed by a computer
An attribute information generation step that generates attribute information that represents a customer's attributes using an image generated by a camera, and
Based on the information about the plurality of products to be purchased, a plurality of sets of the types and the number of containers required to put the plurality of products are calculated, and based on the attribute information, the plurality of calculated container types and the number of containers are calculated. A recommended information output step that generates and outputs recommended information that indicates a part of the number set, and
Have,
The container includes a plurality of types of containers having different sizes or shapes.
A control method in which the customer attributes include at least one of the customer's physique and the number of customers. A program that causes a computer to execute each step of the control method according to claim 5 . A program that causes a computer to execute the steps of the control method according to claim 6 . A program that causes a computer to execute each step of the control method according to claim 7 .

Images