JP7465791B2 - Purchase information generating device, product sales data processing system and program - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a purchase information generating device, a product sales data processing system, and a program.

When shopping at a supermarket, convenience store, or other store, a system has been proposed in which customers register the items they wish to purchase in advance and a store staff member collects the registered items, a process known as "picking."

For example, Patent Document 1 proposes a method of purchasing goods in which a customer scans a product advertisement themselves, and while looking at the scanned image information, selects the product they want using a touch panel.

However, the product purchasing method disclosed in Patent Document 1 requires customers to select products by operating a touch panel, which is not necessarily user-friendly for customers who are unfamiliar with information devices.

The problem that this invention aims to solve is to provide a purchase information generating device, a product sales data processing system, and a program that allow customers to easily give product purchase instructions in a store.

The purchase information generating device of the embodiment includes a reading unit, an extraction unit, a generation unit, and an issuing unit. The reading unit reads image information of an advertisement including a product marked by a customer. The extraction unit extracts the marked product from the image information read by the reading unit. The generation unit generates product purchase information including first identification information that uniquely identifies each of the products extracted by the extraction unit, second identification information that uniquely identifies a set including the purchase quantity of the extracted products, and third identification information that uniquely identifies the customer who purchases the product. The issuing unit issues a product voucher that includes at least the third identification information.

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of a product sales data processing system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of product purchase information used by the product sales data processing system. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a method in which the purchase information generating device extracts products marked with advertisements. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which the purchase information generating device accepts the purchase quantity of extracted products. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a product voucher issued by the purchase information generating device. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a basket that contains picked products. FIG. 7 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of the purchase information generating device. FIG. 8 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server device. FIG. 9 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a POS terminal. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the purchase information generating device. FIG. 11 is a functional block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the server device. FIG. 12 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a POS terminal. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the product sales data processing system. FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example of a recipe display performed by the purchase information generating device according to the second embodiment.

(First embodiment)
A product sales data processing system 10a according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

(Overall configuration of product sales data processing system)
First, the overall configuration of the product sales data processing system 10a will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an example of the configuration of the product sales data processing system of the first embodiment. Figure 2 is a diagram showing an overview of product purchase information used by the product sales data processing system.

The product sales data processing system 10a includes a purchase information generating device 12a, a server device 22, a POS (Point Of Sales) terminal 32, and a display panel 52. The purchase information generating device 12a, the server device 22, and the POS terminal 32 are connected to one another via a network 100 such as a LAN (Local Area Network). The display panel 52 is connected to the POS terminal 32 and displays information instructed by the POS terminal 32. The display panel 52 is an example of a display device in this disclosure. In the case of a large-scale store, the product sales data processing system 10a may include multiple purchase information generating devices 12a and multiple POS terminals 32.

A customer who wishes to purchase a product looks at an advertisement issued by a store at home or elsewhere and marks the product shown in the advertisement by, for example, circling it. The customer then visits the store with the marked advertisement. The purchase information generating device 12a reads the product advertisements and extracts the products marked by the customer from the advertisements that have been read. The method of extracting marked products will be described in detail later (see FIG. 3).

The purchase information generating device 12a also accepts input of the number of extracted products to be purchased. More specifically, the purchase information generating device 12a displays a list of extracted products on a display unit equipped with a touch panel, and prompts the customer to input the number of each product to be purchased. Details will be described later (see FIG. 4).

Then, the purchase information generating device 12a generates the product purchase information 13 shown in FIG. 2. The product purchase information 13 includes first identification information 13a, second identification information 13b, and third identification information 13c.

The first identification information 13a is information that uniquely identifies the product that the customer has marked in the advertisement. The first identification information 13a is, for example, a product code that uniquely identifies the product.

The second identification information 13b is information that uniquely identifies a set that includes the purchase quantity of the extracted product. In other words, the second identification information 13b is associated with the first identification information 13a.

The third identification information 13c is information that uniquely identifies a customer who purchases a product. The third identification information 13c may be, for example, the customer's customer number or a serial number generated by the purchase information generating device 12a. The purchase information generating device 12a associates the first identification information 13a, the second identification information 13b, and the third identification information 13c, and stores them as product purchase information 13.

The purchase information generating device 12a also issues a product voucher on which at least the third identification information 13c is printed. Details will be described later (see FIG. 5).

The purchase information generating device 12a also transmits the product purchase information 13, including the generated first identification information 13a, second identification information 13b, and third identification information 13c, to the server device 22.

The server device 22 is installed, for example, in the back yard of a store. The server device 22 receives product purchase information 13 including first identification information 13a, second identification information 13b, and third identification information 13c transmitted by the purchase information generating device 12a. A person in charge of picking products picks up the products from the back yard or from product shelves in the store based on the received second identification information 13b.

When the picker has prepared the product based on the product purchase information 13, he or she writes the product purchase information 13 into the RFID (Radio Frequency IDentification) tag 42 attached to the basket 40 containing the product (see Figure 6).

The server device 22 also transmits the product purchase information 13 written to the RFID tag 42 to the POS terminal 32.

