JP7407242B2 - Information processing equipment and programs - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an information processing device and a program.

Conventionally, product registration and payment are generally performed at a predetermined location called a checkout lane or the like. However, depending on the time of day, the checkout lane may be crowded, and in this case, there is an inconvenience that it takes longer to complete payment, such as waiting in line. There is a method (for example, Patent Document 1) that attempts to solve such problems by simplifying the accounting operations at the cash register. That is, a device for registering products is attached to a shopping cart or the like, and the customer uses the device to register the product when placing the product in the shopping cart.

Furthermore, when paying with electronic money, the cash register may point out that the amount is insufficient. In this case, there is an inconvenience that it takes a long time to complete the payment, such as charging or switching to cash payment.

Furthermore, when shopping around, the user may not be aware that there is a product on sale nearby that matches the product he or she picks up.

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to simplify accounting operations at a cash register and to make it easier for customers to notice products that meet their wishes.

The information processing device of the embodiment is installed in a basket or cart for transporting products installed in a retail store, and includes a display section that displays information and an operation according to the information displayed on the display section. The present invention includes an operation section that receives a message, a product information acquisition section, a product information recording section, and a candidate presentation section. The product information acquisition unit acquires information that allows the product to be recognized from at least one of a captured image of the exterior of the product and code information obtained by reading a code symbol attached to the product. The product information recording unit records the product specified by the information acquired by the product information acquisition unit as a purchase target. The candidate presentation unit sequentially searches the purchase target record file from the end to the previous one, selects products that include the same wording as the name of the product recorded in the purchase target record file as a substitute candidate, and selects the product as a substitute candidate. The information is presented by being displayed in a list on the display unit so that it can be selected by the operation unit and rearranged in order of price .

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an information processing terminal that is an example of an information processing apparatus according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing terminal. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of functions included in the information processing terminal. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of display contents of a display device. FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing the flow of control processing performed by the control unit. FIG. 6 is a flowchart schematically showing the flow of control processing performed by the control unit in the second embodiment.

(First embodiment)
A first embodiment will be described using the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the appearance of an information processing terminal 1, which is an example of an information processing apparatus in this embodiment. The information processing terminal 1 is used by being attached to a cart (shopping cart) 100 or a basket (shopping basket) installed in a retail store and used for transporting products. Further, the information processing terminal 1 is a sales data processing device that records (registers) information on products to be purchased, and is also a product information presentation device that presents information on products that can be substituted.

The information processing terminal 1 has an appearance and functions like a so-called tablet computer (tablet terminal), and has a touch input device (touch panel) provided on the surface of a plate-shaped display device. Further, a detachable reading device 2 is connected to the main body 11 of the information processing terminal 1 .

The reading device 2 reads product information. More specifically, the reading device 2 outputs, to the information processing terminal 1, code information obtained by reading (decoding) code symbols such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes attached to the surface of the product, and Outputs a captured image of the exterior. Note that, for example, when a product is detected in the imaging range, the reading device 2 first starts processing to search for a code symbol, and if a code symbol is not detected within a predetermined time from the start of the processing, the reading device 2 starts processing based on the appearance of the product. Switch to processing that outputs the captured image.

After having the reader device 2 read the product, the customer places the product in the shopping cart 100. Note that the shopping cart 100 may include a scale that measures the total weight of the products carried by the shopping cart 100. Then, the information processing terminal 1 may receive the output of the scale and check whether the amount has increased by the amount corresponding to the product read by the reading device 2.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the information processing terminal 1. As shown in FIG. The information processing terminal 1 includes a display device 12, a touch panel 13, a card reader 14, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 21, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 22, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 23, and a nonvolatile memory 24. .

The display device 12 is an example of a display unit that displays information to a customer. The touch panel 13 is an example of an operation unit that accepts operations according to information displayed on the display device 12.

The card reader 14 reads information (amount information, etc.) from an IC card (an example of a storage medium) having an electronic money function. The control unit 20 (functioning as an example of a storage processing unit) stores the information read by the card reader 14 in the RAM 23 (an example of a predetermined storage area).

The CPU 21 centrally controls each of the above components (display device 12, touch panel 13, card reader 14, ROM 22, RAM 23, non-volatile memory 24, reading device 2) by executing programs stored in the ROM 22 and non-volatile memory 24. control. The ROM 22 stores programs executed by the CPU 21 and the like. The RAM 23 is used by the CPU 21 as a work area for temporarily storing values and the like necessary for executing programs.

The nonvolatile memory 24 is a device such as an HDD (Hard Disc Drive) or a flash memory that retains stored information even when the power is turned off, and stores various programs and data. The nonvolatile memory 24 also stores PLU files and purchase target recording files.

