JP6785077B2 - Information processing equipment and programs - Google Patents

Description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to information processing devices and programs.

Conventionally, stores such as supermarkets are provided with cash register terminals for accounting for products. At such a store, when a queue for accounting occurs, the clerk confirms the queue directly or through a surveillance camera, etc., and then issues a support request, and in response to this support request, a new cashier terminal is operated. The waiting mitigation measures are being taken. In addition, conventionally, the state of a person staying in the store is detected based on an image of the inside of the store (accounting waiting area, etc.), and based on this detection result, an action to reduce the customer's accounting waiting is indicated. A technique has been proposed in which a notification is given to instruct the operation of a cash register device when it is determined that the cash register should be operated.

However, in the above-mentioned conventional technique, there is a possibility that a queue waiting for accounting has already occurred because notification is given when a queue waiting for accounting actually occurs or when the store is crowded. In addition, even when the cashier device is stopped (suspended), it cannot be said that it is efficient because the stop is decided when the waiting for accounting is actually resolved, and further improvement is made from the viewpoint of operational support of the cashier terminal. There is room.

An object to be solved by the present invention is to provide an information processing device and a program capable of efficiently supporting the operation of a cash register terminal.

The information processing device of the embodiment includes a prediction means, a first calculation means, a first determination means, a second calculation means, a second determination means, and a notification means. The predictive means is based on the purchase rate, which indicates the percentage of customers who purchased products among the customers who visited the store, and the average score of the products purchased by the customer, which was recorded as a past record. Predict the number of items purchased from the number of customers. The first calculation means operates based on the number of cash register terminals in operation among the cash register terminals installed in the store and the number of product processing points that can be processed by one cash register terminal per unit time. Calculate the total number of processing points that can be processed by all the cashier terminals inside. The first determination means determines whether or not an accounting wait occurs based on the difference value between the purchase points and the total processing points. The second calculation means is based on the difference value between the purchase points and the total processing points and the processing points on the condition that the first determination means determines that a cash register wait occurs. Calculate the number of the cashier terminals that are insufficient for the processing of. The second determination means is calculated by the second calculation means based on the number of clerk of the store and the number of operating cash register terminals, and the remaining number of clerk excluding the clerk involved in the operation of the cash register terminal. It is determined whether the cashier terminals for the shortage can be operated. The notification means notifies the number of clerk who is insufficient for the operation of the cash register terminal for the shortage number, on condition that the second determination means cannot be operated.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an in-store system according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the cash register terminal shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the management server shown in FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the data structure of the cash register management table shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the data structure of the clerk management table shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the mobile terminal shown in FIG. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the cash register operation support process executed by the management server of the embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation determination process executed by the management server of the embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of a pause determination process executed by the management server of the embodiment.

The information processing apparatus and the embodiment of the program will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the following embodiment, an example in which the information processing device and the program of the present invention are applied to a store such as a supermarket or a convenience store will be described, but the present invention is not limited to this embodiment.

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of an in-store system 1 according to the present embodiment. The in-store system 1 includes a cash register terminal 10, a first camera 21, a second camera 22, a management server 30, and a mobile terminal 40.

The cash register terminal 10 and the management server 30 are connected via a wired or wireless network N1. The first camera 21, the second camera 22, and the management server 30 are connected via a wired or wireless network N2. The mobile terminal 40 and the management server 30 are connected via the wireless network N3. Here, any or all of the networks N1, N2 and N3 may be the same network.

The cash register terminal 10 is a POS (Point Of Sale) register device installed in a store. The cash register terminal 10 registers and accounts (settlement) the products related to one transaction while referring to the product master (not shown) in which the product code, unit price, etc. of each product sold in the store are stored. ..

Further, the cash register terminal 10 can be operated in two cash register forms by switching between a one-person system and a two-person system. Here, the one-person system means a cash register form in which one clerk registers and accounts for products. In addition, the two-person system means a cash register form in which two clerk cooperate to register and check out products individually.

The cash register terminal 10 has a configuration as shown in FIG. 2, for example. Here, FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the cash register terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 2, the cash register terminal 10 includes a control unit 11 having a computer configuration including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), and the like. Further, the control unit 11 has a time counting function such as an RTC (Real Time Clock).

The communication I / F (interface) 13, the input unit 14, the code scanner 15, the display unit 16, the printer 17, and the storage unit 18 are connected to the control unit 11 via the bus 12.

The communication I / F 13 is a wired or wireless communication I / F for connecting to the network N1. The input unit 14 has an input device such as a keyboard and a pointing device. The input unit 14 receives an operation input from the operator via the input device, and notifies the control unit 11 of a signal corresponding to the operation content. For example, the input device has a number key for inputting an amount of money, a number of points sold, and the like, and a current total key for instructing the total output of products registered for sale as a commercial transaction. In addition, the input device has a support request key for outputting a support request when a queue waiting for accounting occurs.

The code scanner 15 is a scanner device that optically reads code symbols such as barcodes and two-dimensional codes. The code scanner 15 reads a product ID or the like that can identify the product from the code symbol attached to the product.

The display unit 16 has a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The display unit 16 displays various information under the control of the control unit 11. The printer 17 is a printer device such as a thermal printer. The printer 17 prints a receipt, a journal, or the like under the control of the control unit 11.

