JP7571563B2 - Terminal device, sales data processing system and program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a terminal device, a sales data processing system, and a program.

Conventionally, sales data processing devices such as ECRs (Electronic Cash Registers) that process product sales data are installed in stores and used for checkout (for example, see Patent Document 1). The sales data processing device stores pricing data in which products are associated with prices, and at checkout, the price set for the product being checked out is obtained from the pricing data to perform the checkout process. The price data for each product in the pricing data is input individually for each product, for example, by the user. The price data is input, for example, using a touch panel or input keys provided on the operation unit of the sales data processing device.

JP 2017-157088 A

However, when a user wants to temporarily change the price of a product, such as during a sale, the user must change the price written on the price tag each time and revise the pricing data by inputting the new price data. This makes changing the price setting time-consuming, and depending on the number of products, it can become a significant burden on the store's operations.

The object of this invention is to provide a terminal device, a sales data processing system, and a program that can more easily obtain information about products from price tags.

In order to solve the above problems, the terminal device of the present invention comprises:
an information acquisition means for acquiring, from a photographed image obtained by photographing a price tag on which identification information for identifying a product and price information relating to the price of the product are written, the identification information and the price information;
a range setting means for setting, within a photographing range by said photographing means, a first range in which said identification information is located and a second range in which said price information is located when said price tag is photographed, based on an instruction from a user;
Equipped with
the information acquisition means acquires the identification information from a portion of the captured image that corresponds to the first range, and acquires the price information from a portion of the captured image that corresponds to the second range.
It is characterized by:

In order to solve the above problems, the sales data processing system of the present invention comprises:
an information acquisition means for acquiring, from a photographed image obtained by photographing a price tag on which identification information for identifying a product and price information relating to the price of the product are written, the identification information and the price information;
a range setting means for setting, within a photographing range by said photographing means, a first range in which said identification information is located and a second range in which said price information is located when said price tag is photographed, based on an instruction from a user;
Equipped with
the information acquisition means acquires the identification information from a portion of the captured image that corresponds to the first range, and acquires the price information from a portion of the captured image that corresponds to the second range.
It is characterized by:

In order to solve the above problems, the program of the present invention comprises:
A computer provided in the terminal device,
an information acquiring means for acquiring, from a photographed image obtained by photographing a price tag on which identification information for identifying a product and price information relating to the price of the product are written, the identification information and the price information;
a range setting means for setting, within a photographing range by said photographing means, a first range in which said identification information is located and a second range in which said price information is located when said price tag is photographed, based on an instruction from a user;
Function as a
the information acquisition means acquires the identification information from a portion of the captured image that corresponds to the first range, and acquires the price information from a portion of the captured image that corresponds to the second range.
It is characterized by:

The present invention makes it easier to obtain information about products from price tags.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sales data processing system. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of a sales data processing device. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of a terminal device. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of a product master. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a price tag. 13 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for a price setting process. 10 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of a reading setting process. 13 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for a price tag photographing process. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a terminal device on which an update item setting screen is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a terminal device on which a read range setting screen is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a terminal device on which a read range setting screen is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a terminal device on which a read range setting screen is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a terminal device on which a reading range confirmation screen is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a terminal device on which a shooting screen is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a terminal device on which a reading result confirmation screen is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a terminal device on which an update item setting screen according to the first modified example is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a terminal device on which a read range setting screen according to Modification 1 is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a terminal device on which a read range setting screen according to Modification 1 is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a terminal device on which a read range setting screen according to Modification 1 is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a terminal device on which a read range setting screen according to Modification 1 is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a terminal device on which a shooting screen according to a first modified example is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a terminal device on which a read result confirmation screen according to the first modified example is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a product master according to the first modified example. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a terminal device on which a read range confirmation screen according to Modification 2 is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of a price tag according to Modification 3. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a terminal device on which a read range confirmation screen according to Modification 3 is displayed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a product master according to Modification 3.

The following describes an embodiment of the terminal device, sales data processing system, and program of the present invention with reference to the drawings.

<Sales data processing system configuration>
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a sales data processing system 1 according to the present embodiment.
The sales data processing system 1 comprises a sales data processing device 10 and a terminal device 20. The sales data processing system 1 is installed in stores such as privately owned shops, supermarkets, restaurants, etc., and is used for accounting. The sales data processing system 1 performs various processes such as registering sales data of commercial transactions at the store through the collaborative operation of the sales data processing device 10 and the terminal device 20. In this specification, the objects of commercial transactions such as goods and services are collectively referred to as "goods."

The sales data processing device 10 and the terminal device 20 can communicate wirelessly with each other. For example, various short-range wireless communication can be used for wireless data communication. In this embodiment, BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) Low Energy)) is used for wireless data communication. Wireless data communication by BLE (hereinafter also referred to as "BLE connection") has a slower communication speed and a shorter connection distance than a Wi-Fi (registered trademark) connection, but has the advantage of consuming less power than a Wi-Fi connection. The sales data processing device 10 can be a slave device for BLE communication, and the terminal device 20 can be a master device for BLE communication. However, this is not limited to this. In addition, the sales data processing device 10 and the terminal device 20 may be further connected to an external network (e.g., the Internet) via an access point not shown.