The POS terminal 32 receives the product purchase information 13 sent by the server device 22. The POS terminal 32 also reads the product purchase information 13 written in the RFID tag 42, for example after a picker delivers a basket 40 containing products to a register where the POS terminal 32 is installed. The POS terminal 32 then displays the third identification information 13c contained in the read product purchase information 13 on a display panel 52 that is visible to the customer. The information displayed on the display panel 52 indicates that the product is ready.

The POS terminal 32 then performs a registration process to register the product on condition that the product purchase information 13 sent by the server device 22 matches the product purchase information 13 written in the RFID tag 42. Furthermore, the POS terminal 32 performs a payment process for the product registered by the POS terminal 32 on condition that at least the third identification information 13c received from the server device 22 matches the third identification information 13c issued by the purchase information generating device 12a and printed on the product exchange ticket brought by the customer.

(Product extraction method)
Next, a method in which the purchase information generating device 12a extracts marked products from advertisements will be described with reference to Fig. 3. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a method in which the purchase information generating device extracts marked products from advertisements.

In response to a product advertisement, customers place marks 70a and 70b on the purchased product. Marks 70a and 70b are, for example, circles surrounding the product shown in advertisement 70. However, as long as marks 70a and 70b are placed in a way that identifies the product, the shape of marks 70a and 70b does not matter. Also, marks 70a and 70b may have different shapes.

The customer scans the advertisement 70 marked with marks 70a and 70b into the scanner provided in the purchase information generating device 12a. The initial screen of the purchase information generating device 12a displays, for example, four function switches: "Copy," "Scan," "Print," and "Purchase." When the customer presses the "Purchase" button, the purchase information generating device 12a transitions to a state in which it can read the advertisement 70 brought by the customer. The purchase information generating device 12a then scans the advertisement 70 and converts it into image Ia. Image Ia is a digital image in which the brightness and color of the advertisement 70 have been digitized.

The purchase information generating device 12a also prestores image Ib of advertisement 80 without marks 70a and 70b. The purchase information generating device 12a then performs a difference calculation to subtract image Ib from image Ia. This difference calculation is performed after correcting the position and inclination of image Ia so that they match the position and inclination of image Ib. Note that the process of matching the positions and inclinations of images Ia and Ib can be performed, for example, by shifting the position and inclination of image Ia by a predetermined amount while performing a difference calculation with image Ib, and determining that the positions and inclinations of images Ia and Ib match when the sum of the difference values of each pixel is minimized.

In the difference image Ic obtained by the difference calculation, the difference value of the image and text information of the product displayed in the advertisement 70 is 0. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 3, only the marks 70a and 70b attached to the advertisement 70 are extracted. The purchase information generating device 12a then extracts the product corresponding to the extracted marks 72a and 72b using product placement information L (see FIG. 7) indicating the position of the product placed in the advertisement 80, which is stored in advance in the purchase information generating device 12a. The product placement information is information that associates the position of the product printed on the advertisement 80 (for example, area information in the advertisement 80) with the first identification information 13a of the product.

The specific processing method for extracting the products corresponding to the marks 72a and 72b is not important. For example, the center of gravity of each of the marks 72a and 72b can be calculated, and the calculated center of gravity can be compared with coordinate information indicating the area of each product contained in the product placement information, and the product that includes the calculated center of gravity can be recognized as a product bearing the mark.

(How to enter the number of items purchased)
Next, a method in which the purchase information generating device 12a receives the purchase quantity of the extracted product will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a screen on which the purchase information generating device receives the purchase quantity of the extracted product.

After extracting the product selected by the customer from the advertisement 70, the purchase information generating device 12a displays a quantity input screen 82 on the display panel 173 (see FIG. 7). The extracted product name 83, a quantity input button 84, and a confirmation button 85 are displayed on the quantity input screen 82.

When a customer presses a quantity input button 84 corresponding to each product, the purchase information generating device 12a displays a 10-key window 86 corresponding to the pressed quantity input button 84. The customer specifies the purchase quantity by operating the 10-key window 86. This inputs the purchase quantity of the corresponding product. Although not shown in FIG. 4, the input purchase quantity is displayed at the position of the quantity input button 84. After input of the purchase quantities for all products is completed, input of the purchase quantity is completed when the confirm button 85 is pressed. Note that, to make it easier to specify the purchase quantity, the default purchase quantity can be set to 1, and "1" can be input in advance at the positions of all quantity input buttons 84, and the purchase quantity can be input only for products whose purchase quantity is not 1.

(Explanation of product vouchers)
Next, a product voucher issued by the purchase information generating device 12a will be described with reference to Fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a product voucher issued by the purchase information generating device.

The product voucher 87 is a voucher issued by the purchase information generating device 12a. When the customer is ready to purchase the product, they present the product voucher 87 to a store clerk at the POS terminal 32 to receive the product and make payment. As shown in FIG. 5, the product voucher 87 includes a code symbol 88, third identification information 13c, and a total price 89 for the product.