The storage unit 18 has a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or an SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 18 stores various programs and setting information executed by the control unit 11 (CPU).

Further, the cash register terminal 10 includes a functional unit realized by cooperation between a control unit 11 (CPU) and a program stored in a ROM or a storage unit 18. Specifically, when the control unit 11 (CPU) executes the program, functional units such as the accounting processing unit 111 and the status notification unit 112 are realized on the RAM. The accounting processing unit 111 and the status notification unit 112 may be realized in terms of hardware by a dedicated processor or the like provided in the control unit 11.

The accounting processing unit 111 performs product registration (sales registration) and accounting processing related to accounting. For example, the accounting processing unit 111 reads the product information corresponding to the product ID from the product master based on the product ID read from the product by the code scanner 15. In addition, the accounting processing unit 111 calculates the selling price of the product from the unit price included in the product information, the number of units sold via the input unit 14, and the like. Further, when the registration and accounting for one commercial transaction is completed, the accounting processing unit 111 registers the product ID, the selling price, etc. of those products in a sales master file or the like (not shown) to register the sales. Then, the accounting processing unit 111 outputs a receipt showing the breakdown of the transaction from the printer 17.

The status notification unit 112 cooperates with the communication I / F 13 to notify the management server 30 of the status of the cash register terminal 10. For example, when the status notification unit 112 shifts from the hibernation state to the operating state, the status notification unit 112 transmits status information indicating the operating state to the management server 30. Further, when the status notification unit 112 shifts from the operating state to the hibernation state, the status notification unit 112 transmits the status information indicating the hibernation state to the management server 30. Here, the operating state means a state in which accounting processing can be executed by the accounting processing unit 111. In addition, the hibernation state means a state in which accounting processing cannot be executed, and examples thereof include a power-off state and a standby state.

Further, the status information transmitted by the status notification unit 112 includes information indicating an operating state or a hibernation state, as well as identification information (hereinafter, referred to as a cash register number) that can identify the cash register terminal 10. When the cashier terminal 10 is in operation, the status notification unit 112 transmits information indicating the cashier form (one-person system or two-person system) of the cashier terminal 10 in the state information. Further, when the cash register terminal 10 is in operation, the status notification unit 112 may include identification information (clerk ID) that can identify the clerk who operates the cash register terminal 10 in the status information and transmit the information. ..

Returning to FIG. 1, the first camera 21 is provided at a position where the vicinity of the entrance of the store can be imaged, and images the customers who come to the store. Further, the second camera 22 is provided at a position where the vicinity of the exit of the store can be imaged, and images the customers leaving the store. The first camera 21 and the second camera 22 sequentially transmit the image data obtained by imaging to the management server 30. When the entrance and the exit are the same, the imaging direction of the first camera 21 is directed to the direction in which the face of the customer visiting the store can be imaged, and the imaging direction of the second camera 22 is the imaging direction of the customer leaving the store. The face shall be oriented in a direction that allows imaging.

The management server 30 is a server device corresponding to the information processing device of the present embodiment. The management server 30 has a configuration as shown in FIG. 3, for example. Here, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the management server 30. As shown in FIG. 3, the management server 30 includes a control unit 31 having a computer configuration composed of a CPU, ROM, RAM, and the like. Further, the control unit 31 has a timekeeping function such as an RTC.

The control unit 31 includes a first communication I / F 33, a second communication I / F 34, a third communication I / F 35, an input unit 36, a display unit 37, and a storage unit 38 via the bus 32. Is connected.

The first communication I / F 33 is a wired or wireless communication I / F for connecting to the network N1. The second communication I / F 34 is a wired or wireless communication I / F for connecting to the network N2. The third communication I / F 35 is a wireless communication I / F for connecting to the network N3.

The input unit 36 has an input device such as a keyboard. The input unit 36 receives an operation input from the operator via the input device, and notifies the control unit 31 of a signal corresponding to the operation content. The display unit 37 has a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The display unit 37 displays various information under the control of the control unit 31.

The storage unit 38 has a storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. The storage unit 38 stores various programs and various setting information executed by the control unit 31 (CPU).

In addition, the storage unit 38 stores purchase history data D1 and processing capacity data D2 as data indicating past results performed at the store. The purchase history data D1 is data that records the tendency of customers who visit the store to purchase products, and stores the purchase rate and the average number of purchase points in association with the date and time (year, month, day, hour, and minute) when these values were acquired. .. Here, the "purchase rate" means the ratio of the customers (number of customers) who actually purchased the product to the customers (number of customers) who visited the store during that time period. The "average number of items purchased" means the average number of items purchased by each customer who visited the store during that time period. The purchase history data D1 preferably retains data for at least the past year.

The method of acquiring the data to be recorded in the purchase history data D1 is not particularly limited, and a known method may be used. For example, the management server 30 totals the number of customers visiting the store, the ratio of customers who have made transactions at each cash register terminal 10 (purchase rate), and the number of stores purchased at predetermined time intervals, and the totaled result corresponds to the current date and time. It may be attached and registered in the purchase history data D1. Further, the purchase history data D1 may record other factors such as the weather and the temperature in the time zone together with the date and time.