The PLU file stores a product code uniquely assigned to each product in association with information regarding the product, such as the product's name, price (unit price), and product classification. Furthermore, if the information processing terminal 1 is configured to identify products by general object recognition, the PLU file further stores feature amounts, reference images, etc. of each product. Note that the feature amount is data such as the color of the product and the unevenness of the surface of the product, which are read from the reference image of the product.

The purchase object record file is a file that stores information on products recognized by the information processing terminal 1 based on information read by the reading device 2.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of functions that the information processing terminal 1 has. CPU21, ROM22, and RAM23 constitute control part 20. The control unit 20 functions as a product information acquisition unit 201, a product information recording unit 202, a trial calculation processing unit 203, a candidate presentation unit 204, and a replacement processing unit 205 when the CPU 21 executes a program.

The product information acquisition unit 201 acquires product information based on the captured image and code information input from the reading device 2 . More specifically, the product information acquisition unit 201 collects code information obtained by reading a code symbol such as a barcode or QR code (registered trademark) attached to a product, or a product imaged by the reader 2. By performing general object recognition based on the image (captured image), the product included in the captured image is identified.

Further, in specifying the product, specifically, the product information acquisition unit 201 refers to the PLU file and uniquely identifies the product corresponding to the product code included in the code information obtained by reading the code symbol.

Regarding generic object recognition, which recognizes objects included in images, recognition technology is explained in, for example, the following document.
Keiji Yanai, “Current status and future of general object recognition,” Journal of the Information Processing Society of Japan, Vol. 48, No. SIG16 [searched on January 5, 2018], Internet <URL: http://mm.cs.uec.ac.jp/IPSJ-TCVIM-Yanai.pdf>

Further, the control unit 20 displays on the display device 12 a screen that accepts confirmation of the product specified by the product information acquisition unit 201 and input of the number and the like.

The product information recording unit 202 records (registers) information on the product specified by the information acquired by the product information acquisition unit 201 as a purchase target. The recording is realized by recording the product information, for example, in a predetermined area (purchase object record file) of the nonvolatile memory 24. Note that the product information is, for example, the product code of the product read from the PLU file, associated with the number of products (purchased number), and the like.

The trial calculation processing unit 203 calculates a value (remaining amount) obtained by subtracting the total price of the products whose information is recorded in the purchase object record file from the amount of electronic money read by the card reader 14. The control unit 20 displays the calculated value (remaining amount) in the remaining amount column 37 (see FIG. 4, described later) of the display device 12. Note that the trial calculation processing unit 203 does not rewrite the amount information of the IC card equipped with the electronic money function.

The candidate presentation unit 204 presents products that can be determined to be similar according to predetermined criteria to the product identified by the information acquired by the product information acquisition unit 201 as alternative candidates (that is, the list of alternative candidates 32 of the display device 12 (see FIG. 4). , described below). The predetermined criterion may be, for example, that the names of the products contain the same wording, or that the PLU file includes a column indicating the classification, and the values in the column for the classification are the same. .

When the alternative candidate presented by the candidate presenting unit 204 is selected and information on the product of the alternative candidate is input from the reading device 2, the replacement processing unit 205 updates the information on the selected candidate and the product information. The information about the most recent product recorded in the purchase target record file by the recording unit 202 is replaced. This replacement may be realized, for example, by overwriting the information on the most recent product recorded in the purchase object record file with information on alternative candidates.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of display content on the display device 12. As shown in FIG. The display device 12 displays a screen 30 as shown in FIG. 4 under the control of the control unit 20. The screen 30 includes a list of registered products 31, a list of alternative candidates 32, a price sort button 33, a best-selling sort button 34, a total product price field 35, an electronic money amount field 36, a balance field 37, notes 38, 39, etc. There is.

The registered product list 31 is a column that displays a list of product information recorded in the purchase object record file. The product information displayed here includes, for example, a product code such as a JAN code, product name, quantity, and unit price.

The alternative candidate list 32 is a column in which the candidate presenting unit 204 displays a list of information on products that the product information obtaining unit 201 has determined to be similar to the product whose information was most recently obtained based on a predetermined criterion. The product information displayed here includes, for example, the product code, product name, quantity, and unit price. In addition, in this example, information on each product that is an alternative candidate is displayed in one line, and when the display position of any of the lines is touched, this is used as a selection operation for the alternative candidate displayed in that line. , is received by the control unit 20 via the touch panel 13.

The price sort button 33 is a button for instructing to sort the product information displayed in the alternative candidate list 32 in ascending order of unit price. This price sort button 33 accepts an operation via the touch panel 13. When the position where the price sort button 33 on the touch panel 13 is displayed is operated, the control unit 20 rearranges the information on the products displayed in the alternative candidate list 32 and causes the display device 12 to display the information again. .