The code symbol 88 is code information representing the second identification information 13b. In the example shown in FIG. 5, the code symbol 88 is a two-dimensional code, but the code symbol 88 may also be a barcode. The code symbol 88 is used to determine whether the customer is the correct customer when the customer arrives at the POS terminal 32 to receive the prepared product. For example, when the code symbol 88 is read by the code reader 374 (see FIG. 9) provided in the POS terminal 32 and matches the second identification information 13b included in the product purchase information 13 attached to the prepared product, the customer is determined to be the correct customer.

The third identification information 13c is an identification number that uniquely identifies a customer. The third identification information 13c is used to determine whether the customer is the correct customer when the customer arrives at the POS terminal 32 to receive the prepared product. For example, when the third identification information 13c is input to the POS terminal 32 and matches the third identification information 13c contained in the product purchase information 13 attached to the prepared product, the customer is determined to be the correct customer. Note that either the code symbol 88 or the third identification information 13c may be used to determine whether the customer is the correct customer. Therefore, it is sufficient that either the code symbol 88 or the third identification information 13c is printed on the product exchange ticket 87.

The total amount 89 is the total price of the purchased items. The total amount 89 is the amount required when the customer makes a payment, and since it is information required when, for example, a customer who pays by cash prepares the cash in advance, it is desirable to print the total amount 89 on the product exchange ticket 87.

(Explanation of the basket that holds the picked products)
Next, a basket for accommodating picked products will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a diagram showing an example of a basket for accommodating picked products.

The basket 40 has the same shape as baskets used in general retail stores. A storage section 40a is provided at the bottom of the basket 40 to store picked products. A rotatable handle 40b is attached to the top of the basket 40. An RFID tag 42 is attached to the side of the basket 40. The basket 40 is an example of a container in this disclosure.

The RFID tag 42 is an electronic tag that can read and write ID information by performing short-range wireless communication with an RFID reader/light. In this embodiment, the product purchase information 13 of the product that has been picked and placed in the basket 40 is written to the RFID tag 42.

The basket 40 containing the products and with the product purchase information 13 written to the RFID tag 42 is delivered from the back yard to the POS terminal 32.

(Hardware Configuration of Purchase Information Generation Device)
Next, the hardware configuration of the purchase information generating device 12a2 will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the purchase information generating device.

The purchase information generating device 12a includes a control unit 14, a memory unit 15, an input/output controller 17, and a communication interface 18. The purchase information generating device 12a is, for example, a multifunction peripheral.

The control unit 14 has the configuration of a typical computer, including a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 141, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 142, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) 143. The CPU 141 reads out various programs, data files, etc. stored in the ROM 142 and the storage unit 15 described below, and expands them in the RAM 143. The CPU 141 is responsible for the overall control of the purchase information generation device 12a by operating in accordance with the various programs, data files, etc. expanded in the RAM 143.

The control unit 14 is connected to the memory unit 15, the input/output controller 17, and the communication interface 18 via the internal bus 16.

The memory unit 15 retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 15 is, for example, a hard disk drive (HDD). Instead of a HDD, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory may be provided. The memory unit 15 stores programs including a control program P. The control program P is a program for implementing the functions of the purchase information generating device 12a.

The control program P may be provided in advance by being incorporated in the ROM 142. The control program P may also be provided by being recorded in a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM, a flexible disk (FD), a CD-R, or a digital versatile disk (DVD) in a format that can be installed or executed by the control unit 14. Furthermore, the control program P may be provided by being stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and downloaded via the network. The control program P may also be provided or distributed via a network such as the Internet.

The memory unit 15 further stores advertising data F, product placement information L, product master M, and product purchase information 13.

Advertisement data F is data that has been converted into a digital image of an advertisement that does not have the marks 70a and 70b described above.

Product placement information L is information that indicates the layout position of each product in the advertising data F. In other words, product placement information L is information that associates a coordinate position in the advertising data F with information (e.g., a product code) that uniquely identifies the product displayed at that coordinate position. Note that the coordinate position in the advertising data F may be area information that indicates the range in which the corresponding product is displayed. In this case, the area information may be expressed as a set of multiple coordinate positions, or may be expressed as the coordinates of the vertices of a rectangle circumscribing the relevant area.

The product master M is a master file that stores product information such as product names and unit prices in correspondence with product codes. The product master M is updated as needed according to the products arriving at the store, as the purchase information generating device 12a communicates with the server device 22.

As described above, the product purchase information 13 includes first identification information 13a, second identification information 13b, and third identification information 13c.

The input/output controller 17 connects the control unit 14 to the input/output devices, which are a scanner 171, a printer 172, a display panel 173, and a touch panel 174.

Scanner 171 reads information printed, printed, or written on paper media and converts it into a digital image.

The printer 172 prints and issues the generated product voucher 87.

The display panel 173 displays various information output by the purchase information generating device 12a. The display panel 173 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

The touch panel 174 is placed so as to be superimposed on the display surface of the display panel 173, and inputs various information according to the pressed position to the purchase information generating device 12a.

The communication interface 18 transmits and receives various information between the purchase information generating device 12a and the server device 22.

(Hardware configuration of server device)
Next, the hardware configuration of the server device 22 will be described with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of the server device.

The server device 22 includes a control unit 24, a memory unit 25, an input/output controller 27, and a communication interface 28.