In addition, the storage unit 38 stores the processing capacity data D2 in which the processing capacity of each cash register form of the cash register terminal 10 is recorded. Here, the processing capacity means the number of products that can be processed per unit time (for example, 10 minutes or 1 hour) by one cash register terminal 10. The processing capacity is set from the actual value of each cash register form. For example, the processing capacity may be an average value or a maximum value (minimum value) of the number of products processed per unit time by each of the cash register terminals 10.

The method of acquiring the data to be recorded in the processing capacity data D2 is not particularly limited, and a known method may be used. For example, each of the cash register terminals 10 records the cash register form and the number of processed products, and from these recording results, the average value or the maximum value (minimum value) of the number of products that can be processed per unit time, etc. May be obtained. It should be noted that the processing capacity of the two-person system is generally larger than the value obtained by doubling the processing capacity of the one-person system.

Further, the storage unit 38 stores the cash register management table T1 for managing the operating status of the cash register terminal 10. Specifically, the cash register management table T1 stores and manages the state information transmitted from the cash register terminal 10 of the cash register number in association with the cash register number that identifies each of the cash register terminals 10.

FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the data structure of the cash register management table T1. As shown in FIG. 4, the cash register management table T1 stores state information indicating whether the cash register terminal 10 is in operation or inactive in association with the cash register number of each cash register terminal 10. Here, the number of cash register numbers corresponds to the total number of cash register terminals 10 provided in the store. Further, in the state information of FIG. 4, it is shown that the "one-person system" is operating in the one-person system, and the "two-person system" is in operation in the two-person system.

In addition, the storage unit 38 stores the clerk management table T2 for managing the attendance status of the clerk (cash register staff) working in the store. Specifically, the clerk management table T2 stores attendance information indicating the attendance status of the clerk in association with the clerk ID that identifies each of the clerk. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing an example of the data structure of the clerk management table T2. As shown in FIG. 5, the clerk management table T2 stores attendance information indicating whether or not the clerk is at work in association with the clerk ID of each clerk. Here, the number of clerk IDs corresponds to the total number of clerk working in the store. Further, in the attendance information of FIG. 5, a circle mark means that the employee is at work, and a cross mark means that the employee is absent. In other words, the number of clerk with a circle in the attendance status corresponds to the number of clerk on duty.

The method of acquiring attendance information is not particularly limited, and a known method may be used. For example, the management server 30 may read the attendance status of each clerk from an external device such as a time card. Further, the management server 30 may manage the clerk in the store as being on duty by communicating with the terminal device (for example, the mobile terminal 40) carried by each clerk. Further, the attendance information is not limited to the one acquired in real time, and may be an attendance schedule (shift schedule) or the like created in advance for each date and time.

Further, the management server 30 includes a functional unit realized by cooperation between the control unit 31 (CPU) and the program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 38. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, when the control unit 31 (CPU) executes the program, the functions of the operation status management unit 311, the number of customers visiting the store calculation unit 312, the judgment processing unit 313, the notification processing unit 314, and the like are performed. The unit is realized on the RAM. The operation status management unit 311, the number of customers visiting the store calculation unit 312, the judgment processing unit 313, and the notification processing unit 314 may be realized by hardware by a dedicated processor or the like provided in the control unit 31.

The operation status management unit 311 stores the status information transmitted from each of the cash register terminals 10 in the cash register management table T1 in association with the cash register number of the cash register terminal 10 of the transmission source.

The store visitor number calculation unit 312 calculates the number of customers visiting the store based on the information obtained from various devices provided in the store. Specifically, the store visitor number calculation unit 312 analyzes the image data transmitted from the first camera 21 and the second camera 22 to obtain the number of customers entering the store and the number of customers leaving the store. Are counted respectively. Then, the store visitor number calculation unit 312 calculates the number of customers visiting the store as the number of customers visiting the store by calculating the difference between the number of customers (the number of customers entering the store-the number of customers leaving the store). The method of counting the number of people from the image data is not particularly limited, and a known technique can be used. For example, by using a face detection technique, a human face may be detected from image data, and the number of detected faces may be used as the number of customers.

The number of customers visiting the store is not limited to the one calculated from the image data, and other methods may be used. For example, if a number counting device (gate, etc.) for counting the number of people is provided at the entrance (exit) of the store, the number of customers visiting the store is calculated based on the number of people counted by this number counting device. You may.

The determination processing unit 313 corresponds to the prediction means, the first calculation means, the first determination means, the second calculation means, and the second determination means of the present embodiment. The judgment processing unit 313 predicts the number of purchased items of the products purchased by the customers who are visiting the store from the number of customers visiting the store based on the past results corresponding to the current date and time. Further, the determination processing unit 313 calculates the total number of processed products that can be processed by all the operating cash register terminals 10 based on the number of operating cash register terminals 10 and the processing capacity thereof.

Specifically, the judgment processing unit 313 is based on the following formula (1), and the difference between the number of purchased items (number of purchased items) predicted from the number of customers visiting the store and the total number of processed points that can be processed by the operating cashier terminal 10. Is calculated as a surplus score.
Surplus points = (number of customers visiting the store x purchase rate x average number of points purchased)-(number of cashiers with one person x processing capacity with one person)-(number of cashiers with two people x processing capacity with two people) ... (1)

In the formula (1), the “number of customers visiting the store” in the first item on the right side is the current number of customers visiting the store calculated by the number of customers visiting the store 312. The "purchase rate" and the "average purchase point" are the past purchase rate and the average purchase point corresponding to the current date and time stored in the purchase history data D1. The judgment processing unit 313 reads the purchase rate and the average number of purchase points corresponding to the current date and time from the purchase history data D1 and multiplies the number of store visitors acquired from the store visitor number calculation unit 312 to predict the number of purchase points from the number of store visitors. Is calculated.

