KR20120071502A - Store watching system and method using tablet pc - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A store monitoring system using a tablet PC(Personal Computer) and method thereof are provided to offer rapid and convenient payment functions, and a customer-centered menu by using a touch screen function through the tablet PC. CONSTITUTION: A body unit(100) includes a selling information generation unit(110), a camera unit(200), an encoding unit(120), and a control unit(130). The selling information creation unit creates selling information by using a card reader, a scanner, or a keypad. When image information created by the camera unit is an analog signal into a digital signal. The control unit creates combination information by combining the image information and the selling information.

Description

Store monitoring system and method using tablet PC {Store watching system and method using tablet PC}

The present invention relates to a store monitoring system and method using a tablet PC, and more particularly, combining information by combining image information generated by photographing inside and around a counter with sales information generated from unique identification information of an article. The present invention relates to a store monitoring system and method using a tablet PC to generate and transmit and receive the combined information with a tablet PC equipped with a touch screen and display the combined information on the tablet PC.

In general, a point of sale system (POS) automatically collects and records data on sales management immediately by electronic cash register function and computer function at the time of selling a product or service, and then stores various necessary data. It refers to a system that is analyzed and processed and reflected directly or indirectly in store operations.

Such POS systems are commonly used in stores of a certain size as competition between companies is fierce and fast and accurate understanding of consumer trends is required.

In addition, CCTV (Closed Circuit Television) system is used for efficient store management such as monitoring the inside of the store or counters in large supermarkets or department stores, or relocating the product by checking the location or time zone where the customers are concentrated. It is installed and widely used.

However, in the related art, the above-described POS system and CCTV system are generally installed and operated separately. In this case, recording and recording of data generated from the POS system and image data generated from the CCTV system are separately stored in storage means provided in each system. Installation and operation are complex and expensive.

In order to solve this problem, POS system combined with POS system and CCTV system or POS system equipped with store monitoring function has been suggested as an alternative, but it is still difficult to perform sales and analysis at the same time while monitoring the store. There is a problem that this rises too much.

In addition, the computer provided in such a system is difficult to use for other purposes than the purpose of managing or monitoring the store or affiliated stores, there is a problem that the mobility is poor.

On the other hand, even from the point of view of the administrator performing the store monitoring function, there is a need for real-time or desired time to always check the video information or sales information of a specific point with a simple operation without limitation of mobility.

Therefore, the problem to be solved by the present invention in order to solve the above-described problems, when performing the store monitoring function in real time or at a desired time, anytime, anywhere by simple operation without restriction of the video information or sales information of a specific point in the store It is to provide a store monitoring system and method using a tablet PC that can be confirmed at any time.

In addition, another technical problem to be solved by the present invention, by using a tablet PC equipped with a touch screen function to provide a menu centered on the customer and to provide a quick and convenient payment function and at the same time provide a store monitoring function, It is to provide a store monitoring system and method using a tablet PC.

Problems to be solved by the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned problems, and other problems not mentioned will be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following description.

Store monitoring system using a tablet PC according to an embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above-described technical problem, the camera unit for photographing the inside and around the counter to generate image information; A main body unit generating combined information by combining sales information generated by the sale of a product with image information generated by the camera unit; The tablet PC is detachably attached to the main body and includes a tablet PC equipped with a touch screen for displaying the coupling information.

In addition, a store monitoring method using a tablet PC according to another embodiment of the present invention for achieving the above technical problem, the step of photographing the inside of the store and around the counter to generate image information; Generating sales information using at least one of a card reader that reads card information, a scanner that scans unique identification information of an article, and a keypad that directly inputs the unique identification information; Generating combined information by combining the sales information with the image information; Transmitting / receiving at least one of the image information, the sales information, and the combined information by using a wired or wireless communication with a tablet PC equipped with a touch screen; And displaying at least one of the image information, the sales information, and the combination information on the tablet PC.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and the drawings.

According to the shop monitoring system and method using a tablet PC according to an embodiment of the present invention as described above, one or more of the following effects exist.

First, in performing a store monitoring function, there is an advantage in that it is possible to check image information or sales information of a specific point in a store in real time or at a desired time anytime and anywhere with a simple operation without limitation of mobility.

Second, using a tablet PC equipped with a touch screen function can provide a menu centered on customers and provide a quick and convenient payment function and at the same time provide a store monitoring function.