The control unit 24 has the configuration of a typical computer equipped with a CPU 241, a ROM 242, and a RAM 243. The CPU 241 reads out various programs, data files, etc. stored in the ROM 242 and the storage unit 25 described below, and loads them in the RAM 243. The CPU 241 is responsible for the overall control of the server device 22 by operating in accordance with the various programs, data files, etc. loaded in the RAM 243.

The control unit 24 is connected to the memory unit 25, the input/output controller 27, and the communication interface 28 via the internal bus 26.

The memory unit 25 retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 25 is, for example, a HDD. Instead of a HDD, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory may be provided. The memory unit 25 stores programs including the control program Q. The control program Q is a program for implementing the functions of the server device 22.

The memory unit 25 further stores the product master M.

The input/output controller 27 connects the control unit 24 to the input/output devices, which are the display panel 271, the touch panel 272, and the RFID writer 273.

The display panel 271 displays various information output by the server device 22. The display panel 271 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

The touch panel 272 is installed so as to be superimposed on the display surface of the display panel 271, and inputs various information to the server device 22 according to the pressed position.

The RFID writer 273 writes the product purchase information 13 to the RFID tag 42.

The communication interface 28 transmits and receives various information between the server device 22, the purchase information generating device 12a, and the POS terminal 32.

(POS terminal hardware configuration)
Next, the hardware configuration of the POS terminal 32 will be described with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a hardware block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of a POS terminal.

The POS terminal 32 includes a control unit 34, a memory unit 35, an input/output controller 37, and a communication interface 38.

The control unit 34 has the configuration of a typical computer, including a CPU 341, a ROM 342, and a RAM 343. The CPU 341 reads out various programs, data files, etc. stored in the ROM 342 and the storage unit 35 described below, and loads them in the RAM 343. The CPU 341 controls the entire POS terminal 32 by operating according to the various programs, data files, etc. loaded in the RAM 343.

The control unit 34 is connected to the memory unit 35, the input/output controller 37, and the communication interface 38 via the internal bus 36.

The memory unit 35 retains stored information even when the power is turned off. The memory unit 35 is, for example, a HDD. Instead of a HDD, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory may be provided. The memory unit 35 stores programs including the control program R. The control program R is a program for implementing the functions of the POS terminal 32.

The memory unit 25 further stores the product master M and the sales file S.

The sales file S is a file that accumulates the results of payments made by the POS terminal 32. In other words, the sales file S is data that indicates the sales results of the POS terminal 32. The sales file S is aggregated at a predetermined timing in the server device 22 or an even higher-level server device.

The input/output controller 37 connects the control unit 34 with the input/output devices, which are the display panel 371, the touch panel 372, the RFID reader 373, the code reader 374, and the display board 52.

The display panel 371 displays various information output by the POS terminal 32. The display panel 371 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

The touch panel 372 is installed so as to be superimposed on the display surface of the display panel 371, and inputs various information to the POS terminal 32 according to the pressed position.

The RFID reader 373 reads the product purchase information 13 written on the RFID tag 42 attached to the basket 40.

The code reader 374 reads code information such as barcodes attached to products that customers bring to the POS terminal 32.

The display panel 52 displays the third identification information 13c contained in the product purchase information 13 written on the RFID tag 42 attached to the basket 40 that has arrived at the POS terminal 32 from the back yard as information indicating that the product is ready. The display panel 52 is, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. Note that if the product sales data processing system 10a includes multiple POS terminals 32, the display panel 52 displays information (such as a register number) that uniquely identifies the POS terminal 32 to which the basket 40 containing the product has arrived, together with the third identification information 13c.

(Functional configuration of purchase information generating device)
Next, the functional configuration of the purchase information generating device 12a will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the purchase information generating device.

The control unit 14 of the purchase information generating device 12a deploys the control program P in the RAM 143 and operates it to realize, as functional units, an advertisement reading unit 151, a product extraction unit 152, a product purchase information generating unit 153, a purchase quantity receiving unit 154, a product exchange voucher issuing unit 155, a product purchase information transmitting unit 156, a display control unit 157, and an operation control unit 158, all of which are shown in FIG. 10.

The advertisement reading unit 151 reads image information of an advertisement including a product marked by a customer. Note that the advertisement reading unit 151 is an example of a reading unit in this disclosure.

The product extraction unit 152 extracts marked products from the image information read by the advertisement reading unit 151. More specifically, the product extraction unit 152 extracts marked products based on a difference image between the image Ia read by the advertisement reading unit 151 and an image Ib of an advertisement for an unmarked product. The product extraction unit 152 is an example of an extraction unit in this disclosure.

Note that advertisements generally have information on both sides. Some stores may issue multiple different advertisements. Therefore, the product extraction unit 152 extracts products after identifying which advertisement issued by the store the image information read by the advertisement reading unit 151 is image information of and which side of the advertisement it is, either the front or back side. Specifically, the product extraction unit 152 compares the image information read by the advertisement reading unit 151 with images of the front and back sides of multiple advertisements issued by the store that correspond to the relevant day. Then, the product extraction unit 152 determines which advertisement has been read, for example, based on the similarity between the image Ia read by the advertisement reading unit 151 and each image Ib of the multiple advertisements 80 that correspond to the relevant day. The product extraction unit 152 then extracts products.