The sales data processing device 10 is an ECR that is installed at the store's cash register. The sales data processing device 10 generates and registers sales data based on accounting information (such as the name, quantity, and amount of the product being sold) entered by the user at the time of accounting. Depending on the content of the sales data, the sales data processing device 10 displays information related to the accounting on the customer display unit 15 and outputs a receipt with that information printed on it from the printing unit 16. When paying by cash, the drawer 17 (see Figure 2) is opened to deposit and withdraw cash.

The terminal device 20 is a device carried by a user such as a store clerk, and is, for example, a smartphone or tablet terminal. An application program for operating in conjunction with the sales data processing device 10 (hereinafter, referred to as an accounting application 231 (see FIG. 3)) is installed on the terminal device 20. The terminal device 20 can change the settings of the sales data processing device 10 and display statistical information on sales data, etc., on the accounting application 231. Here, the settings that can be changed on the terminal device 20 include product price settings.

The terminal device 20 also includes a camera 25 (see FIG. 3) as an image capturing means. By capturing an image of the price tag of an item with the camera 25 on the accounting application 231, the information on the price tag can be read and the price setting of the item can be changed based on the captured data. The method of setting the price using the captured image of the price tag will be described in detail later.

<Configuration of sales data processing device>
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the sales data processing device 10.
The sales data processing device 10 includes a CPU 11 (Central Processing Unit) (computer), a RAM 12 (Random Access Memory), a storage unit 13, an operation display unit 14, a customer display unit 15, a printing unit 16, a drawer 17, a communication unit 18, and a bus 19. The various units of the sales data processing device 10 are connected to each other via the bus 19.

The CPU 11 is a processor that controls each part of the sales data processing device 10. The CPU 11 reads out the program 131 stored in the storage unit 13, expands it in the RAM 12, and executes the program 131 to perform various calculation processes.

RAM 12 provides working memory space for CPU 11 and stores temporary data.

The storage unit 13 stores a program 131 executed by the CPU 11, various setting data, and the like. The program 131 is stored in the form of computer-readable program code in the storage unit 13. As the storage unit 13, for example, a non-volatile storage device such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD) is used.
The setting data stored in the storage unit 13 includes a product master 132 including price setting data D (price setting information) of products.

The operation display unit 14 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device, and a touch panel overlaid on the display screen of the display unit. For example, the operation display unit 14 accepts input operations from the user to specify the details of the transaction when making a payment. The operation display unit 14 may further include other input devices such as a keyboard and mouse, and a barcode reader that reads barcodes attached to product tags.

The customer display unit 15 is configured with a liquid crystal display device or the like, and displays various information such as product names and prices to customers who are facing the user operating the sales data processing device 10.

The printing unit 16 prints and outputs receipts, journals, etc. on paper in accordance with control signals output from the CPU 11.

Drawer 17 is a drawer for storing money, gift certificates, etc., and has an opening mechanism that opens under the control of CPU 11.

The communication unit 18 is a communication module having an antenna, a modulation/demodulation circuit, a signal processing circuit, etc. The communication unit 18 performs wireless data communication with the communication unit 26 of the terminal device 20 in accordance with a communication standard related to wireless communication by BLE. The communication unit 18 may also be capable of performing wireless data communication with a specified access point in accordance with a communication standard related to wireless communication by Wi-Fi.

<Configuration of Terminal Device>
FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the terminal device 20. As shown in FIG.
The terminal device 20 includes a CPU 21 (computer), a RAM 22, a storage unit 23, an operation display unit 24 (display means), a camera 25, a communication unit 26, and a bus 27. The various units of the terminal device 20 are connected to each other via the bus 27.

The CPU 21 is a processor that controls each part of the terminal device 20. The CPU 21 reads out programs such as the accounting application 231 stored in the storage unit 23, expands them in the RAM 22, and executes the programs to perform various calculation processes. By executing the accounting application 231, the CPU 21 functions as an information acquisition means, a range setting means, a price setting means, a product master management means, a price change means, a display control means, a template registration means, and the like.

RAM 22 provides working memory space for CPU 21 and stores temporary data.

The storage unit 23 stores programs such as the accounting application 231 executed by the CPU 21, various setting data, etc. The programs are stored in the storage unit 23 in the form of computer-readable program codes. The storage unit 23 may be, for example, a flash memory.
The setting data stored in the memory unit 23 includes a product master 232 including product price setting data D (pricing information). The product master 232 has the same content as the product master 132 stored in the memory unit 13 of the sales data processing device 10. In this embodiment, when the product master 132 or the product master 232 is changed in either the sales data processing device 10 or the terminal device 20, the data is transmitted to the other device and the contents are synchronized.

The operation display unit 24 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display device, and a touch panel superimposed on the display screen of the display unit. The display unit of the operation display unit 24 displays various status screens and displays the shooting range when shooting with the camera 25 based on control signals from the CPU 21 as display control means. The operation display unit 24 accepts various input operations related to setting changes, for example, when the accounting application 231 is executed. The operation display unit 24 may further include an input device such as a physical button.

The camera 25 has a number of image sensors that convert incident light into an electrical signal according to its intensity, and an optical system that guides the incident light to the image sensors. Under the control of the CPU 21, the camera 25 captures an image within a range determined by the image sensors and the optical system, generates a captured image (captured image data), and stores the captured image in the memory unit 23.