When the purchase history data D1 stores data for a plurality of years, the "purchase rate" and the "average number of points purchased" of the latest year may be used, or the "purchase rate" calculated from the data of each year may be used. The average value of "purchase rate" and "average number of points purchased" may be used. Further, when the factors of temperature and weather are recorded in the purchase history data D1, the determination processing unit 313 may derive the "purchase rate" and the "average number of purchase points" in consideration of these factors. ..

Further, in the formula (1), the “number of cashiers per person” in the second item on the right side is the number of cashier terminals 10 operating by one person among the cashier terminals 10 in operation recorded in the cashier management table T1. is there. The "one-person processing capacity" is the one-person processing capacity recorded in the processing capacity data D2. When the judgment processing unit 313 reads the number of single-person cash registers from the cash register management table T1 and reads the single-person processing capacity from the processing capacity data D2, the judgment processing unit 313 multiplies these values to display the cash register terminal 10 operating in a single-person system. Calculate the number of products that can be processed.

Further, in the formula (1), the "number of two-person cash register" in the third item on the right side is the cash register terminal 10 operating in a two-person system among the operating cash register terminals 10 recorded in the cash register management table T1. It is the number of units. The "two-person processing capacity" is the two-person processing capacity recorded in the processing capacity data D2. When the judgment processing unit 313 reads the number of two-person cash registers from the cash register management table T1 and reads the two-person processing capacity from the processing capacity data D2, the cash register operating in the two-person system is multiplied by these values. The number of products that can be processed by the terminal 10 is calculated.

Then, the determination processing unit 313 calculates the surplus points by subtracting the values of the second and third terms from the first term on the right side based on the equation (1).

In addition, the judgment processing unit 313 determines whether or not an accounting wait occurs based on the calculated surplus points. Specifically, the determination processing unit 313 determines whether or not the processing capacity of the operating cash register terminal 10 is sufficient to process the purchase points predicted from the number of customers visiting the store based on the surplus points.

For example, when the surplus points exceed the first threshold value, the determination processing unit 313 determines that the processing capacity is insufficient, that is, a waiting for accounting occurs. In this case, the judgment processing unit 313 calculates the number of newly operating cash register terminals 10 and the number of cash register terminals 10 for changing the cash register form (one-person system → two-person system) in order to prevent the occurrence of waiting for accounting. (Hereinafter, referred to as operation judgment processing) is executed. Further, for example, when the number of surplus points is less than the second threshold value (however, the second threshold value ≤ the first threshold value), the determination processing unit 313 determines that the processing capacity is exceeded, that is, no accounting wait occurs. In this case, the judgment processing unit 313 processes to calculate the number of cash register terminals 10 to be suspended and the number of cash register terminals 10 to change the cash register form (two-person system → one-person system) in order to reduce the processing capacity ( Hereinafter, the pause determination process) is executed. When the surplus points belong to the threshold range between the first threshold and the second threshold, the determination processing unit 313 determines that the processing capacity is appropriate.

Here, any value can be set for the first threshold value and the second threshold value. The first threshold value and the second threshold value may be set to the same value such as 0, or different values (provided that the first threshold value> the second threshold value) may be set. The details of the operation determination process and the suspension determination process will be described later.

The notification processing unit 314 corresponds to the notification means of the present embodiment. The notification processing unit 314 cooperates with the determination processing unit 313 to notify the processing result of the determination processing unit 313. For example, the notification processing unit 314 performs notification according to the processing result of the determination processing unit 313 to the mobile terminal 40 via the third communication I / F 35.

The notification destination is not limited to the mobile terminal 40. For example, the notification processing unit 314 may perform notification by displaying the processing result of the determination processing unit 313 on the display unit 37. Further, the notification processing unit 314 may perform notification according to the processing result of the determination processing unit 313 to each of the cash register terminals 10 via the first communication I / F 33.

Returning to FIG. 1, the mobile terminal 40 is a mobile terminal such as a smartphone owned by a store clerk (for example, a store manager). The mobile terminal 40 has a configuration as shown in FIG. 6, for example. Here, FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the mobile terminal 40. As shown in FIG. 6, the mobile terminal 40 includes a control unit 41 having a computer configuration composed of a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and the like. Further, the control unit 41 has a timekeeping function such as an RTC.

The communication I / F 43, the input unit 44, the display unit 45, the notification unit 46, and the storage unit 47 are connected to the control unit 41 via the bus 42.

The communication I / F 43 is a wireless communication I / F for connecting to the network N3. The input unit 44 has an input device such as a keyboard and a pointing device. The input unit 44 receives an operation input from the operator via the input device, and notifies the control unit 41 of a signal corresponding to the operation content.

The display unit 45 has a display device such as a liquid crystal display. The display unit 45 displays various information under the control of the control unit 41. The notification unit 46 notifies by light, sound, vibration, or the like. The storage unit 47 has a storage device such as an HDD or an SSD. The storage unit 47 stores various programs and setting information executed by the control unit 41 (CPU).