The best-selling sort button 34 is a button for instructing to sort the information on the products displayed in the alternative candidate list 32 in descending order of sales. This best-seller sort button 34 accepts operations via the touch panel 13. When the position where the best-seller sort button 34 is displayed on the touch panel 13 is operated, the control unit 20 rearranges the information on the products displayed in the alternative candidate list 32 and causes the display device 12 to display the information again. .

The product price total field 35 displays the total price (calculated by the trial calculation processing unit 203) of the products displayed in the registered product list 31, that is, the products recorded in the purchase object record file. The electronic money amount column 36 displays the amount of electronic money read by the card reader 14 from an IC card having an electronic money function. The remaining amount column 37 displays a value obtained by subtracting the amount displayed in the product price total column 35 from the amount displayed in the electronic money amount column 36 (remaining amount: calculated by the trial calculation processing unit 203).

Notes 38 and 39 are explanations for customers who use information processing terminal 1, that is, customers who use shopping cart 100. The note 38 is, for example, "If the product is recognized, other candidates will be automatically displayed." Note 39 is, for example, "Candidates can be sorted by price or best seller."

FIG. 5 is a flowchart schematically showing the flow of control processing performed by the control unit 20. First, the control unit 20 waits for reading product information (No in step S1). When the reading device 2 reads information from the appearance of the product and the product information acquisition unit 201 obtains information on the product specified from the information (Yes in step S1), the product information recording unit 202 records the information on the product ( registration) (step S2). Subsequently, the trial calculation processing unit 203 displays the trial calculation of the balance of electronic money in the balance column 37 (step S3), and the candidate presentation unit 204 presents products that are alternative candidates (step S4).

If an alternative candidate is not selected (No in step S5), the control unit 20 ends this process after the reading device 2 performs other processes such as reading the next product.

When an alternative candidate is selected and information about the product of the alternative candidate is further input from the reading device 2 (Yes in step S5), the replacement processing unit 205 stores information about the product that is the selected alternative candidate and information about the product to be purchased. The information of the product recorded last in the record file is replaced (step S6). Then, the trial calculation processing unit 203 recalculates the remaining amount of the electronic money based on the total price of the product after replacement, and rewrites the remaining amount column 37 (step S7).

In such a configuration, a customer using the shopping cart 100 causes the card reader 14 to read information on an IC card equipped with an electronic money function. When the customer puts a product into the shopping cart 100, the customer also causes the reading device 2 to read product information.

Then, the information processing terminal 1 displays the remaining amount after subtracting the price of the product from the amount stored in the IC card as electronic money. Furthermore, the information processing terminal 1 displays other products (alternative candidates) that are similar to the product just read by the reading device 2 based on a predetermined criterion.

When the customer selects one of the substitute candidates via the touch panel 13 and causes the reading device 2 to read the product of the substitute candidate, the information processing terminal 1 displays information on the product that is the substitute candidate and the most recently registered product. Swap the product. In this case, the remaining amount of electronic money is also updated.

As described above, according to the information processing terminal 1 of the present embodiment, the checkout process at the cash register can be simplified, and customers can easily find products that meet their wishes. Furthermore, according to the information processing terminal 1 of the present embodiment, it is possible to know whether the product to be purchased can be paid for with the amount of electronic money before the checkout operation at the cash register. It is possible to avoid the inconvenience caused by

In addition, in the above embodiment, the amount of electronic money is displayed, and the value obtained by subtracting the total price of the product from the amount (remaining amount) is displayed, but these processes are not performed in implementation. It may also be configured as a device. In other words, it may be a device that reads information and presents alternative candidates for the recorded product. In this case, by being guided to other products than the one the customer picked up, it is possible to increase the possibility that the customer will realize that a product that better meets their needs is being sold near their current location. can. Therefore, it is possible to increase the possibility of improving customer satisfaction after shopping.

(Second embodiment)
A second embodiment will be described using the drawings. Since this embodiment is a modification of the first embodiment, in the description of this embodiment, only the points that are different from the first embodiment will be described, and the description of the same points will be omitted. Furthermore, in the description of this embodiment, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used for the same parts as in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart schematically showing the flow of control processing performed by the control unit 20 in the second embodiment. Steps S11 to S13 are the same as steps S1 to S3 in FIG. 5, so a description thereof will be omitted.

In step S14, the control unit 20 determines whether the remaining amount is less than a predetermined amount (in this example, 0 yen or less). If the remaining amount is greater than 0 yen (No in step S14), the control unit 20 ends this process.

In step S14, if the remaining amount is 0 yen or less (Yes in step S14), the control unit 20 advances the process to step S15. In step S15, the control unit 15 presents alternative candidates with lower prices than the product registered in step S12. As in the first embodiment, the alternative candidates are products that are similar based on predetermined criteria.

Steps S16 to S18 in FIG. 6 are the same as steps S5 to S7 in FIG. 5, so a description thereof will be omitted.