The communication unit 26 is a communication module having an antenna, a modulation/demodulation circuit, a signal processing circuit, etc. The communication unit 26 performs wireless data communication with the communication unit 18 of the sales data processing device 10 in accordance with a communication standard related to wireless communication by BLE. The communication unit 26 may also be capable of performing wireless data communication with a specified access point in accordance with a communication standard related to wireless communication by Wi-Fi.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the contents of the product master 132, 232.
One data row in the product master 132, 232 corresponds to one product, and corresponds to the price setting data D for that product. Each data row includes the data items "product name", "product number", and "price".
"Product name" indicates the name of the product.
The "product number" is a unique number associated with a product, and a single product can be identified from this product number. Any code may be used instead of the "product number".
"Price" indicates the price set for the product.
The data of "product name", "product number" and "price" are, for example, input in advance by the user.
Among these, the "product name" and "product number" correspond to "identification information for identifying a product." Additionally, the "price" corresponds to "price information."
The data items in the product master database 132, 232 are not limited to those mentioned above, and may further include any data items referenced in the process at the time of checkout.

During checkout processing in the sales data processing device 10, the product master 132 is referenced to identify the product being checked out, and the price set for that product is obtained. For example, when a user inputs the product number written on the product tag into the operation and display unit 14, the data row corresponding to that product number in the product master 132 is referenced, and the product name and price data in that data row is obtained. The obtained data is used to generate sales data, and is also displayed on the operation and display unit 14 and customer display unit 15, and printed on a receipt by the printing unit 16.

<Price setting operation of sales data processing system>
Next, the operation of the sales data processing system 1 for setting product prices will be described.
As described above, in the sales data processing system 1, prices can be set using images of the price tags 30 captured by the camera 25 of the terminal device 20. As a result, when the contents of the price tags 30 are changed, the price setting of the product can be adjusted to match the contents of the changed price tags 30 by simply photographing the price tag 30 with the terminal device 20. The price setting of the product is changed by changing the contents of the product master database 132, 232.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a price tag 30. As shown in FIG.
The price tag 30 lists a product name 31a, a product number 31b, and a price 32. The product name 31a and the product number 31b correspond to identification information for identifying the product, and the price 32 corresponds to price information. The product name 31a corresponds to the "product name" item in the product master 132, 232, the product number 31b corresponds to the "product number" item, and the price 32 corresponds to the "price" item.
The price tag 30 may include information other than the product name 31a, the product number 31b, and the price 32. The price tag 30 may include at least one piece of identification information that can identify the product, and may omit, for example, the product number 31b.

A price setting process for updating the contents of the product master database 132, 232 using a photographed image of the price tag 30 will be described with reference to FIGS.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control procedure for the price setting process.
6 shows both the price setting process on the sales data processing device 10 side (processing executed by the CPU 11) and the price setting process on the terminal device 20 side (processing executed by the CPU 21). The sales setting process is started when the accounting application 231 is executed on the terminal device 20 and a price setting change function is called by a predetermined operating procedure.

When the price setting process is started, the CPU 21 of the terminal device 20 executes a reading setting process to configure settings related to reading the price tag 30 (step S101).

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a control procedure of the reading setting process by the CPU 21.
When the reading setting process is called, the CPU 21 displays an update item setting screen 241 shown in Fig. 9 on the operation display unit 24 and accepts the user's designation of the read items to be updated (step S201). Here, the read items to be updated refer to the items to be read from the photographed image of the price tag 30, and the read results are to be reflected in the product master database 132, 232.

The update item setting screen 241 displays a selection button B1, a cancel button B2, a decision button B3, a template selection button B4, and the like.
The selection button B1 is a button for selecting an item to be updated from among the read items read from the photographed image of the price tag 30. In the example of Fig. 9, all of the read items "Product Name", "Product Number", and "Price" are selected as update items. For example, when registering a new price for a product that has not yet been registered in the product master 132, 232, all read items are selected as update items as shown in Fig. 9. Also, for example, when changing the price of a product that has already been registered, only "Price" may be selected as the read item to be updated.
The cancel button B2 is a button for discarding the settings made on the update item setting screen 241 and transitioning to the previous display screen.
The decision button B3 is a button for deciding the settings on the update item setting screen 241 and transitioning to the next screen.
The template selection button B4 is selected when scanning is performed according to a preset template. In the template, a scanning range (to be described later) is preset for each scanning item.

When the decision button B3 is selected on the update item setting screen 241, the CPU 21 (range setting means) displays the read range setting screen 242 shown in FIG. 10 on the operation display unit 24 and accepts the user's specification of the read range (step S202 in FIG. 7). Here, the read range is the range in which the read item is located within the shooting range SR of the camera 25 when the price tag 30 is photographed.

The read range setting screen 242 displays a setting area 242a corresponding to the shooting range SR of the camera 25, a cancel button B2, a confirm button B3, and the like. A lattice-shaped grid G is displayed in the setting area 242a. The user can select the read range by tapping or dragging the range in which the target read item is located at the time of shooting, among the multiple blocks divided by the grid G. In the example of FIG. 10, the read range R1a (first range) is selected for the read item "product name". After that, the confirm button B3 is selected, and the read range R1a is set for the read item "product name" and stored in the memory unit 23.

When step S202 in FIG. 7 is completed, the CPU 21 determines whether or not the setting of the read range has been completed for all read items (step S203). If it is determined that the setting of the read range has not been completed for any read item ("NO" in step S203), the CPU 21 returns the process to step S202.