Further, the mobile terminal 40 includes a functional unit realized by cooperation between the control unit 41 (CPU) and a program stored in the ROM or the storage unit 47. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 6, when the control unit 41 (CPU) executes the program, functional units such as the notification control unit 411 and the display control unit 412 are realized on the RAM. The notification control unit 411 and the display control unit 412 may be realized by hardware by a dedicated processor or the like provided in the control unit 41.

When the state of the mobile terminal 40 satisfies a predetermined condition, the notification control unit 411 performs notification by operating the notification unit 46. For example, the notification control unit 411 operates the notification unit 46 on condition that the notification is received from the management server 30. In addition, the notification control unit 411 may perform notification by displaying a screen in cooperation with the display control unit 412.

The display control unit 412 controls the screen display of the display unit 45. For example, the display control unit 412 causes the display unit 45 to display the content (process result of the determination processing unit 313) notified from the management server 30 in response to the user operation via the input unit 44.

Next, the operation of the management server 30 described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 7 to 9. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the cash register operation support process executed by the management server 30. In this embodiment, an example in which the first threshold value and the second threshold value are set to 0 will be described.

First, the determination processing unit 313 acquires the number of customers visiting the store calculated by the number of customers visiting the store 312 (step S11). Here, the timing at which the determination processing unit 313 acquires the number of customers visiting the store is not particularly limited. For example, the determination processing unit 313 may acquire the number of customers visiting the store at predetermined time intervals such as 5 minutes or 30 minutes. Further, the determination processing unit 313 may be configured to acquire the number of customers visiting the store on condition that the support request is output from the cash register terminal 10.

Next, the judgment processing unit 313 determines the past results (purchase rate, average number of points purchased) corresponding to the current date and time, the number of one-person cash registers, the number of two-person cash registers, and the processing capacity for each cash register form, as purchase history data D1. , Read from the processing capacity data D2 and the cash register management table T1. Next, the determination processing unit 313 calculates the number of surplus points based on the above formula (1) by using the number of customers visiting the store acquired in step S11 and various information read from the purchase history data D1 or the like (step S12).

Subsequently, the determination processing unit 313 determines whether or not the number of surplus points calculated in step S12 exceeds 0 (step S13). Here, the determination processing unit 313 determines that the processing capacity of the cash register terminal 10 is insufficient on condition that the surplus points exceed 0 (step S13; Yes). In this case, the determination processing unit 313 executes the operation determination process (see FIG. 8) (step S14), and ends this process.

Further, the determination processing unit 313 determines that the processing capacity of the cash register terminal 10 is exceeded on condition that the number of surplus points is less than 0 (step S13; No → step S15; Yes). In this case, the determination processing unit 313 executes the pause determination process (see FIG. 9) (step S16), and ends this process.

When the number of surplus points is 0 (step S13; No → step S15; No), the determination processing unit 313 determines that the processing capacity of the cash register terminal 10 is appropriate, and ends this processing.

Next, the operation determination process in step S14 described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation determination process executed by the management server 30.

First, the judgment processing unit 313 calculates the number of cash register terminals 10 (the number required for the one-person system) required to process the products corresponding to the surplus points calculated in step S12 with the processing capacity of the one-person system (step S21). .. Specifically, the determination processing unit 313 calculates the required number of units per person based on the following equation (2).
Required number of units per person = Surplus points ÷ Processing capacity per person ... (2)

Subsequently, the judgment processing unit 313 compares the number of dormant cash register terminals 10 registered in the cash register management table T1 (hereinafter referred to as the number of dormant cash registers) with the number of required one-person cash registers, and the number of dormant cash registers is one. It is determined whether or not the number of units exceeds the required number (step S22). Here, the determination processing unit 313 operates the cashier terminals 10 for the number of dormant cashiers required for one person on the condition that the number of dormant cashiers exceeds the number required for one person (step S22; Yes). Therefore, it is judged that the products corresponding to the surplus points can be processed.

Next, the judgment processing unit 313 is the remaining clerk excluding the clerk who is operating the cash register terminal 10 among the clerk working at the store, and operates the cash register terminal 10 for the required number of people by one person. Is determined (step S23). Specifically, the determination processing unit 313 determines whether or not the relationship of the following equation (3) is established.
Number of employees- (Number of cashiers for one person + Number of cashiers for two people x 2) ≥ Number of cashiers required for one person ... (3)

In the formula (3), the “number of working clerk” is the number of working clerk registered in the clerk management table T2. The "number of cashiers per person" is the number of cashier terminals 10 operating by one person registered in the cashier management table T1. The "two-person cash register number" is the number of cash register terminals 10 operating in a two-person system registered in the cash register management table T1. That is, the left side of the formula (3) means the number of remaining clerk who are working at the store, excluding the clerk who is operating the cash register terminal 10.

Judgment processing unit 313 determines that the remaining clerk can operate the cashier terminals 10 for the required number of cashiers by one person, on condition that the relationship of the formula (3) is established (step S23; Yes). To do. Then, based on the processing result of the determination processing unit 313, the notification processing unit 314 transmits (notifies) the required number of one-person systems for operating the dormant cash register terminal 10 by one person to the mobile terminal 40 (step S24). This process ends.