The product purchase information generating unit 153 generates product purchase information 13 including first identification information 13a that uniquely identifies each product extracted by the product extraction unit 152, second identification information 13b that uniquely identifies a set including the purchase quantity of the extracted products, and third identification information 13c that uniquely identifies the customer who purchases the products. In particular, the product purchase information generating unit 153 generates the first identification information 13a of the product extracted by the product extraction unit 152 based on the product placement information L that associates the position of the product printed in the advertisement 70 with the first identification information 13a of the product. The product purchase information generating unit 153 is an example of a generating unit in this disclosure.

The purchase quantity receiving unit 154 receives input of the number of products extracted by the product extraction unit 152. Note that the purchase quantity receiving unit 154 is an example of a receiving unit in this disclosure.

The product voucher issuing unit 155 generates a product voucher 87. The product voucher issuing unit 155 also causes the printer 172 to issue the generated product voucher 87.

The product purchase information transmission unit 156 transmits the product purchase information 13 generated by the product purchase information generation unit 153 to the server device 22.

The display control unit 157 causes the display panel 173 to display various information generated by the purchase information generating device 12a.

The operation control unit 158 controls the operation of the purchase information generating device 12a based on the operation information acquired from the touch panel 174.

(Functional configuration of the server device)
Next, the functional configuration of the server device 22 will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 10 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of the server device.

The control unit 24 of the server device 22 deploys the control program Q in the RAM 243 and operates it to realize, as functional units, a product purchase information receiving unit 251, a product purchase information decoding unit 252, an RFID tag writing unit 253, a product purchase information transmitting unit 254, a display control unit 255, and an operation control unit 256, all of which are shown in FIG. 11.

The product purchase information receiving unit 251 receives product purchase information 13 from the purchase information generating device 12a.

The product purchase information decoding unit 252 decodes the product purchase information 13 received by the product purchase information receiving unit 251 so that the picker can view the information and pick the corresponding product. Specifically, it converts the first identification information 13a and second identification information 13b contained in the product purchase information 13 into a format that can uniquely identify the product to be picked and the number of items.

The RFID tag writing unit 253 writes the product purchase information 13 to the RFID tag 42 attached to the basket 40 in which the picked product is stored.

The product purchase information transmission unit 254 transmits the product purchase information 13 to the POS terminal 32.

The display control unit 255 causes the display panel 271 to display various information generated by the server device 22.

The operation control unit 256 controls the operation of the server device 22 based on the operation information acquired from the touch panel 272.

(Functional configuration of POS terminal)
Next, the functional configuration of the POS terminal 32 will be described with reference to Fig. 12. Fig. 12 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the functional configuration of a POS terminal.

The control unit 34 of the POS terminal 32 deploys the control program R in the RAM 343 and operates it to realize, as functional units, a product purchase information receiving unit 351, an RFID tag reading unit 352, a third identification information acquisition unit 353, an information matching unit 354, a product registration processing unit 355, a payment processing unit 356, a display control unit 357, and an operation control unit 358, all of which are shown in FIG. 12.

The product purchase information receiving unit 351 receives the product purchase information 13 for which picking has been completed from the server device 22.

The RFID tag reading unit 352 reads the product purchase information 13 registered in the RFID tag 42 attached to the basket 40 that has arrived at the POS terminal 32.

The third identification information acquisition unit 353 acquires the third identification information 13c printed on the product exchange ticket 87 brought by the customer. Specifically, the third identification information acquisition unit 353 acquires the third identification information 13c by having the store clerk operating the POS terminal 32 read the third identification information 13c printed on the product exchange ticket 87 and input the read third identification information 13c into the POS terminal 32.

The information matching unit 354 matches the third identification information 13c read by the third identification information acquisition unit 353 with the third identification information 13c included in the product purchase information 13 received by the product purchase information receiving unit 351 from the server device 22. The information matching unit 354 may also match the third identification information 13c read by the third identification information acquisition unit 353 with the third identification information 13c read by the RFID tag reading unit 352 from the RFID tag 42 attached to the basket 40.

In addition, the information matching unit 354 matches the product purchase information 13 received from the server device 22 with the product purchase information 13 read by the RFID tag reading unit 352.

The product registration processing unit 355 performs a registration process to register product information of products based on the first identification information 13a and second identification information 13b read by the RFID tag reading unit 352. The product registration processing unit 355 also registers product information of products brought to the POS terminal 32 by the customer. Note that even if a customer has marked an advertisement and requested a purchase, there is a possibility that the customer will purchase the same product twice. Therefore, if the products brought to the POS terminal 32 by the customer include a product marked in the advertisement, the product registration processing unit 355 may display information on the display panel 371 to the effect that the products are duplicated, to draw attention to the fact.

The payment processing unit 356 performs payment for the product registered by the product registration processing unit 355 on the condition that the third identification information 13c received from the server device 22 matches the third identification information 13c contained in the product exchange voucher 87.

The display control unit 357 causes the display panel 371 to display various information generated by the POS terminal 32.