By the processing loop of steps S202 and S203, for example, as shown in FIG. 11, a read range R1b (first range) is set for the read item "product number," and as shown in FIG. 12, a read range R2 (second range) is set for the read item "price."

When it is determined in the process of step S203 that the setting of the reading range for all the reading items is completed ("YES" in step S203), the CPU 21 (range setting means) displays the reading range confirmation screen 243 shown in FIG. 13 on the operation display unit 24 (step S204). The reading range confirmation screen 243 is a screen for confirming the setting contents of the reading ranges R1a, R1b, and R2 for each reading item. The reading range confirmation screen 243 displays a setting area 243a corresponding to the shooting range SR, a cancel button B2, a shooting transition button B5, a template save button B6, and the like. In the setting area 243a, the set reading ranges R1a, R1b, and R2 are represented by rectangular frames F1a, F1b, and F2, respectively. The user can start the price tag shooting process (step S102 in FIG. 6, FIG. 8) by selecting the shooting transition button B5 on the reading range confirmation screen 243. In addition, by selecting the template save button B6, the set reading ranges R1a, R1b, and R2 can be saved as templates. When the template save button B6 is selected, the CPU 21 (template registration means) registers the set reading ranges R1a and R1b as the first range, and the second range R2 as the second range, in the memory unit 23 as templates that can be read out in response to a user instruction.

When the process of step S204 is completed (that is, when the photographing transition button B5 is selected), the CPU 21 ends the reading setting process of FIG. 7 and returns to the price setting process.
When the reading setting process (step S101 in FIG. 6) in the price setting process is completed, the CPU 21 executes a price tag photographing process (step S102).

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing a control procedure by the CPU 21 for the price tag photographing process.
When the price tag photographing process is called, the CPU 21 (display control means) displays the photographing screen 244 shown in FIG. 14 on the operation display unit 24. The CPU 21 also causes the camera 25 to photograph at a timing according to a photographing instruction from the user, and generates a photographed image (step S301). The photographing screen 244 displays the real-time photographing range SR by the camera 25, the cancel button B2, the photographing button B7, the template selection button B4, and the like. When the photographing button B7 is selected, the CPU 21 causes the camera 25 to photograph the photographing range SR at that time, generates a photographed image, and stores it in the memory unit 23. In the photographing range SR, frames F1a, F1b, and F2 representing the set reading ranges R1a, R1b, and R2 are displayed. In other words, the CPU 21 causes the operation display unit 24 to display (frames F1a, F1b, F2) clearly indicating the reading ranges R1a, R1b, R2 together with the shooting range SR when photographing with the camera 25. As shown in Fig. 14, by photographing with the positional relationship between the price tag 30 and the terminal device 20 adjusted so that the product name 31a is placed in frame F1a, the product number 31b is placed in frame F1b, and the price 32 is placed in frame F2, the product name 31a, the product number 31b, and the price 32 can be appropriately read from the photographed image in a subsequent step.
Furthermore, in the case where the positional relationship between each of the read items on the price tag 30 and the frames F1a, F1b, and F2 does not match, the frame of another template can be displayed by selecting the template selection button B4 on the photographing screen 244. Moreover, by selecting the cancel button B2, the read setting process of FIG. 7 can be executed again to set the read range.

When the captured image is generated in step S301, the CPU 21 (information acquisition means) acquires the product name 31a, product number 31b, and price 32 as price information from the captured image as identification information. The CPU 21 also displays the reading result confirmation screen 245 on the operation display unit 24 (step S302). In detail, the CPU 21 acquires, as the product name 31a, a character string obtained by performing OCR (Optical Character Recognition) processing on a portion of the captured image corresponding to the reading range R1a. The CPU 21 also acquires, as the product number 31b, a character string obtained by performing OCR processing on a portion corresponding to the reading range R1b. The CPU 21 also acquires, as the price 32, a character string obtained by performing OCR processing on a portion corresponding to the reading range R2.

As shown in FIG. 15, the reading result confirmation screen 245 displays a result display area 245a showing the reading result, a cancel button B2, a register button B8, an edit button B9, and the like. Among these, the result display area 245a displays the contents of the read items acquired from the captured image. Here, "bacon & mustard" as the "product name", "60" as the "product number", and "210 yen" as the "price" are displayed as the reading results. If the reading result differs from the contents written on the price tag 30, the user can select the edit button B9 to edit the character string of the reading result and change it to the desired content. In addition, the user can return to the shooting screen 244 and redo the shooting by selecting the cancel button B2. The register button B8 is a button for confirming the reading result shown on the reading result confirmation screen 245 and registering (reflecting) it in the product master 232.

The CPU 21 determines whether or not the user has instructed to register the reading result on the reading result confirmation screen 245, i.e., whether or not the registration button B8 has been selected (step S303), and if it is determined that no registration instruction has been given ("NO" in step S303), it executes the process of step S303 again.