The effects of the present invention are not limited to the effects mentioned above, and other effects not mentioned can be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the description of the claims.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a store monitoring system using a tablet PC according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the body portion is attached tablet PC according to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a region A of the main body of FIG. 2.
4 is an exemplary view illustrating a state in which the tablet PC is separated and used in the main body of FIG. 2.
5 is a flowchart illustrating a store monitoring method using a tablet PC according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Advantages and features of the present invention and methods for achieving them will be apparent with reference to the embodiments described below in detail with the accompanying drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments disclosed below, but may be embodied in various different forms, and the present embodiments merely make the disclosure of the present invention complete, and are common in the art to which the present invention pertains. It is provided to fully inform those skilled in the art of the scope of the invention, which is to be defined only by the scope of the claims.

Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. In the present specification, the singular form includes plural forms unless otherwise specified in the specification. As used herein, "comprises" and / or "comprising" does not exclude the presence or addition of components other than the mentioned components. Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used in the present specification may be used in a sense that can be commonly understood by those skilled in the art.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in order to describe the present invention in more detail. Like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout.

1 is an overall configuration diagram of a store monitoring system using a tablet PC according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 1, a store monitoring system according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 100, a camera 200, a tablet PC 300, and a manager's mobile device 400. .

The main body 100 may generate the combined information by combining the sales information generated by the sale of the product or the service with the image information generated by the camera unit 200 to be described later. The structure and detailed functions of the main body 100 will be described later.

The camera unit 200 generates image information of the inside of the store or around the counter and transmits the generated image information to the main body unit 100. The camera unit 200 may be configured of at least one camera, and may be implemented by using a charge coupled device, which is a kind of CCTV camera or a solid-state imaging device. The location to be installed may be installed near the counter in order to photograph the seller and the buyer in the place where the monitoring is required in the store or the sale product.

The tablet PC 300 may be detachably attached to the main body 100, and may include a touch screen displaying combined information combining image information generated by the camera unit 200 and sales information generated by sales. have. When the tablet PC 300 is attached to the main body 100, the tablet PC 300 may be attached to be switched in a horizontal or vertical direction, thereby increasing user convenience.

In general, a tablet PC is a portable personal computer having a touch screen and which can be operated without a keyboard. Particularly, in one embodiment of the present invention, the tablet PC 300 is a computing device that can drive a monitoring system in a store and an order and payment system in a store, and is coupled to the main body 100 to monitor the system. And any device that can provide an ordering and payment system. Therefore, in addition to the generally recognized category of tablet PCs, it is used as a generic term for all devices capable of operating a surveillance system and an order and payment system such as various multimedia devices or mobile devices such as smartphones.

A state where the tablet PC 300 is detachably attached to or detached from the main body unit 100 and used is described below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

Looking at the configuration of the main body 100 in detail, it includes a sales information generation unit 110, the encoding unit 120, the control unit 130, the transceiver 140, the storage unit 150 and the display unit 160 It is configured by.

The sales information generating unit 110 may include a card reader that reads information of a buyer's credit card (including a check card or debit card), a scanner that scans the unique identification information of the article, and a keypad for directly inputting the unique identification information of the article. It may play a role of generating sales information using at least one of. The sales information herein refers to sales management data associated with the sale of a product or service, and may mean all data regarding products generated by the sale.

In addition, the unique identification information may be used as a meaning including not only a barcode or QR code of the article, but also a connection symbol including various information on the article or service such as a smart tag or connecting to the corresponding homepage.

If the image information generated by the camera unit 200 is an analog signal, the encoding unit 120 converts the image information into a digital signal and provides the converted information to the controller 130. If each camera constituting the camera unit 200 generates digital image information, the encoding unit 120 may be omitted. In addition, if necessary, the encoding unit 120 may be configured to be included in the camera unit 200 instead of the main body 100, and may be configured as an independent device instead of the camera unit 200 or the main body 100. You could do it.

The controller 130 combines the image information received from the encoding unit 120 and the sales information received from the sales information generator 110 to generate combined information, and controls the remaining components of the main body 100. Do this.

The transmitter / receiver 140 transmits and receives at least one of the combined information generated by the controller 130, the image information constituting the combined information, and the sales information to the tablet PC 300 using wired or wireless communication. . Here, the method of communicating between the transceiver 140 and the tablet PC 300 may use at least one of serial communication, USB communication, Bluetooth, RF communication, and wireless Internet communication regardless of wired or wireless.

In this way, the tablet PC 300 may perform a monitoring function of a store by receiving at least one of image information, sales information, and combination information from the transceiver 140. Of course, the tablet PC 300 according to an embodiment of the present invention may be equipped with a payment program including at least one of a menu providing and selection function, a remote payment function, and a table payment function.