The operation control unit 358 controls the operation of the POS terminal 32 based on the operation information obtained from the touch panel 372.

(Flow of processing performed by the product sales data processing system)
Next, the flow of processing performed by the product sales data processing system 10a will be described with reference to Fig. 13. Fig. 13 is a flow chart showing an example of the flow of processing performed by the product sales data processing system.

(Flow of processing performed by the purchase information generating device)
First, the flow of the process performed by the purchase information generating device 12a will be described. First, the advertisement reading unit 151 scans the advertisement 70 brought by the customer (step S11).

The product extraction unit 152 extracts marked products from the image information read by the advertisement reading unit 151 (step S12).

The product purchase information generation unit 153 generates product purchase information 13 including first identification information 13a that uniquely identifies each product extracted by the product extraction unit 152, second identification information 13b that uniquely identifies a set including the purchase quantity of the extracted products, and third identification information 13c that uniquely identifies the customer who purchases the products (step S13).

The purchase quantity receiving unit 154 receives input of the number of products extracted by the product extraction unit 152 (step S14).

The product purchase information transmission unit 156 transmits the product purchase information 13 generated by the product purchase information generation unit 153 to the server device 22 (step S15).

The product voucher issuing unit 155 generates a product voucher 87 (step S16).

The product voucher issuing unit 155 also issues the generated product voucher 87 (step S17). After that, the purchase information generating device 12a ends the process of FIG. 13.

(Flow of processing performed by the server device)
Next, a description will be given of the flow of the process performed by the server device 22. First, the product purchase information receiving unit 251 receives the product purchase information 13 transmitted by the purchase information generating device 12a (step S21).

The product purchase information decoding unit 252 decodes the product purchase information 13 received by the product purchase information receiving unit 251 so that the picker can pick the corresponding product (step S22).

The operation control unit 256 determines whether an instruction indicating that picking of the product is complete has been given (step S23). If it is determined that an instruction indicating that picking of the product is complete has been given (step S23: Yes), the process proceeds to step S24. On the other hand, if it is not determined that an instruction indicating that picking of the product is complete has been given (step S23: No), the determination of step S23 is repeated. Note that whether an instruction indicating that picking of the product is complete can be determined, for example, by the operation control unit 256 detecting that the person who picked the product has pressed a button indicating picking completion on the touch panel 272 of the server device 22.

When it is determined in step S23 that an instruction has been given indicating that picking of the product is complete, the RFID tag writing unit 253 writes the product purchase information 13 to the RFID tag 42 attached to the basket 40 in which the picked product is stored (step S24).

The product purchase information transmission unit 254 transmits the product purchase information 13 to the POS terminal 32 (step S25). After that, the server device 22 ends the process of FIG. 13.

(Flow of processing performed by a POS terminal)
Next, a description will be given of the flow of processing performed by the POS terminal 32. First, the product purchase information receiving unit 351 receives the product purchase information 13 sent by the server device 22 (step S31).

The operation control unit 358 determines whether there is information input indicating that the basket 40 containing the products has arrived at the POS terminal 32 (step S32). If it is determined that there is information input indicating that the basket 40 has arrived at the POS terminal 32 (step S32: Yes), the process proceeds to step S33. On the other hand, if it is not determined that there is information input indicating that the basket 40 has arrived at the POS terminal 32 (step S32: No), the determination of step S32 is repeated. Note that whether there is information input indicating that the basket 40 has arrived at the POS terminal 32 may be determined, for example, by the operation control unit 358 detecting that the cashier of the POS terminal 32 has pressed a button on the touch panel 372 of the POS terminal 32 indicating that products have arrived.

The RFID tag reading unit 352 reads the product purchase information 13 registered in the RFID tag 42 attached to the basket 40 that has arrived at the POS terminal 32 (step S33).

The information matching unit 354 determines whether the product purchase information 13 read by the RFID tag reading unit 352 matches the product purchase information 13 received from the server device 22 (step S34). If it is determined that the product purchase information 13 read by the RFID tag reading unit 352 matches the product purchase information 13 received from the server device 22 (step S34: Yes), the process proceeds to step S35. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the product purchase information 13 read by the RFID tag reading unit 352 matches the product purchase information 13 received from the server device 22 (step S34: No), the process proceeds to step S38.

If it is determined in step S34 that the product purchase information 13 read by the RFID tag reading unit 352 matches the product purchase information 13 received from the server device 22, the product registration processing unit 355 performs a registration process to register the product information of the products contained in the basket 40 (step S35). Note that since the product information of the products contained in the basket 40 is included in the product purchase information 13 read by the RFID tag reading unit 352 or the product purchase information 13 received from the server device 22, there is no need to perform a process such as scanning the barcodes of the products in the basket 40. That is, the cashier of the POS terminal 32 may, for example, press a product registration button displayed on the touch panel 372 of the POS terminal 32.