Further, the judgment processing unit 313 cannot operate the cashier terminals 10 for the required number of one-person systems by one person, provided that the relationship of the formula (3) is not established (step S23; No). Judge. In this case, the notification processing unit 314 transmits (notifies) the required number of people for one person and the insufficient number of clerk to the mobile terminal 40 based on the processing result of the judgment processing unit 313 (step S25), and ends this processing. To do. The insufficient number of clerk corresponds to the value obtained by subtracting the left side of the formula (3) from the right side of the formula (3).

On the other hand, in step S22, when the number of dormant cash registers is less than the number required for the one-person system (step S22; No), the determination processing unit 313 has a surplus point even if all the dormant cash register terminals 10 are operated by one person. Judged that it cannot be processed.

In this case, the judgment processing unit 313 calculates the number of cash register terminals 10 (the number required for the two-person system) required to process the products for the surplus points calculated in step S12 with the processing capacity of the two-person system (the number of the cashier terminals required for the two-person system). Step S26). Specifically, the determination processing unit 313 calculates the required number of two-person system based on the following formula (4).
Required number of two-person system = (surplus points-number of suspended cash registers x one-person processing capacity) ÷ (two-person processing capacity-one-person processing capacity) ... (4)

Subsequently, the judgment processing unit 313 compares the total number of cash register terminals 10 registered in the cash register management table T1 (hereinafter referred to as the total number of cash registers) with the number required for the two-person system, and the total number of cash registers is required for the two-person system. It is determined whether or not the number is equal to or greater than the number (step S27). Here, the judgment processing unit 313 operates the cashier terminals 10 for the required number of cashiers in a two-person system on the condition that the total number of cashiers is equal to or more than the required number of cashiers (step S27; Yes). Then, it is judged that the products for the surplus points can be processed.

Subsequently, the judgment processing unit 313 is the remaining clerk excluding the clerk who is operating the cash register terminal 10 among the clerk working at the store, and operates the cash register terminal 10 for the required number of two people in a two-person system. It is determined whether or not this can be done (step S28). Specifically, the determination processing unit 313 determines whether or not the relationship of the following equation (5) is established.
Number of employees at work- (Number of cash registers for one person + Number of cash registers for two people x 2) ≥ Number of cash registers for suspension + Number of cash registers required for two people ... (5)

The determination processing unit 313 can operate the cashier terminals 10 for the required number of two-person system by the remaining clerk on the condition that the relationship of the formula (5) is established (step S28; Yes). Judge. Then, the notification processing unit 314 transmits the operation instruction of all the cash register terminals 10 and the required number of cash register terminals 10 to be operated by the two-person system to the mobile terminal 40 based on the processing result of the judgment processing unit 313 ( (Notification) (step S29), and this process ends.

Further, the judgment processing unit 313 operates the cashier terminals 10 for the required number of two-person system by the remaining clerk on the condition that the relationship of the formula (5) is not established (step S28; No). Judge that it cannot be done. In this case, the notification processing unit 314 gives an operation instruction of all the cash register terminals 10 based on the processing result of the judgment processing unit 313, the required number of cash register terminals 10 to be operated by the two-person system, and the insufficient number of clerk. Is transmitted (notified) to the mobile terminal 40 (step S30), and this process ends. The shortage of clerk corresponds to the value obtained by subtracting the left side of the formula (5) from the right side of the formula (5).

Further, in step S27, when the total number of cash registers is less than the number required for the two-person system (step S27; No), the judgment processing unit 313 calculates the surplus points even if all the cash register terminals 10 are operated by the two-person system. Judge that it cannot be processed. In this case, the notification processing unit 314 gives an instruction to operate all the cash register terminals 10 by a two-person system and the number of insufficient cash register terminals 10 (the number of cash registers) based on the processing result of the judgment processing unit 313. Is transmitted (notified) to (step S31), and this process is terminated. The number of cash register terminals 10 that is insufficient corresponds to the value obtained by subtracting the total number of cash registers from the number required for the two-person system.

Next, the pause determination process in step S16 described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of the pause determination process executed by the management server 30.

First, the determination processing unit 313 calculates the excess score obtained by converting the sign of the surplus score into a positive value by subtracting the surplus score calculated in step S12 from 0 (step S41).

Subsequently, the determination processing unit 313 refers to the cash register management table T1 and determines whether or not there is a cash register terminal 10 operating in a two-person system (step S42). The determination processing unit 313 determines that the cashier terminal 10 operating in the two-person system can be transferred to the one-person system on condition that the cashier terminal 10 operating in the two-person system exists (step S42; Yes). ..

Subsequently, the determination processing unit 313 calculates the number of cash register terminals 10 that shift to the one-person system (number of shift to one-person system) (step S43). Specifically, the determination processing unit 313 calculates the number of units to be transferred to the one-person system based on the following formula (6). Here, the two-person correction value can be set to any value regardless of the particular value. For example, by setting the two-person correction value to a positive number, it is possible to underestimate the number of units that will shift to the one-person system.
Number of transitions to one-person system = excess points ÷ (two-person processing capacity-one-person processing capacity) -two-person correction value ... (6)

Next, the judgment processing unit 313 compares the number of cash register terminals 10 operating in a two-person system (the number of two-person cash registers) with the number of one-person cash registers, and the number of two-person cash registers is the number of one-person cash registers. It is determined whether or not it exceeds (step S44). Judgment processing unit 313 determines that a part of the cash register terminals 10 operating in the two-person system will be changed to the one-person system on condition that the number of two-person cash registers exceeds the number of one-person shifts (step S44; Yes). .. Then, based on the processing result of the determination processing unit 313, the notification processing unit 314 transmits (notifies) the number of people to be transferred to the one-person system to the mobile terminal 40 (step S45), and ends this processing.