In addition, the transceiver 140 may transmit the same information as the information transmitted to the tablet PC 300 to the mobile device 400 of the manager. Of course, the administrator may be configured to receive the image information or combined information generated by the designated camera of the area to be observed from the transceiver 140 at real time or at a specified time interval.

The manager's mobile device 400 analyzes the video information and the combined information received from the transceiver 400, and if it is determined that there is an abnormality in the store, the display stand, or the counter based on the analysis result, the tablet PC ( 300 may be remotely controlled to notify whether there is an error. Of course, a security system (not shown) interlocked with the control unit 130 or the tablet PC 300 of the main body unit 100 may be controlled to operate the security system.

The storage unit 150 includes various programs such as an operating system, a point of sale management program, an image compression and storage program, a storage data retrieval program, an application connection program, and the like including communication necessary to operate the system of the present invention under the control of the control unit 130. And the above-described video information, sales information, combined information, and the like.

The display unit 160 may display at least one of image information, sales information, and combination information separately from the touch screen provided in the tablet PC 300. Of course, when the tablet PC 300 is separated from the main body 100 and receives an order from a table in the store, or when the image information is received from the camera unit 200 and the surveillance function is activated, the tablet PC 300 is operated as necessary. The display may be synchronized with the screen output to the tablet PC 300.

Now, a state in which the tablet PC 300 is physically detachably attached to or detached from the main body 100 and used is described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a main body part to which a tablet PC is attached according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of an area A of the main body part of FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the separation of the tablet PC from the main body part of FIG. 2. It is an example figure which shows the state used, and is.

The main body 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is a device that receives and processes various sales information, order information, etc. in a store, and provides a payment service. And convenience can be enhanced.

Specifically, the main body 100 may include a fixing unit 20, a display unit 11, a keypad 12, a journal printing unit 13, and a fixing plate 21 or a main body unit to which the tablet PC T is coupled. It includes a card reader unit 30 coupled to (100).

On the front of the main body 100, the display unit 11 for viewing at least one of the sales information including the payment status of the goods, the image information obtained from the camera unit 200 and the combined information combined with the sales information and the image information ) Is formed. In addition, the front surface of the main body 100 may be provided with a keypad 12 for inputting various data, the slip printing unit 13 for outputting a slip such as card payment information, order information or receipt is formed Can be.

Tablet PC (T) is coupled to the fixed portion 20 is fixed to the body portion 100. If the tablet PC (T) is a structure capable of wired or wireless communication with the main body portion 100, there is no limitation on the size. That is, even if the touch screen is very large or small, if the payment is possible, such as a credit card in conjunction with the main body 100 may be referred to as a tablet PC (T).

The fixing unit 20 serves to fix the tablet PC T to the main body 100, and the fixing plate 21 on which the tablet PC T is seated, and the tablet PC mounted on the fixing plate 21. And a guide part 22 for preventing the detachment of T).

The fixing plate 21 may be formed in a rectangular plate shape so that the tablet PC T may be seated.

The guide part 22 is formed along the edge of the fixing plate 21 to guide the tablet PC T so as not to leave the fixing plate 21. The guide part 22 has a cross-sectional shape formed in a 'c' shape, and guides the tablet PC T to be inserted.

In addition, the guide part 22 may be formed on the lower part and the side of the fixing plate 21, which may be continuously formed on the entire surface of the lower part and the side part of the fixing plate 21, or may be formed intermittently in the form of an opening. have.

Meanwhile, an opening 23 may be formed at one side of the guide part 22. The opening 23 may be a passage for various connectors that can be connected to the tablet PC T, or may be a passage through which the speaker of the tablet PC T is exposed.

The fixing unit 20 may be formed to be inclined at a predetermined angle with the main body 100 so that the screen of the tablet PC T can be easily seen and easily operated while being fixed to the main body 100. In addition, the screen of the tablet PC (T) can be rotated freely to the left and right with respect to the main body portion 100 to rotate 90 degrees.

The card reader 30 is formed at one side of the fixing part 20. The card reader 30 inquires a credit card, a debit card, a check card, a point card, etc., and provides information to the sales information generation unit 110 or the tablet PC T of the main body 100.

Various card information input through the card reader 30 is delivered to the tablet PC (T) to be used as comprehensive payment information, or transferred to the main body 100 so that payment can be made immediately. The card reader 30 is disposed next to the tablet PC T in order to increase user convenience, but is not limited thereto. The card reader 30 may be formed on one side of the main body part 100, or may be formed on the upper side or the lower side of the fixing plate 21. It may be formed in various forms at the location.