If it is determined that a registration instruction has been given on the reading result confirmation screen 245 ("YES" in step S303), the CPU 21 (price setting means, product master management means) generates price setting data D by matching the read product name 31a and product number 31b with the price 32, and reflects the contents of the price setting data D in the product master 232 (step S304).
Here, if the product related to the pricing data D is not registered in the product master 232, a new data row corresponding to the product is added to the product master 232, and the data items of "product name,""productnumber," and "price" of the pricing data D are recorded. This process corresponds to the process of "registering a product in the product master based on pricing information."
Furthermore, if the product related to the pricing data D has already been registered in the product master 232, the data row corresponding to that product is updated to the contents of the generated pricing data D. That is, the contents of each of the data items "product name,""productnumber," and "price" (more specifically, the items set as items to be updated on the update item setting screen 241) are updated to the contents read from the price tag 30. This process corresponds to the process of "updating product information in the product master based on pricing information."
The process of step S304 corresponds to a process of generating pricing information in which the product corresponding to the identification information is associated with price information.

After step S304 is completed, the CPU 21 displays a confirmation screen (not shown) on the operation display unit 24 and asks whether or not to end photographing the price tag 30 (step S305). If the CPU 21 determines that an instruction not to end photographing (i.e., an instruction to continue photographing other price tags 30) has been given on this confirmation screen ("NO" in step S305), the process returns to step S301 and photographing of the price tag 30 continues. If the CPU 21 determines that an instruction to end photographing has been given ("YES" in step S305), the CPU 21 ends the price tag photographing process and returns to the price setting process in FIG. 6.

Meanwhile, in the price setting process of FIG. 6, the CPU 11 of the sales data processing device 10 performs advertising to start BLE communication with the terminal device 20 (step S103). That is, the CPU 11 causes the communication unit 18 to transmit a predetermined advertising packet including a unique ID indicating that the packet is from the sales data processing device 10. Advertising is executed repeatedly at a predetermined cycle, for example.

After the price tag photographing process (step S102) is completed, when the communication unit 26 receives an advertising packet transmitted from the sales data processing device 10, the CPU 21 of the terminal device 20 performs a pairing process with the sales data processing device 10 and starts a BLE connection via the communication unit 26 (step S104).

When a wireless communication connection via BLE is initiated, the CPU 21 of the terminal device 20 transmits the generated price setting data D to the sales data processing device 10 (step S105).

When the communication unit 18 receives the price setting data D, the CPU 11 of the sales data processing device 10 updates the contents of the product master 132 in accordance with the contents of the received price setting data D (step S106). This synchronizes the contents of the product master 132 with the contents of the product master 232.
Alternatively, instead of the above, the product master 232 may be sent to the sales data processing device 10 in step S105.
When the processes of steps S105 and S106 are completed, the CPU 11, 21 ends the price setting process.

<Modification 1>
Next, a first variation of the price setting process of the above embodiment will be described. Here, a case where the price setting of a product already registered in the product master 132, 232 is changed will be taken as an example, and the description will focus on screen transitions on the operation display unit 24.

In step S201 of the read setting process of variant example 1, only "product number" and "price" are selected as update items on the update item setting screen 241, as shown in FIG. 16.

In the subsequent setting of the reading range (step S202 of the reading setting process in FIG. 7), as shown in FIG. 17, the previously photographed price tag 30s is displayed in the setting area 242a of the reading range setting screen 242. This allows the reading range to be set while referring to the position of each reading item on the price tag 30s. For example, as shown in FIG. 18, the reading range R1a can be easily set to match the position of the product name "curry bread" in the photographed image of the price tag 30s. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 19, the reading range R1b can be easily set to match the position of the product number "72" in the photographed image of the price tag 30s. Also, as shown in FIG. 20, the reading range R2 can be easily set to match the position of the price "￥200" in the photographed image of the price tag 30s. In addition, in the reading range setting screen 242 in FIG. 17, by selecting the background switching button B10, the reading range can be set without using the previously photographed price tag 30s, as in the above embodiment.

In the subsequent price tag photographing process (step S301 in FIG. 8), an example of photographing the price tag 30 shown in the photographing screen 244 in FIG. 21 will be described. The price tag 30 in FIG. 21 has its product number changed to "61" and its price changed to "￥220" from the contents shown in FIG. 14. When the price tag 30 in FIG. 21 is photographed, the changed product number and price are read from the photographed image and displayed on the reading result confirmation screen 245 shown in FIG. 22. When the registration button B8 is selected on this reading result confirmation screen 245, price setting data D is generated in step S304, and the product master 232 is updated as shown in FIG. 23. That is, the "product number" in the data row in which the "product name" is "bacon & mustard" is updated from "60" to "61", and the "price" is updated from "210" to "220".

<Modification 2>
Next, a second modification of the above embodiment will be described. The second modification may be combined with the first modification.
In the above embodiment and variant 1, both the "product name" and the "product number" on the price tag 30 are read, but if, for example, only the "price" is to be updated, reading either the "product name" or the "product number" may be omitted. This is because the product on the price tag 30 can be identified by reading either the "product name" or the "product number."

As an example, as shown in FIG. 24, a read range R1b corresponding to the read item "product number" and a read range R2 corresponding to the read item "price" may be set, and the setting of the read range corresponding to the read item "product name" may be omitted. When photographing the price tag 30 with this setting, the positional relationship between the price tag 30 and the terminal device 20 may be adjusted so that the product number 31b of the price tag 30 is included in the frame F1b corresponding to the read range R1b, and the price 32 of the price tag 30 is included in the frame F2 corresponding to the read range R2. This makes it easier to align the price tag 30. In addition, the "product number" and "price" are read from the photographed image of the price tag 30. When the reading result is reflected in the product master 232, the product is identified based on the read "product number", and the "price" in the data row of the product is updated to the read "price".