Further, the judgment processing unit 313 can shift all the cash register terminals 10 operating in the two-person system to the one-person system on condition that the number of two-person cash registers is less than or equal to the number of one-person shifts (step S44; No). Judge. In this case, the determination processing unit 313 further calculates the number of cash register terminals 10 (number of hibernation transitions) that transition to the hibernation state (step S46). Specifically, the determination processing unit 313 calculates the number of pause transitions based on the following equation (7). Here, the one-person correction value can be set to any value without any particular limitation. For example, by setting the one-person correction value to a positive number, it is possible to underestimate the number of units that shift to the hibernation state.
Number of transitions to suspension = (excess score-number of two-person cash registers x (two-person processing capacity-one-person processing capacity) ÷ one-person processing capacity) -one-person correction value ... (7)

Subsequently, the determination processing unit 313 subtracts the number of hibernation transitions calculated in step S46 from the number of cash register terminals 10 currently in operation (the number of operating cash registers), and the remaining number is a predetermined minimum guaranteed number (for example,). (1 unit) or more is determined (step S47). The determination processing unit 313 determines that the cashier terminals 10 for the number of hibernation transitions can be put into hibernation on condition that the remaining number of handsets is equal to or greater than the minimum guaranteed number (step S47; Yes). Then, based on the processing result of the judgment processing unit 313, the notification processing unit 314 carries an instruction to end the operation of all the cash register terminals 10 in operation by a two-person system and the number of hibernation transitions to be put into the hibernation state. It is transmitted (notified) to the terminal 40 (step S48), and this process is terminated.

Further, the judgment processing unit 313 is a cashier terminal for the number of cashier terminals obtained by subtracting the minimum guaranteed number of cashiers from the number of operating cashiers (subtraction suspension transition number) on condition that the remaining number of cashiers is less than the minimum guaranteed number (step S47; No). It is determined that 10 can be put into hibernation. In this case, based on the processing result of the judgment processing unit 313, the notification processing unit 314 gives an instruction to end the operation of all the cash register terminals 10 in operation by a two-person system, and the subtraction pause transition number to shift to the hibernation state. Is transmitted (notified) to the mobile terminal 40 (step S49), and this process ends.

On the other hand, in step S42, when there is no cash register terminal 10 operating in a two-person system (step S42; No), the determination processing unit 313 calculates the number of cash register terminals 10 that shift to the hibernation state (pause transition number). (Step S50). Specifically, the determination processing unit 313 calculates the number of pause transitions based on the following equation (8).
Number of transitions to suspension = excess points ÷ one-person processing capacity-one-person correction value ... (8)

Subsequently, the determination processing unit 313 determines whether or not the remaining number of the cashier terminals 10 currently in operation minus the number of hibernation transitions calculated in step S50 is equal to or greater than the minimum guaranteed number (step). S51). The determination processing unit 313 determines that the cashier terminals 10 for the number of hibernation transitions can be put into hibernation on condition that the remaining number of handsets is equal to or greater than the minimum guaranteed number (step S51; Yes). Then, based on the processing result of the determination processing unit 313, the notification processing unit 314 transmits (notifies) the number of hibernation transitions to be shifted to the hibernation state to the mobile terminal 40 (step S52), and ends this processing.

Further, on condition that the remaining number of units is less than the minimum guaranteed number (step S51; No), the judgment processing unit 313 is a cashier terminal for the number of operating cashiers minus the minimum guaranteed number (subtraction suspension transition number). It is determined that 10 can be put into hibernation. In this case, the notification processing unit 314 transmits (notifies) the number of subtraction pause transitions to be shifted to the hibernation state to the mobile terminal 40 (notification) based on the processing result of the determination processing unit 313 (step S53), and ends this processing.

As described above, the management server 30 predicts the number of purchased items from the number of customers visiting the store based on past results, and the total number of products that can be processed by all the cashier terminals 10 in operation. By comparing with the number of processed points, it is determined whether or not there is a waiting list. Then, the management server 30 notifies the mobile terminal 40 according to the determination result. As a result, the store manager who owns the mobile terminal 40 can prevent the occurrence of waiting for accounting by operating the cash register terminal 10 or changing the cash register form based on the content of the notification from the management server 30. Therefore, the management server 30 can efficiently support the operation of the cash register terminal 10.

Further, the management server 30 calculates the number of cash register terminals 10 to be newly operated and the number of cash register terminals 10 to change the cash register form on the condition that it is determined (determined) that an accounting wait will occur, and the mobile terminal 40 is used. Notify. As a result, the store manager who owns the mobile terminal 40 can prevent the occurrence of waiting for accounting by operating the cash register terminal 10 or changing the cash register form based on the number of units notified from the management server 30.

Further, the management server 30 calculates the number of cash register terminals 10 to be suspended and the number of cash register terminals 10 to change the cash register form on the condition that the checkout wait does not occur, and notifies the mobile terminal 40. To do. As a result, the store manager who owns the mobile terminal 40 can operate the cash register terminal 10 efficiently by suspending the cash register terminal 10 or changing the cash register form based on the number of units notified from the management server 30. ..