On the other hand, the tablet PC (T) and the main body 100 can be wired or wireless communication. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, wired communication may be performed through a connector 24 directly inserted into the tablet PC T. The connector 24 may be formed inside the guide part 22 so that the tablet PC T can be easily connected. Accordingly, when the tablet PC T is inserted into the guide part 22 of the fixing part 20, the tablet PC T may be directly connected to the main body part 100.

The connector 24 may be directly inserted into the tablet PC T, and when the size of the tablet PC T does not match the main body 100, it may be connected through a separate adapter (not shown). Various data are exchanged between the tablet PC T and the transceiver 140 of the main body 100 through the connector 24, and the tablet PC T can receive power through the connector 24. have. Therefore, the tablet PC T is operated by the power supplied from the main body 100 in the state mounted on the main body 100 and can be charged at the same time.

The use state of the main body 100 and the tablet PC T according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described.

First, in FIG. 2, the tablet PC T may be coupled to the main body 100. As described above, since the tablet PC (T) is capable of wired or wireless communication with the main body unit 100, the tablet PC (T) and the main body unit 100 are capable of data communication with each other, each other as one device Work together to process data.

Next, as shown in FIG. 4, the tablet PC T may be used even when separated from the main body 100.

The tablet PC T may transmit and receive data with the transceiver 140 of the main body 100 through wireless communication such as Bluetooth or RF. That is, the tablet PC (T) is physically separated from the main body 100, but is remote, but includes the customer's order information, payment information, etc., when the customer pays with the card (C) the payment information The unit 100 may be provided through wireless communication. At this time, the main body 100 receives card information through the card reader 30 and requests approval from the card company through a communication line connected to the main body 100.

As described above, as the tablet PC T and the main body 100 remotely communicate with each other, the range of activities of the work using the tablet PC T is widened. For example, when it is determined that the image information or the combined information generated by the camera unit 200 is abnormal, the image information or the combined information is received from the main body unit 100 in real time to give or receive a control command. There is a number. In addition, while the clerk is holding the tablet PC (T) to enter the information while moving around the store, and if payment is necessary, it is also possible to provide information to the main body 100 remotely.

Meanwhile, the main body 100 separately includes a display unit 11 for viewing at least one of merchandise sales information, image information acquired from the camera unit 200, and combination information combining sales information and image information. As such, regardless of the tablet PC 300, the store monitoring function may be independently performed. In addition, since the keypad 12 and the slip printing unit 13 are included, and are connected to the card company through telephone line communication as well as Internet communication, even if the tablet PC T does not operate, the main body unit 100 accepts an independent card. Is also possible.

5 is a flowchart illustrating a store monitoring method using a tablet PC according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, the camera unit 200 composed of one or more cameras generates image information by photographing the inside of the store and around the counter (S102). When the generated image information is an analog signal, the encoding unit 120 undergoes a process of converting it into a digital signal (S104).

Meanwhile, the sales information generator 110 may include at least one of a card reader 30 that reads card information, a scanner (not shown) that scans unique identification information of an article, and a keypad 12 that directly inputs unique identification information. Sales information is generated using the (S106). The sales information herein may be used to include all information related to sales or sales of goods, and information about a card or payment means of a buyer.

The control unit 130 combines the sale information with the image information generated through the camera unit 200 or the encoding unit 120 to generate combined information (S108).

After the combination information is generated, the transceiver 140 transmits at least one of the image information, the sales information, and the combination information by using the wired or wireless communication with the tablet PC 300 provided with the touch screen (S110). If the tablet PC 300 directly receives image information from the camera unit 200, the transceiver 140 may receive at least one of image information, sales information, and combination information from the tablet PC 300. .

The tablet PC 300 may display at least one of image information, sales information, and combination information (S112). As a result, the tablet PC 300 may perform a monitoring function to check in real time the combined information combined with the image information or the sales information of the inside of the store or the counter. Of course, as described above, at least one of the menu providing and selection function, the remote payment function, and the table payment function according to an embodiment of the present invention may be performed.

On the other hand, such image information, sales information and combined information can be retrieved later in the event of an accident in the store or a problem in the counter, so that it is stored in the storage unit 150 for record preservation (S114).