<Modification 3>
Next, a third modification of the above embodiment will be described. The third modification may be combined with the first modification and/or the second modification.
In the case of a special sale such as a limited-time sale, period information regarding the period during which the price applies may be written on the price tag 30. For example, the price tag 30 shown in Fig. 25 has period information 33 written on the bottom right in addition to the product name 31a, product number 31b, and price 32. Here, "9/19 to 9/26" is clearly indicated as the period during which the limited-time sale will be held.

In the third modification, the period information 33 is read from such a price tag 30 to generate pricing data D, which is reflected in the product master 132, 232. That is, as shown in the reading range confirmation screen 243 of FIG. 26, "period information" is added to the reading items, and a reading range R3 corresponding to the reading item "period information" is set. When the price tag 30 is photographed, in addition to the frames F1a, F1b, and F2, a frame F3 corresponding to the reading range R3 is also displayed. Then, a character string obtained by performing OCR processing on the part of the photographed image of the price tag 30 corresponding to the reading range R3 is acquired as the period information 33, and the pricing data D is generated. In this pricing data D, the price 32 and the period information 33 are associated with the product name 31a and the product number 31b. Based on the generated pricing data D, the product master 132, 232 is updated as shown in FIG. 27. The "validity period" in the product master 132, 232 of FIG. 27 corresponds to the period information 33. This period information 33 can be used to set the validity period of the price. For example, the CPU 21 (price change means) changes the price setting of the product to the price in the generated pricing data D (100 yen in the example of FIG. 27) during the period based on the period information 33 (from September 19 to September 26 in the example of FIG. 27), and automatically returns it to the previous price ("price after validity period ends" in FIG. 27: 210 yen) after the period has elapsed.

＜Effects＞
As described above, the terminal device 20 according to the present embodiment includes a CPU 21. The CPU 21 acquires the product name 31a, the product number 31b, and the price 32 from a captured image obtained by photographing the price tag 30, on which the product name 31a, the product number 31b, and the price 32 are written as identification information, by the camera 25 (information acquisition means). Based on an instruction from a user, the CPU 21 sets the reading ranges R1a and R1b in which the product name 31a and the product number 31b are located, and the reading range R2 in which the price 32 is located, within the photographing range SR by the camera 25 when photographing the price tag 30 (range setting means). In addition, the CPU 21 acquires the product name 31a and the product number 31b from the portions of the photographed image corresponding to the reading ranges R1a and R1b, respectively, and acquires the price 32 from the portion corresponding to the reading range R2 (information acquisition means).
This makes it possible to obtain information necessary for changing price settings through the simple operation of photographing the price tag 30. Therefore, even when prices need to be changed frequently, such as when a store wants to change the price of a specific product for a certain period during a sale, or when a store wants to change the price daily or weekly using dynamic pricing, it is possible to easily obtain information about the product from the price tag 30. This reduces the operational burden on the store.

Furthermore, the CPU 21 generates price setting data D for the product by associating the acquired product name 31a and product number 31b with the price 32 (price setting means).
This allows the contents of the price tag 30 to be read by the simple operation of photographing the price tag 30, and the price setting data D can be generated and reflected in the product master data 132, 232.
In addition, since the price tags 30 actually used in the store can be read and reflected in the product masters 132 and 232, the occurrence of problems in which the contents of the price tags 30 do not match the contents of the product masters 132 and 232 can be suppressed.
Furthermore, even if the price tag 30 is amended by handwriting, the amended content can be read and reflected in the product master data 132, 232, allowing for more flexible price setting management.
Furthermore, costs can be significantly reduced compared to a system that uses electronic shelf labels (ESLs) and automatically synchronizes the contents of price setting data with the display contents of the ESLs.

The CPU 21 also manages the product master 232 in which the products to be managed are registered (product master management means). If the product related to the generated price setting data D is not registered in the product master 232, the CPU 21 registers the product in the product master 232 based on the price setting data D, and if the product has already been registered in the product master 232, the CPU 21 updates the product information in the product master 232 based on the price setting data D (product master management means).
This allows the registration process of a new product to be easily performed by reading the price tag 30.

In addition, the CPU 21 of the third modification acquires the period information 33 from the captured image when the period information 33 relating to the period to which the price applies is written on the price tag 30 (information acquisition means). The CPU 21 also generates price setting data D in which the product name 31a and product number 31b are further associated with the period information 33 (price setting means).
This allows the price validity period to be easily reflected in the product master 132, 232 when it is desired to change the price for a limited period of time.

In addition, when the price setting data D includes period information 33, the CPU 21 of variant example 3 changes the price setting of the product corresponding to the period information 33 to the price of the price information during the period based on the period information 33, and after the end of the period, returns it to the price before the start of the period (price change means).
This allows the price of a product to be temporarily changed easily, and also ensures that the price is restored to the original setting after the end of the price change period.

The terminal device 20 also includes an operation display unit 24, and the CPU 21 causes the operation display unit 24 to display the shooting range SR (display control means). The CPU 21 also causes the operation display unit 24 to display frames F1a, F1b, and F2 indicating the reading ranges R1a, R1b, and R2 together with the shooting range SR when the camera 25 captures an image (display control means).
This allows the price tag 30 to be photographed at an appropriate angle by intuitively aligning the product name 31a, product number 31b, and price 32 of the price tag 30 with the frames F1a, F1b, and F2. In addition, it is possible to prevent the occurrence of a problem in which necessary information cannot be obtained from the photographed image.