Next, the information matching unit 354 determines whether the third identification information 13c (e.g., customer number) printed on the product exchange voucher 87 brought by the customer matches the third identification information 13c included in the product purchase information 13 (step S36). If it is determined that the third identification information 13c printed on the product exchange voucher 87 matches the third identification information 13c included in the product purchase information 13 (step S36: Yes), the process proceeds to step S37. On the other hand, if it is not determined that the third identification information 13c printed on the product exchange voucher 87 matches the third identification information 13c included in the product purchase information 13 (step S36: No), the process proceeds to step S38.

If it is determined in step S36 that the third identification information 13c printed on the product exchange voucher 87 matches the third identification information 13c included in the product purchase information 13, the payment processing unit 356 performs payment for the product registered by the product registration processing unit 355 (step S37). The POS terminal 32 then ends the process of FIG. 13.

If it is not determined in step S34 that the product purchase information 13 read by the RFID tag reader 352 matches the product purchase information 13 received from the server device 22, or if it is not determined in step S36 that the third identification information 13c printed on the product exchange voucher 87 matches the third identification information 13c included in the product purchase information 13, the display controller 357 issues a notification, such as by displaying information indicating that the product purchase information 13 is inconsistent on the display panel 371 of the POS terminal 32 (step S38). The POS terminal 32 then ends the process of FIG. 13.

As described above, in the purchase information generating device 12a of the first embodiment, the advertisement reading unit 151 (reading unit) reads image information of an advertisement including a product marked by a customer, and the product extraction unit 152 (extraction unit) extracts the marked product from the image information read by the advertisement reading unit 151. The product purchase information generating unit 153 (generation unit) generates product purchase information 13 including first identification information 13a that uniquely identifies each product extracted by the product extraction unit 152, second identification information 13b that uniquely identifies a set including the number of extracted products purchased, and third identification information 13c that uniquely identifies the customer who purchases the product. Then, the product voucher issuing unit 155 (issuance unit) issues a product voucher 87 that includes at least the third identification information 13c. Therefore, the customer can easily issue a purchase instruction for a product by the advertisement that he brought to the store and marked the product he wants.

In addition, according to the purchase information generating device 12a of the first embodiment, since the customer does not need to pick up the product himself, for example, a drive-through shopping style can be realized. Specifically, when the marked advertisement is presented at the drive-through reception, the advertisement is scanned and the desired product is extracted. After that, the customer waits for the product to be picked and can receive the product while remaining in the car.

In addition, in the purchase information generating device 12a of the first embodiment, the product extraction unit 152 (extraction unit) extracts marked products based on a difference image between an image of an advertisement including a marked product and an image of an advertisement without a mark, which is read by the advertisement reading unit 151 (reading unit). Therefore, products to be purchased by customers can be reliably extracted by simple processing.

In addition, in the purchase information generating device 12a of the first embodiment, the product purchase information generating unit 153 (generating unit) generates the first identification information 13a of the product extracted by the product extracting unit 152 based on the product placement information L that associates the position of the product printed in the advertisement with the first identification information 13a of the product. Therefore, it is possible to reliably and easily extract product information of the product from the product extracted from the advertisement.

In addition, in the purchase information generating device 12a of the first embodiment, the purchase quantity receiving unit 154 (receiving unit) receives an input of the number of products extracted by the product extraction unit 152. Therefore, the number of products to be purchased can be easily and reliably specified.

In addition, in the product sales data processing system 10a of the first embodiment, the purchase information generating device 12a extracts the marked products from the advertisements including the products marked by the customers, generates product purchase information 13 including first identification information 13a that uniquely identifies each of the extracted products, second identification information 13b that uniquely identifies a set including the number of purchased extracted products, and third identification information 13c that uniquely identifies the customer who purchases the products, and issues a product exchange voucher 87 including at least the third identification information 13c. The server device 22 obtains the product purchase information 13 generated by the purchase information generating device 12a, and when the product based on the second identification information 13b is ready, writes the product purchase information 13 to the RFID tag 42 attached to the basket 40 (container) containing the product and transmits the product purchase information 13 to the POS terminal 32. The POS terminal 32 then receives the product purchase information 13 sent by the server device 22, and, provided that the basket 40 has arrived, displays information indicating that the purchased product is ready on a display panel 52 (display device) that is visible to the customer, and performs payment processing provided that at least the third identification information 13c received from the server device 22 matches the third identification information 13c included in the product exchange coupon 87. Therefore, the customer can easily give product purchase instructions and perform payment processing.

Second Embodiment
Next, a purchase information generating device 12b according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition to the functions of the purchase information generating device 12a described in the first embodiment, the purchase information generating device 12b further includes a function of providing recipes using products that a customer wishes to purchase.

The hardware configuration of the purchase information generating device 12b is the same as that of the purchase information generating device 12a, so a description thereof will be omitted. The functional configuration of the purchase information generating device 12b includes a recipe guide unit 159 (not shown) in addition to the functional configuration of the purchase information generating device 12a (see FIG. 10). The recipe guide unit 159 displays on the display panel 173 representative recipes that use the product that the customer wishes to purchase.

The following describes the functions of the purchase information generating device 12b included in the product sales data processing system 10b (not shown) with reference to FIG. 14. The purchase information generating device 12b has a recipe guide function in addition to the functions included in the purchase information generating device 12a described in the first embodiment. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a recipe display performed by the purchase information generating device of the second embodiment.