The transceiver 140 may transmit at least one of the image information, the sales information, and the combined information to the manager's mobile device using wired or wireless communication (S116). In addition, the image information and the combined information generated from the camera of the zone previously designated by the administrator may be transmitted to the mobile device 400 in real time or at a time designated by the administrator.

The manager's mobile device 400 analyzes the image information and the combined information received from the transceiver 140 and, if it is determined that the abnormality is based on the analysis result, remotely controls the tablet PC 300 to determine whether there is an abnormality. The notification is made (S118).

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It will be appreciated that one embodiment is possible. Accordingly, the true scope of the present invention should be determined by the technical idea of the claims.

11: display unit 12: keypad
13: slip printing part 20: fixing part
21: fixing plate 22: guide portion
23: opening 24: connector
30: card reader 100: main body
110: sales information generation unit 120: encoding unit
130: control unit 140: transceiver
150: storage unit 160: display unit
200: camera unit 300: tablet PC
400: administrator's mobile device

Claims (17)

A camera unit generating image information by capturing the inside of the store and around the counter;
A main body unit generating combined information by combining the sales information generated by the sale of the product with the image information generated by the camera unit;
And a tablet PC detachably attached to the main body, the tablet PC including a touch screen displaying the coupling information. The method of claim 1,
The main body portion,
A sales information generation unit generating sales information using at least one of a card reader reading card information of a buyer, a scanner scanning unique identification information of an article, and a keypad directly inputting the unique identification information;
An encoding unit converting the image information generated by the camera unit into a digital signal when the image information is an analog signal;
A controller configured to combine the image information received from the encoding unit and the sale information received from the sale information generator to generate combined information;
And a transmitting / receiving unit configured to transmit and receive at least one of the image information, the sales information, and the combined information by using the wired or wireless communication with the tablet PC. The method of claim 2,
The main body portion,
A storage unit which stores the image information, the sales information, and the combined information;
And a display unit configured to display at least one of the image information, the sale information, and the combined information. The method of claim 2,
The unique identification information,
At least one of a bar code, a QR code, and a smart tag of the article, a shop monitoring system using a tablet PC. The method of claim 2,
The transceiver unit,
And at least one of the image information, the sales information, and the combined information is transmitted to a mobile device of an administrator through wired or wireless communication. The method of claim 5, wherein
The mobile device,
The store monitoring system using a tablet PC for receiving the image information generated from the camera designated by the manager and the combined information combined with the image information from the transmitting and receiving unit in real time or at a time designated by the manager. The method according to claim 6,
The mobile device,
And analyzing the video information and the combined information received from the transmission and reception unit and notifying the tablet PC by remotely controlling the tablet PC when it is determined that the abnormality is based on the analysis result. The method of claim 2,
The transceiver unit,
A store monitoring system using a tablet PC, transmitting and receiving to and from the tablet PC using at least one of serial communication, USB communication, Bluetooth, RF communication, and wireless Internet communication. The method of claim 2,
The tablet PC,
Store monitoring system using a tablet PC, which is attached to the main body to be switched in the horizontal or vertical direction. The method of claim 2,
The main body portion,
And a connector unit inserted into the tablet PC to connect the tablet PC to the transceiver and supplying power to the tablet PC. The method of claim 1,
The tablet PC,
A store monitoring system using a tablet PC, comprising a payment program including at least one of a menu providing and selection function, a remote payment function, and a table payment function. Generating image information by photographing the inside of the store and around the counter;
Generating sales information using at least one of a card reader that reads card information, a scanner that scans unique identification information of an article, and a keypad that directly inputs the unique identification information;
Generating combined information by combining the sales information with the image information;
Transmitting / receiving at least one of the image information, the sales information, and the combined information by using a wired or wireless communication with a tablet PC equipped with a touch screen;
And displaying at least one of the image information, the sales information, and the combined information on the tablet PC. The method of claim 12,
After generating the image information,
And converting the generated image information into a digital signal when the generated image information is an analog signal. The method of claim 12,
And storing the image information, the sales information, and the combined information. The method of claim 12,
And transmitting at least one of the image information, the sales information, and the combined information to a mobile device of an administrator through wired or wireless communication. The method of claim 15,
Sending to the manager's mobile device,
Store information using a tablet PC to transmit the image information generated from the camera designated by the manager and the combined information combined with the image information to the mobile device in real time or at a time designated by the manager. The method of claim 15,
And analyzing, by the mobile device, the received image information and the combined information and notifying the tablet PC by remotely controlling the tablet PC if it is determined that the abnormality is determined based on the analysis result. Store monitoring method used.

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