Furthermore, the CPU 21 registers the set reading ranges R1a, R1b, and R2 as templates that can be read in response to a user instruction (template registration means).
This allows the template of the reading range to be read and used when reading a price tag 30 with a common layout, thereby eliminating the need to set the reading range.

The sales data processing system 1 according to the present embodiment includes a terminal device 20, which includes a CPU 21. The CPU 21 acquires the product name 31a, the product number 31b, and the price 32 from a captured image obtained by photographing a price tag 30, on which a product name 31a as identification information, a product number 31b, and a price 32 as price information are written, using a camera 25 (information acquisition means). Based on an instruction from a user, the CPU 21 sets, within the photographing range SR of the camera 25, reading ranges R1a and R1b in which the product name 31a and the product number 31b are located, and a reading range R2 in which the price 32 is located, when photographing the price tag 30 (range setting means). The CPU 21 also acquires the product name 31a and the product number 31b from the portions of the photographed image corresponding to the reading ranges R1a and R1b, respectively, and acquires the price 32 from the portion corresponding to the reading range R2 (information acquisition means).
This makes it possible to easily obtain information about the product from the price tag 30.

In addition, the accounting application 231 as a program in this embodiment causes the CPU 21 as a computer provided in the terminal device 20 equipped with the camera 25 to function as: information acquisition means for acquiring the product name 31a, product number 31b, and price 32 from the captured image obtained by photographing, with the camera 25, a price tag 30 on which the product name 31a and product number 31b are written as identification information, and the price 32 as price information; range setting means for setting, within the photographing range SR by the camera 25, reading ranges R1a, R1b in which the product name 31a and product number 31b are located, respectively, and reading range R2 in which the price 32 is located, when photographing the price tag 30, based on instructions from the user; and information acquisition means for acquiring the product name 31a and product number 31b from portions of the photographed image corresponding to the reading ranges R1a, R1b, respectively, and acquiring the price 32 from the portion corresponding to the reading range R2.
This makes it possible to easily obtain information about the product from the price tag 30.

＜Other＞
The above description of the embodiment is merely an example of the terminal device, sales data processing system, and program according to the present invention, and is not intended to be limiting.
For example, the product master 132 may be stored only in the sales data processing device 10. In this case, the terminal device 20 only needs to generate the pricing data D and transmit it to the sales data processing device 10, and processing related to managing the product master can be omitted. Note that, for example, in cases where only the product number 31b as identification information and the price 32 as price information are read and associated, it is sufficient that the identification information and the price information are associated, and it is not necessary that the product corresponding to the identification information is identified and associated with the price information.
In addition, a photographed image of the price tag 30 may be sent from the terminal device 20 to the sales data processing device 10, and the CPU 11 of the sales data processing device 10 may obtain the product name 31a, product number 31b and price 32 from the photographed image to generate pricing data D.

The timing for starting the BLE connection between the sales data processing device 10 and the terminal device 20 is not limited to that shown in FIG. 6, and can be any timing before the price setting data D is transmitted to the sales data processing device 10. For example, the BLE connection may be started immediately after the start of the price setting process.

The method of data communication between the sales data processing device 10 and the terminal device 20 is not limited to BLE, and may be, for example, a wireless LAN ad-hoc mode, Wi-Fi Direct (registered trademark), or Bluetooth. Data communication may also be performed by wire.

Furthermore, the detailed configurations and detailed operations of the components of the sales data processing system 1, the sales data processing device 10, and the terminal device 20 in the above embodiment may of course be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described, the scope of the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, but includes the scope of the invention described in the claims and its equivalents.
The inventions described in the claims originally attached to this application are set forth below. The claim numbers in the appended claims are the same as those in the claims originally attached to this application.
[Additional Notes]
<Claim 1>
an information acquisition means for acquiring, from a photographed image obtained by photographing a price tag on which identification information for identifying a product and price information relating to the price of the product are written, the identification information and the price information;
a range setting means for setting, within a photographing range by said photographing means, a first range in which said identification information is located and a second range in which said price information is located when said price tag is photographed, based on an instruction from a user;
Equipped with
the information acquisition means acquires the identification information from a portion of the captured image that corresponds to the first range, and acquires the price information from a portion of the captured image that corresponds to the second range.
A terminal device comprising:
<Claim 2>
2. The terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising a price setting unit that generates price setting information for the product by associating the identification information and the price information acquired by the information acquisition unit.
<Claim 3>
A product master management means for managing a product master in which managed products are registered,
The product master management means includes:
If a product related to the price setting information generated by the price setting means is not registered in the product master, registering the product in the product master based on the price setting information;
if the product related to the price setting information generated by the price setting means has already been registered in the product master, update the information of the product in the product master based on the price setting information;
3. The terminal device according to claim 2.
<Claim 4>
the information acquisition means acquires period information from the photographed image when period information relating to a period during which the price applies is written on the price tag;
4. The terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the price setting means generates the price setting information in which the product and the period information are further associated with each other.
<Claim 5>
The terminal device according to claim 4, further comprising a price changing means for, when the pricing information includes the period information, changing the price setting of a product corresponding to the period information to the price of the price information during a period based on the period information, and returning the price to the price before the start of the period after the period ends.
<Claim 6>
A display means;
a display control means for causing the display means to display the shooting range;
Equipped with
The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the display control means causes the display means to display a display that clearly indicates the first range and the second range together with the shooting range when the shooting means captures an image.
<Claim 7>
7. The terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising a template registration means for registering the first range and the second range set by the range setting means as a readable template in response to an instruction from a user.
<Claim 8>
an information acquisition means for acquiring, from a photographed image obtained by photographing a price tag on which identification information for identifying a product and price information relating to the price of the product are written, the identification information and the price information;
a range setting means for setting, within a photographing range by said photographing means, a first range in which said identification information is located and a second range in which said price information is located when said price tag is photographed, based on an instruction from a user;
Equipped with
the information acquisition means acquires the identification information from a portion of the captured image that corresponds to the first range, and acquires the price information from a portion of the captured image that corresponds to the second range.
A sales data processing system comprising:
<Claim 9>
A computer provided in the terminal device,
an information acquiring means for acquiring, from a photographed image obtained by photographing a price tag on which identification information for identifying a product and price information relating to the price of the product are written, the identification information and the price information;
a range setting means for setting, within a photographing range by said photographing means, a first range in which said identification information is located and a second range in which said price information is located when said price tag is photographed, based on an instruction from a user;
Functioning as a
the information acquisition means acquires the identification information from a portion of the captured image that corresponds to the first range, and acquires the price information from a portion of the captured image that corresponds to the second range.
A program characterized by:

1 Sales data processing system 10 Sales data processing device 11 CPU
12 RAM
13 Memory unit 14 Operation display unit 15 Customer display unit 16 Printing unit 17 Drawer 18 Communication unit 19 Bus 20 Terminal device 21 CPU (information acquisition means, range setting means, price setting means, product master management means, price change means, display control means, template registration means)
22 RAM
23 Memory unit 24 Operation display unit 25 Camera (photographing means)
26 Communication unit 27 Bus 30, 30s Price tag 31a Product name (identification information)
31b Product number (identification information)
32 Price (price information)
33 Period information 131 Program 132, 232 Product master 231 Accounting application (program)
241 Update item setting screen 242 Reading range setting screen 242a, 243a Setting area 243 Reading range confirmation screen 244 Photography screen 245 Reading result confirmation screen 245a Result display area D Price setting data (price setting information)
F1a, F1b, F2, F3 Frame G Grid R1a, R1b Reading range (first range)
R2 Reading range (second range)
R3 Reading range SR Shooting range

Claims (9)

an information acquisition means for acquiring, from a photographed image obtained by photographing a price tag on which identification information for identifying a product and price information relating to the price of the product are written, the identification information and the price information;
a range setting means for setting, within a photographing range by said photographing means, a first range in which said identification information is located and a second range in which said price information is located when said price tag is photographed, based on an instruction from a user;
Equipped with
the information acquisition means acquires the identification information from a portion of the captured image that corresponds to the first range, and acquires the price information from a portion of the captured image that corresponds to the second range.
A terminal device comprising: The terminal device according to claim 1, further comprising a price setting means for generating price setting information for the product by associating the identification information acquired by the information acquisition means with the price information. A product master management means for managing a product master in which managed products are registered,
The product master management means includes:
If a product related to the price setting information generated by the price setting means is not registered in the product master, registering the product in the product master based on the price setting information;
if the product related to the price setting information generated by the price setting means has already been registered in the product master, update the information of the product in the product master based on the price setting information;
3. The terminal device according to claim 2. the information acquisition means acquires period information from the photographed image when period information relating to a period during which the price applies is written on the price tag;
4. The terminal device according to claim 2, wherein the price setting means generates the price setting information in which the product and the period information are further associated with each other. The terminal device according to claim 4, further comprising a price changing means for changing, when the price setting information includes the period information, the price setting of the product corresponding to the period information to the price of the price information during the period based on the period information, and returning the price to the price before the start of the period after the period ends. A display means;
a display control means for causing the display means to display the shooting range;
Equipped with
The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the display control means causes the display means to display a display that clearly indicates the first range and the second range together with the shooting range when the shooting means captures an image. The terminal device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, further comprising a template registration means for registering the first range and the second range set by the range setting means as a template that can be read in response to a user instruction. an information acquisition means for acquiring, from a photographed image obtained by photographing a price tag on which identification information for identifying a product and price information relating to the price of the product are written, the identification information and the price information;
a range setting means for setting, within a photographing range by said photographing means, a first range in which said identification information is located and a second range in which said price information is located when said price tag is photographed, based on an instruction from a user;
Equipped with
the information acquisition means acquires the identification information from a portion of the captured image that corresponds to the first range, and acquires the price information from a portion of the captured image that corresponds to the second range.
A sales data processing system comprising: A computer provided in the terminal device,
an information acquiring means for acquiring, from a captured image obtained by photographing a price tag on which identification information for identifying a product and price information relating to the price of the product are written, the identification information and the price information;
a range setting means for setting, within a photographing range by said photographing means, a first range in which said identification information is located and a second range in which said price information is located when said price tag is photographed, based on an instruction from a user;
Function as a
the information acquisition means acquires the identification information from a portion of the captured image that corresponds to the first range, and acquires the price information from a portion of the captured image that corresponds to the second range.
A program characterized by:

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