Further, the management server 30 notifies the mobile terminal 40 of the values when the number of cash register terminals 10 for processing the predicted number of purchased items or the number of clerk operating the cash register terminal 10 is insufficient. As a result, the store manager who owns the mobile terminal 40 can replenish the cashier terminal 10 and the store clerk based on the shortage number notified from the management server 30.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, this embodiment is presented as an example and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. This novel embodiment can be implemented in various other embodiments, and various omissions, replacements, and changes can be made without departing from the gist of the invention. This embodiment and its modifications are included in the scope and gist of the invention, and are also included in the scope of the invention described in the claims and the equivalent scope thereof.

For example, in the above embodiment, the management server 30 is configured to hold the purchase history data D1, the processing capacity data D2, the cash register management table T1, and the clerk management table T2, but other devices accessible to the management server 30 may be used. It may be a structure to hold.

Further, in the above-described embodiment, the operation by one person is prioritized, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the operation may be prioritized by two people.

Further, in the above embodiment, the purchase history data D1 has a configuration in which the purchase rate and the average purchase points are held for each date and time, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the purchase history data D1 holds one set of the purchase rate and the average purchase points. May be. In this case, the determination processing unit 313 calculates the number of purchase points predicted from the number of customers visiting the store based on the purchase rate and the average number of purchase points held by the purchase history data D1 regardless of the current date and time.

Further, the program executed by each device of the above-described embodiment is a file in an installable format or an executable format, and is a floppy (registered trademark) disc, a CD (Compact Disc), a CD-R (Compact Disc-Recordable), or a file. Provided by recording on a computer-readable recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), DVD (Digital Versatile Disc), SD memory card (SD memory card), or USB memory (Universal Serial Bus memory). It may be configured as follows.

Further, the program executed by each device of the above embodiment may be stored on a computer connected to a network such as the Internet and provided by downloading via the network.

1 In-store system 10 Cash register terminal 21 1st camera 22 2nd camera 30 Management server 40 Mobile terminal 311 Operation status management unit 312 Store visitor number calculation unit 313 Judgment processing unit 314 Notification processing unit

JP-A-2015-149809

Claims (4)

Based on the purchase rate, which is recorded as a past record and indicates the percentage of customers who purchased the product among the customers who visited the store, and the average score of the product purchased by the customer, the number of customers visiting the store is used to determine the product. Predictive means for predicting the number of items purchased,
Based on the number of cash register terminals in operation among the cash register terminals installed in the store and the number of product processing points that can be processed per unit time by one cash register terminal, all the cash register terminals in operation The first calculation means for calculating the total number of processing points that can be processed,
A first determination means for determining whether or not an accounting wait occurs based on the difference value between the number of purchased items and the total number of processed items.
The processing of the purchased points is insufficient based on the difference value between the purchased points and the total processed points and the processed points on the condition that the first determination means determines that the waiting for accounting occurs. A second calculation method for calculating the number of cash register terminals,
Based on the number of clerk at the store and the number of cash register terminals in operation, the number of remaining clerk excluding the clerk involved in the operation of the cash register terminal is the number of cash registers for the shortage calculated by the second calculation means. A second determination means for determining whether the terminal can be operated,
On condition that it is determined that the second determination means cannot be operated, the notification means for notifying the number of clerk who is insufficient for the operation of the cash register terminal for the insufficient number of units , and the notification means.
Information processing device equipped with. The second calculation means is based on the difference value between the purchase points and the total processing points and the processing points, provided that the first determination means determines that no accounting wait occurs. The information processing device according to claim 1 , wherein the number of cash register terminals that exceeds the processing of purchased points is calculated. The first calculation means is the total processing that can be processed by all the cash register terminals in operation based on the number of cash register terminals in operation for each cash register form and the number of processing points for each cash register form. Calculate the score and
The second calculation means according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the second calculation means calculates the number of cash register terminals based on the difference value between the purchase points and the total processing points and the processing points for each cash register form. Information processing device. Computer,
Based on the purchase rate, which is recorded as a past record and indicates the percentage of customers who purchased the product among the customers who visited the store, and the average score of the product purchased by the customer, the number of customers visiting the store is used to determine the product. Predictive means for predicting the number of items purchased,
Based on the number of cash register terminals in operation among the cash register terminals installed in the store and the number of product processing points that can be processed per unit time by one cash register terminal, all the cash register terminals in operation The first calculation means for calculating the total number of processing points that can be processed,
A first determination means for determining whether or not an accounting wait occurs based on the difference value between the number of purchased items and the total number of processed items.
The processing of the purchased points is insufficient based on the difference value between the purchased points and the total processed points and the processed points on the condition that the first determination means determines that the waiting for accounting occurs. A second calculation method for calculating the number of cash register terminals,
Based on the number of clerk at the store and the number of cash register terminals in operation, the number of remaining clerk excluding the clerk involved in the operation of the cash register terminal is the number of cash registers for the shortage calculated by the second calculation means. A second determination means for determining whether the terminal can be operated,
On condition that it is determined that the second determination means cannot be operated, the notification means for notifying the number of clerk who is insufficient for the operation of the cash register terminal for the insufficient number of units , and the notification means.
A program to make it work.

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