In step S16, if information on the next product is input from the reading device 2 before an alternative candidate is selected (No in step S16), the control unit 20 sends a message recommending charging an additional amount of electronic money. and images on the display device 12 (step S19).

According to this embodiment, it is possible to present to the customer what to do when the amount of electronic money is insufficient for the purchase plan. Examples of possible measures include exchanging the item for a lower-priced item or charging the item with electronic money.

In the above-described embodiment, the amount to be compared with the remaining amount in step S14 is, for example, 0 yen.

In addition, when presenting alternative candidates, the record of the purchase target record file is traced back from the end, and the alternative candidates for the last recorded product, the alternative candidates for the previously recorded product, and the Alternative candidates for the recorded product may be displayed. In this way, the customer can select a product that he or she would like to replace while retracing his or her travel route from his or her current location. According to this modification, it is possible to further improve the degree of freedom in responding to situations where money is insufficient.

Note that the program executed by the information processing terminal 1 according to the embodiment is provided by being pre-installed in the ROM 22 or the like.

The program executed on the information processing terminal 1 of the embodiment is a file in an installable or executable format and can be stored on a computer such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk). It may be configured to be recorded on a readable recording medium and provided.

Furthermore, the program executed by the information processing terminal 1 of the embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet, and may be provided by being downloaded via the network. Further, the program executed by the information processing terminal 1 of the embodiment may be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

The program executed by the information processing terminal 1 of the embodiment has a module configuration including the above-mentioned units (product information acquisition unit 201, product information recording unit 202, trial calculation processing unit 203, candidate presentation unit 204, and replacement processing unit 205). It becomes. The CPU 21 (processor) loads the above-mentioned units onto the main storage device by reading and executing the program from the storage medium. As a result, a product information acquisition section 201, a product information recording section 202, a trial calculation processing section 203, a candidate presentation section 204, and a replacement processing section 205 are generated on the main storage device.

Although several embodiments of the invention have been described, these embodiments are presented by way of example and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and gist of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.

1... Information processing terminal (information processing device)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 11...Main unit, 12...Display device, 13...Touch panel, 14...Card reader 21...CPU, 22...ROM, 23...RAM, 24...Nonvolatile memory 20...Control unit, 201...Product information acquisition unit, 202...Product Information recording unit 203...Trial calculation processing unit, 204...Candidate presentation unit, 205...Replacement processing unit 30...Screen, 31...Registered product list, 32...Alternative candidate list 33...Price order sort button, 34...Popular order sort button 35... Product price total column, 36...Electronic money amount column, 37...Remaining amount column, 38, 39...Note 2...Reading device 100...Shopping cart

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2012-14734

Claims (5)

An information processing device installed in a basket or cart for transporting products installed in a retail store,
a display section that displays information;
an operation section that accepts operations according to information displayed on the display section;
a product information acquisition unit that obtains information that allows the product to be recognized from at least one of a captured image of the product's appearance or code information obtained by reading a code symbol attached to the product;
a product information recording unit that records the product specified by the information acquired by the product information acquisition unit as a purchase target in a purchase target record file ;
Going back through the purchase target record file from the end to the previous one, products that include the same wording as the name of the product recorded in the purchase target record file are selected as replacement candidates, and information on the product of the replacement candidate is processed through the operation. a candidate presentation unit that presents candidates by displaying a list on the display unit that can be selected by category and sorted by price ;
An information processing device comprising: a storage processing unit that stores the remaining amount of electronic money read from a storage medium having an electronic money function in a predetermined storage area;
a trial calculation processing unit that calculates an amount by subtracting the total amount of all products recorded as the purchase targets from the remaining amount of the electronic money each time the product information recording unit records the purchase targets;
The information processing device according to claim 1 , further comprising: 3. The candidate presenting unit presents an alternative candidate with a lower price than the product recorded as the purchase target when the amount calculated by the trial calculation processing unit is less than a predetermined amount. information processing equipment. The information processing device according to claim 2 , wherein the candidate presenting unit recommends charging electronic money when the amount calculated by the trial calculation processing unit is smaller than a predetermined amount. A computer of an information processing device, which is installed in a basket or cart for transporting goods installed in a retail store, and includes a display section that displays information, and an operation section that accepts operations according to the information displayed on the display section. of,
a product information acquisition unit that obtains information that allows the product to be recognized from at least one of a captured image of the product's appearance or code information obtained by reading a code symbol attached to the product;
a product information recording unit that records the product specified by the information acquired by the product information acquisition unit as a purchase target in a purchase target record file ;
Going back from the end of the purchase target record file, the product information containing the same wording as the name of the product recorded in the purchase target record file is set as a replacement candidate, and the information of the product of the replacement candidate is processed through the operation. a candidate presentation unit that presents candidates by displaying a list on the display unit that can be selected by category and sorted by price ;
A program to make it work.

Images