The purchase information generating device 12b, which reads the advertisement marked by the customer, extracts the marked product A, product B, .... The purchase information generating device 12b then displays the quantity input screen 90 shown in FIG. 14 on the display panel 173.

The quantity input screen 90 displays a product selection button 91 and a recipe display button 92 in addition to the product name 83, quantity input button 84, and confirmation button 85 displayed on the quantity input screen 82 (see FIG. 4) described above.

The product selection button 91 is a button for selecting a product for which the recipe is to be displayed after the recipe display button 92 is pressed. Note that it is preferable that the product selection button 91 is displayed only for foods for which a recipe can be displayed.

The recipe display button 92 is a button that instructs the user to start displaying the recipe.

When the product selection button 91 attached to product A is pressed followed by the recipe display button 92, the recipe selection screen 93 shown in FIG. 14 is displayed on the display panel 173.

The recipe selection screen 93 displays a product selection button 91, a product name 83, a quantity input button 84, a recipe name 94, a recipe selection button 95, and a back button 96.

The recipe name 94 indicates the name of a typical dish that uses the selected product. The recipe selection buttons 95 are selection buttons that correspond to the recipe names 94, respectively. And the back button 96 is a button for returning to the quantity input screen 90. That is, the recipe selection screen 93 shown in FIG. 14 displays a list of typical dish names that use product A.

When the recipe selection button 95 corresponding to dish U is pressed on the recipe selection screen 93 to select dish U, the recipe display screen 97 shown in FIG. 14 is displayed on the display panel 173.

The recipe display screen 97 displays the ingredients 98 required for the selected dish U, the quantities 99 of the ingredients required to make one portion of dish U, and a back button 96. The back button 96 is a button for returning to the recipe selection screen 93.

Although not shown in FIG. 14, a print button may be provided on the recipe display screen 97, and when the print button is pressed, the purchase information generating device 12b may print out the recipe display screen 97.

Although an embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is merely an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This new embodiment can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications 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, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents as set forth in the claims.

10a, 10b...Product sales data processing system, 12a, 12b...Purchase information generating device, 13...Product purchase information, 13a...First identification information, 13b...Second identification information, 13c...Third identification information, 22...Server device, 32...POS terminal, 40...Basket (container), 42...RFID tag, 52...Display board (display device), 70, 80...Advertisement, 82, 90...Quantity input screen, 86...10 key window, 87...Product exchange voucher, 93...Recipe selection screen, 97...Recipe display screen, 151...Advertisement reading unit (reading unit), 152...Product extraction unit (extraction unit), 153...Product purchase information generating unit (generating unit), 154...Purchase quantity receiving unit (receiving unit), 155...Product exchange voucher issuing unit (issuing unit), F...Advertisement data, Ia, Ib...Image, L...Product placement information, M...Product master, P, Q, R...Control program, S...Sales file

JP 2004-227324 A

Claims (6)

A reading unit that reads image information of an advertisement including the product marked by a customer;
an extraction unit that extracts marked products from the image information read by the reading unit;
a generating unit that generates product purchase information including first identification information that uniquely identifies each of the products extracted by the extracting unit, second identification information that uniquely identifies a set including a purchase quantity of the extracted products, and third identification information that uniquely identifies a customer who purchases the products;
an issuing unit that issues a product voucher including at least the third identification information;
A purchase information generating device comprising: The extraction unit extracts the marked product based on a difference image between an image of the advertisement including the marked product read by the reading unit and an image of the advertisement without the mark.
The purchase information generating device according to claim 1 . the generating unit generates the first identification information of the product extracted by the extracting unit based on product placement information that associates a position of the product printed in the advertisement with the first identification information of the product;
The purchase information generating device according to claim 1 or 2. A reception unit that receives an input of the number of products extracted by the extraction unit,
The purchase information generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 3. a purchase information generating device which extracts the marked products from advertisements including the products marked by the customer, generates product purchase information including first identification information uniquely identifying each of the extracted products, second identification information uniquely identifying a set including the number of purchases of the extracted products, and third identification information uniquely identifying the customer who purchases the products, and issues a product voucher including at least the third identification information;
a server device that acquires the product purchase information generated by the purchase information generating device, and when a product based on the second identification information is ready, writes the product purchase information on a tag attached to a container that contains the product, and transmits the product purchase information to a POS terminal;
a POS terminal that receives the product purchase information transmitted by the server device, and, on condition that the container has arrived, displays information indicating that the purchased product is ready on a display device that is visible to the customer, and performs a settlement process on condition that at least the third identification information received from the server device matches the third identification information included in the product exchange ticket;
A product sales data processing system comprising: Computer,
A reading unit that reads image information of an advertisement including the product marked by a customer;
an extraction unit that extracts marked products from the image information read by the reading unit;
a generating unit that generates product purchase information including first identification information that uniquely identifies each of the products extracted by the extracting unit, second identification information that uniquely identifies a set including a purchase quantity of the extracted products, and third identification information that uniquely identifies a customer who purchases the products;
an issuing unit that issues a product voucher including at least the third identification information;
A program that makes it work.

Images